The process of creating a great lead is the most vital aspect of journalistic writing. Or, for that matter, any writing period. If you can't draw the reader into a story, then the story is irrelevant and quickly inconsequential. This week I learned great leads don't necessarily tell the most vital information first. Many types of leads can be deployed effectively besides the inverted pyramid lead. A question lead draws the reader in without relaying any vital information in the first paragraph. My favorite lead I learned about this week is the anecdotal lead. This lead doesn't give away the purpose of the story in the initial paragraph. Instead it delves deep into a personal story using concrete details. This allows the writer to reveal many intimate details of what is being written about and have a literary story instead of a dry and vapid business piece where you don't have to read past the first paragraph.
This week I found a sign that said, "Woman shoes 10% off." The woman should be women's since I'm assuming it is not 10 percent off for one woman.
Good post. I agree that leads are what will make or break your article as far whether or not people will read it. I really came to notice this week how interested I would be in an article based on its lead.
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