1. Writing Leads
By: Celeste Gledhill

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
Thinking Lead
Big Potato Lead
Misleading 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.

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

26. STARTS WITH THE CHARACTER’S THOUGHTS
Thinking lead
STARTS WITH THE CHARACTER’S THOUGHTS

27. Begins in the middle of the story
Big Potato Lead
Begins in the middle of the story

28. Sets up expectations, then surprises the reader.
MISLEADING LEAD
Sets up expectations, then surprises the reader.