5.2 Effective Leads and Endings

Crafting compelling leads and satisfying endings is crucial for feature writing. These elements grab readers' attention and leave lasting impressions, shaping the overall impact of your story.

Effective leads use vivid imagery, intriguing questions, or engaging anecdotes to hook readers. Strong endings provide closure, resolve conflicts, and offer final insights. Together, they create a cohesive narrative that resonates with your audience.

Compelling Leads for Feature Stories

Grabbing the Reader's Attention

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• A lead is the opening paragraph or section of a feature story that grabs the reader's attention, establishes the story's tone, and entices them to continue reading
• Compelling leads often use vivid imagery (a bustling city street at dawn), intriguing questions ("What would you do if you won the lottery?"), surprising statements ("She never expected to find love in a war zone"), or engaging anecdotes (a brief story about a character's childhood experience) to capture the reader's interest
• The lead should be concise, typically no more than one or two paragraphs, and provide a clear indication of the story's central theme or angle (exploring the challenges of single parenthood, investigating a local environmental crisis)
• The tone established in the lead should be consistent with the overall tone of the feature story, whether it's humorous (a lighthearted look at a quirky subculture), serious (an in-depth analysis of a social issue), informative (a guide to understanding a complex topic), or thought-provoking (an examination of a moral dilemma)

Setting the Stage for the Story

• Effective leads often introduce the main character (a struggling artist pursuing her dreams), setting (a small town grappling with economic decline), or conflict (a community divided over a controversial development project) that will be explored in the feature story, giving readers a sense of what to expect
• They create a sense of anticipation or curiosity (hinting at a surprising revelation or an unexpected twist), encouraging readers to continue exploring the story to learn more
• Strong leads are often concise and focused, avoiding unnecessary details or tangents that may confuse or bore readers (a lengthy description of a character's appearance or a digression into the history of a location)
• Effective leads can take various forms, such as anecdotal (a brief story about a character's defining moment), descriptive (a vivid portrayal of a setting or event), question-based (posing a thought-provoking query), or quote-based (a compelling statement from a central figure), depending on the story's content and tone

Effective Leads in Feature Writing

Attention-Grabbing Techniques

• Effective leads are attention-grabbing, using techniques such as sensory details (the aroma of freshly baked bread wafting through the streets), dialogue ("I never thought I'd be homeless," she said, tears streaming down her face), or a surprising fact (the small town of Nowhere, USA, has produced five Olympic gold medalists) to draw readers in
• They are relevant to the story's central theme or angle (a lead about a soldier's experience in combat for a story about PTSD among veterans), providing a clear connection to the main content that follows
• Strong leads often employ a unique or unexpected perspective (describing a historic event from the point of view of a minor participant) or a contrasting juxtaposition (a serene natural setting disturbed by the sounds of industrial machinery) to engage readers' interest
• Effective leads can also use humor (a witty observation about a relatable everyday experience), wordplay (a clever pun or double entendre), or a cultural reference (an allusion to a popular movie, song, or historical event) to establish a connection with readers

Adapting to Different Story Types

• The choice of lead depends on the nature of the feature story, such as a profile (focusing on a central character), a trend piece (exploring a cultural or social phenomenon), an investigative report (uncovering hidden truths or wrongdoing), or a human-interest story (highlighting a touching or inspiring personal experience)
• For profile stories, leads often introduce the central character through a defining moment, a revealing quote, or a description of their unique qualities or achievements (a lead describing a scientist's groundbreaking discovery or an activist's tireless dedication to a cause)
• Trend piece leads may start with a surprising statistic, a vivid example of the trend in action, or a question that encapsulates the central issue (a lead asking whether social media is bringing people closer together or driving them apart)
• Investigative story leads often begin with a shocking revelation, a description of the consequences of wrongdoing, or a question that hints at the depth of the problem (a lead revealing that a trusted public figure has been involved in corruption or asking how a dangerous product could have been approved for widespread use)
• Human-interest story leads typically focus on a poignant moment, a relatable struggle, or an inspiring achievement (a lead describing a single mother's determination to provide for her children or a community coming together to support a family in need)

