ALTERNATIVE LEADS Chapter 7

“Soft Leads” Alternative or “soft” leads bring creativity and variety to news (sports, features, business) writing Alternative or “soft” leads bring creativity and variety to news (sports, features, business) writing See examples on page 181 See examples on page 181 Instead of beginning with the main news element, ala summary/central point “hard” news leads, an alternative lead may begin with…. Instead of beginning with the main news element, ala summary/central point “hard” news leads, an alternative lead may begin with….

Alternative Leads An anecdote An anecdote A description A description A quotation A quotation A question A question Other types of “soft” leads: Suspenseful leads Suspenseful leads Ironic leads Ironic leads Direct-address leads- ”you” Direct-address leads- ”you” Shockers– lead with a twist “Buried” or “Delayed” leads—these typically begin with an interesting example or anecdote that sets a story’s theme, then a “nut graph”—perhaps the third or fourth graf- summarizes the story and provides a transition to the body

Homework for next class… Read Chapter 7, “Alternative Leads” Read Chapter 7, “Alternative Leads” Write alternative leads for the five stories on Pages (Pro Challenge) Write alternative leads for the five stories on Pages (Pro Challenge)