How to Write a Tease Lead

So you want to tease your reader into reading your article? A tease lead can contain a conundrum, ambiguity, puzzle or insinuation. Clever structural devices can be woven around your theme. It helps to keep the words and phrases crisp and uncluttered for more effectiveness.

Instructions

1. Use a tease lead for your feature article when you feel creative and up to the challenge, and when you want to lure readers into your article. The tease lead provides a glimpse into the story to keep them reading.

2. Research your story well before you start writing your tease lead. Find out the facts so you can decide which facts should be played up in your lead. Uncover the hidden innuendos and idiosyncrasies that might create interest in the content.

3. Establish your voice. With all the details in hand, you can get in touch with the subject matter at hand-and find your voice in the midst of it all. A tease lead can let your voice come through, whereas a hard news lead may not.

4. Create a lead that uses common literary devices like alliteration, allusion, repetition and whatever works for the content and sounds good. However, only use literary devices if the content is appropriate for this approach.

5. Revise, review and work your tease lead to a white hot heat.

6. Look for any final twists, tweaks or turns that can make your tease lead even better. Then on to your real story.