Quick StartQuick Start

Comms 321Comms 321

The inverted pyramidThe inverted pyramid

Write a terse leadWrite a terse lead Provide backgroundProvide background Present news in Present news in

order of descending order of descending importanceimportance

Use quotations early Use quotations early and throughoutand throughout

Use transitionsUse transitions Do not editorializeDo not editorialize Avoid “the end”Avoid “the end”

Summary lead or “lede”Summary lead or “lede”

Summarizes the news – Ws and the HSummarizes the news – Ws and the H WhoWho What What WhenWhen WhereWhere WhyWhy HowHow

Tips for lead writersTips for lead writers

Identify the Ws and H.Identify the Ws and H. Decide which element is the most Decide which element is the most

important to the reader.important to the reader. Try to stick to one main idea.Try to stick to one main idea. Write one sentence of no more 35 words.Write one sentence of no more 35 words. Write in past tense.Write in past tense. Use subject-verb-object order.Use subject-verb-object order. Sometimes the subject lends itself to a Sometimes the subject lends itself to a

lead with flair.lead with flair.

Summary leadSummary lead

WASHINGTON – The Supreme WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court preserved affirmative action in Court preserved affirmative action in university admissions on Monday by university admissions on Monday by only a one-vote margin but with a only a one-vote margin but with a forceful endorsement of the role of forceful endorsement of the role of racial diversity on campus in racial diversity on campus in achieving a more equal society. (New achieving a more equal society. (New York Times,35 words)York Times,35 words)

Multi-element or double-Multi-element or double-barreled leadsbarreled leads

Oklahoma City bomber Timothy Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh met with one of his lawyers McVeigh met with one of his lawyers Thursday about his chances of Thursday about his chances of avoiding execution, even as prison avoiding execution, even as prison officials moved full speed ahead to officials moved full speed ahead to carry out the death sentence in five carry out the death sentence in five days.days.

PitfallsPitfalls

-- Trying to put the “when” or time -- Trying to put the “when” or time element first and using the exact element first and using the exact time, when more general time will dotime, when more general time will do. .

Example:Example: At 6:15 a.m. today police found a suspect At 6:15 a.m. today police found a suspect

in a kidnapping of a Provo girl.in a kidnapping of a Provo girl. Better: Police arrested a suspect in the Better: Police arrested a suspect in the

kidnapping of a Provo girl early Friday.kidnapping of a Provo girl early Friday.

PitfallsPitfalls

-- Writing a lead that sounds like a -- Writing a lead that sounds like a newspaper headline or lead in for a newspaper headline or lead in for a news broadcast (usually in present news broadcast (usually in present tense and without articles).tense and without articles).

Example:Example: Police arrest suspect in Provo kidnapping.Police arrest suspect in Provo kidnapping. Police arrested an Orem man Thursday in Police arrested an Orem man Thursday in

connection with the kidnapping of a Provo connection with the kidnapping of a Provo girl.girl.

PitfallsPitfalls

Buried leads or “so what?” leadsBuried leads or “so what?” leads

Police Chief John Jones discussed the city’s Police Chief John Jones discussed the city’s crime problem with interested crime problem with interested townspeople at a meeting Monday night.townspeople at a meeting Monday night.

So what? What is the problem?So what? What is the problem? There were more serious crimes reported There were more serious crimes reported

in Provo last year than during any 12 in Provo last year than during any 12 months in the city’s history, the city’s months in the city’s history, the city’s police chief said Monday night. (26 words)police chief said Monday night. (26 words)

PitfallsPitfalls

-- Stating the obvious. Don’t just say that -- Stating the obvious. Don’t just say that something happened, but what was something happened, but what was significant about what happened.significant about what happened.

Example:Example: President Hinckley spoke to a large crowd Sunday President Hinckley spoke to a large crowd Sunday

and a choir performed during the annual program and a choir performed during the annual program honoring the Mormon pioneers.honoring the Mormon pioneers.

Better:Better: Latter-day Saints should emulate pioneer values Latter-day Saints should emulate pioneer values

of courage and integrity, LDS Church President of courage and integrity, LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley told hundreds gathered at a Gordon B. Hinckley told hundreds gathered at a fireside Sunday night.fireside Sunday night.

PitfallsPitfalls

-- Using the name of little-know person in a -- Using the name of little-know person in a lead. Delay the identification of most lead. Delay the identification of most people, unless they are well known because people, unless they are well known because of position or notorietyof position or notoriety..

Example:Example: BYU student Josh Jones faces charges in BYU student Josh Jones faces charges in

connection with a hit-and-run accident that connection with a hit-and-run accident that caused a pileup on I-15 yesterday.caused a pileup on I-15 yesterday.