Satisfying Endings for Feature Stories

Providing Closure and Resolution

• A strong ending should provide a sense of closure, tying together the main themes, characters, or conflicts introduced throughout the feature story
• Effective endings often resolve the central question, problem, or conflict presented in the story (revealing the outcome of a character's struggle, the solution to a mystery, or the impact of an event on a community)
• They may offer a final insight, observation, or lesson learned from the story's events or characters (a reflection on the importance of perseverance, the power of compassion, or the consequences of inaction)
• Satisfying endings can also provide a sense of hope, possibility, or change (a character embarking on a new chapter in their life, a community united in the face of adversity, or a hint at the potential for progress or reform)

Leaving a Lasting Impact

• Effective endings often leave a lasting impression on readers, whether through a thought-provoking insight (a profound statement about the human condition), a memorable quote (a character's words that encapsulate the story's central theme), or a powerful image (a vivid description of a scene that lingers in the reader's mind)
• They should be consistent with the story's overall tone and theme, avoiding abrupt shifts or contradictions that may confuse or disappoint readers (a serious story ending with a lighthearted joke or a hopeful story concluding with a bleak or cynical statement)
• Satisfying endings can take various forms, such as a resolution to a conflict (a character overcoming an obstacle or making peace with an adversary), a look towards the future (a glimpse of what lies ahead for the characters or the world they inhabit), or a reflection on the story's significance (an examination of the broader implications or lessons learned from the events described)
• They should avoid introducing new information or characters that may distract from the story's main focus or leave readers with unanswered questions (a sudden revelation about a character's past or a new plot development that is not fully explored)

Leads and Endings for Feature Stories

Experimenting with Different Types

• Anecdotal leads begin with a brief, engaging story or incident that illustrates the feature story's central theme or character (a lead describing a teacher's first day on the job for a story about the challenges of the education system)
• Descriptive leads use vivid sensory details to paint a picture of a scene, setting, or character, immersing readers in the story's world (a lead describing the sights, sounds, and smells of a bustling open-air market in a foreign city)
• Question-based leads pose a thought-provoking or intriguing question that piques readers' curiosity and encourages them to continue reading to find the answer (a lead asking, "What would you do if you discovered a long-lost sibling?")
• Quote-based leads start with a compelling or surprising statement from a central character or expert, setting the stage for the story's main content (a lead featuring a scientist's bold claim about the potential for life on other planets)
• Circular endings return to an idea, image, or anecdote introduced in the lead, creating a satisfying sense of completeness and unity (an ending that revisits the opening scene of a story, showing how the characters or circumstances have changed)
• Cliffhanger endings leave readers with a sense of anticipation or uncertainty, encouraging them to reflect on the story's implications or potential future developments (an ending that hints at a looming crisis or an unresolved question)
• Epiphany endings conclude with a character's realization or a significant insight that sheds new light on the story's central theme or conflict (a character understanding the true meaning of a past event or recognizing the importance of a particular decision)

Matching Leads and Endings to Story Content

• Experimentation with different lead and ending types allows writers to find the most effective approach for each unique feature story, considering factors such as content (the subject matter and central themes), tone (the emotional register and style of the writing), and target audience (the demographics, interests, and expectations of the intended readers)
• For stories with a strong narrative arc (a clear beginning, middle, and end), circular endings that tie back to the lead can provide a satisfying sense of closure and coherence
• Stories that explore complex or controversial issues may benefit from question-based leads that engage readers' critical thinking skills and cliffhanger endings that encourage further reflection and discussion
• Profiles of individuals often work well with anecdotal leads that introduce the central character through a defining moment and epiphany endings that reveal the significance of their experiences or achievements
• Descriptive leads and endings that evoke a strong sense of place or atmosphere can be effective for travel stories, nature writing, or pieces that explore the unique character of a particular location or community