Chapter 7 - Basic News Leads

First step to organizing a story

To start organizing a story, find its central point—a one- or two-sentence statement summarizing what the story is about and why it is newsworthy.

Second step to organizing a story

The next step in organizing a news story is to create an outline. With this skeleton, the reporter needs only to develop each section.

Digital journalists - video story / audio element

Digital journalists must decide how to best use video, which can explain a concept visually, emphasize or dramatize story elements, or tell the entire story on its own.

Digital interviews are easier than ever, and audio can be paired with photo slideshows. This audio can feature a narrator, background music, or natural soundscapes to guide the reader.

What is a “lead/lede?” What should it do?

The opening sentence or first paragraph of a journalism article that summarizes the most important information and hooks the reader.

It should reveal the story’s central point, not hide the subject with unnecessary words.

What are “blind leads?”

Leads that hold back details so the reporter can get to the central point of the article more quickly are called “blind leads.”

What is a “catchall graph"?”

A “catchall graph” usually follows the blind lead to identify sources and answer questions created by the lead.

Sentence Structure in Leads

• Most leads are a single sentence.

  • They must be complete sentences and follow all the normal rules for punctuation, grammar, word usage and verb tense.

• Most leads begin with the subject, which is closely followed by an active verb and then by the object of the verb (i.e., subject-verb-object order).

Guidelines for Writing Effective Leads

1. Be Concise - The concise style of writing found in journalism makes it easy for the public to understand leads but difficult for reporters to write them.

2. Be Specific - Good leads contain interesting details and are so specific that the audience can visualize the events they describe.

3. Use Strong, Active Verbs - A single descriptive verb can transform a routine lead into a dramatic one.

4. Emphasize the Magnitude of the Story - Most good leads focus on the impact stories have on people. (Ex: Emphasize the number of people killed, injured or left homeless due to natural disasters).

5. Stress the Unusual - Leads also emphasize the unusual, it makes it more unique. By definition, news involves deviations from the norm.

6. Localize and Update - Reporters localize leads by focusing on community involvement, since audiences care most about stories that directly affect their own lives and neighbors. Reporters update a lead by highlighting the latest developments in the story.

7. Be Objective and Attribute Opinions - Reporters are expected to gather and convey facts, not commentary, interpretation or advocacy.

8. Strive for Simplicity - Every lead should be clear, simple and to the point.

Where should you place attribution in a lead, if any?

Place an attribution at the beginning of a lead only when it is unusual, significant or deserving of that emphasis.

Chronological order rarely works in a news story

• Reporters highlight the most interesting and important facts in the lead, regardless of when those events actually happened in the story.

• Look for a story’s action or consequences. That’s what the lead should emphasize.

What is an “agenda lead?”

An opening paragraph that places too much emphasis on the time and place at which a story occurred is called an “agenda lead.”

What are “label leads?”

“Label leads” mention a topic but fail to reveal what was said or done about it. Leads should report the substance of a story, not just its topic.

Listing Details in Leads

• Most lists are dull. If one must be used in a lead, place an explanation before it, never after it.

  • The audience can more quickly grasp a list’s meaning if an explanation precedes it.

Distorting the Story

Every lead must be truthful. Never sensationalize, belitte or misrepresent.

Extra

• Don’t state the obvious.

• When writing a lead, report what happened, not what failed to happen or what does not exist.

• Never exaggerate in a lead. If a story is weak, exaggeration will make it weaker.

What is a delayed identification in a summary lead?

A delayed-identification lede (or delayed lede) is a journalistic opening paragraph that describes a person or action first and reveals the specific name later.