Transcript Special Leads - Neuman, Chad

Special Leads
Good Example from Class
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It's an early July morning, a time when most people should be
sleeping in preparation for a lazy summer day, or enjoying their
last few restful hours before work. But on this day, the
sidewalks are crowded with people, some sleeping against
building walls, some eagerly downing coffee, and others
excitedly waiting in clusters. What has provoked these people
to make camp on the streets?
This was the scene in many cities this summer on the morning
that Apple released the iPhone. The revolutionary product
combined basically every feature available in computers and
cell phones and put it in one touch screen device. This is not
the first time Apple has made waves with a new product, and it
probably won't be the last. The computer, mp3 player, and now
cell phone market is quickly being overtaken by this innovative
company.
Good Example from Class
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Bullets blew by him as he ran to grab the
grenades that might save his life. With a few
more steps to go, a rocket crashed into the
ground before him blowing the man into a
nearby trench. With almost no life left, he
reached for his sniper rifle and fired a noscope shot that rippled through his two
enemy’s heads killing them instantly.
Halo 3 has been released for Xbox 360.
Types of Special Leads
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Narrative Leads
Contrast Leads
Staccato Leads
Direct-Address Leads
Question Leads
Quote Leads
Narrative Leads
1. Elements of the narrative lead
a. Lead block
- A couple of paragraphs that
build interest in the story
b. Nut graph
- The “so what” paragraph
- Usually the third or fourth
paragraph
Narrative Leads
2. Writing a narrative lead
a. Using observation
- There is more going on
than the spoken word
b. Keeping the story going
- Narrative used to move the
story along
Contrast Leads
1. Elements of the contrast lead
a. “compare and contrast”
2. Writing a contrast lead
a. Using observation
b. Using “turn words”
- but, today, now, before…
Staccato Leads
1. Elements of the staccato lead
a. Short bursts of phrases
2. Writing a staccato lead
a. The nut graph must contextualize
the staccato lead
Direct-Address Leads
1. Elements of the direct-address lead
a. Uses “you” to directly address the
reader
2. Writing a direct-address lead
a. Use direct-address leads sparingly
b. Be prepared to rewrite directaddress leads
Question Leads
1. Elements of question leads
a. Your lead opens with a question
2. Writing a question lead
a. Answer the question quickly
b. Tease the audience
c. Combine question leads with direct
address
Quote Leads
1. Elements of quote leads
a. Your interview subject has
prominence in the lead
2. Writing a quote lead
a. General guidelines for quote leads
b. Don’t misrepresent in a quote lead
c. Beware of libel when using a quote
lead
Creating Effective Leads
A. Using Strong Verbs in Leads
1. Make sure the verb is precise
B. Choosing a Lead: Which Lead, and
When?
1. There are no rules
2. Hard news usually requires a
summary lead
In-Class Exercise
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VISIT www.nytimes.com AND IDENTIFY TWO
DIFFERENT "SPECIAL LEADS.“
COPY INTO WORD AND DISCUSS EACH THE
EFFECTIVENESS OF EACH LEAD, ANSWERING
SUCH QUESTIONS AS:
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IS THIS THE BEST LEAD FOR THIS STORY?
CAN THIS LEAD BE IMPROVED?
IS A SUMMARY MORE APPROPRIATE?
WOULD ONE OF THE OTHER SPECIAL LEADS WORK
BETTER?