THE LEAD n Usually the lead is one
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THE LEAD
n Usually , the lead is one sentence long and summarizes the facts of the news story. The reader should know at first glance what the story is about and what its emphasis is. It must include: Who, What, Where, When, Why and How. . . The five Ws and an H
EXAMPLE Bargainers from General Motors and UAW will resume talks in Warren this morning seeking to end a day-old strike over the transfer of jobs from unionized employees to less costly contract workers. The who: the bargainers from General Motors and the UAW. What are the bargainers doing? The lead says they will resume talks. When will the bargainers resume talks? This morning. Where : In Warren. Why are the bargainers meeting? To discuss the transfer of jobs and end a day old strike. How usually describes the manner in which action occurs.
Types of Leads Quote lead/Direct lead `I have the worst job in the Army. '' … You should use direct quotes: n � if a source's language is particularly colorful or picturesque n � when it is important for written information -- especially official information -- to come from an obviously authoritative voice n n n Description lead Like a beauty pageant entrant, Donald Hofeditz struts his vital statistics.
Fairy Tale Headlines
Identify These Famous Fairy Tales n n n Golden Touch Results in Unfortunate Death Youngsters Escape Candy House Alive Piper Leads Rats Out of City Big Bad Wolf Killed in Forest Folly Brick House Saves Young Pigs n n n Beautiful Swan Reveals Makeover Secrets Young David Slays Giant Blonde Bombshell Visits Bear Home Beauty Wakes After Hundred-Year Slumber Big-Eared Tachyderm Flies! Owner of Glass Slipper Finally Found
Activity: n n n Select a famous fairy tale for which you will write a fictitious news story. Invent a news event based on this fairy tale. It should have a modern twist (aspect). You must make the story different from the original tale; however, it must contain some characteristics of the original. Write a headline and a subheadline for the same story. Write the “lead” (first sentence) to the news article. This will include, in one sentence, who, what, where and when. Optionally, it may include why and how.
