Leads in Narrative Writing

1. Leads in Narrative Writing Let’s make it interesting! W.6.3a – I can write a strong lead to a story.

2. Why do we need a lead? • Leads are the “hooks” of any piece of writing. They are what “grab” your readers’ attention & keeps them interested & reading! • There are different ways to “grab” your readers’ attention. • 6 main topics.

3. The Leads… • Talking Lead • Sound Effect Lead • Action Lead • Snapshot Lead • Question Lead • Flashback Lead

4. Talking Lead • This lead begins with dialogue. • Bare minimum: “Run!” • Your goal: “RUN!” I heard him scream at the top of his lungs at me from above. “You’re about to be tackled by the biggest dog I’ve ever seen in my entire life! Hurry! Hurry! You’re not going to make it!” He hollered. He was right. I might not make it…”

5. Sound Effect Lead • This leads gets the reader quickly involved in the story by starting with an event or some kind of action. • Bare minimum: “I heard a noise in the basement.” • Your goal: “Last night, I was sound asleep in my bed, blissfully unaware of what was going on,” Anna said, “& then I heard this *CRASH*!! I slowly crept downstairs, & pressed my ear against the cold wooden door & listened to what I can only describe as the most surreal, supernatural noise that has ever been on earth.”

6. Action Lead • You can get the reader quickly involved in the story by starting with an exciting event or some kind of action. • Bare minimum: “I was really scared to go trick-or-treating.” • Your goal: “As I dressed myself in my witch costume, I began to visibly shake in my black, suede, knee-high boots & felt nausea start to set in. What was I going to do? How could I convince my friends that I would much rather run a 5k while doing math than go trick-or-treating with them? I would be forever teased & humiliated.”

7. Snapshot Lead • When you paint a picture with words, you draw the reader in. • Bare minimum: “Ballet is my favorite thing to do.” • Your goal: “My heart is pounding in my chest as I stand in the wings awaiting my entrance in “The Nutcracker.” My skin is prickly with goose-bumps while simultaneously sweaty with nerves. I tap the box of pointe shoes in the box of rosin, again, praying that I don’t fall. This is it; what I’ve been working towards for months. Now or never.”

8. Question Lead • This lead begins by asking an interesting question. • Bare minimum: “Today, we will discuss cheerleading.” • Your goal: “Is ballet a sport? In what other activity can you do all the flips, tricks & stunts that cheerleaders pull of seamlessly & with just as much talent as a gymnast? The only difference? That cheerleading is used in conjunction with other sports too. So, should they not be considered at the same level? How is that fair?

9. Flashback Lead • This lead takes the reader back to a specific event in the past that relates to the topic. • Bare minimum: “I remember the first time I drove.” • Your goal: “Sitting behind the wheel of my mom’s Subaru Forrester, my heart was beating like it would explode through my chest & my palms kept slipping off the wheels as I gripped until my knuckles were white. By the time it was all over, my cable-knit halter top was soaked & my back was sticking my mom’s leather seats.”

10. Put it to the test! • In your table sets, you will be assigned one of the leads we just went over. You are then going to create a skit & perform for the class using this lead!