1. P ersonal M emoir Writing an effective lead

2. William Zinsser wrote in On Writing Well that “the most important sentence is the first one” when writing creative fiction or nonfiction. In memoir writing, it is typical to find leads that utilize: - Setting -Reflection - Action - Event - Character - Dialogue

3. TASKS: Identify each of the sample leads as: setting, action, character, reflection, event, or dialogue (or a combination of techniques). Identify what kind of lead that you have written. Ask for help from your group members. Then, write two different leads, varying your tactics, word choices, and arrangement. Due on 2/12.

4. “Flowered and striped bathing suit bottoms. Swim trunks. And legs. Lots and lots of legs. I saw faces earlier, but now I don’t see them. All these things are blurry. The chorus of voices- reduced to gibberish. I wonder why. Oh, that’s right, I’m drowning.” “Inevitable Sinking” by Gabrielle

5. “ An instrument case, almost larger than me, a nervous step, and a deep breath. The school sprawls out before me, its door open and welcoming, yet as I go through, anxiety builds and the lights dim. All around is the feint glare of waxed floors and softly hanging from the ceiling is the distant sound of music.” “The Sound of Music” by Eric

6. “You ready to go?” my brother asked. “Don’t be nervous; nobody knows if you mess the Hebrew up anyway,” my Uncle Rob advised. “Do you need anything?” my mom inquired. As soon as I woke up, everyone was treating me as if I was nervous. Believe me, I was not. “A Day to Try and Remember” by Michael

7. “Early on I learned, without anyone actually telling me, that in this world it is not enough just to be. You have to be something.” “Lash La Rue” by Jerry Spinelli

8. “When I was nine or ten years old I couldn’t wait for Saturdays. Every Saturday, I got up early, dressed, and rolled my bicycle out of the garage.” Saturdays and Teacakes by Lester L. Laminack

9. “When I wake up, the other side of the bed is cold. My fingers stretch out, seeking Prim’s warmth but find only the rough canvas cover of the mattress. She must have had bad dreams and climbed in with our mother. Of course she did. This is the day of the reaping.” The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

10. “I am running. That’s the first thing I remember. Running. I carry something, my arm curled around it, hugging it to my chest. Bread, of course. Someone is chasing me. ‘Stop Thief!’ I run. People. Shoulders. Shoes. ‘Stop! Thief!’” Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli

11. “My arm is lightly slung around Lara’s shoulder, and we have bemused smiles on our faces. Maybe we are pleased to be playing soccer, or perhaps we are just confused. We wear God-awful lime green jerseys made of scratchy synthetic fabric and white socks pulled up to the knees. My hair is messed by the wind, and the thin strands are practically falling out of the ponytail holder. Yet all of this doesn’t really matter.” “Flight” by Ms. Frederick

12. “Are you there God? It’s me, Margaret. We’re moving today. I’m so scared God. I’ve never lived anywhere but here. Suppose I hate my new school? Suppose everybody there hates me? Please help me God. Don’t let New Jersey be too horrible. Thank you.” Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. By Judy Blume

13. “It is the first morning of high school. I have seven new notebooks, a skirt I hate, and a stomachache” Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

14. “As soon as I got home from school, Aunt Baba noticed the silver medal dangling from the left breast pocket of my uniform. She was combing her hair in front of the mirror in our room when I rushed in and plopped my schoolbag down onto the bed” Chinese Cinderella by Adeline Yen Mah