Writing the Beginning Paragraph

The first sentence in your narrative should grab the reader’s attention. It is called a lead. The following strategies will help you write an effective lead.

• Start in the middle of the action.

  I stepped into my first debate meeting, and my whole world changed.

• Start with someone speaking.

  “There's no better time than now to try something new,” said my mother.

• Ask readers a question.

  Do you know what it feels like to step outside your comfort zone?

• Begin with a surprising statement or an interesting fact.

  Before the winter of my 7th grade year, I wore a shell.

Beginning Paragraph

Revising to Add Dialogue

Dialogue refers to the words spoken by characters. Even though you might not know the exact things people said in the past, you can still add dialogue to your story. The trick is to use words and language that make sense for the time period.

• Too modern:

  “Chill out,” said Meriwether Lewis. “We got this.”

• More realistic:

  “We must remain calm,” said Meriwether Lewis. “The task is attainable.”

• Create a conversation between two characters.

  “Which direction do you favor, Captain Lewis?” asked Clark.

  “You have navigated us this far,” I responded. “I trust the south branch will keep us on the Missouri.”

• Use language that represents the time in history.

  “Captain Lewis, might that be the Great Falls?”

• Use dialogue to help move your story along.

  “We shall navigate the south branch farther and will not return until we reach the Great Falls,” I said.

Writing the Beginning Paragraph

The first few sentences in your narrative should grab the reader’s attention. They are called the lead. The following activity will help you write an effective lead.

• Start in the middle of the action.

  Suddenly, I heard a crash downstairs and the sound of breaking glass. “Hey, who’s down there?” I yelled.

• Have the characters talk.

  My brother’s lips were so swollen, it sounded like he said, “Mine guess who fur hiss!”

  “What?” I said.

  He glared at me and said louder, “I’ll get you for this!”

• Begin with a surprising statement or fact.

  When I was nine, I started my dad’s car and drove onto the street. I thought I was going to New Jersey.

• Give some important background information.

  It was a beautiful August morning. The sun was brightly shining on my sunglasses while my mother drove the U-haul truck to a warehouse in Santa Ana, California. As my mother drove down the streets of Santa Ana, I looked out the window and began to realize that the mixture of people was no longer a mixture; there was only white.