Lede

Definition

The lede is the opening sentence or paragraph of a news story that summarizes the main point and grabs the reader's attention. It's crucial because it sets the tone for the entire article and conveys the most important information, encouraging readers to continue reading. A strong lede is concise, engaging, and packed with key facts, often answering the who, what, when, where, why, and how of a story.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The lede should usually be 25-30 words long, making it impactful yet straightforward.
2. Effective ledes often use strong verbs and vivid descriptions to draw in the reader right from the start.
3. A summary lede gives an overview of the story, while a feature lede can provide a narrative hook or interesting detail.
4. Journalists must ensure that their lede accurately reflects the content of the article to maintain credibility.
5. The lede can vary in style depending on the type of news story being reported, whether it's breaking news, human interest, or investigative journalism.

Review Questions

• How does the structure of a news story influence the effectiveness of a lede?
  • The structure of a news story greatly influences a lede's effectiveness by emphasizing the importance of placing key information upfront. In an inverted pyramid style, the lede captures essential facts right away, allowing readers to grasp the main point quickly. This structure ensures that even if readers stop after the first paragraph, they still receive crucial information about the story.
• What are some common techniques used to craft an engaging lede for a news story?
  • Common techniques for crafting an engaging lede include using strong action verbs, incorporating compelling quotes, and presenting surprising facts. These strategies aim to capture attention immediately and create intrigue around the story. Additionally, utilizing descriptive language can help paint a vivid picture for readers, making them more likely to want to read further.
• Evaluate how different types of ledes can serve various purposes in news reporting and storytelling.
  • Different types of ledes serve various purposes based on their intended audience and story type. For instance, a summary lede is effective for straightforward reporting of breaking news as it provides essential details quickly. In contrast, a feature lede might employ storytelling elements to evoke emotions or curiosity in readers, making it suitable for human-interest stories. Evaluating these differences shows how journalists tailor their approach to effectively engage readers depending on context and subject matter.

Related terms

Inverted Pyramid:

A writing style where the most important information is presented at the beginning of the article, followed by supporting details in order of decreasing importance.

Nut Graph:

A paragraph that explains the significance of the story, typically following the lede, providing context and background information.

Brevity: The quality of being concise in writing, essential for effective news reporting to maintain reader interest and clarity.