Lecture_ Creative Ledes.pdf

Creative Ledes The alternative to the Summary Lede TYPES OF LEDES: Descriptive Anecdotal Narrative Focus-on-a-Person Contrast Then-and-Now … and more Source: Writing and Reporting News: A Coaching Method, Chapter 8 (Carole Rich) “A good lede makes your reader spit out their coffee.” Edna Buchanan Ha...

Creative Ledes The alternative to the Summary Lede TYPES OF LEDES: Descriptive Anecdotal Narrative Focus-on-a-Person Contrast Then-and-Now … and more Source: Writing and Reporting News: A Coaching Method, Chapter 8 (Carole Rich) “A good lede makes your reader spit out their coffee.” Edna Buchanan Hard lede or soft lede? HARD LEDE (timely/immediacy) Wire story Breaking news Radio newscast SOFT LEDE News features Blogs Magazine stories Weekly news program Choosing a lede Depends on many factors: Importance and timing of story Type of news/media organization Type of publication Channel/medium What is a “soft lede” Creative or Alternative Lede ○ brings creativity and variety to media writing, for example: ✓ news features ✓ sports ✓ business These might begin with a/an… anecdote description quotation question Soft ledes Soft ledes can also be referred to as nontraditional ledes or delayed ledes… ○ Because they slightly delay getting to the story. ○ They are followed by a nut graf. Soft leads are ○ ○ ○ ○ several sentences long, very wordy and descriptive, not done for a particular day's deadline, they are more conversational & clever, are not inverted pyramid style. Nut graf Used with news or features when using a delayed lead “focus graph,” paragraph that explains point of the story ○ what the story is about—like summary lead Nut graf The Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity president says it was a practical joke that got blown out of proportion. Police say it was a hazing incident that involved new AGR members preparing to have sex with a goat. Now Western officials are still trying to determine if AGR members violated university policy by having a goat in their house that may have been used to intimidate new members. — Corey Paul, College Heights Herald, Western Kentucky University Nut graf 5 “C”s and an “S” Ledes should be (or contain): Clever Creative Cute Compelling (dramatic tension) Conflict Subtlety Anecdotal Most commonly used lede style Short story ○ usually generated from strong, direct quote you got during an interview ○ can be a story about one or more people ○ can be a recap of an event Makes a point Sets the scene Is entertaining Humanizes the story Descriptive Sets the scene by using a specific scenario Paints a visual image to help the reader see/experience the subject Writer uses lots of colorful language (words, phrasing, etc.) Begins with a clever or interesting example that illustrates the story’s theme. The “news” is placed in the second sentence (delayed for one sentence to make room for the hook). Her weight has escalated. Gray hairs have sprouted up, some almost white around her temples. She’s gotten used to wearing white slip-on canvas shoes and shapeless grey dresses instead of the gowns and furs she used to wear. But after a decade in prison for having her husband killed, Betty Jean Astralia, heading swiftly toward 60, is still as polite and sweet sounding as ever. Shock / Teaser Designed to grab the reader’s attention and gently lead them into the story Generally, something interesting you find in your research Short, crisp/to-the-point/humorous It had 200 legs, a thousand toes, a 100 noses and scores of horns. Blind BLIND LEDE Omits key information; goes after reader’s curiosity and hooks him or her No immediate identify the subject of the article Direct Address Invites the reader to participate in the story by speaking directly to the reader by using the word “you” in the lede Can be “friendly advice” Negative: can sound condescending/disrespectful to intelligence of most readers Choosing your lede Review your notes carefully before beginning to craft your lede. Try out different styles of ledes Ask yourself: ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Does this lede get the reader’s interest? Is it brief and to the point? It is clear, concise and understandable? Does it focus on the MOST IMPORTANT point in the story? Does it set the story’s tone? Is it the BEST POSSIBLE lede? Sources: https://www.slideshare.net/chazzman55/feature-ledes and “Feature & Magazine Writing. Action, Angle and Anecdotes (Sumner & Miller), 3rd edition Delayed Lede / Nut Graf Most commonly known as a “buried lede,” but it’s still first; it’s the nut graf that is actually “delayed.” Soft Lede sets the story’s theme; can be 1-2 paragraphs in length Nut graf summarizes story and provides transition to body of story All ledes must be backed up and “lede to” the nut graf. Delayed Lede Triggers the reader’s curiosity or raises an important concern Used mostly in news features (or feature stories with a “news peg” Without the passage of the April tax levy, Mexico High School knew the odds were slim to none in favor of building a new computer lab. When the levy failed to pass, hope began to fail as well. But things took an upswing when local businessman and former English teacher Bill Hoskins presented the board with a check for the exact estimated amount of construction costs for the multi-million dollar facility. Other types of alternative ledes Suspenseful lede Ironic lede Direct-address lede (“you”) Contrast lede