2. SUMMARY, DIGEST AND
STRAIGHT LEADS
Brings the main issues of discussions first.
Tells the readers what they want to know in a creative manner.
If the reader only read the lead, they would have a solid idea of the story.
Example: “Bathroom Bonfire prank sets house on fire”
3. QUESTION LEAD
Many editors dislike question lead on the basis that people read newspapers to get
answers, and not to be asked questions
If the question exciting, it may be used as a lead.
Example: “If you were stranded on an island and could only have one
thing, what would it be? Well Mr. Janosk Would take his Water Quad
bike.”
4. PUNCH AND CARTRIDGE
LEADS
Short & punchy to attract the readers.
Blunt, explosive statement to summarize article.
Examples: (Punch Lead) The Linns called for a pizza, but their pizza
delivery man turned out to be so much more.
(Cartridge Lead) President Kennedy was slain by an assassin today in a
burst of gunfire in downtown Dallas.
5. STATEMENT AND DIRECT
QUOTATION LEADS
This lead can be extremely effective if the quote is good and important.
Paragraphs are used to explain the quote.
This lead is generally used in speech reporting.
Example: “I will start looking for a secular state in India from Kashmir
to Kerala excluding Tamil Nadu for me to reside and work. If I am not
able to find such a place in the country then I would seek a country that
does entertain an artist like me.” Said the actor speaking to the press.
Kamal Hassan is one of the finest actors and film makers in India, his
latest movie 'Vishwaroopam' has not yet been released in Tamil Nadu.
6. CONTRAST LEAD
Grabbing the readers attention by comparing extremes: the big with the
little, comedy with tragedy, old age with youth, past with the present etc.
Example: ABC News have said “Team Breezy are such dedicated fans
of Chris Brown and have been compared to those of Michael
Jacksons.”
7. DIRECT-ADDRESS OR
DIRECT-APPEAL LEAD
This lead directly speaks to the reader.
It addresses the reader directly as ‘you’.
It enhances the interest of the reader as it directly talks to them.
Example: “You might not get relief from the harsh winds as the weather
is going to be the same for next 10 days or more.”
8. DESCRIPTIVE LEAD
A descriptive lead describes how an event happened rather than simply telling what
the event is about.
Writer try to paint the event/place/person through words.
This lead can help in creating mood of the story.
Example: “The sky lit with rainbows of color whilst on ground level the
crowd watched in awe.” instead of “Millions will come together for
bonfire night.”
9. PARODY LEAD
This lead attempts to play on proverb, quotation, song titles or phrase.
Example: “Taylor Swifts Ex Harry Styles finally turns 22, guess he‟s not
going to be over the moon about it.”
10. HISTORICAL AND
LITERARY-ALLUSION LEADS
This lead draws attention on some characters or events in history or literature that
are familiar to average readers.
Example: “Nirbhaya dead after days of painful hospital stay. She fought
for her life but sadly it ended as the infection had spread to all major
organs and could not be stopped.”
11. STACCATO LEAD
Jerky, exciting phrases used if facts justify it.
Short, clipped words, phrases and sentences, sometime separated with dashes and
dots.
To create certain mood in the story, often this is descriptive in nature.
Example: “Midnight on the bridge…a scream…a shot…a splash.”
12. SUSPENDED
INTEREST/DELAYED LEAD
This lead works as a stimulator of interest among readers.
After the lead, story runs in chronological order, so reader has to read the whole
story to get the climax.
The reader must get the story by reading to the end of the story.
Example: “Fourteen-year-old Ahmeds appeal to remain with his
Christian guardian instead of transferring him back to his Muslim
mother has shot to national headlines. His guardian having been raised
by a Muslim himself couldn't just look away when he found the sixyear-old lost boy in a Lucknow park eight years ago…”
13. CIRCUMSTANTIAL LEAD
This lead stress’ on the circumstances under which the incident took place.
Generally used in Human Interest stories.
Example: A 60-year old retired bank employee raised the alarms when
two unidentified persons entered her house with the intention to steal
his most valuable and prized positions. Fortunately, a police van was
standing nearby and came to the rescue.
14. ODDITY OR FREAK LEADS
Begin with uncommon or odd statements.
Unusual approach to attract the readers.
Example: “„For sale: one elephant.‟ The City Park Commission are
thinking about adding a new member to the family.”
15. NARRATIVE AND
SEQUENCE LEADS
This lead starts at the middle of an event.
It carries the reader through the event and give a surprising twist at the end of
the story.
Example: He paused for a second to gaze upon it. Then slowly he
reached down and laid his hand upon it feeling the skin. He turned
aside and carefully selected the knife. Sweating now, he lifted it up and
then, suddenly brought it down. „Cut‟ shouted the director. Thus ended
the first shot of Casualty. Three retakes later and it was done.
16. BULLET LEAD
In this lead, short sentences or phrases are used in a straight forward manner.
This is used in a important news. Since this lead hits the readers like a bullet.
Example: Osama Bin Laden is no more.
17. FUNNY AND GAG LEADS
This lead is written in funny way.
This is written on rare basis depending upon the story.
Generally, used in a feature.
18. BLIND IDENTIFICATION
LEAD
If the person concerned is not well known in the community, his/her name is less
important than other salient facts that identify the person.
Example: “An 80-year-old woman" instead of her name.
“A police inspector's son was attacked on Mount Road this evening.
The victim Daniel, 20, has been admitted to a private hospital and his
condition is critical.”
