On a cold February night, high school students around the valley are faced with anticipation, rumors have been circling that school will be canceled due to a snow day. This is a common occurrence in Utah, kids around the Salt Lake Valley hope that there will be at least one snow day during the winter season. A free day off with minimal homework and good times. And this year, we received the good news, school will be canceled due to weather conditions. This news made just about everyone who lived in the Salt Lake Valley ecstatic. This allowed for people to make plans, some chose to sled, some chose to ski, and some chose to simply relax in the comfort of their own home. Students around Judge Memorial did not allow the snow to keep them in their homes. Junior George F left the night before the day off and went up to Solitude Ski Resort. Sophomore Jack F and some of his friends hiked up Jacks Peak and went sledding and skiing. Freshman Will H was doing ski tricks in an alleyway. The point is, the bulldogs took full advantage of the snow day and utilized the best snow on earth.
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Paul Allison is a nationally-known educator and EdTech expert… (more)
Paul Allison is a nationally-known educator and EdTech expert… (more)
Try this:
1. Clear and Engaging Lede: Your lede should grab the reader’s attention and clearly convey the main point of the story right away. Consider this revision:
– Original: “On a cold February night, high school students around the valley are faced with anticipation, rumors have been circling that school will be canceled due to a snow day.”
– Revised: “High school students in the Salt Lake Valley eagerly anticipated a snow day as rumors of school cancellations swirled on a cold February night.”
2. Proper Attribution of Quotes and Clear Introduction of Sources: Ensure that names and quotes are clearly attributed to their speakers and sources are introduced properly.
– Original: “Junior George F left the night before the day off and went up to Solitude Ski Resort.”
– Revised: “Junior George F. said he left the night before the snow day to spend time at Solitude Ski Resort.”
3. Logical Flow of Information: Ensure the story flows logically from one point to the next.
– Original: “This is a common occurrence in Utah, kids around the Salt Lake Valley hope that there will be at least one snow day during the winter season.”
– Revised: “Snow days are a common occurrence in Utah, and students across the Salt Lake Valley hope for at least one each winter.”
4. Clarity and Conciseness: Simplify and clarify sentences for better readability.
– Original: “This news made just about everyone who lived in the Salt Lake Valley ecstatic.”
– Revised: “The news thrilled everyone in the Salt Lake Valley.”
5. AP Style Guidelines: Ensure grammar, punctuation, and the introduction of numbers follow AP style.
– Original: “Sophomore Jack F and some of his friends hiked up Jacks Peak and went sledding and skiing.”
– Revised: “Sophomore Jack F. and his friends hiked up Jack’s Peak to sled and ski.”
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Paul Allison is a nationally-known educator and EdTech expert… (more)
Paul Allison is a nationally-known educator and EdTech expert… (more)
Image Type: A realistic photograph
Main Subject: High school students enjoying a snow day in the Salt Lake Valley
Background Scene: A snowy winter landscape featuring the Salt Lake Valley, with notable locations such as Solitude Ski Resort and local residential areas.
Details and Descriptors: Joyful kids, illustrating different activities: some are sledding down a hill with laughter, others are skiing with skillful maneuvers, and a few are performing ski tricks in a snowy alleyway. The students have expressions of excitement and happiness, bundled up in colorful winter clothing. The sky is overcast, with large, fluffy snowflakes gently falling, adding to the picturesque winter scene.
Artistic Style and Composition: Captured in a vibrant, realistic style with a mixture of wide-angle and close-up perspectives to showcase the expansive snowy landscapes as well as the details of the individual activities. Soft, natural lighting to emphasize the cold yet inviting atmosphere of a snow day.
Additional Modifiers: High resolution, high detail, 4k quality
Example Prompt: A realistic photograph of high school students enjoying a snow day in the Salt Lake Valley. The scene features a snowy winter landscape with views of Solitude Ski Resort and local residential areas. Joyful kids are seen in various activities: some sledding down a hill with laughter, others skiing with skillful maneuvers, and a few performing ski tricks in a snowy alleyway. They are wearing colorful winter clothing and have expressions of excitement and happiness. The sky is overcast with large, fluffy snowflakes falling gently, creating a picturesque winter scene. Captured in a vibrant, realistic style with a mixture of wide-angle and close-up perspectives, with soft, natural lighting to emphasize the cold yet inviting atmosphere. High resolution, high detail, 4k quality.
