Characteristics
What tense should leads be written in?
Past tense
Which of the 5 Ws and H should be included in the lead?
The who, what, when, and where
What is the concept of the inverted pyramid?
The inverted pyramid provides the most important information first, followed by details in decreasing order of importance.
The Vice President of Academic Affairs announced today that faculty will receive a three percent raise for the new fiscal year beginning July 1st.
The vice president of academic affairs said faculty will receive a 3 percent raise for the new fiscal year beginning July 1.
Original: The Vice President of Academic Affairs announced today that faculty will receive a three percent raise for the new fiscal year beginning July 1st.
How many sentences should a lead be?
Only one complete sentence.
What is the word limit for leads?
30-33 word limit
Why is the inverted pyramid used?
It allows readers to get the gist of the story/get the reader interested in the story so they will want to read the rest of the story. It is also used for spacing issues.
Millie Snyder of 3425 Brooklyn Ln in Fairburn was charged with DUI on Wednesday after driving her car into Ballard’s Flower Shop, no one was injured.
A Fairburn woman was charged with driving under the influence Wednesday after allegedly driving her car into Ballard’s Flower Shop.
Original: Millie Snyder of 3425 Brooklyn Ln in Fairburn was charged with DUI on Wednesday after driving her car into Ballard’s Flower Shop, no one was injured.
What style of writing should leads conform to?
AP Style
What type of clause should be used when writing the lead?
Independent clause
How does the inverted pyramid help editors with spacing issues?
Editors can easily cut paragraphs from the bottom of the story, knowing that the most important information will remain intact.
Board commissioner hearing scheduled for Monday February 20th to discuss making it illegal for any business in the country to hire anyone who is in the U.S. illegally.
The Board of Commissioners at a Feb. 20 hearing will discuss making it illegal for any business in the country to hire someone who is in the U.S. illegally.
Original: Board commissioner hearing scheduled for Monday February 20th to discuss making it illegal for any business in the country to hire anyone who is in the U.S. illegally.
What voice should leads be written in when possible?
Active voice
What is a blind news lead?
A lead where the name of the who is not stated.
What are some of the different parts of an inverted pyramid news story?
Headline, subhead, byline, dateline, and lead
An employee of Prime Engineering company accidently touched a live power line; he is at Mercy medical center being treated for 3rd-degree burns.
A Prime Engineering employee is at Mercy Medical Center with third-degree burns after he accidentally touched a live power line.
Original: An employee of Prime Engineering company accidently touched a live power line; he is at Mercy medical center being treated for 3rd-degree burns.
Leads are written in what person (he, she, it)?
Third person
When do we use blind news leads?
When the person in the story is not prominent.
What is the difference between the pyramid style and inverted pyramid style?
The pyramid style provides the chronological order of a story, building upon events until reaching the climax or main point.
The inverted pyramid style provides the most important information (the gist) first, followed by details in decreasing order of importance.
A property tax increase was approved last night by the Riceville City Council that will raise average taxes by $125 yearly and pay for road improvements.
Riceville City Council on Monday approved a property tax increase that will raise average taxes by $125 yearly to pay for road improvements.
Original: A property tax increase was approved last night by the Riceville City Council that will raise average taxes by $125 yearly and pay for road improvements.