Then we looked at a paper and added it to our binder of some examples of boring beginnings and then how an action, dialogue, a description of the setting, or a sound was used to make the beginning a lot more exciting.
Some students just didn't get it, in spite of the modeling and examples. For many, it was just an issue with staying focused and listening. In spite of all the modeling, some students wrote a summary of their entire stories!
Here are many examples of effective leads that were written, so that you have a clear picture of what was expected.