TYPES OF LEADS
The lead (beginning or introduction) establishes the
direction your writing will take. A good lead grabs your reader's
attention and refuses to let go. In other words, it hooks the
reader. Below are some ideas on how to write an interesting lead.
Not every type of lead will work for every writer or for every
piece of writing. You'll have to experiment with them. Be sure to
have a least three sentences in your lead, whatever type it may
be.
Question
 | Open with an interesting question that relates to
the main idea.
 | Example: Have you ever wondered how you
would survive if you found yourself alone in the
wilderness? How would you defend yourself against
predators? What would you eat? Where would you
find water? |
|
Riddle
| Open with a riddle that the reader can solve by
reading further. You may want to give the answer right
away or save it for the conclusion.
| Example: What textbook has no pages, is
miles wide, and smells like a creek? It's been
around for millions of years. That's
right--Outdoor School. |
|
Announcement
| Open with an announcement about what is to come.
However, do not insult the reader by saying something
like, "I am going to tell you about..." The
reader should be able to figure out what you are writing
about. If not, there is something wrong with what you
have written, not with the reader.
| Example: The trait of voice is very
important in writing. However, it is difficult to
teach and even more difficult to learn. It is
similar to atheletic ability because it is more
like a talent than a skill. |
|
Bold and Challenging Statement
| A bold and challenging statement is similar to an
announcement, but is meant to cause some people to
disagree with what you say. It's like one side of an
argument. It can be an opinion, but don't immediately
state that it is your opinion.
| Example: Using horses and cattle in the
sport of rodeo is animal abuse. What makes it
more aggravating is that it is legal. According
to the law, there is nothing wrong with chasing
an animal down, tightening a rope around its
neck, knocking it to the ground, and tying its
legs together so it cannot move. |
|
Definition
| Open with a definition of the term you are
discussing. It can be your own or come from a dictionary
or textbook. If you take it from a dictionary or
textbook, be sure to use quotation marks and give credit
to the source.
| Example: According to Webster's
Dictionary, a government is the authority that
serves the people and acts on their behalf. How
can the government know what the people want if
the people do not vote? If we do not vote, the
government may act on its own behalf instead of
on the behalf of the people. |
|
Opinion
| Open with your opinion about the topic. This is
similar to a bold and challenging statement, but you let
the reader know that it is your opinion right away.
| Example: In my opinion, the driving age
should be lowered to fourteen. Most teenagers are
more responsible than adults give us credit for
being. Just because we are teenagers does not
mean we are irresponsible and dangerous. |
|
Well Known Quotation or Quotation from a Famous
Person
| Open with a quotation that is well known or from
a famous person. Be sure to put quotations around the
quotation and give credit to the person who said it. Of
course, the quotation must be directly related to your
topic. A good source is a book of quotations. Look in the
library or ask your teacher.
| Example: President John F. Kennedy once
said, "Ask not what your country can do for
you, ask what you can do for your country."
I think today's Americans have forgotten
Kennedy's message. We expect our country to take
care of us, but we are not taking care of our
country. |
|
Quotation Not from a Famous Person
| Open with a quotation from a person that is not
famous. It could be a character from the story or someone
you know personally. You still must put it in quotation
marks and give credit to the person who said it.
| Example: When I was a child, I was given
the "mother's curse" by my mom. Oh, it
is not anything mean or evil. She just said,
"When you have children, they will act just
like you." I laughed. Well, now that I have
children of my own, I am not laughing anymore.
The "mother's curse" really works! |
|
Personal Experience
| Open with something that has happened to you, or
a personal experience. It could be a part of the story,
or it could be something that is not a part of what you
are writing about but still relates to the topic.
| Example: Although I did later in my room,
I never cried at my grandfather's funeral. I
guess that is why I felt so sad for the little
girl standing next to her grandma's coffin. She
looked so lost and afraid. |
|
Figurative Language
| Begin with a simile (comparison using like or
as), metaphor (comparison saying one thing is another
thing), personification (giving something nonhuman human
qualities), or hyperbole (exaggeration.) The figurative
language must relate directly to your topic.
| Example: The pencil sharpener was always
hungry. It ate my pencil every time I went to
sharpen it. It never seemed to do this to
anyone's pencil but mine. What was so special
about my pencils? |
|
Enumerated General Statement
| Begin with a general statement containing three
or so ideas about your topic. The information given in
the lead is general, not specific. The specific details
that support the general statement will appear later in
the paper.
| Example: There are many characteristics
that a good teacher possesses. However, the three
most important characteristics include being a
good listener, being knowledgeable about the
subject, and having a kind heart. All of the
teachers who postively influenced me had all
three of those characteristics in common. |
|
Interested in hands-on
manipulatives for Leads that can be used instead of this page or
in conjunction with it? Visit Kim's Kreations.
|
