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Beginnings

Beginnings. From Ralph Fletcher What a Writer Needs. The Dramatic Lead. “You would usually be born from you own mother’s stomach, but not me…” Dramatic leads are eye catching and hold the readers attention Makes you want to finish the entire story Have an appropriate lead

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Beginnings

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  1. Beginnings From Ralph Fletcher What a Writer Needs

  2. The Dramatic Lead “You would usually be born from you own mother’s stomach, but not me…” • Dramatic leads are eye catching and hold the readers attention • Makes you want to finish the entire story • Have an appropriate lead • Give students options other than when on one

  3. Starting in the Middle of a Scene • Throws the reader into the action • Immediacy- sense of here and nowness • Can begin with an auditory sound or dialogue • Example: “Crash! The baseball smashed into the window.”

  4. Leisurely Leads • What is it? • A longer lead that can build suspense while creating an introspective tone for the narrative • A longer lead that gives the reader entry, and provides them with an idea of how the rest of the writing will be Example: a rambling description of a place, feeling or experience (not punchy or to the point) If you consider the beginning of a hard news story, a leisurely lead would be the opposite!

  5. Beginning at the Ending • “One day last spring, Louis, a butcher, turned into a fish. Silvery scales. Big lips. A tail. A salmon.” • Starts at the end of a story and explains how such an ending came about. • Used by journalists or essayists who begin with a surprising, provocative argument. • Does not give the reader a sense of surprise, rather gives them satisfaction of knowing how the story ends.

  6. Introducing the Narrator • What is it? • A lead designed to introduce the character who will tell the story • Designed to connect the reader with the main character • Ex: humorous intro, unreliable narrator, bold introduction, start with a question. • Moby Dick, Three Little Pigs told from wolf’s perspective

  7. The Misleading Lead • Writers who explore powerful, personal subjects often begin with a blurting lead that tells too much too fast. • Example: • Last summer Gilly, my pet guppy, had fifty-three babies. • Writers need to be careful; readers may feel cheated, manipulated, and stop trusting the writer.

  8. The Ambiguous Lead • Lack of clarity can be intriguing • Vagueness entices readers to continue reading to figure out the unclear beginning • Example: “From behind the tree I saw a man-like figure lumber into the forest. Is it a man? Is it something else? We race ahead to find out…”

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