THE LEADTHE LEAD

Usually , the lead is one sentence long and Usually , the lead is one sentence long and summarizes the facts of the news story. The summarizes the facts of the news story. The reader should know at first glance what the reader should know at first glance what the story is about and what its emphasis is. It must story is about and what its emphasis is. It must include:include:Who, What, Where, When, Why and Who, What, Where, When, Why and How ... The five Ws and an H How ... The five Ws and an H

EXAMPLEEXAMPLE Bargainers from General Motors and UAW will resume talks in Warren Bargainers from General Motors and UAW will resume talks in Warren

this morning seeking to end a day-old strike over the transfer of jobs this morning seeking to end a day-old strike over the transfer of jobs from unionized employees to less costly contract workers. from unionized employees to less costly contract workers.

The who: the bargainers from General Motors and the UAW. What are the bargainers doing? The lead says they will resume talks.When will the bargainers resume talks? This morning. Where :In Warren. Why are the bargainers meeting? To discuss the transfer of jobs and end a day old strike. How usually describes the manner in which action occurs.

Types of LeadsTypes of Leads Quote lead/Direct leadQuote lead/Direct lead

`I have the worst job in the Army.'' … `I have the worst job in the Army.'' …

You should use direct quotes: You should use direct quotes: if a source's language is particularly colorful or picturesque if a source's language is particularly colorful or picturesque when it is important for written information -- especially when it is important for written information -- especially

official information -- to come from an obviously authoritative official information -- to come from an obviously authoritative voice voice

Description leadDescription lead

Like a beauty pageant entrant, Donald Like a beauty pageant entrant, Donald Hofeditz struts his vital statistics.Hofeditz struts his vital statistics.

Fairy Tale HeadlinesFairy Tale Headlines

Identify These Famous Fairy TalesIdentify These Famous Fairy Tales Golden Touch Results in Golden Touch Results in

Unfortunate DeathUnfortunate Death Youngsters Escape Candy Youngsters Escape Candy

House AliveHouse Alive Piper Leads Rats Out of Piper Leads Rats Out of

CityCity Big Bad Wolf Killed in Big Bad Wolf Killed in

Forest FollyForest Folly Brick House Saves Young Brick House Saves Young

PigsPigs

Beautiful Swan Reveals Beautiful Swan Reveals Makeover SecretsMakeover Secrets

Young David Slays GiantYoung David Slays Giant Blonde Bombshell Visits Blonde Bombshell Visits

Bear HomeBear Home Beauty Wakes After Beauty Wakes After

Hundred-Year SlumberHundred-Year Slumber Big-Eared Tachyderm Flies!Big-Eared Tachyderm Flies! Owner of Glass Slipper Owner of Glass Slipper

Finally FoundFinally Found

Activity:Activity:

Select a famous fairy tale for which you will write a Select a famous fairy tale for which you will write a fictitious news story.fictitious news story.

Invent a news event based on this fairy tale. It should Invent a news event based on this fairy tale. It should have a modern twist (aspect). You must make the story have a modern twist (aspect). You must make the story different from the original tale; however, it must contain different from the original tale; however, it must contain some characteristics of the original.some characteristics of the original.

Write a Write a headlineheadline and a and a subheadline subheadline for the same story.for the same story.

Write the “lead” (first sentence) to the news article.Write the “lead” (first sentence) to the news article. This will include, in one sentence, This will include, in one sentence, who, what, where and who, what, where and when.when. Optionally, it may includeOptionally, it may include whywhy andand howhow..