1. Narrative Essay-Small Moments Writing Strong Openings

2. Identify/Define: Leads, Hooks, Attention Grabbing Openers (AGOs)
Why do we have to do this? Effective and dramatic openers are designed to grab a reader’s attention…like a hook grabs a fish.

3. Hook, Lead or Attention Grabbing Opener (AGO)
A hook, lead or AGO is the part of your story that compels or forces an audience to sit up and pay attention.
It should come at the beginning of your story where it will get your reader on the hook! (symbolically, of course).
It will impress your audience so that they want to keep reading.

4. Visualize: We see hooks in movies and TV all the time

5. Evaluate: Which Lead, AGO or hook is better? Why?
"We're going to go on a dive into the deep blue sea.”
"I study ants in the desert, in the tropical forest, in my kitchen, and in the hills around Silicon Valley, where I live.”

6. Apply & Discuss: What was the Hook for your independent reading book?
What did the author include to get your attention?
Does it have dialogue?
Is it funny?
Does it have figurative language?
Does it make you ask questions?

7. Evaluate:

8. Evaluate:

9. Now you try each one of these for your story:
Apply & Experiment:
Now you try each one of these for your story:

10. Which one of yours do you like best?

11. Here are some other possible Hook AGO ideas for you:
Ask a thought provoking question.
Words from the Wiser. Use your theme in the form of a cliché or idiom.
State a well known quotation.
Foreshadowing-give readers a hint at what is coming up.

12. Here are some other possible Lead/Hook/AGO ideas for you:
Name Dropping. Use an allusion that your audience will be familiar with that works well with your story.
Show, don’t tell.
As I stepped onto the dark stage, my sweaty hands trembled and my pulse was racing.
Magic 3-Triples
As I looked into her beautiful green eyes, I thought to myself, “What if my hair is messed up? What if there is something in my teeth? What if I say something stupid?”

13. Here are some other possible Lead/Hook/AGO ideas for you:
Joke-Start off with something funny.
Onomatopoeia
Metaphor or Simile to describe the theme or the setting.
Dialogue-start with an engaging conversation
List it.

14. Here are some more Lead/Hook/AGO examples for you.

15. Now pick one and try it out.

16. Think Pair Share Share your Hooks with your partner.
Give each other some great feedback on which is most effective.

17. Drafting Focus Points:
Main Trait Focus =
DESCRIPTION:
Figurative language,
Literary & Narrative Elements, Adjectives
Support Traits Focus:
Voice & Conventions
Adjectives
Dialogue
Idea Development
Sentence Fluency 

18. Your objective: I will create a small moments personal narrative that entertains using vivid description and elements of a story.
Personal Narrative: Small Moment
Purpose for Writing: To Entertain
Goal: Tell a true story using descriptive writing that that includes narrative elements to entertain your reader.