the thumping three’s

The Thumping Three’s

Introduction Sentence Strategy

by Joy Boyd

The Thumping Three’s

It was a year ago. It was night. It was cold and windy.

-David Hill (2010)

The Thumping Three’s

What is this introduction strategy?

Three simple, short sentences all starting with the same word.

The Thumping Three’s

•The strategy is rhythmic because of the odd number sentence balance.

The Thumping Three’s

•This is a dramatic strategy even though the sentences each by themselves may not be that dramatic.

The Thumping Three’s

•Together the sentences are powerful.

The Thumping Three’s

•The sentences should not start with the word “the”. Uncommon words add to the dramatic effect.

The Thumping Three’s

STUDENT SENTENCES:

The Thumping Three’s

It was consuming. It was unbearable. It was pure, writhing silence.

- Kaci Delafosse

The Thumping Three’s

Nothing moved. Nothing made a sound. Nothing but silence.

- Ashley Moree

The Thumping Three’s

I was sharp. I was yellow. I was a Papermate No. 2 pencil.

- Dakota Workman

The Thumping Three’s

It was still. It was scary. It was coming.

- Kathryn Griffin

The Thumping Three’s

I was in the dark. I was alone. I felt like I was being watched.

- Talon Grenier

The Thumping Three’s

It was bright. It was hot. It was summer and I was dead.

- Charity Hill

The Thumping Three’s

It was ten years ago. It was early morning. It was storming.

- Anthony Rodriguez

The Thumping Three’s

There was darkness. There was five people. There was the taste of blood.

- Jose Solis

The Thumping Three’s

I was a hamburger. I was getting closer to the mouth. I was in.

- Hunter Duff

The Thumping Three’s

I think you should know. I think I am what you know. I think I’m hollow and still moving like a shadow.

- Devin Vickery

The Thumping Three’s

It was consuming. It was unbearable. It was pure, piercing, writhing silence.

- Kaci Delafosse

The Thumping Three’s

It is alive. It is big. It killed me slowly.

- Emmanuel Escalante

The Thumping Three’s

It was last night. It was dark. It was wild.

- Mikyia Durden

The Thumping Three’s

It was happening. It was there. It was me.

- Mark Lopez

The Thumping Three’s

It ran. It stopped. It had a heart attack.

- Ryan Prewitt

The Thumping Three’s

It’s there. It’s gone. It’s there again.

- 5th Period ?

The Thumping Three’s

He never knew me. He never knew my fears. He never knew he killed me fiercely.

- Devin Vickery

The Thumping Three’s

No way in. No way out. No where to go.

- Carlos Davalos

The Thumping Three’s

I was running. I was sweating. I was slowing down.

- Peyton Magrum

The Thumping Three’s

It was a month ago. It was late night. It was when he killed me.

- Shelby Cobb

The Thumping Three’s

There was silence. There was no moon out. There was nothing or nobody outside.

- Tiffany Munsinger

The Thumping Three’s

I’m the monster. I’m the one who did this. I’m the one to blame.

- Dillon Hightower

The Thumping Three’s

You don’t know what I am. You don’t know how to develop me. You won’t even see me.

- Devin Vickery

The Thumping Three’s

Never look back. Never ask questions of people. Never trust them.

- Eric Delgado

The Thumping Three’s

Nobody is here. Nobody cares. Nobody is listening.

- Mikyia Durden

The Thumping Three’s

It was the day they prayed. It was the day they cried. It was the day I died.

- Nick Handeland

The Thumping Three’s

Nobody was weirder. Nobody was crazier. Nobody was my Grandpa.

- Cody Wetherell

The Thumping Three’s

Nobody loves me. Nobody cares. Nobody would know if I was gone.

- Marissa Valderez

The Thumping Three’s

She was little. She was happy. She hated everyone.

- William Spradlin

The Thumping Three’s

It was lonely. It was calm. It did not know I was there.

- Savannah Fort

The Thumping Three’s

She was weird. She was happy. She was dumb.

- David Rosas

The Thumping Three’s

You were exhausted. You were hungry. You were burning up.

- Madison Reeves

The Thumping Three’s

She’s not breathing. She’s dead. She’s my sister.

- Katilla Howard

The Thumping Three’s

It was hot. It was sunny. It was summer.

- Steven Salazar

The Thumping Three’s

That was crazy. That was creepy. That was my sister.

- Cody Wetherell

The Thumping Three’s

It was my mom. It was frightening. It was a bad thing.

- Lorissa Estlinbaum

The Thumping Three’s

It was dark. It was cold. It was creepy.

- Lewis Findley

The Thumping Three’s

It was cold. It was storming. It was the perfect day.

- Dee Adams

The Thumping Three’s

No windows. No door. No way out.

- Dee Adams