In journalism, a lead (also spelled "lede") is the opening paragraph or section of a news story that provides the audience with the most important information in a concise and clear manner, while still maintaining their interest. The lead is crucial because readers often decide whether to continue reading a story based on the first paragraph or even the first sentence. The main goal of a lead is to grab the readers attention and make them want to learn more about the topic.
There are different types of leads in journalism, including:
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Summary lead: This is the most common and traditional lead, which provides a quick summary of the story in as few words as possible. It often answers the most important questions of the Five W's and H (who, what, when, where, why, and how).
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Anecdotal lead: This lead uses a short, interesting story or example to introduce the topic and engage the readers.
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Zinger lead: A zinger lead is a creative and attention-grabbing lead that uses a surprising or thought-provoking statement to hook the readers.
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Question lead: This lead poses a question to the readers, making them curious about the answer and encouraging them to continue reading.
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First-person lead: This lead puts the writer in the middle of the action and is often used by opinion writers to provide a personal perspective on the topic.
When writing a lead, journalists should focus on accuracy, brevity, and clarity. They should also avoid burying the lead, as the most important information should be presented upfront to capture the readers' interest.
