1. Grabbing the reader’s attention with an interesting opening
Writing Memoir Leads
Grabbing the reader’s attention with an interesting opening

2. Action Leads
Action- The reader is immediately drawn into the action of the story.
I heard a loud crash, my little brother screamed, and I started running. When I got to the backyard, blood was everywhere and Michael was sitting holding his knee, crying. Pieces of broken bottle lay in blood pooling around him. I began to panic.

3. Dialogue Leads “Jason! Jason, help me!”
Dialogue-The text begins with one or more people speaking.
“Jason! Jason, help me!”
I ran out the kitchen door to the backyard, where my brother was playing. When I got there, I knew it was bad.
“Are you…? Are you…”
That was all I could say. Nothing else would come out of my mouth.

4. Dialogue Leads
Suspenseful dialogue leads create curiosity in the reader’s mind and leave them wondering what will happen next.
“You must not tell anyone,” my mother said, “what I am about to tell you.”      

5. Reaction Leads- Character Thinking
Sometimes these leads hint to the reader at the ‘life’ lesson that the memoir will teach.
“I was six years old when my mother taught me the art of invisible strength.”      

6. Reaction Leads
Using a question as a lead immediately draws the reader into the memoir, inviting the reader to ponder the events that lie ahead.
“Why on earth had she shown up after ten long years, and what was that expression of fury on her face?”

7. Suspenseful Reaction Leads
The narrator examines the subject, describing thoughts and feelings.
I never appreciated my little brother Michael. I thought he was annoying, a nuisance, a burden. But that horrible night I learned how important he is to me. I realized I would do anything for Michael. Anything.

8. Reaction Leads
Describing the conflict can present the central conflict to the reader for immediate consideration.
“At the age of six, our family was faced with a beast of a threat that would proceed to tear us apart, piece by piece.”