+
Leads and Nutgraphs
+
Construction

Lead – The hook that tells the reader
what the story is about is called the
lead. It is often a single sentence.

In hard news stories, the direct or
summary lead provides the who,
what when where and why of the
story.

Indirect or delayed leads are more
creative entries into stories that
provide some information.

Feature or narrative leads are longer
introductions that tell a story.

Leads should not be any longer than
30 words.
+
Construction

The nutgraph is a sentence or
paragraph that states the focus
– the main point of the story.

It should tell in a nutshell why
it is newsworthy.

Stories using summary or
direct leads have shorter
nutgraphs, since they provide
key information.

Delayed and feature leads
require nutgraphs of about
three sentences.
+
Examples
Direct

Buoyed by three touchdown
passes from quarterback
Michael Vick the Philadelphia
Eagles crushed the New York
Giants in yesterday’s matchup.
Indirect, with Nutgraph
Michael Vick is finally biting
back.
Buoyed by three touchdown
passes from its quarterback, the
Philadelphia Eagles crushed the
New York Giants in yesterday’s
matchup.
+
Finding the Lead
•
The lead captures the
essential or unique elements
of a story.
•
In most cases, the lead should
be easy to find during the
reporting process.

Tip: What will people be
talking about on Facebook
tomorrow? That is probably
your lead.
+
Choosing a Lead

Decide whether or not a
delayed or indirect lead is
possible for your story.

If you use an indirect lead, you
must have a strong nutgraph.

In many cases, a delayed or
more indirect lead is
inappropriate for the content
of the story, notably if it is a
complicated issue or a
tragedy.

Tip: When in doubt, just go with
a direct lead.
+
Choosing a Lead

Bad:

Bad:
Another one bit the dust last night
in Wilmington’s Riverside
neighborhood.
The Lincoln University Board of
Trusees made a very important
decision Tuesday night.
John Smith, 22, of 500 E.
Washington St., died of multiple
gunshot wounds early Wednesday
morning.
In a unanimous vote, the board
decided to ban the use of alcohol
from the university’s campus.
+
Writing the Lead: Tips


What was the most important
or unusual thing that
happened?
Who was involved and who
said it?

Is a direct or delayed lead
best?

Is there a colorful word or
dramatic phrase I can work
into the lead?
+
Burying the Lead
The most common mistake
young reporters make is
burying the lead.
That means the main idea is
swimming somewhere in the
body of the story instead of
being placed in the lead.
•
Make sure to read over a
story after you have
completed it to make sure
you have selected the best
lead.
+
Assignment

Find three examples of leads.

Send the links to class email.

Due before class Thursday.