News lead definition
A news lead, also known as a lead or opening, 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:
- Intriguing: It should pique the reader's interest and make them want to read more.
- Informative: It should provide some essential information about the story, such as the who, what, where, when, and why.
- Concise: It should be brief and to the point, without giving away too much of the story.
- Accurate: It should be factually correct and not sensationalized or misleading.
A good news lead should also:
- Introduce the main topic or issue
- Provide context or background information
- Highlight the significance or impact of the story
- Use active voice and engaging language
- Avoid clichés and overused phrases
Here are some examples of effective news leads:
- "A massive fire engulfed a high-rise apartment building in downtown Los Angeles last night, leaving dozens of people injured and hundreds displaced."
- "A new study reveals that a common pesticide used in many household products is linked to a significant increase in childhood cancer cases."
- "The city council has approved a plan to build a new stadium for the local football team, despite opposition from environmental groups and residents."
Remember, the goal of a news lead is to entice the reader to continue reading the article, so it should be attention-grabbing, informative, and well-written.