COM EXAM 1

Alternative leads

Must be followed by a Nut Grab

Anecdotal

Tells a story about a person & Humanizes problem

Round-Up (Multi-Paragraph)

Let’s the audience know the story & why it’s important

Blind (Suspenseful)

Drags out story & basically no idea where it’s going

Scene-Setter (Descriptive)

Details, Concrete images, typically NO PEOPLE

Startling/Shocking statement

Immediately grabs attention & Can bend grammar/structure rules

Direct-Address Leads

“YOU” Speaks directly to audience

Look-Ahead Lead

Previews story, Starts with summary

Wordplay Leads

Jokes, puns, etc. Not appropriate for every story

Staccato Leads

One word Sentences leads to nut graph

ex: Popcorn. Soda. Candy

Question Leads (Avoid)

Not brief or self explanatory

Topic Leads (Avoid)

They say something happened not WHAT happened

Summary News Lead

One sentence and gives main point immediately must have 5 W’s

Timeliness

Focus on the newest info / real time updates

Proximity

Closer is better (Geographical & Psychological)

Prominence

Famous people (celebs, politicians) / Ordinary People (Crime, Accident, Heroism)

Impact

How many people are affected (PPL AFFECTED)

Magnitude

Number, size, frequency (SIZE)

Novelty

Something out of the usual

Ex: Mailman bites dog

Conflict

Different opinions, arguments, violence, etc.