News Lead Writing

You have the 5 W’s and H…so now what?

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!!

Journalistic writers use the Inverted Pyramid

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.

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)

Read the lead…

• The Spirit advisors proclaimed that the first annual Titans Homecoming dance will be held Friday night after the football game.

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.

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

Assignment

• Write the lead for the story you have researched from your list.