Better:Better: Police arrested a 21-year-old BYU student Police arrested a 21-year-old BYU student

Tuesday in connection with a hit-and-run accident Tuesday in connection with a hit-and-run accident that caused a pileup on I-15.that caused a pileup on I-15.

PitfallsPitfalls

-- Using a question in the lead.-- Using a question in the lead. -- Using a direct quotation in the -- Using a direct quotation in the

leadlead -- Try one sentence first.-- Try one sentence first. -- Using “you” in the lead.-- Using “you” in the lead.

PitfallsPitfalls

Too many wordsToo many words In a bold bid to pursue the Republican economic agenda and spur In a bold bid to pursue the Republican economic agenda and spur

economic growth, President Bush plans to propose a sweeping economic growth, President Bush plans to propose a sweeping package that would eliminate the taxes individuals pay on stock package that would eliminate the taxes individuals pay on stock dividends, accelerate income-tax-rate cuts approved two years ago dividends, accelerate income-tax-rate cuts approved two years ago and provide $400 rebate checks for middle-class parents. (47 and provide $400 rebate checks for middle-class parents. (47 words) Wall Street Journalwords) Wall Street Journal

President Bush will propose today to stimulate the economy by President Bush will propose today to stimulate the economy by eliminating the tax on stock dividends and by cutting taxes this eliminating the tax on stock dividends and by cutting taxes this year for nearly 100 million taxpayers, at a cost of around $600 year for nearly 100 million taxpayers, at a cost of around $600 billion to the federal Treasury over 10 years. (41 words) Reutersbillion to the federal Treasury over 10 years. (41 words) Reuters

       President Bush yesterday said the economic plan he's unveiling President Bush yesterday said the economic plan he's unveiling

today - including family tax cuts and an end to taxing stock today - including family tax cuts and an end to taxing stock dividends - is geared to "the working citizen," and he rejected dividends - is geared to "the working citizen," and he rejected Democratic charges that it's aimed at the rich. (40 words) New York Democratic charges that it's aimed at the rich. (40 words) New York PostPost

Hints for success Hints for success

Start trying to think of new ways to write Start trying to think of new ways to write leads.leads.

Example of a feature lead:Example of a feature lead: Kathy Porter, principal of Westmore Kathy Porter, principal of Westmore

Elementary in Orem, knows she must find Elementary in Orem, knows she must find a way to boost scores. And a mathematics a way to boost scores. And a mathematics program she's considering, hoping it will program she's considering, hoping it will do the trick, has proven to be do the trick, has proven to be controversial. controversial.

Hints for successHints for success

Don’t go with the first lead – rewriteDon’t go with the first lead – rewrite Avoid superfluous wordsAvoid superfluous words Write clearly and conciselyWrite clearly and concisely Use vivid verbsUse vivid verbs Use colorful wordsUse colorful words Use Subject-Verb-Object order -- S-V-Use Subject-Verb-Object order -- S-V-

OO

Compelling leadsCompelling leads

To find a lead that will work, first consider To find a lead that will work, first consider the focus or the theme of your story. Here the focus or the theme of your story. Here are some questions to help you think are some questions to help you think about your theme:about your theme:

What one thing does the reader need to What one thing does the reader need to know more than any other? know more than any other?

What would make the reader say to What would make the reader say to someone else, "Listen to this!" someone else, "Listen to this!"

Is there an anecdote that captures the Is there an anecdote that captures the essence of the story?essence of the story?

Compelling leadsCompelling leads

What concrete specifics reveal the What concrete specifics reveal the significance of the story? significance of the story?

What is the history behind the story? What is the history behind the story?

What are the key problems to be What are the key problems to be solved in writing this story? solved in writing this story?

Source: Source: Compiled by Dr. Sherry Ricchiardi, associate professor, Indiana University School Compiled by Dr. Sherry Ricchiardi, associate professor, Indiana University School of Journalism (Indianapolis). Adapted with permission.of Journalism (Indianapolis). Adapted with permission.

