How to Write Effective Leads

1
How to Write Effective Leads
2
What is a lead sentence?

• A good lead or opening (topic) sentence in a
  piece of writing hooks the reader to continue
  their reading.
• A weak lead makes the reader want to read
  something else.

3
7 Ways to Write an Effective Lead

• Provide a hint of mystery that makes the reader
  want more information
• Ask a question
• Start with dialogue
• Use a sentence from the middle of your writing
• Use a sound effect
• Begin with an amazing fact
• Use a sentence that sets the mood

4
7 Ways to Write an Effective Lead

• These methods can be used for both memoir,
  fiction or research writing.

5
Examples

• Read the following paragraph.

6

• When we came inside from a snowy recess Ms.
  Sleep had hot cocoa with marshmallows on top
  waiting for us. She helped us out of our soggy
  clothes and told us to warm our red hands around
  the sides of the cup until it was cool enough to
  drink. At Christmas time Ms, Sleep brought us
  each a Christmas tree cookie and icing and
  Smarties to decorate it. She just laughed and
  her blue eyes sparkled when we were greedy and
  piled the icing on thick to hold way too many
  candies. Last month we had Aerobathon. Ms.
  Sleep came wearing her wide shorts with her
  skinny legs sticking out and she gave us a
  challenge. She called out to the whole school,
  Anyone who can do as many laps as I can, will
  come to the park with me for a lemonade
  lunch!the race was on.

7
Tips to write an effective lead

• 1. Provide a hint of mystery that makes the
  reader want more information
• The most fun Ive had was on a cold winters day.
• As I entered the classroom a sweet smell greeted
  me.
• I slammed the door behind me and followed the
  smell into the classroom.
• As I entered the classroom the sweet aroma filled
  my lungs.
• The kids entered the class with a look of
  happiness and surprise on their faces.

8
Tips to write an effective lead

• 2. Ask a question
• Have you ever really liked going to school?
• Did your teacher ever bring you cookies?
• Is your teacher full of fun? You should meet Ms.
  Sleep.
• How many times have you had a really nice
  teacher?
• Why did this day ever have to stop?

9
Tips to write an effective lead

• 3. Start with dialogue
• Thanks for the cocoa, Ms. Sleep.
• Who wants hot cocoa? Ms. Sleep called out.
• Brrr I cried, its freezing out.
• Kids, recess is over now. Its time to come
  in, yelled Ms. Sleep.

10
Tips to write an effective lead

• 4. Use a sentence from the middle of your
  writing
• The bell rang just as we finished the snowman.
• At Christmas time Ms. Sleep brought us Christmas
  tree cookies.
• The teacher laughed when we too too much icing.

11
Tips to write an effective lead

• 5. Use a sound effect
• Ding! The bell went to end recess and everybody
  raced inside..
• Buzzzzzzzz! Recess is over. Good thing cause
  Im freezing.
• Crunch, Crunch was all we could hear.
• Creep I heard the door opening.
• Splash Ms. Sleep spilled hot chocolate on the
  freshly mopped floor.
• Click the door went when we went inside.

12
Tips to write an effective lead

• 6. Begin with an amazing fact
• Hot cocoa is great after a cold recess.
• Hot cocoa and snow go well together.
• Hot cocoa will burn your tongue.
• Never dip your cookie in hot chocolate.

13
Tips to write an effective lead

• 7. Use a sentence that sets the mood
• Wow it is so warm inside as I stepped into the
  classroom.
• With teeth chattering from the cold, sodden
  snowpants weighing us down we slopped in from
  recess
• Ms. Sleep greeted us with kind words as we walked
  into the cozy building from our cold recess.
• We sat at the table and defrosted our hands on a
  hot cup of cocoa after a cold day outside.
• Water boiling and cookies baking, and kids
  outside playing in the snow waiting for the bell
  to ring.

14
What method have the following writers used?

• I blame bad genes for my hair its as fine as
  a toddlers and more slippery than a politician.
  Hair like this can not be styled. It cannot be
  tamed. This means a ponytail holder is my key
  accessory, but even that cant keep the wisps
  around my hairline under control.

15
What method have the following writers used?

• Have you ever been so angry you wanted to
  scream at the top of your lungs in despair?
  Well, I have and this is my story.

16
What method have the following writers used?

• The ocean area covered by the Arctic sea ice
  last summer was as low as its ever been,
  according to a newly released survey. The rate
  of melting gets faster every year suggesting that
  a warmimg cycle predicted by climate change
  models is already at work.

17
What method have the following writers used?

• Ringgggg! went my alarm, waking me from a
  pleasant sleep. It was another Monday morning
  and one I wasnt looking forward to.

18
What method have the following writers used?

• Get up, Stephen, my mother yelled. It was
  another Monday morning. The same hum drum
  routine had started all over again.

19
Homework

• 1. Write 3 new leads for the paragraph
  provided. Choose from the 7 ways to write
  effective leads. Identify the method.
• 2. Write a new lead sentence for your latest
  writing territory piece. Be ready to share
  your leads with the class next writing day.

20
Lets check our homework
21

• One summer when I was around eight years old my
  father bought me a bike. We were staying at the
  family cottage in the country for the summer.
  One day my dad and I went into town together
  while the rest of my family stayed behind. While
  we were down town shopping my father found a
  bargain bike which was much too big for me but
  the price was right and he couldnt resist. When
  our chores were done he loaded me and the bike in
  the car and headed back to the cottage. When we
  were almost there Dad suggested I should ride the
  bike down the long steep hill that led to the
  cottage so everyone could witness first hand my
  great bike and his super bargain. Dad steadied
  the bike as I hopped on, my feet on the pedals as
  I could not sit down since my legs were too
  short. I could see my mom, brothers and sister
  waiting at the bottom of the hill wondering what
  was going on. At first things were okay until the
  hill became steeper and the bike picked up speed
  and I got so afraid I forgot how to steer right
  or use the brakes. I was headed towards the
  remains of an old foundation where we put garbage
  and thought my life was over! At the last minute
  I swerved and flew off the bike and into the
  bushes. My mother came running to see if I was
  alright and yelled at my dad for letting me do
  such a dangerous thing. It was an experience I
  wouldnt soon forget.

22
Start with dialogue

• Turn, turn! I could hear my father shout as
  I picked up speed and headed down the steep hill
  towards on an oversized two wheeler.

23
Use a sound effect
Thump, thump was the sound of my heart as I sped
towards what I thought was my death.
24
Begin with an amazing fact

• Five thousand children are killed each year in
  bicycle accidents and I was nearly one of them.

25
Use a sentence that sets the mood

• My heart was in my mouth when I saw the deep
  hole approaching quickly.

26
Ask a question

• Have you ever had a life threatening experience?

27
Use a sentence from the middle of your writing

• While we were down town shopping my father
  found a bargain bike which was much too big for
  me but the price was right and he couldnt
  resist.

28
Provide a hint of mystery that makes the reader
want more information

• That day, August 15, 1960 provided an an
  experience I will never forget.