1. Personal Narrative - Session #4
Writer’s Workshop
Personal Narrative - Session #4

2. Goal: I can generate multiple leads to get my story started
Goal: I can generate multiple leads to get my story started. Goal: I can get a first draft down regardless of how good it is.
Most writer’s don’t just pick a story idea and then write the book; they get ready to write by rehearsing.

3. Good Leads - Grab the reader’s attention
Begin with a strong lead, maybe action, setting, dialogue or a combination which creates a mood.
What do we like about this mentor text?
“Everything Will be Okay”
The kitten is a scrawny thing with burrs and bits of wood caught in its hair, where it still has hair, and the pus coming out its eyes and nose. Its big baby head looks even bigger at the end of such a stick of a body. I found it in the woods at the end of my street where I lay most days with my friends. This time I was alone. Lucky for you I was, I think to the kitten. Otherwise, David or Claude might have decided you’d be good practice for their slingshots. Those two can be mean, I think to myself. I don’t like playing with them really but they live at the end of the street and sometimes you just play with the kids on your same street, even it they’re mean, sometimes even to you.
-James Howe

4. Mini Lesson – What does a good lead look like?
The kitten is a scrawny thing with burrs and bits of wood caught in its hair, where it still has hair, and the pus coming out its eyes and nose. Its big baby head looks even bigger at the end of such a stick of a body. I found it in the woods at the end of my street where I lay most days with my friends. This time I was alone. Lucky for you I was, I think to the kitten. Otherwise, David or Claude might have decided you’d be good practice for their slingshots. Those two can be mean, I think to myself. I don’t like playing with them really but they live at the end o f the street and sometimes you just play with the kids on your same street, even if they’re mean, sometimes even to you.
-James Howe
*Tiny Details
*inner thinking

5. Mini Lesson – What does a good lead look like?
Techniques for Writing Memorable Leads
Writer’s might include the smallest details of the moment, the ones that ring true for the narrator
Writer’s might include inner thinking to hint at what the story is really about

6. Active Engagement – Continuing the Study
Continue reading and try to notice what else Howe does in his lead.
Discuss this with your partner.
Can we add to our “Techniques for Writing Memorable Leads” list?

7. Active Engagement – Continuing the Study
Techniques for Writing Memorable Leads
Writers might include the smallest details of the moment, the ones that ring true for the narrator
Writers might include inner thinking to hint at what the story is really about
Writers might include the precise actions of the characters, helping readers to see how one action leads to another
Writers might include the exact words the characters are speaking, in dialogue

8. Active Writing Time
When you go off to write today, try a few different leads.
If you first start with a bit of dialogue, in order to quickly bring your characters to life for your reader, then next you might begin with inner thinking to hint at what the story is really about
OR the smallest details of the moment or precise character actions like Howe did!
I would expect at least pages written during this time.
Continue to think about what you liked about the mentor text. How can you do that with your own story?

9. Be sure you’re carrying what you learn each day to the next!
Mid-Workshop Moment
Be sure you’re carrying what you learn each day to the next!
Reread your Personal Narrative anchor chart
Reference your “Techniques for Memorable Leads” notes

10. Share
Find your writing partner and a spot in the room. Share your progress with each other.
Offer praises and suggestions. Did they stay in the moment? Did the keep their perspective only? Can they point out where they did something inspired by the mentor text?

11. Writer’s Workshop Homework
Choose the lead that you think works best for setting you up to tell your story. Does that mean you need to write a couple more or do you have one to choose from?
You will be expected to add to your narrative, but most importantly be sure your narrative has a good, strong lead!
End Product = A first draft WITH a STRONG LEAD