Why do we have hooks to our stories? Hooks and Ledes

“When I was seven years old the mailman ran over my head.” The Miracle of Life- Edgar Mint “If you really want to hear about it, the first thing you’ll probably want to know is where I was born, and what my lousy childhood was like, and how my parents were occupied and all before they had me, and all that David Copperfield kind of crap, but I don’t feel like going into it, if you want to know the truth.” Catcher in the Rye- J.D. Salinger "It was the day my grandmother exploded.” The Crow Road- Iain Banks “Who’s there?” Hamlet- Shakespeare

* Let's look together at the list of different types of hooks and ledes * Put a checkmark next to the types you find interesting * Put two checkmarks next to it if one resembles the type of lede that you have used already

* Look at the beginning of "A Whole Lot of Holes" for each style of Lede. * Compare it to the list we have discussed. * What type of lede (or combination of ledes) do you think it is?

Pick Two Types of Ledes from the handouts and rewrite the beginning of "A Whole Lot of Holes" for each style of Lede. In your Writer's Notebook, make a new page called "Hooks and Ledes." Write your two new ledes to "Holes" there. Make sure that the lede grabs a reader’s attention, but is also relevant to the remainder of the story.

Hooks and Ledes C urrent lede There have been many, many times in my life when I have been injured. I have broken my foot … twice. I have pulled the ligaments in my knees at least 13 times, and once my kneecap was twisted around to the back of my leg. I have burned my wrist on a scalding hot lawnmower engine, deeply enough that bones were visible and that the scar can still be seen today. However, the three most memorable of my injuries all involved one thing … holes in my body.

Hooks and Ledes Description Lede (either Site, Event or Person – circle the one you pick) Along the shore, the trees were in full bloom. Birds were singing. Children played frantic games in the nearby playground, their voices carrying cheerfully in the wind to where we stood. It was, all in all, a beautiful day. However – and this is a big however – the slow- trickling water in the creekbed was murky green, impossible to see through. Who knew what lurked at the bottom of the watery sludge? I didn’t know … and that’s how I ended up as a “holey” man.

Hooks and Ledes One Word or Capsule Lede Holes. My body is full of them. And the way I got them? Well, that’s my story.

Hooks and Ledes Question Lede What can be worse than a body filled with holes? When it is my body that is full of holes.

Hooks and Ledes Direct Address The following tale is not for the squeamish. You may not want to read it. But if you are up to hearing a tale of how one man’s body has been filled with holes – and lots of them – then read on. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Return to the intro you have written for your own narrative. Adjust it four times to capture the reader’s attention in a unique manner. (Think Brevity!) Due Thursday at start of class P.S. If you decide to use one of these ledes, make sure you have copied it for yourself before turning it in Thursday