Types of Leads

 aka..How to Get a Story Started

Leads..

w   The beginning of a news story is called a lead.  

w   The lead should tell the reader in one sentence or so what the story is all about.

w   There are seven  basic types of leads.

w   Please take notes on the various types including the definition  and the example.

LEADS….

w   WHAT LEAD

n   Begins with “what happened”

w   Example:

    A fire caused slight damage in the cafeteria yesterday.

w WHO LEAD

n  Begins with a name

w   EXAMPLE:

    Arnold Schwarzenegger is the new governor.

Leads…continued

w   INDEFINITE WHO LEAD

n   Describes a person without giving the name

A former All-American football player will coach at ESHS next year.

w  WHY LEAD

n   Begins with the reason something happened

    Due to overwhelming interest, the ESMS Science Club now meets in Bulldog Hall.

Leads…the last few!

w   HOW LEAD

n   Begins with the method by which something was accomplished

w   As a result of a week-long fund-raising drive, our school has collected over $26,000.

w   LINK LEAD

n   Uses the word as, where, or when to connect two ideas

w   The ESHS Choir will visit New York in the spring, where they will compete in nationwide choir contests.

Last, but not least!

w  ING Lead

n   Begins with a participle (word usually ending in “ING”

n    usually contains a comma after the first few words

w Swimming in the ocean, ESMS sixth graders enjoyed the third annual Ocean Safety Day at Venice Beach.

ASSIGNMENT

w   Blank notebook page with a heading. The title is “TYPES OF NEWS LEADS”.

w   Using the information from the packet, write the type of lead requested in your notebook.

w   Be sure to use the facts presented in your lead.

w   We will review your creations as we go along.