Writing leads or sizzling starts that are strong and engaging are guaranteed to hook a reader at the outset. In fact, this is a skill we need to teach our students in every writing class.
The Narrative sizzling starts or writing leads mentioned in this post will no doubt keep any reader engaged.
- What are writing leads?
- What are some good leads in writing?
- What are some strong narrative writing leads?
We’ll look at the answers to these questions in more detail in this blog post.
What are Writing Leads?
Have you ever read the first couple of lines of a story or book only to stop reading further because it wasn’t very interesting? That’s because the opening lines or the lead just couldn’t arrest your attention long enough.
A good writing lead or sizzling start invariably ‘hooks’ the reader. Think of it as a fishing hook that hooks that prized catch.
That’s why writing leads are aptly known as sizzling starts and in this post, we’ll use these terms interchangeably.
In fact, it’s the start of a piece of writing that should grab the reader’s attention.
It’s actually a matter of reading on, or just moving on, so the writing lead better be good.
What are some good leads in writing?
Now that we’re clear on what a writing lead or a sizzling start is, let’s look at some narrative lead examples.
Of course, there are many ways to begin leads in a narrative, but let’s focus on the really strong ones.
Writing A Narrative Lead With Action
It’s always more interesting to start a narrative with an action scene. Well, nobody really wants to know too much about the boring details, now do they?
For instance, the sizzling start narrative example with action below helps the readers visualize Mrs. Smith’s scrawling’ handwriting and thus paints a captivating scene.
Writing A Narrative Lead With Dialogue
The use of dialogue is known to move along the story events in a plot. In fact, it’s a technique that writers often use when maintaining pace and flow in their writing.
For example, this sizzling start with dialogue below reveals Mrs. Smith’s character – she means what she says.
Writing A Narrative Lead With Onomatopoeia
Beginning leads with onomatopoeia or a sound effect is ‘loud’ enough to grab the reader’s attention. In this sizzling start with onomatopoeia example, we can almost hear the ‘thud’ of books as Mrs. Smith drops them onto the table.
In addition to the three types of leads above, there are two others worthy of mention.
Writing Leads With Setting Description and Character Description
Just as dialogue and action get the pace of a narrative going, descriptive details do the opposite. They slow down the pace.
In this sizzling start with description on the setting example, we can visualize the silence of the classroom except for the ticking of the clock.
Now let’s look at the lead with description on the character. It shows Mrs. Smith to be the no-nonsense type. The reader can gather a lot about her just by reading this lead.
In addition to the sizzling starts mentioned above, there are many other arresting leads, starters or openers students can use in their narratives. These five, however, are the main ones I like to teach my students and which in my opinion are very effective in ‘hooking’ the reader.
Free Sizzling Starts Posters
It’s a no-brainer that providing students with example starters or openers lays the foundation for students to write their own impressive writing leads. So access the link to these free Sizzling Starts Posters to display in your classroom. They come in two styles: with kid characters and with dot dudes.
Choose the style you prefer and get your students writing starters that truly sizzle.
Looking for a writing unit that will teach your students how to write starters that truly sizzle? Then head on over HERE.
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