Special Leads Chapter 8

Types of Special Leads Narrative Leads Contrast Leads Staccato Leads Direct-Address Leads Question Leads Quote Leads

Narrative Leads

Contrast Leads

Staccato Leads

Direct-Address Leads

Question Leads

Quote Leads

Narrative Leads 1. Elements of the narrative lead a. Lead block - A couple of paragraphs that build interest in the story b. Nut graph - The “so what” paragraph - Usually the third or fourth paragraph

1. Elements of the narrative lead a. Lead block

- A couple of paragraphs that build interest in the story b. Nut graph

- The “so what” paragraph

- Usually the third or fourth

paragraph

Narrative Leads 2. Writing a narrative lead a. Using observation - There is more going on than the spoken word b. Keeping the story going - Narrative used to move the story along

2. Writing a narrative lead a. Using observation

- There is more going on

than the spoken word b. Keeping the story going

- Narrative used to move the

story along

Contrast Leads 1. Elements of the contrast lead a. “compare and contrast” 2. Writing a contrast lead a. Using observation b. Using “turn words” - but, today, now, before…

1. Elements of the contrast lead

a. “compare and contrast” 2. Writing a contrast lead a. Using observation b. Using “turn words”

- but, today, now, before…

Staccato Leads 1. Elements of the staccato lead a. Short bursts of phrases 2. Writing a staccato lead a. The nut graph must contextualize the staccato lead

1. Elements of the staccato lead

a. Short bursts of phrases 2. Writing a staccato lead

a. The nut graph must contextualize

the staccato lead

Direct-Address Leads 1. Elements of the direct-address lead a. Uses “you” to directly address the reader 2. Writing a direct-address lead a. Use direct-address leads sparingly b. Be prepared to rewrite direct- address leads

1. Elements of the direct-address lead

a. Uses “you” to directly address the

reader 2. Writing a direct-address lead a. Use direct-address leads sparingly b. Be prepared to rewrite direct-

address leads

Question Leads 1. Elements of question leads a. Your lead opens with a question 2. Writing a question lead a. Answer the question quickly b. Tease the audience c. Combine question leads with direct address

1. Elements of question leads

a. Your lead opens with a question 2. Writing a question lead a. Answer the question quickly b. Tease the audience c. Combine question leads with direct

address

Quote Leads 1. Elements of quote leads a. Your interview subject has prominence in the lead 2. Writing a quote lead a. General guidelines for quote leads b. Don’t misrepresent in a quote lead c. Beware of libel when using a quote lead

1. Elements of quote leads

a. Your interview subject has

prominence in the lead 2. Writing a quote lead a. General guidelines for quote leads b. Don’t misrepresent in a quote lead c. Beware of libel when using a quote

lead

Creating Effective Leads A. Using Strong Verbs in Leads 1. Make sure the verb is precise B. Choosing a Lead: Which Lead, and When? 1. There are no rules 2. Hard news usually requires a summary lead

A. Using Strong Verbs in Leads

1. Make sure the verb is precise B. Choosing a Lead: Which Lead, and

When?

1. There are no rules

2. Hard news usually requires a

summary lead

In-Class Exercise VISIT A MAINSTREAM NEWS SITE AND IDENTIFY TWO DIFFERENT "SPECIAL LEADS.“ Things to consider: IS THIS THE BEST LEAD FOR THIS STORY? CAN THIS LEAD BE IMPROVED? IS A SUMMARY MORE APPROPRIATE? WOULD ONE OF THE OTHER SPECIAL LEADS WORK BETTER?

VISIT A MAINSTREAM NEWS SITE AND IDENTIFY TWO DIFFERENT "SPECIAL LEADS.“

Things to consider:

IS THIS THE BEST LEAD FOR THIS STORY?

CAN THIS LEAD BE IMPROVED?

IS A SUMMARY MORE APPROPRIATE?

WOULD ONE OF THE OTHER SPECIAL LEADS WORK BETTER?

In-Class Exercise Write a narrative lead Use the information on the class blog to compose a narrative lead www.wsu-journ305.blogspot.com

Write a narrative lead

Use the information on the class blog to compose a narrative lead

www.wsu-journ305.blogspot.com