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You are here: Home / All Freebies / Writing Leads or Sizzling Starts in Narrative Writing

April 27, 2022 · Leave a Comment

Writing Leads or Sizzling Starts in Narrative Writing

3-5· All Freebies

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.

Sizzling starts Narrative examples highlight the effects of starters or openers in narrative writing. Aligned to seven steps to writing success, these 5 sizzling starts are sure to hook any reader.
  • 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.

sizzling start narrative example with action

 

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 Leads Narrative Writing with dialogue

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.

Writing Leads Narrative Writing with onomatopoeia

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.

Writing Leads Narrative Writing with setting description

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.

Writing Leads Narrative Writing with character description

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.

Writing Leads Narrative Writing sizzling starts

 

Looking for a writing unit that will teach your students how to write starters that truly sizzle? Then head on over HERE.

THIS POST ON WRITING LEADS  ORIGINALLY APPEARED AT TEACH2TELL.COM

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About Teach2Tell

Laurane Rae is the founder of the educational website, Teach2Tell. Her teaching tenure has given her the opportunity to teach students at the elementary level (K-5), middle school (6-8) and high school level (9-11).

She designs curriculum in subject areas pertaining to math, literacy, literature, science, history and social studies. Her strong passion lies in improving students' writing skills, hence she has spent and continues to spend countless hours designing interactive lessons on this often considered difficult-to-teach subject.

She is a strong advocate of taking on the role of a facilitator and directing teaching and learning to be more student-focused. Moreover, her teaching mantra dictates, that less teacher talk and more action gets the pace of a lesson going.

In addition to fulfilling her professional duties as literacy coach/literacy co-ordinator, Laurane has also delivered professional development sessions to teachers and been a mentor to new teachers

To unwind after a busy school week, Laurane plays the piano and enjoys going on long hikes and biking trails with family and friends. She is also a pet parent to a very active Dobie called Mercy (her 4:30 am running partner) and cuddly bundles of joy (cats), Bouncy and Missy Boy.

Visit her TpT Store to see all her teaching resources.

You will also find useful teaching ideas at her Blog.

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