1. News Lead Writing You have the 5 W’s and H…so now what?

2. News Lead Most frequently the first paragraph of a news story It is the MOST important paragraph Leads have to grab readers attentions and hold on!!

3. Journalistic writers use the Inverted Pyramid

4. News Articles The broad part at the top is where the main facts go; this is your lead. As you progress in your article, the facts become less important; this is where the pyramid narrows. This style allows readers in a hurry to get the important information, without having to read the whole article.

5. Summary Lead Formula Start with the news (The first annual Homecoming dance) … Then an attribution –where or who provided the information (the Spirit advisors)… Follow with a verb (proclaimed)… End with a time element (will be held on Friday night after the football game)

6. Read the lead… The Spirit advisors proclaimed that the first annual Titans Homecoming dance will be held Friday night after the football game.

7. Lead Guidelines Get the reader’s attention honestly and quickly. Be creative, interesting and make the best use of the material you have. Be objective – not your opinion. Be smooth, concise and readable. Summarizes the entire story but uses the best elements – not all of them.

8. Does the lead summarize the main facts of the story in one or two sentences? Is it written in a succinct and direct, yet interesting, way? Does the lead avoid expressing the writer’s opinion? Has the writer avoided beginning with a question or a quote? Is the lead correctly punctuated and free from capitalization and spelling errors? Checklist

9. Assignment Write the lead for the story you have researched from your list.