Lead

Definition

A lead is the opening sentence or paragraph of a news story that summarizes the most important aspects of the event or topic being reported. It is crucial because it grabs the reader's attention and sets the tone for the entire article, effectively conveying the essence of the story and encouraging further reading. A well-crafted lead serves as a hook, drawing in readers by highlighting key details such as who, what, when, where, why, and how.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Effective leads should be concise, typically around 25-30 words, capturing the most essential information without unnecessary detail.
2. Different types of leads can be used depending on the story's nature, such as summary leads for hard news or anecdotal leads for feature stories.
3. A strong lead establishes clarity and urgency, often utilizing active voice to convey immediacy.
4. Leads can vary in style and structure but should always aim to engage readers quickly, encouraging them to continue reading.
5. Crafting a compelling lead requires understanding the audience and determining which details will resonate most with them.

Review Questions

• How does a well-crafted lead influence reader engagement in a news story?
  • A well-crafted lead plays a critical role in influencing reader engagement by summarizing key information and creating intrigue. It serves as an entry point that captures the reader's attention and encourages them to read further. If a lead effectively highlights interesting aspects of the story while being concise, it can significantly boost interest and retention among readers.
• Discuss how leads can differ based on the type of news story being told.
  • Leads can vary widely based on whether the story is hard news, feature, or opinion-based. For hard news, a summary lead is often preferred to present essential facts quickly. In contrast, feature stories may use anecdotal leads that tell a compelling narrative to draw readers in emotionally. This adaptability allows journalists to tailor their approach based on the nature of the content while still aiming for clarity and engagement.
• Evaluate the importance of nut graphs following leads in shaping a news story's narrative and reader understanding.
  • Nut graphs are vital for shaping a news story's narrative because they provide context that enhances reader understanding beyond just the initial facts presented in the lead. By elaborating on why the story matters and connecting it to broader themes or implications, nut graphs help establish significance and relevance. This layer of information deepens reader comprehension and adds depth to the reporting, ensuring that audiences grasp not only what happened but also its impact.

Related terms

Nut Graph: A nut graph is a paragraph that follows the lead and provides additional context and background information, explaining why the story is important and what it means.

Inverted Pyramid: The inverted pyramid is a style of writing where the most important information is presented at the beginning of the story, followed by supporting details in order of decreasing importance.

Summary Lead: A summary lead is a type of lead that succinctly summarizes the main points of a news story, typically answering the key questions about an event in a straightforward manner.