In the beginning…

1. In the beginning… Journalism 125 fall 2016

2. Leads (a.k.a., Ledes) Journalism 125 fall 2016

3. Leads (a.k.a., Ledes) A lead paragraph in journalism, and sometimes other kinds of literature, is the opening paragraph of an article, essay, news story or book chapter. The introductory section of a news story that is intended to entice the reader to read the full story. Journalism 125 fall 2016

4. Leads (a.k.a., Ledes) A good lead makes a clear statement of the essential news point and when possible includes a detail that distinguishes the story from others of its kind. Leads should be clear and specific; they must not mumble. Journalism 125 fall 2016

5. Burying the Lead Journalism 125 fall 2016

6. Burying the Lead Journalism 125 fall 2016

7. Burying the Lead To avoid mumblers, the lead writer must first of all decide what the most important news is, which can be difficult where much is happening. Journalism 125 fall 2016

8. Leads (a.k.a., Ledes) Rep. Ken Hechler, D-W.Va., said a decision Wednesday by the U.S. Court of Appeals that gives the go-ahead for the construction of the Blue Ridge power project on the New River is “ridiculous.” Journalism 125 fall 2016

9. Leads (a.k.a., Ledes) Rep. Ken Hechler says people in West Virginia and two other states will mobilize to protect the New River after Wednesday’s “ridiculous” court decisions approving the Blue Ridge power project. Journalism 125 fall 2016

10. Leads (a.k.a., Ledes) Rep. Ken Hechler, D-W.Va., said a decision Wednesday by the U.S. Court of Appeals that gives the go-ahead for the construction of the Blue Ridge power project on the New River is “ridiculous.” Journalism 125 fall 2016

11. Leads (a.k.a., Ledes) Rep. Ken Hechler says people in West Virginia and two other states will mobilize to protect the New River after Wednesday’s “ridiculous” court decisions approving the Blue Ridge power project. Journalism 125 fall 2016

12. Too Much, Too Little Journalism 125 fall 2016

13. Too Much, Too Little MINOCQUA, Wis.—What can you do when a tornado has flattened much of an eight-year dream, killing one person and leaving a twisted shambles where your resort and North woods campground had been? Journalism 125 fall 2016

14. Try Writing “Visually” Journalism 125 fall 2016

15. Try Writing “Visually” You can avoid writing mumblers by being specific and concrete, giving the reader a picture. A clever phrase, a touch of humor, and an ironic contrast will help. Journalism 125 fall 2016

16. Try Writing “Visually” The lights shine down and the music surrounds her as she spins across the stage into the arms of her partner. The audience roars its approval as the music slows and the curtains begin to close. It's the end of just another workday for teenager Chelsea Rittenhouse. Journalism 125 fall 2016

17. Journalism 125 fall 2016

18. What’s the Difference? Journalism 125 fall 2016

19. What’s the Difference? The key to lifting your lead out of the humdrum is to ask yourself what is different about each story. Journalism 125 fall 2016

20. What’s the Difference? YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio--A car sliced through a crowded fast food restaurant at lunchtime Tuesday, officials said, killing two people and injuring six others. Journalism 125 fall 2016

21. What’s the Difference? YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio--A car sliced through a crowded fast food restaurant at lunchtime Tuesday, officials said, killing two people and injuring six others. Journalism 125 fall 2016

22. What’s the Difference? YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio--A car sliced through a crowded fast food restaurant at lunchtime Tuesday, killing an elderly couple who had stopped for lunch on the way to a family member’s funeral. Six other people were injured. Journalism 125 fall 2016

23. Leads (a.k.a., Ledes) The leadis the most important part of your story. With so many sources of information – newspapers, magazines, TV, radio and the Internet – audiences simply are not willing to read beyond the first paragraph (and even sentence) of a story unless it grabs their interest. A good lead does just that. It gives readers the most important information in a clear, concise and interesting manner. It also establishes the voice and direction of an article. Journalism 125 fall 2016

24. Leads (a.k.a., Ledes) News leads are nearly always one sentence, sometimes two. Generally, they are 25 to 30 words and should rarely be more than 40. This is somewhat arbitrary, but it’s important – especially for young journalists – to learn how to deliver information concisely. Journalism 125 fall 2016

25. Leads (a.k.a., Ledes) ACTIVE SENTENCE - Strong verbs will make your lead lively and interesting. Passive constructions, on the other hand, can sound dull and leave out important information, such as the person or thing that caused the action. Incomplete reporting is often a source of passive leads. Journalism 125 fall 2016

26. Leads (a.k.a., Ledes) https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/735/05/ Journalism 125 fall 2016

27. Leads (a.k.a., Ledes) A fire caused about $10,000 damage to the home of Elizabeth Kinski, 67, 1133 Market Lane, last night Journalism 125 fall 2016

28. Leads (a.k.a., Ledes) A fire caused about $10,000 damage to the home of Elizabeth Kinski, 67, 1133 Market Lane, last night Elizabeth Kinski, 67, returned home about ten last night to find her house on fire. Journalism 125 fall 2016