Learn how to write a lead in journalism effectively with tips and tricks to grab readers’ attention and create engaging stories.The lead or introduction is the’most important part of a news item. It-should’be clear, provocative and so simple that everybody can understand it. Usually it starts with a name, a noun or an article but rarely with a participle, a preposition or a quotation.The lead should hold the promise of great things to come and this promise must be fulfilled. Moreover it should be direct and to the point.
Characteristics of a Good Lead
- It is the briefest possible summary of a news item.
- It usually consists of only one paragraph but it may be spread upon two or more paragraphs depending upon the requirement and need of a news story.
- It quickly summarizes in the first few words the central idea of the story.
- It begins with specific interest arousing words.
- It is broken into two sentences, or even two paragraphs
- It cites the source of the news where necessary.
- It identifies the persons mentioned in its sentences.
- It relates the story, when necessary, to previous or current news
- It is written lightly or seriously depending upon the nature of the incident reported.
How to Write a Lead in Journalism
Writing a good lead for a conventional news story requires much exercise and care. The lead serves to summarize the story by answering questions like who, what, when, where, why (5 Ws’) and how. It also emphasizes the news worthy event of the story.
The following procedure should be adopted for writing a good lead
- Study carefully the notes taken for the story, selecting the required Ws’ and H on a paper and then write appropriate facts opposite one another.
- Stress a certain feature on the basis of its news value .nil on the likes and dislikes of the readership.
- Arrange the remaining 5 Ws’ and H in the oidei ol decreasing importance.
- The lead should begin with a dazzling sentence.
- Keep in mind all the other characteristics of a good news lead.
- Examine your lead and rewrite it if an improvement in it is possible.
Lead plays an important role in a news story. Lead is the opening text of the news that determines the reader’s decision to continue reading or skip it. By reading the lead, the reader can get a general overview of the news or become curious. But, how many types of leads do you know? In this article, there are 6 types of news leads that will be discussed.
Here are six types of news leads
- Lead Summary
A summary lead contains the gist of a news story. So, just by reading this lead, the reader can understand the whole content of the news. But, it is better if journalists do not use this type of lead. Why? Because it is feared that readers have already found enough information through leads alone, so they do not continue reading to the content of the news. This can happen because the core of the news article is already in the lead.
- Storytelling Lead
Leads tell stories using narrative leads. This type of lead makes the story of a news flow and has a groove so that the reader can feel the event while reading it. Readers are attracted to this type of news lead because they can feel the atmosphere of the event. Readers like this type of lead because it can be easily understood. However, it is not easy to make this lead because the journalist must be careful in placing each word so that it is not excessive and not too long. Because, if the lead is too long, the reader will feel bored and become unfocused.
- Descriptive Lead
Descriptive leads and narrative leads have something in common, which is to make the reader feel the events narrated through the lead. The difference is that descriptive leads express more images or impressions. Descriptive lead explains in detail an event so that the reader can imagine it clearly.
- Lead Collection
Just like the name, a quote lead is a lead that contains a statement from a source or a written reference that is close to the reader. What needs to be noted in making this quote lead is not to include statements or references that seem clichéd. In addition, the statement or reference used as the content of the lead should be able to describe the actual reality. Don’t because the statement or reference used is just taken, the lead cannot describe the content of the news.
- Asking Leads
Lead asks contain questions addressed to the readers. The lead writer of this type deliberately makes it so that the writer thinks about the answer to the question. If you don’t know the answer yet, the reader will read the news to find out the answer. For readers who already know the answer, they will read the news to make sure if their knowledge is true or not.
- Seductive Leads
Just like the name suggests, lead teasing aims to tease readers. This type of lead can contain riddles, jokes, and similar forms. The answer to the puzzle can be found after reading the content of the news below.
In conclusion, writing a lead in journalism is a crucial skill that all writers should master. By following these tips and best practices, you can create compelling and engaging leads.