1. Writing Leads
By: Renee Burress

2. What is a lead?
A lead is the
beginning
of your story.

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

4. Different Types of Leads
Question Lead
Set-up Lead
Talking Lead
Snapshot Lead

5. Draw your reader in with a question.
Question Lead
Draw your reader in with a question.

10. Set up the action for the entire story in a few sentences.
Set-Up Lead
Set up the action for the entire story in a few sentences.

13. Start with a line or two of dialogue.
Talking
Lead
Start with a line or two of dialogue.

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

21. 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.
Talking: “Why are you crying?” Sam asked.
“I’ve lost my papers and don’t know what to do!”
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.