31
Lead Writing Jim Streisel Carmel (IN) High School www.hilite.org/streisel
Lead Writing
Jim Streisel
Carmel (IN) High School
www.hilite.org/streisel
What’s the purpose of the lead?
What’s the purpose of the lead?
To present information
What’s the purpose of the lead?
To present information
To grab readers’ attention
Two kinds of stories, two kinds of leads
Two kinds of stories, two kinds of leads
1.Inverted pyramid
Inverted Pyramid
Who…is the story about?
What…is happening?
When…will it occur?
Where…will it occur?
Inverted Pyramid
(For a Sept. 26 issue date)The annual intramural ping-pong tournament will take place Oct. 11 from 3:30 to 6 p.m. Any students and faculty who want to play still have time to sign up.
During the week of Halloween, Oct. 29 through Nov. 2, the CHS Angels Club will host a bake sale in the cafeteria.
When to use inverted pyramid?
When to use inverted pyramid?
Breaking news
News briefs
Online content
Two kinds of stories, two kinds of leads
1.Inverted pyramid
2. Narrative
Narrative
Character…Who’s the story about? Who’s your “face?”
Setting…Where is this story happening?
Tone…Is this a lighthearted story? Serious? In between?
Conflict…What’s the problem?
Narrative
Cigarette smoke hangs in the air in the room where Brian Lee Curtis lies dying of lung cancer.
Starting his daily commute about 30 minutes earlier in the morning has allowed Dan Ahlgren to do more than avoid the rush hour snarl on his trip downtown.
Cigarette smoke hangs in the air in the room where Brian Lee Curtis lies dying of lung cancer.
Character/main “face”
Cigarette smoke hangs in the air in the room where Brian Lee Curtis lies dying of lung cancer.
Setting
Cigarette smoke hangs in the air in the room where Brian Lee Curtis lies dying of lung cancer.
Tone
Cigarette smoke hangs in the air in the room where Brian Lee Curtis lies dying of lung cancer.
Conflict
When to use narrative lead?
When to use narrative lead?
News features
Issue-based stories
Everything that’s not inverted pyramid (eg. Breaking news, news briefs, online content)
The nut graf
The paragraph in the story that brings out the angle — what you
want readers to think about.
The nut graf
Cigarette smoke hangs in the air in the room where Brian Lee Curtis lies dying of lung cancer.
…
While it seems unusual to the Curtis family, Dr. Jeffrey Paonessa, Brian’s oncologist, said he is seeing more lung cancer in young adults.
Narrative
Starting his daily commute about 30 minutes earlier in the morning has allowed Dan Ahlgren to do more than avoid the rush hour snarl on his trip downtown.
…
A growing number of workers like Ahlgren are getting up and heading out the door earlier to avoid the worst traffic, according to a census report being released today.
Narrative leads are like asking someone on a date
Leads we hate
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to jump out of an airplane? Well, John Smith has, and he’s…
Leads we hate
Ring! Ring! The alarm clock goes off and you’re ready to go to school…
Leads we hate
It’s Homecoming once again…
Leads we hate
Everyone loves a scary movie…
Leads we hate
So, what’s up with the cafeteria food lately?
Leads we hate
On Aug. 24, the performing arts department performed its annual one-act play…
Leads we hate
Imagine you’re on the stage in front of thousands of audience members. The lights go on, and you freeze…
