About Ledes. The introduction to a news article is called the ‘lede’ and is usually in the first paragraph as in an essay. The ‘lede’ is a deliberate misspelling of ‘lead’ to prevent confusion in the days when printing was done with lead type.
Why do journalists say lede?
The term “lede” originated in newsrooms between the 1950s and 1970s. It was created to avoid confusion between the “lead” paragraph in an article and the metal lead (pronounced “led”), which was used in printing presses. Even though printing is now mostly digital, many still use “lede” to refer to a lead paragraph.
What is the purpose of a lead in a news report?
A lead is an opening paragraph that gives the audience the most important information of the news story in a concise and clear manner, while still maintaining the readers’ interest.
Is there a difference between a lede and a lead?
Long ago the noun lede was an alternative spelling of lead, but now lede is mainly journalism jargon for the introductory portion of a news story—or what might be called the lead portion of the news story.
What is the origin of lede?
A deliberate misspelling of lead, originally used in instructions given to printers to indicate which paragraphs constitute the lede, intended to avoid confusion with the word lead which may actually appear in the text of an article.
What makes a great lede?
A good lede must accomplish three specific things: Give readers the main points of the story. Get readers interested in reading the story. Accomplish both of these in as few words as possible.
What makes a strong lede?
1. Keep it short and simple. A summary news lede should outline the main points of the whole story in its first paragraph and answer the five w’s. Only provide what the reader needs to understand the story, and try not to overload the initial lines with too many unnecessary details.
Why is lead so important?
Lead is still widely used for car batteries, pigments, ammunition, cable sheathing, weights for lifting, weight belts for diving, lead crystal glass, radiation protection and in some solders. It is often used to store corrosive liquids.
What is the importance of lead?
You’ll have no “leads” for sales to go to. And why are leads important? Because without them, it’s challenging to maximize growth and revenue. Lead generation is a process that builds visibility, credibility, trust, and interest from a specific group of people (potential leads).
Why is lead the most important part?
The lead, or opening paragraph, is the most important part of a news story. With so many sources of information – newspapers, magazines, TV, radio and the internet – audiences simply are not willing to read beyond the first paragraph (and even sentence) of a story unless it grabs their interest.
When did lede become a word?
Lede is a noun with an interesting history. It originated in newsrooms sometime between 1950 and 1970, where it was used as slang for the first sentence of a story. The Oxford English Dictionary put it in the 1950s, while Merriam Webster puts it around 1970.
When should a lede be buried?
(idiomatic, US, journalism) To begin a story with details of secondary importance to the reader while postponing more essential points or facts.
How many words should a lede be?
The basics of a lede
A lede is one sentence of 35 words or less and may contain one comma. Some journalists use a semi-colon to join two independent clauses together in one lede.
What is the word lede mean?
noun. ˈlēd. : the introductory section of a news story that is intended to entice the reader to read the full story.
What does dont bury the lede mean?
A lede is the most newsworthy part of a news story. Journalists are taught to keep it front and center: a story should lead with the lede. A writer “buries the lede” when the newsworthy part of a story fails to appear at the beginning, where it’s expected.
Is lede a Scrabble word?
Yes, lede is a valid Scrabble word.
What are the different types of ledes?
Ledes are commonly classified into seven types. These are straight, anecdotal, narrative, zinger, observational, scene-setting, and question. Before you begin to experiment with different types of ledes, you need to be well-versed with some cardinal rules.
Why are strong leads so important?
Generating New Sales Leads
It can also be a company or person who fits a target group for what you are providing. Without leads, a sales team cannot be successful. Therefore, generating good leads is just as important as refining your pitch or closing well.
How do I stop burying the lead?
The best way to avoid burying the lede is to determine the most important information and place it in the first paragraph or even the story’s first sentence. Sometimes, you’ll know your article’s main idea before you sit down, which makes it easier to include this information in your introduction.
What are 3 interesting facts about lead?
7 things you didn’t know about lead
- Lead used to be found in almost everything, from paint to gasoline.
- Lead becomes easily pourable at the low melting point of 621°F.
- Despite health concerns, lead pipes still connect 10 million homes to water supplies.
What are the pros and cons of lead?
A disadvantage is that if you are repeatedly exposed to this toxic element, it can cause anemia, brain damage and high blood pressure. An advantage is that lead has a low melting point, so it is easy to shape and mold the bullet.