Things to rememberThings to remember

Attend desk meetingsAttend desk meetings Update your Route Y forwarding addressUpdate your Route Y forwarding address Plagiarize and you’re outPlagiarize and you’re out Get your hair cut!Get your hair cut! Cover your beat even during holidays and last weekCover your beat even during holidays and last week Leave early or come in late = lost pointsLeave early or come in late = lost points Listen up! No laptops, ipods cell phones in classListen up! No laptops, ipods cell phones in class Think art! Photo orders are part of the story prep processThink art! Photo orders are part of the story prep process Late assignments – no pointsLate assignments – no points Read your story outloudRead your story outloud Turn off the editorTurn off the editor Let it rest if you canLet it rest if you can

Time-saving tipsTime-saving tips

Check the morgueCheck the morgue Cast a wide netCast a wide net Don’t over reportDon’t over report Get three balls in the airGet three balls in the air

Unoriginal sourcesUnoriginal sources Conduct your own interviews! Don’t use other sources unless Conduct your own interviews! Don’t use other sources unless

deadline is in two minutes and you MUST have the quote. (Of course deadline is in two minutes and you MUST have the quote. (Of course that doesn’t count if you’ve procrastinated for three days to call a that doesn’t count if you’ve procrastinated for three days to call a source.) Otherwise it is lazy reporting not worthy of an A.source.) Otherwise it is lazy reporting not worthy of an A.

New York Times rule: If you didn’t conduct the interview give the source.New York Times rule: If you didn’t conduct the interview give the source. ““It’s a lot like chicken pox,” Masters said in an e-mail.It’s a lot like chicken pox,” Masters said in an e-mail. ““It is a dark day in America,” said House Minority Leader Ralph Becker, D-Salt It is a dark day in America,” said House Minority Leader Ralph Becker, D-Salt

Lake, in a news release.Lake, in a news release. ““Private prisons are a great idea,” Marvin Jensen, CEO of Corrections Private prisons are a great idea,” Marvin Jensen, CEO of Corrections

Corporation of America, told the New York Times.Corporation of America, told the New York Times. “ “Private prisons are a threat to the safety of corrections officers,” Jim Stimson, Private prisons are a threat to the safety of corrections officers,” Jim Stimson,

leader of the a correctional officers union, said in a union news release. (This leader of the a correctional officers union, said in a union news release. (This was posted on a Web site, but no reference to delivery medium is necessary).was posted on a Web site, but no reference to delivery medium is necessary).

““Our stock is going through the roof,” Ralph Merit, CEO of Dot.com, was Our stock is going through the roof,” Ralph Merit, CEO of Dot.com, was quoted on thestreet.com Web site.quoted on thestreet.com Web site.

““We’re at the end of our rope,” stranded miner Jack James told the Associated We’re at the end of our rope,” stranded miner Jack James told the Associated Press. Press.

““It’s time to end the impasse,” Williams told the Deseret Morning News.It’s time to end the impasse,” Williams told the Deseret Morning News.

More attributionMore attribution

Avoid "according to" except when quoting documents. "Said" is fine in Avoid "according to" except when quoting documents. "Said" is fine in most cases.most cases.

Make sure your quotes are adequately introduced.Make sure your quotes are adequately introduced. Bad example:Bad example:

Students on campus took notice of the commemoration. Miles Pomeroy, a Students on campus took notice of the commemoration. Miles Pomeroy, a senior from Mesa, Ariz., majoring in physiology and developmental biology, senior from Mesa, Ariz., majoring in physiology and developmental biology, is one such student. "The anniversary means more because of the lowered is one such student. "The anniversary means more because of the lowered flag," said Pomeroy (Pomeroy said). "I like that people volunteer to show flag," said Pomeroy (Pomeroy said). "I like that people volunteer to show forth their respect for what has happened."forth their respect for what has happened."

In addition to honoring the lives of the individuals lost on Sept. 11, the vigil In addition to honoring the lives of the individuals lost on Sept. 11, the vigil was meant to serve another purpose.was meant to serve another purpose.(INTRODUCE NEW SPEAKER HERE)"My hope is that through this flag vigil (INTRODUCE NEW SPEAKER HERE)"My hope is that through this flag vigil and our continued example of patriotic service we may inspire others with and our continued example of patriotic service we may inspire others with a similar sense of national pride and determination," said Jenson.a similar sense of national pride and determination," said Jenson.

Subject-verb in attribution -- Jenson said.Subject-verb in attribution -- Jenson said. Avoid “there is”Avoid “there is”

Ethical/process issuesEthical/process issues

Where possible ask the source to review their Where possible ask the source to review their quotes. Please allow adequate time for review.quotes. Please allow adequate time for review.

While it may be legal, it is not ethical to tape a While it may be legal, it is not ethical to tape a conversation without first getting permission from conversation without first getting permission from the sourcethe source

Identify who you are, that you are from the Daily Identify who you are, that you are from the Daily Universe and you want to interview for a story for Universe and you want to interview for a story for publication. Make sure they understand they are publication. Make sure they understand they are “on the record” to use their name and what is “on the record” to use their name and what is said.said.