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Paul Allison is a nationally-known educator and EdTech expert… (more)
Paul Allison is a nationally-known educator and EdTech expert… (more)
I’d be happy to help. Please provide the lead paragraph you want feedback on.
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Paul Allison is a nationally-known educator and EdTech expert… (more)
Paul Allison is a nationally-known educator and EdTech expert… (more)
Thank you for sharing your lead. Let’s start by identifying the type of lead you’ve used and assessing its effectiveness.
Your lead appears to be a scene-setting lead, as it creates a vivid picture of the anticipation and activities surrounding a snow day in the Salt Lake Valley.
Based on the criteria for evaluating effectiveness, I would rate your lead as Developing. Here’s why:
1. Quote from the Lead: “On a cold February night, high school students around the valley are faced with anticipation, rumors have been circling that school will be canceled due to a snow day.”
2. Assessment: While your lead does set the scene and build anticipation, it lacks a bit of originality and punch. The details are somewhat scattered, making it less engaging and less focused than it could be. The reader might not feel immediately drawn into the story.
Would you like to see more about how you might make your lead more effective?
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Paul Allison is a nationally-known educator and EdTech expert… (more)
Paul Allison is a nationally-known educator and EdTech expert… (more)
To enhance the effectiveness of your lead, consider focusing on the most compelling aspects of the story. Ask yourself, “Who cares?” and “So what?” about the snow day rumors. Why should the reader be interested? The anticipation of a snow day is relatable, but you might want to highlight something more unique or intriguing about this particular event or its impact on the high school students.
For instance, you could zoom in on the emotions or specific actions taken by the students as they prepare for the potential snow day, adding more vivid and engaging details. Alternatively, you might consider another type of lead, such as an anecdotal lead, where you share a short, interesting story about one student’s experience.
Would you like to explore another type of lead or discuss further ways to refine your current lead?
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Paul Allison is a nationally-known educator and EdTech expert… (more)
Paul Allison is a nationally-known educator and EdTech expert… (more)
Remember, the goal is to invite readers into your piece with a lead that is original and catchy. Consider the following questions to refine your lead: What is the most unique aspect of the snow day anticipation? Is there a specific student or event that encapsulates the broader sentiment?
You might think about incorporating a short sentence lead to pack a punch or a question lead to pique curiosity. For example, a question like “Will the snow finally give students the break they’ve been hoping for?” could create immediate intrigue.
Would you like to work on exploring a different type of lead, or do you have other aspects of your story you want to discuss?
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Paul Allison is a nationally-known educator and EdTech expert… (more)
Paul Allison is a nationally-known educator and EdTech expert… (more)
Great! Let’s delve deeper into the short sentence lead and how it can enhance your story.
A short sentence lead, also known as a zinger lead, grabs attention quickly with a brief but impactful sentence. This type of lead can be sassy, shocking, or compelling and is often followed by more detailed paragraphs to fill in the context.
For example, if you were to use a short sentence lead for your snow day story, you could start with something like: “Snow days are magic.” This immediately captures the reader’s attention and sets the tone for the story, allowing you to build on the anticipation and excitement in the following paragraphs.
Would you like to see more examples of how to craft a short sentence lead, or do you want to explore another type of lead for your story?
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Paul Allison is a nationally-known educator and EdTech expert… (more)
Paul Allison is a nationally-known educator and EdTech expert… (more)
Another promising type of lead to consider is the anecdotal lead. This approach uses a short, engaging story to draw readers in. It’s particularly effective if you have a relatable or emotionally charged anecdote that sets the stage for the broader story.
For instance, you could start with a vivid, personal story about a student’s preparations for the anticipated snow day: “Emily spent the night meticulously planning her perfect snow day, complete with hot cocoa and a marathon of her favorite movies.”
This kind of lead can create a strong connection with readers by highlighting a personal experience that many can relate to, making the broader story more engaging and impactful.
Would you like to explore more about crafting an anecdotal lead, or is there another aspect of your lead you want to work on?
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