News lead

A news lead, also known as a lead or intro, is the opening sentence or paragraph of a news article that grabs the reader's attention and sets the tone for the rest of the story. A good news lead should be:

  1. Intriguing: It should make the reader curious and want to know more.
  2. Accurate: It should be a factual summary of the story.
  3. Concise: It should be brief and to the point.
  4. Engaging: It should use vivid language and interesting details to draw the reader in.

Here are some examples of different types of news leads:

  1. The "Who, What, Where, When" lead: This type of lead provides the basic facts of the story in a straightforward way.

Example: "A fire broke out at a local restaurant in downtown Los Angeles last night, causing significant damage and injuring several people."

  1. The "Hook" lead: This type of lead uses an interesting fact or statistic to grab the reader's attention.

Example: "A new study reveals that the number of people affected by food poisoning in the United States has increased by 20% in the past year, with many cases linked to contaminated produce."

  1. The "Story" lead: This type of lead sets the scene and provides context for the story.

Example: "As the sun set over the city, a sense of unease settled over the community, following a series of mysterious break-ins that have left residents on edge."

  1. The "Quote" lead: This type of lead uses a quote from a key figure or expert to add depth and perspective to the story.

Example: "According to Dr. Jane Smith, a leading expert in the field, 'The recent surge in cases of a rare disease is a wake-up call for public health officials and a reminder of the importance of vaccination.'"

Remember, the goal of a news lead is to entice the reader to continue reading the article. By using a combination of these techniques, you can craft a lead that effectively sets the tone for your story and keeps your readers engaged.