,LESS-ON:3: WRITING A S.TRONG LEAD

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The Parts of an Autobiographical Narrative

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There I stood, on the shoulder of the road, witlr a stick in one

hand ana a bulging garbage bag in the other. Who said volunteer

work would be a breeze? The only breez,e I felt all day was the wind

of passing trucks. Litter patrol was worlg but it was rewarding work.

. .The day,began when I put a soda qan into the bag.I'dont like ,

soda very much.Then I took a couple of .i.p, and picked up a tattered

magazine.Next I pulled a plastic bag from a shrub.

As l,worliedrl started to think atout*at I'could do-to make my ,

town c-lb*ner;The next th-ing I knew, two haurs had passed.I tuined

around. The shoulder of the road was trash free!

1. Which is the lead sentence? Underline it.2. Circle words in the first paragraph that describe the setting.

3. Which detail does not relate to the topic and seems out of place? Cross it out.4. What transition words help show the chronological order of events? Write them.

In an autobiographical narrative, a writer describes something that happened in

his or her life. Here is an example of an autobiographical narrative written by a

fifth-grade student. As you read, think about how the student organized it. Then

answer the questions.

Begin with a strong lead that

will make readers want to read

more.

Make the topic and setting

clear to your readers.

Develop your ideas by using

sensory details and descriptive

words.

Organize events in

chronological order. Use

transition words such as.frst,

then, and next.

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Use complete sentences. Each

must have a subject and apredicate.

5. Which details help grab readers'attention? Write them below.

Writer's Companion. UNIT 1

Lesson 3 Writing a Strong Lead