TYPES OF LEDES
This type of lede uses pure storytelling with anecdotes, dialogue, and description.
What is a narrative lede?
This key element of a lede gives readers a reason to care and connects them to the story.
What is context?
Name one of the three main components of reporting a story.
What are research, observation, or interviewing?
You should never begin a story by leading with this.
What is the speaker’s name?
Writers should be careful not to start a lede with too many of these—no more than three are allowed.
What are numbers?
This lede focuses on painting a picture but with less action than a narrative lede.
What is a descriptive lede?
A good lede has this quality—it speaks in a relatable, conversational tone.
What is a human voice?
List one key step in preparing for an interview.
What is make an appointment, be on time, dress appropriately, do background research, bring tools, or prepare questions?
Phrases like “spoke about” or “talked about” weaken the story by doing what?
What is emphasizing the topic instead of the action or people?
This part of the story gives the background and explains the importance of the lede in non-hard news stories.
What is the nut graph?
This lede begins with a short story about an individual that connects to a larger theme.
What is an anecdotal lede?
Writers should always aim to include this quality in their lede—it keeps the reader engaged with something unexpected.
What is surprise?
This type of listening involves encouraging, restating, reflecting, and summarizing.
What is active listening?
A story without this linking element can confuse readers because circumstances are unclear.
What is a bridge?
Writers should identify this to understand how the story connects emotionally with readers.
What is the emotion?
What danger should you always beware of when writing feature-style ledes?
What is the “so what” factor?
Name three traits of an effective lede (any 3 of the 6).
What are focus, context, form, information, human voice, and surprise?
Give one example of an encouraging response that shows active listening.
What is “I see,” “Uh-huh,” or “That’s interesting”?
Which story structure should be used when facts need to be prioritized from most to least important?
What is the inverted pyramid?
When creating a story focus, you should be able to write your theme in this many words.
What is six words?
A descriptive lede must always do this — otherwise, it should be saved for later in the story.
What is reveal something important?
The phrase “make a specific promise to the reader” refers to what essential aspect of a good lede?
What is focus?
What kind of questions should you mix with closed ones to invite more detailed answers?
What are open-ended questions?
The best approach to storytelling often involves focusing on this emotional element
What is strong human interest?
To clarify focus and impact, you should be able to summarize your story in this structure: noun + active verb + object.
What is tell your story in three words?