The way a writer begins story will set the tone for the rest of the writing piece. The best leads GRAB a reader’s attention and make them want to read more!

Types of leads include: Character Lead Setting Lead Dialogue Lead Question Lead Dramatic Scene Lead

Character Lead

What is a character lead? A character lead introduces the reader to the main character. A great character lead would create a picture of the character in the reader’s mind.

None of this would have happened if it wasn’t for Forest. Forest is not a thicket of trees. Forest is a boy. A sick boy. A boy sneezing and coughing all over my desk and pencils.

Not so long ago, they say, A mother lived – just like today. Mrs. Peters was her name, Her little boy was named the same. Now Peter was a perfect son In every way – except for one. When Peter was just one year old, He did not like his milk served cold. He did not like his milk served hot He liked it warm And he would not Drink it if he was not sure It was the proper temperature. Which character does the author introduce you to?

Some say Leroy Paige was born six feet three and a half inches tall, 180 pounds, wearing a size fourteen shoe… It would take him eighteen years to grow that size and about half that time to realize that his hand and a baseball were a perfect match.

How do you think the author would describe this character at the beginning of the story?

A dog started to bark then another and another. Joining the chorus were children rushing through the streets, yelling, “He’s coming!” People did not need to ask who’s coming, for they knew well who it was. Every Thursday this warning sounded, and when it did, all the work halted and the streets cleared… Then suddenly the figure came into view: an old man dressed in rich finery, a tall silk hat covering straggly white hair. A scowl etched itself deeply into his face. The very sight of him made people tremble. They knew his spiteful glare. They knew his temper. And everyone knew his name- Mr. McCurry Brogan Howlweister, more commonly referred to as… the Grump. The Grump

Setting Lead

What is a setting lead? A setting lead creates the setting (where and when) and establishes the tone. It sets the stage for the characters and actions that follow.

The place is Ho-Ho- Kus, New Jersey. The year is On May 11, after months of careful research and planning, Holly Evans launches vegetable seedlings into the sky.

Mr. Hicks lived out west. As far as the eye could see there was nothing… not even a roaming buffalo. So nothing much ever happened.

Far, far out to sea, land is only a memory, and an empty sky touches the water. Just beneath the surface is a tangle of weed and driftwood where tiny creatures cling. This is the nursery of a sea turtle.

How would you describe this setting?

Something Beautiful When I look through my window, I see a brick wall. There is trash in the courtyard and a broken bottle that looks like fallen stars.

Dialogue Lead

What is a dialogue or quote lead? This lead quotes an individual or presents a conversation between characters.

“Where’s Papa going with that ax?” said Fern to her mother as they were setting the table for breakfast. “Out to the hoghouse,” replied Mrs. Arable. “Some pigs were born last night.”

“My dad sent me a present!” Miguel told everyone at school. “I’m going with my grandmother to the train station to pick it up.” “That’s exciting, Miguel” said his teacher. “Do you know what it is?”

Ruby Bridges was born in a small cabin near Tylertown, Mississippi. “We were very poor, very, very poor,” Ruby said. “My daddy worked picking crops. We just barely got by. There were times when we didn’t have much to eat. The people who owned the land were bringing in machines to pick the crops, so my daddy lost his job, and that’s when we had to move. I remember us leaving. I was four, I think.”

Kid: “Hey, little ant down in the crack, Can you hear me? Can you talk back? See my shoe, can you see that? Well, now it’s gonna squish you flat.” Ant: “Please, oh please, do not squish me, Change your mind and let me be, I’m on my way with a crumb of pie, Please, oh please, don’t make me die!”

Question Lead

What is a question lead? A question lead has an intriguing question that makes the reader want to read on to figure out the answer.

Hello, little Mouse. What are you doing?

How does a dinosaur say good night when Papa comes in to turn off the light?

Why does a swell shark blow up like a party balloon? What does a lantern shark use it’s built-in lights for?

Dramatic Scene Lead

What is a dramatic lead? This type of lead shows a key event that grabs the reader’s attention and invites the reader to continue on.

Without warning, a gigantic, twisting tentacle bursts…

Welcome to the Snow Show! I’m Snow White and these are my cohosts, Chef Kelvin and Jack Frost. APPLAUSE! In this episode, we’ll take you live with a studio audience to the north Pole where we’ll cook up a fresh batch of snow!