1. nonfiction writing presentation
Writing for news
nonfiction writing presentation

2. What is a news lead (or lede)?
The first part of a news story which informs the reader of the major aspects of the article.
Watergate Lead
There are 2 kinds of leads
summary news lead (hard news lead)
descriptive lead (soft news lead)

3. Summary News Lead (SNL) a.k.a.“Hard News Lead”
Showcases the central issue immediately in 1-2 sentences.
Tells the reader the basics (5 W.s & sometimes 1 H.)
If the reader only read the summary news lead, they would know the main points of the story.
Example: Twelve persons were killed and at least 50 injured and hospitalized when a bus and car smashed into each other.
Who: 12 persons
What: killed
When: MISSING
Where: MISSING
Why: bus/ car crash (maybe more…)
How could you rewrite this lead sentence to include all of the MISSING details?

4. Descriptive News Lead A.k.a. “Soft News Lead”
Descriptive Lead:
A descriptive lead draws in the reader to see how, rather than simply telling what the event is.
Writer tries to paint the event/ place/ person through words
This “hook” helps create the mood of the story.
This lead less popular in News writing
This is much more flowery and descriptive than just the facts of a summary news lead.
A large black crow is furiously flapping against the blustery south wind sweeping over the desert of northern New Mexico. Silhouetted by rolling mounds of cracked orange sand that roll upwards into a perfect blue sky, the crow is neither moving forwards nor backwards. It is only maintaining, bounced up and down by wind whipping under and over it. Such is the case today with those trapped in pockets of rural poverty in America. -- Worldmag.com How may this article go on?

5. Reverse Pyramid News Reporting
Many pieces which
begin with a
summary news lead (hard news lead)
continue in this style:

6. Summary News Lead Worksheet
Let’s practice the first type of lead writing, the summary news lead. Use the worksheet to write your own lead and then share w/ the class.
who
what
when
where
why
(sometimes) how

7. Peer Editing of your defining moment article
Everyone writes their name and address on a scrap of paper and throws it into a basket. Everyone draws one scrap. The person you draw will be peer editing your defining moment piece.
Go to a computer and share your “defining moment” piece with the address you drew, ensuring you’ve allowed ANYONE WITH THE LINK TO COMMENT. (If the laptops aren’t working, ALL desktops are available for use including the ones in the back rooms and the one at the front of the room.)
When you check your “shared with me” folder on your Google drive, you will see someone has shared their essay with you. Read it through and give feedback specifically about how they can structure this as a news story, with a great lead. Add comments to peer edit by highlighting what you wish to comment on and then clicking Insert--comment. You can also choose control+option+m.
When you are finished giving your feedback, check your own doc for any changes your peer editor suggested. Start making those changes to improve your own essay. If your essay is finished, silently begin reading chapter 7 of Kite Runner for homework.