Writing Leads

By: Renee Burress

What is a lead?

A lead is the beginning of your story.

A good lead catches the reader’s attention, making them want to read on. It also makes the writer want to write more.

Different Types of Leads • Question Lead • Set-up Lead • Talking Lead • Snapshot Lead

Question Lead

Draw your reader in with a question.

Set-Up Lead

Set up the action for the entire story in a few sentences.

Talkin g Lead

two of dialogue .

Snapshot Lead

Create a picture of the setting or a character in the reader’s mind.

How can you use some of these ideas in your biography?

  Question: Have you ever had a best friend?

Set-up: I could have never made it through the year without my best friend.

 “I’ve lost my papers and don’t know what to do!”  Talking: “Why are you crying?” Sam asked. Snapshot: I sat staring out the window when my telephone rang. I was watching the raindrops slide down my window. Suddenly the phone rang and I saw it was my best friend.