1. WRITING AN INTERESTING LEAD IN A NARRATIVE

2. BEGIN WITH A QUOTE “Jeremy, tie your shoes before you get hurt!” was all I ever heard from my parents, grandparents, and teachers, but I never really paid much attention to all their nagging because I had heard it all so often. I just tuned them out. How bad could I possibly get hurt from not tying my shoes?

3. BEGIN WITH DIALOGUE “Jeremy, tie your shoes before you get hurt!” exclaimed my mom as I was going out the front door. Without giving it much thought, I said, “I’ll tie them when I get on the bus.” “Don’t forget…” Her voice became fainter as I bolted for the bus that had stopped down the street.

4. SETTING DESCRIPTION It was just a typical Tuesday morning. It was rather warm for the middle of September. I got off the bus; shoes untied. I walked upstairs; shoes untied. I went to class; shoes untied; I went through my entire morning routine with my shoestrings trailing behind.

5. CHARACTER DESCRIPTION I’ve never been the neatest or most organized kid in town. I NEVER tuck my shirt in, and you can forget about brushing my teeth without being told. So, it’s not hard to believe that since I was 5 years old, my mom had been hounding me to learn to tie my shoes. Everyone really began bugging me once I entered fourth grade.