TYPES OF LEADS SENTENCES

SUMMARY, DIGEST AND STRAIGHT LEADS

Brings the main issues of discussions first.Tells the readers what they want to know in a creative manner.If the reader only read the lead, they would have a solid idea of the story.

Example: “Bathroom Bonfire prank sets house on fire”

QUESTION LEAD

Many editors dislike question lead on the basis that people read newspapers to get answers, and not to be asked questions

If the question exciting, it may be used as a lead.

Example: “If you were stranded on an island and could only have one thing, what would it be? Well Mr. Janosk Would take his Water Quad bike.”

PUNCH AND CARTRIDGE LEADS

Short & punchy to attract the readers.

Blunt, explosive statement to summarize article.

Examples: (Punch Lead) The Linns called for a pizza, but their pizza delivery man turned out to be so much more.

(Cartridge Lead) President Kennedy was slain by an assassin today in a burst of gunfire in downtown Dallas.

STATEMENT AND DIRECT QUOTATION LEADS

This lead can be extremely effective if the quote is good and important.

Paragraphs are used to explain the quote.

This lead is generally used in speech reporting.

Example: “I will start looking for a secular state in India from Kashmir to Kerala excluding Tamil Nadu for me to reside and work. If I am not able to find such a place in the country then I would seek a country that does entertain an artist like me.” Said the actor speaking to the press. Kamal Hassan is one of the finest actors and film makers in India, his latest movie 'Vishwaroopam' has not yet been released in Tamil Nadu.

CONTRAST LEADGrabbing the readers attention by comparing extremes: the big with the little, comedy with tragedy, old age with youth, past with the present etc.

Example: ABC News have said “Team Breezy are such dedicated fans of Chris Brown and have been compared to those of Michael Jacksons.”

DIRECT-ADDRESS OR DIRECT-APPEAL LEAD

This lead directly speaks to the reader.

It addresses the reader directly as ‘you’.

It enhances the interest of the reader as it directly talks to them.

Example: “You might not get relief from the harsh winds as the weather is going to be the same for next 10 days or more.”

DESCRIPTIVE LEADA descriptive lead describes how an event happened rather than simply telling what the event is about.

Writer try to paint the event/place/person through words.

This lead can help in creating mood of the story.

Example: “The sky lit with rainbows of color whilst on ground level the crowd watched in awe.” instead of “Millions will come together for bonfire night.”

PARODY LEADThis lead attempts to play on proverb, quotation, song titles or phrase.

Example: “Taylor Swifts Ex Harry Styles finally turns 22, guess he’s not going to be over the moon about it.”

HISTORICAL AND LITERARY-ALLUSION LEADS

This lead draws attention on some characters or events in history or literature that are familiar to average readers.

Example: “Nirbhaya dead after days of painful hospital stay. She fought for her life but sadly it ended as the infection had spread to all major organs and could not be stopped.”

STACCATO LEADJerky, exciting phrases used if facts justify it.

Short, clipped words, phrases and sentences, sometime separated with dashes and dots.

To create certain mood in the story, often this is descriptive in nature.

Example: “Midnight on the bridge…a scream…a shot…a splash.”

SUSPENDED INTEREST/DELAYED LEAD

This lead works as a stimulator of interest among readers.

After the lead, story runs in chronological order, so reader has to read the whole story to get the climax.

The reader must get the story by reading to the end of the story.

Example: “Fourteen-year-old Ahmeds appeal to remain with his Christian guardian instead of transferring him back to his Muslim mother has shot to national headlines. His guardian having been raised by a Muslim himself couldn't just look away when he found the six-year-old lost boy in a Lucknow park eight years ago…”

CIRCUMSTANTIAL LEAD

This lead stress’ on the circumstances under which the incident took place.

Generally used in Human Interest stories.

Example: A 60-year old retired bank employee raised the alarms when two unidentified persons entered her house with the intention to steal his most valuable and prized positions. Fortunately, a police van was standing nearby and came to the rescue.

ODDITY OR FREAK LEADSBegin with uncommon or odd statements.

Unusual approach to attract the readers.

Example: “‘For sale: one elephant.’ The City Park Commission are thinking about adding a new member to the family.”

NARRATIVE AND SEQUENCE LEADS

This lead starts at the middle of an event.

It carries the reader through the event and give a surprising twist at the end of the story.

Example: He paused for a second to gaze upon it. Then slowly he reached down and laid his hand upon it feeling the skin. He turned aside and carefully selected the knife. Sweating now, he lifted it up and then, suddenly brought it down. ‘Cut’ shouted the director. Thus ended the first shot of Casualty. Three retakes later and it was done.

BULLET LEADIn this lead, short sentences or phrases are used in a straight forward manner.

This is used in a important news. Since this lead hits the readers like a bullet.

Example: Osama Bin Laden is no more.

FUNNY AND GAG LEADS

This lead is written in funny way.

This is written on rare basis depending upon the story.

Generally, used in a feature.

BLIND IDENTIFICATION LEAD

If the person concerned is not well known in the community, his/her name is less important than other salient facts that identify the person.

Example: “An 80-year-old woman" instead of her name.

“A police inspector's son was attacked on Mount Road this evening. The victim Daniel, 20, has been admitted to a private hospital and his condition is critical.”