THE TEN THE TEN COMMANDMENTSCOMMANDMENTS

For Writing a Good Lead

Mr. Dudek

Journalism

Thou shalt emphasize the important

• The lead is where the most important and most interesting facts go!

Keep it short

• The lead should be short. (30 words max)

• Answer the four major Ws.

Keep it simple

• Simple sentences

• Strong verbs• Active voice (Use passive only when

emphasizing the subject).

One Sentence Only

• One sentence only.

Grab their attention

• Begins sentences with specific, interesting words

• Avoid a, an, or the.

Avoid names and lists

• Avoid unfamiliar names (Only well-known people get to be in leads.)

• Don’t have a list of names• You can mention the specific

names in the 2nd or 3rd paragraph.

Tell us who that is

• If a name appears in the lead, do not assume that the reader knows who they are

• Identify them by title or reference.

Remember the “why”

• Don’t just say something happened. (Ex: “The new colloquium schedules were handed out yesterday.”)

• Emphasize its newsworthiness (Ex: “Ninety-five percent of LMSA students will have a new schedule next week.”).

Don’t always use a news lead

• School newspapers tend to use more feature leads

• (We’ll talk more about this later.)

Be appropriate

• The lead should reflect the mood of the story

• Example: Don’t start a sad story with a joke.

Never start with the when

• Preferably, start with who, what or why

• Avoid starting with when unless is it very important or unique