Leads

Here are even MORE ideas for leads: Magnetic Leads

Techniques for writing leads.

A lead should do the following:

• Get your readers interested in your "story" or event and get them to connect to the main problem or conflict in your narrative essay

• Connect and introduce a you or a main character in an interesting manner

• Hint at a lesson learned from your experience.

Seventh-Grade Standard -

I wrote a beginning that not only set the plot/story in motion, but also hinted at the larger meaning the story would convey.

It introduced the problem, set the stage for the lesson that would be learned, or showed how the character relates to the setting in a way that matters in the story.

Types of Leads or Introductions-

• Picture or unusual image

• Dialogue

• Action

• Flashback

• Sound Effect

• Snapshot

• Unusual Image

• Question

• An emotion

• Interesting Fact

Examples -

The warmest and pleasantest part of Zuckerman's barn was the part where the cows were on the south side. It was warm because the sun shone in through the door, and it was warm because of the manure pile.

Picture or unusual image

"Where's Papa going with that ax?" said Fern to her mother as they were setting the table for breakfast.

"Out to the hog house," replied Mrs. Arable. "Some pigs were born last night."

Dialogue

(image, action question)

Did you know walruses' young when born weigh 100 pounds? They are even born on ice.

Interesting Fact

Question

As slim and straight as an arrow, Donald Bonnette glides over the water with grace and ease, the way a bird glides on currents of air.

Image

Action

"Dribble, Dave, Dribble!" I screamed. We were losing the soccer game 2 - 1 against Fox Meadow. Boy, was I mad."

Dialogue

Action