How to Write a News Lead

Journalists follow time-tested guidelines when writing news stories. The lead is one of the most important parts of the story--not only to the readers, but to the editor, who will yell if it's not quite right. To write a professional, compelling lead, follow these steps.

Instructions

1. Collect the essential information. A lead should answer the 5 w's: who, what, where, when and why. Make sure when a reader reads the lead, he or she will know the players, the setting and all of the essential information.

2. Write the lead sentence with all of the above-mentioned information.

3. Read it again. Does it give an accurate impression? Check for brevity. Cut useless words. The rule of newspaper stories is that they must be ruthlessly pared down to fit into the edition. Use active voice, not passive.

4. Check the tone of the lead. Decide how much "flair" you need. Does the lead have to be witty or snappy in this case? Or is it primarily informative? Change the lead to reflect the right tone.

5. Write the rest of the story to match. The tone of a story has to be consistent. Anything less is confusing and will jar the reader.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't write to yourself. Look over what you've written to see if it appeals to a general audience. Style is all-important. Informal writing doesn't usually get printed.

• Check for libel issues. It's a good idea to double-check your facts before the story leaves your desk.