Lead Writing

The All-Important First Paragraph

The opening of a news story is called the lead (pronounced lede). It is usually one paragraph, and is usually only one sentence.

A Lead Paragraph should answer two or more of the 5W's and H: who, what, when, where, why and how. Include those that are important to inform the reader. Usually, however, the lead will include, as a minimum, the who, what and when.

In deciding what to include in the lead, ask yourself: What is the first question a reader would ask? What is the first thing you would tell another person about the situation or event? It is the reason for doing the story, that aspect that makes an event or occurrence.

The most used openings for leads are the who and the what. The least used, in other words the weakest, are where and when. Rarely are place and time the most important aspects of the story, although they are usually included in the lead paragraph.