Lead

Group 2
 The lead paragraph

The first paragraph of the news story is called the

lead and it summarizes the key points of the story.
News story is developed in a very different from a
normal story : short stories or novels write in into
chronological order it's mean that the auther,
1. starts at the beginning
2. Set the time and place
3. Describes the scene
4. Introduce the characters
5. And finally weaves and threads the plot until a
climax is reached .
The climax : is intentionally stopped to create
suspense and show a series of events that
will hold the reader's interest until the end,
and the news story is no exception.

Usually, the news starts with its climax,

i.e., important facts or key points. First,
it is summarized and then more details
are told. The facts are arranged in
order of importance،And the reader
wants to know what happened.

Usually, a few questions that start with wh

occur to any normal person who wants to
know about that event :
Who, what, where, when, why, how
A journalist tries to answer these 6 basic
questions about that event.
Usually, a few questions
that start with wh occur
to any normal person
who wants to know
about that event :
Who, what, where,
when, why, how
A journalist tries to
answer these 6 basic
questions about that
event.
 A lead paragraph is often a long
sentences like English sentences
around the subject and main verb and
you can understand the whole story
with it

The lead paragraph in news articles begins with a dateline,

mentioning the location and date of the story. Due to limited
reporters, newspapers rely on wire services for news. Wire
services gather and distribute news globally. In newspapers,
stories note the location, date, and wire service name in
parentheses.
Big 4 international news agency
1-reuters
2-associated press(Ap)
3-united press international (UPI)
4-agence frans presse(AFP)
 The lead paragraph
attributes information to
sources, enhancing trust
and reliability. Journalists
often quote authoritative
figures, placing attribution
at the end of the lead
paragraph in newspapers,
especially after direct
quotations. Verbs like say,
tell, announce, declare,
assert, and according to
are used for attribution.
 Types of leads :

• Newspaper
• Two main 2-Soft leads
leads follow a categories: Hard 1-Hard leads offer variety in
pattern described Lead and Soft
earlier. commonly writing styles.
Lead.
• Leads vary
• The choice of used for hard • The lead sets
based on the
type of news lead influences news. the tone for the
story. the story's form. entire story.
• Hard Lead Overview:
• Applies to lead paragraphs,
especially in hard news.
• Direct, clear, and
summarizes key facts.
• Common in breaking news,
accidents, crimes, wars, and
politics.
Soft Lead in News Writing:
Introduction to Soft Lead:
• Soft leads differ from hard leads
by focusing on setting a mood and
inviting readers rather than
answering all 'five Ws and H.'
• Primarily used in soft news
stories, they employ a descriptive
or storytelling approach.
Examples of Soft Leads:
• Describes the first lead
about investigating women on
boards without summarizing,
emphasizing scene
description.
• Discusses a talk-like second
lead, directly engaging the
reader.
• Highlights a suspenseful
third lead, akin to a novel,
providing limited information to
build anticipation.
 News Story Editing Process:
Editorial Intervention:
• News stories go through editorial
processes before publication.
• Editors modify structures, add or
remove content for newsworthiness,
and prepare stories for publication.

Soft Lead Structure:

• The lead sparks curiosity, and
facts unfold in the story's body.
• The lead summarizes the story,
the headline summarizes the lead,
and this process shapes news
writing.
Lead to Headline Sequence:
• Contrary to reader presentation,
the writing sequence is 'lead - body -
headline.' Conclusion:
• The order is influenced by headline Understanding the dynamics
length constraints and the headline's of soft leads and the editorial
pivotal role in attracting readers.
Editorial Expertise in Headlines: process enhances the
• Journalists may lack expertise in effectiveness of news writing,
creating compelling headlines. ensuring a captivating reader
• Editors handle headline creation, experience.
ensuring effectiveness and
attractiveness to draw readers to
newspapers.
Thank You