for class

1. LEDES
Also known as leads. Also known as “the
beginning of your story”

2. IN THE BEGINNING
 A strong beginning draws in the reader and holds
the reader.
 It’s the hook, prime real estate
 There are many different ways to start, and most
writers will try several different beginnings
before finding the best one.
 For some reason, many writers find that the
second paragraph should usually be the first one.

3. STRAIGHTFORWARD/SUMMARY
The Algerian military launched an operation on
Thursday against armed Islamist extremists
holding dozens of hostages including Americans
and other foreigners at a remote gas field, and a
top Algerian official said at least four hostages
were freed in the violent assault. But there were
unconfirmed reports of multiple casualties among
the kidnappers and hostages — and the United
States, Britain and Japan all said the Algerians
had not informed them in advance.
—New York Times, Jan. 17, 2013

4. SCENE & DESCRIPTION
“Lindsay Lohan moves through the Chateau
Marmont as if she owns the place, but in a
debtor-prison kind of way. She’ll soon owe the
hotel $46,000. Heads turn subtly as she slinks
toward a table to meet a young producer and an
old director. The actress’s mother, Dina Lohan,
sits at the next table. Mom sweeps blond hair
behind her ear and tries to eavesdrop. A few
tables away, a distinguished-looking middle-aged
man patiently waits for the actress. He has a
stack of presents for her.”
—Times Magazine, January 10

5. OTHER OPTIONS
 Begin with a great quote
 Begin with a startling fact (see today’s NY Times
story about fecal transplants...seriously)
 Begin with an anecdote—a story your
interviewee shared with you
 Begin with something you learned that you found
interesting

6. AWARD WINNING LEDES
 Check out some ledes from days of yore that were
award winners.
 Pay attention when you read news and magazine
stories to the various ways writers begin their
stories
 Play around and try a few different kinds of ledes
with every story.