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.