1. Leads and Endings Getting the reader’s attention and letting them go.

2. Function of a Lead Grab the reader’s attention Grab the reader’s attention Tells something about the subject of the story Tells something about the subject of the story Shows significance of the story Shows significance of the story Shows what kind of story it is: news, feature, profile, research Shows what kind of story it is: news, feature, profile, research Establishes pace and tone Establishes pace and tone Establishes the writer’s voice and authority Establishes the writer’s voice and authority

3. News leads From AGJR 203 From AGJR 203 Includes the 5 Ws Includes the 5 Ws Can easily be overloaded Can easily be overloaded Easier than feature leads Easier than feature leads Identifies what is important Identifies what is important

4. Feature leads Can withhold information Can withhold information Offers a variety of choices to the writer. Offers a variety of choices to the writer. Should propel the reader into the subject matter. Should propel the reader into the subject matter.

5. Direct or Delayed Breaking news – Direct Breaking news – Direct Creating a human slant – Delay Creating a human slant – Delay Compare these: Compare these: State University could lose its accreditation if it does not expand the library within five years, university officials were warned yesterday. Tracy McBain roamed the library for an hour Thursday night, looking for a place to study. She didn’t find a single empty seat. Frustrated and angry, she went outside to ponder her next move. “Is it my imagination or does the library get more crowded every semester?” said McBain. Its not her imagination. The overcrowded library has long caused problems for State students, and now may cause more trouble for the University.

6. Types of Leads Straight Lead Straight Lead Scene Lead Scene Lead Anecdote Lead Anecdote Lead Significant Detail Lead Significant Detail Lead Single-Instance Lead Single-Instance Lead Face or Point-of-View Lead Face or Point-of-View Lead Direct-Address Lead Direct-Address Lead Word-Play Lead Word-Play Lead

7. 10 Overused Leads “That’s the Word” “That’s the Word” The Chair-Leaning The Chair-Leaning The Mystery “It” The Mystery “It” The Uncommonly Common The Uncommonly Common The Atypically Typical The Atypically Typical The “No exception” The “No exception” The Quick-Trip-to-the-Almanac The Quick-Trip-to-the-Almanac The One-word The One-word The Calendar Cliché The Calendar Cliché The Rodney Dangerfield The Rodney Dangerfield

8. Focus Each story has one main idea to which all other ideas relate Each story has one main idea to which all other ideas relate Having trouble – try a diagram Having trouble – try a diagram Main Idea Supporting Ideas

9. Why is a lead so important? I look at leads as my one frail opportunity to grab the reader. If I don’t grab them at the start, I can’t count on grabbing them in the middle—because they never get to the middle. I look at leads as my one frail opportunity to grab the reader. If I don’t grab them at the start, I can’t count on grabbing them in the middle—because they never get to the middle. Mitch Alborn Detroit Free Press

10. Function of an Ending A good ending must: Tell the reader the story is over. Tell the reader the story is over. Nail the central theme of the story to the reader’s mind. Nail the central theme of the story to the reader’s mind. Resonate—stick with the reader and make them think. Resonate—stick with the reader and make them think.

11. Function of an Ending 2 A really good ending can: Surprise the reader. Surprise the reader. Present a twist on the story. Present a twist on the story. Do something unexpected—that turns out to be exactly right. Do something unexpected—that turns out to be exactly right.

12. How to Write an Ending Write the ending first, so you’ll have a destination to aim for as you write. Or at least have the destination in mind. Write the ending first, so you’ll have a destination to aim for as you write. Or at least have the destination in mind. Don’t make it an afterthought: it’s your last chance to influence your reader, so make it count. Don’t make it an afterthought: it’s your last chance to influence your reader, so make it count.

13. Types of Endings Anecdote Ending Anecdote Ending Detail Ending Detail Ending Face Ending Face Ending Quote Ending Quote Ending Scenic Ending Scenic Ending Not-the-Obvious Ending Not-the-Obvious Ending

14. Why is the ending so important? If leads are like flashlights that shine down into the story, endings can be eternal flames that keep a story alive in a reader’s head and heart. If leads are like flashlights that shine down into the story, endings can be eternal flames that keep a story alive in a reader’s head and heart. Chip Scanlan Poynter Institute

15. Learning from a Master “Mopsy has looked into the face of death, and it is whiskered.” Lead for a story about a bobcat terrorizing household pets in a Florida neighborhood, told from the point of view of a chicken who survived. Lead for a story about a bobcat terrorizing household pets in a Florida neighborhood, told from the point of view of a chicken who survived. Writer: Rick Bragg Writer: Rick Bragg

16. Your Turn Based on our discussion, write three possible leads for your feature story (or stories). Based on our discussion, write three possible leads for your feature story (or stories). Turn in your leads before you leave lab today. Turn in your leads before you leave lab today.