Writing a Great Lead

BAD LEADS:

I am going to tell you about snakes.
You will learn about Columbus in this paragraph.
In my report I will compare and contrast plant and animal cells.

Leads can be as short as one or two sentences and as
long as a paragraph.

GREAT LEADS:

• raise questions that make you wonder;
• contain an anecdote that fascinates;
• create a mood that appeals to you;
• open with information that’s new to you;
• introduce an unusual setting;
• have action that intrigues.

QUESTIONS THAT HELP YOU ANALYZE A LEAD:

Did you learn what the piece is about?
What did the author do that grabbed you?
What made the lead boring?
What did the lead make you wonder?
What details does the lead include?
How could this lead be improved?