Set the pace A brief lede sets a fast pace A trudging lede sets readers onto the next story

Time management can be one of the hardest concepts a college student faces. To aid students in effectively organizing their time, the Center for Teaching and Learning hosted “Managing your Time in College,” a presentation made by John Doe, assistant director of the Center for Teaching and Learning.

Time management can be one of the hardest concepts a college student faces. To aid students in effectively organizing their time, the Center for Teaching and Learning hosted “Managing your Time in College,” a presentation made by John Doe, assistant director of the Center for Teaching and Learning.

The University’s 15th annual Graduate School Preview Day was held Thursday afternoon at the ____ Theater. About 500 students participated in the event, which included an informational seminar familiarizing students with the benefits of graduate education, small group information sessions with different graduate programs on campus and free Kaplan practice tests for the GRE, GMAT and LSAT.

The University’s 15th annual Graduate School Preview Day was held Thursday afternoon at the ____ Theater. About 500 students participated in the event, which included an informational seminar familiarizing students with the benefits of graduate education, small group information sessions with different graduate programs on campus and free Kaplan practice tests for the GRE, GMAT and LSAT.

Daydreaming Think of ledes when: Getting your assignment You are reporting Research uncovers facts

Think of ledes when:

Getting your assignment

You are reporting

Research uncovers facts

That noisy blinking cursor Don’t stare at a blank screen Write a simple sentence Write the story first

Don’t stare at a blank screen

Write a simple sentence

Write the story first

Don’t lock in Write down the lede ideas Be prepared to abandon them too Rewriting leads to polished copy

Write down the lede ideas

Be prepared to abandon them too

Rewriting leads to polished copy

Get right to it Center on the stronger story elements Consider the intersection of two elements Cut details that can wait until later State it as fact Story climax -- for impatient readers Does the lede explain the story’s import? Strong first words Key words slice to the heart of the story

Center on the stronger story elements

Consider the intersection of two elements

Cut details that can wait until later

State it as fact

Story climax -- for impatient readers

Does the lede explain the story’s import?

Strong first words

Key words slice to the heart of the story

I’m impatient Get to the point Quickly Entice me Aim for 30 words of less

Get to the point

Quickly

Entice me

Aim for 30 words of less

Muscle Keep it simple Challenge each word Strongest verb possible Consider replacing phrases with adj, adv Rephrase the vague Be weary of hedges

Keep it simple

Challenge each word

Strongest verb possible

Consider replacing phrases with adj, adv

Rephrase the vague

Be weary of hedges

Process Campus, gov’t and courts are tough Process matters more to your source Readers care most about results

Campus, gov’t and courts are tough

Process matters more to your source

Readers care most about results

Punctuation & Numbers One piece of punctuation Commas and dashes make choppy ledes Numbers must be important Cause confusion?

One piece of punctuation

Commas and dashes make choppy ledes

Numbers must be important

Cause confusion?

Sarcasm Make fun of your lede before others do Watch out for the “Duh!” factor Beware of awkward juxtaposition Watch out for double entendres

Make fun of your lede before others do

Watch out for the “Duh!” factor

Beware of awkward juxtaposition

Watch out for double entendres

Adapted from Newsroom Training, written by Steve Buttry

Adapted from Newsroom Training, written by Steve Buttry