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News Lead Writing
You have the 5 W’s and H…so now what?
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News Lead• Most frequently the first
paragraph of a news story
• It is the MOST important paragraph
• Leads have to grab readers attentions and hold on!!
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Journalistic writers use the Inverted Pyramid
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News Articles
• The broad part at the top is where the main facts go; this is your lead.
• As you progress in your article, the facts become less important; this is where the pyramid narrows.
• This style allows readers in a hurry to get the important information, without having to read the whole article.
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Summary Lead Formula
• Start with the news (The first annual Homecoming dance) …
• Then an attribution –where or who provided the information (the Spirit advisors)…
• Follow with a verb (proclaimed)…
• End with a time element (will be held on Friday night after the football game)
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Read the lead…
• The Spirit advisors proclaimed that the first annual Titans Homecoming dance will be held Friday night after the football game.
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Lead Guidelines
• Get the reader’s attention honestly and quickly.
• Be creative, interesting and make the best use of the material you have.
• Be objective – not your opinion.
• Be smooth, concise and readable.
• Summarizes the entire story but uses the best elements – not all of them.
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Does the lead summarize the main facts of the story in one or two sentences?
Is it written in a succinct and direct, yet interesting, way?
Does the lead avoid expressing the writer’s opinion?
Has the writer avoided beginning with a question or a quote?
Is the lead correctly punctuated and free from capitalization and spelling errors?
Checklist
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Assignment
• Write the lead for the story you have researched from your list.