keyboard 1. Types of Leads

  1. Anecdote Lead:
    "I pulled up and set the hook. The silver salmon twisted his head, turning down stream. I reefed on my pole, confident in the heavy line. The pressure eased and my muscles relaxed. Suddenly the salmon lunged ..."

  2. Startling Statement Lead:
    "If someone had told me my first child would have two heads, I'd have thought he or she was crazy. But twins comes that way."

  3. Pun or Play on Words Lead:
    "Neither rain, nor sleet, nor snow will keep the mailman from getting through and that makes him one of the most valuable
    helpers I have as a Sunday school teacher."

  4. Compelling Description Lead:
    "The halting pace of the silver-haired woman with her walker was just about right for the disabled young man. As
    they moved along the pathway, she said ..."

  5. Suspense Lead: [Note: If possible a little suspense should be in most leads. See 1, 2, 4, 6]
    "The sign cinched it. I wasn't going to take a pie to the new neighbors. I didn't know what the posted wooden sign
    at the bottom of their driveway meant, and I was too scared to find out."

  6. Question Lead: [Caution - frequently overused by beginners]
    "What was I doing running down our church parking lot chasing strangers? I didn't even have something important to say."

  7. Quote Lead:
    [Caution - again overused by beginners]
    "'No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, yes.' That's the way Tom Jackson describes the job hunt today."

  8. Seasonal Tie Lead:
    "The wildflowers beginning to bloom around the countryside are more than just heralds of spring."
    Or "For many families, Easter brings little more than new clothes, a basket full of candy, and a ham dinner."

  9. Current Event Lead:
    "He couldn't even find Iraq on a map, much less tell you anything about the place. But Thomas Wilson was going."
Copyright 2006 Deborah Hedstrom-Page

Next 2-Types of Endings        Back to Writing Tip Choices        Return to Home Page