Powerful Openings and Endings

In the SET Stage 2 exam, the examiner will read dozens of pieces of writing in a single session. Your opening is your chance to stand out from the very first line, and your ending is the last thing the examiner reads before deciding your mark. Together, they frame your entire piece. The strongest candidates for Sutton Grammar, Wilson's, Wallington County Grammar, Nonsuch, and Wallington High know that a powerful opening and a memorable ending can transform a good piece of writing into an outstanding one.

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Part 1: Powerful Openings

Why Do Openings Matter?

Your opening sets the tone for everything that follows. It tells the examiner:

• You are a confident writer who knows how to engage a reader
• You have a plan (a strong opening shows you know where the piece is going)
• You understand that first impressions count

A weak opening — "One day, a boy went to the park. It was sunny." — immediately signals a less experienced writer. A strong opening says: this student knows what they are doing.

Six Types of Powerful Opening