CHAPTER 8
Writing Compelling Leads
CONTENTS
KEY WORDS
Delayed Lead
Five Ws and H Rule
Hard Lead
Lead
Negative Lead
Nonnews Lead
Question Lead
Shotgun Lead
Soft Lead
Trivia Lead
Updating Leads
INTRODUCTION
Former President Ronald Reagan once opened a press conference with the infamous quote “Before I refuse to take your questions, I have an opening statement.” The actual focus of the press conference has since been largely forgotten. But Reagan's first sentence, which served as the lead of the story, took on a new dynamic by eclipsing the story itself.
Much like that press conference, the lead is comprised of the opening words that sets ...
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