Write a Lively LeadWrite a Lively Lead

You Never Get a Second Chance You Never Get a Second Chance for a “1for a “1stst Impression” Impression”

Who can remind us what a Who can remind us what a “lead” in your story is?“lead” in your story is?

Think!Think!

ON YOUR OWN: Take 1 minute and think ON YOUR OWN: Take 1 minute and think about the lead you have written for your about the lead you have written for your story. Do you think your current “lead” has story. Do you think your current “lead” has room for any improvement?room for any improvement?

Study BuddyStudy Buddy

Take 1 minute to talk with your study Take 1 minute to talk with your study buddy. Ask each other if your current lead buddy. Ask each other if your current lead has room for improvement.has room for improvement.

When you write a story, think of When you write a story, think of your reader as a new kid you your reader as a new kid you have invited to your birthday have invited to your birthday

party.party.

Since this kid is new in school, Since this kid is new in school, she doesn’t know many people.she doesn’t know many people.

She rings the doorbell feeling She rings the doorbell feeling nervous and shy.nervous and shy.

You should smile and take her You should smile and take her coat. coat.

Show her the snacks and food.Show her the snacks and food.

Introduce her to other kids.Introduce her to other kids.

You’ve got to take her by the You’ve got to take her by the hand, so to speak, and make hand, so to speak, and make

her feel welcome.her feel welcome.

The same is true when you The same is true when you begin a story.begin a story.

View your readers as View your readers as the new kids at school .the new kids at school .

When they ring your doorbell When they ring your doorbell and step inside, you’ve got to and step inside, you’ve got to

take them by the hand and take them by the hand and show them around.show them around.

Otherwise they may get Otherwise they may get confused and disoriented.confused and disoriented.

A lead is the beginning of a A lead is the beginning of a piece of writing.piece of writing.

The purpose of a lead is to set The purpose of a lead is to set the mood, or tone for the the mood, or tone for the

writing.writing.

A strong lead engages us as A strong lead engages us as readers, draws us in, makes us readers, draws us in, makes us

want to continue reading.want to continue reading.

Let’s look at “Dolphin Day,” a Let’s look at “Dolphin Day,” a piece written by Stephanie, a piece written by Stephanie, a

6th grader.6th grader.

What makes this What makes this a strong lead?a strong lead?

Has a strong voice-Has a strong voice-it sounds like it sounds like someone talking to someone talking to us.us.Introduces us to the Introduces us to the writer before the writer before the subject.subject.Doesn’t even seem Doesn’t even seem like a nonfiction like a nonfiction piece at first.piece at first.Includes sensory Includes sensory details.details.Has lots of accurate Has lots of accurate information.information.Uses a question in Uses a question in the second the second paragraph.paragraph.

We’re going to We’re going to be looking at be looking at different kinds of different kinds of leads this year.leads this year.

This is just one, This is just one, but it’s worth but it’s worth looking at, and looking at, and learning from.learning from.

Today I want you to think about Today I want you to think about your lead, both when you write your lead, both when you write

and when you reread what and when you reread what you’ve written.you’ve written.

Write the kind of lead that Write the kind of lead that sounds like you and that will sounds like you and that will grab the reader’s attention.grab the reader’s attention.

Study Buddy QuestionsStudy Buddy Questions

Does your lead sound like you?Does your lead sound like you?

Does your lead draw the reader into your Does your lead draw the reader into your story?story?

What could you do to make your lead What could you do to make your lead stronger and more interesting?stronger and more interesting?

Today’s Quiz:Today’s Quiz:

1)1) What is a “lead”?What is a “lead”?

2)2) Why is it important to have a strong Why is it important to have a strong lead?lead?

3)3) Describe one way you could make your Describe one way you could make your current lead stronger.current lead stronger.