This document discusses different types of special ledes that can be used to introduce news stories, including narrative ledes, contrast ledes, staccato ledes, direct-address ledes, question ledes, and quote ledes. It provides guidance on writing each type of lede, such as using observation and "turn words" for contrast ledes, answering questions quickly for question ledes, and avoiding misrepresentation for quote ledes. The document concludes with exercises to identify special ledes on a news site and consider if a different lede may be more appropriate.

1. Special Ledes

2. Types of Special Ledes
• Narrative Ledes
• Contrast Ledes
• Staccato Ledes
• Direct-Address Ledes
• Question Ledes
• Quote Ledes

3. Narrative Ledes
1. Elements of the narrative lede
a. Lead block
- A couple of paragraphs that
build interest in the story
b. Nut graph
- The “so what” paragraph
- Usually the third or fourth
paragraph

4. Narrative Ledes
2. Writing a narrative lede
a. Using observation
- There is more going on
than the spoken word
b. Keeping the story going
- Narrative used to move the
story along

5. Contrast Lede
1. Elements of the contrast lede
a. “compare and contrast”
2. Writing a contrast lede
a. Using observation
b. Using “turn words”
- but, today, now, before…

6. Staccato Ledes
1. Elements of the staccato lede
a. Short bursts of phrases
2. Writing a staccato lede
a. The nut graph must contextualize
the staccato lede

7. Direct-Address Ledes
1. Elements of the direct-address lede
a. Uses “you” to directly address the
reader
2. Writing a direct-address lede
a. Use direct-address ledes sparingly
b. Be prepared to rewrite direct-
address ledes

8. Question Ledes
1. Elements of question ledes
a. Your lead opens with a question
2. Writing a question lede
a. Answer the question quickly
b. Tease the audience
c. Combine question ledes with direct
address

9. Quote Ledes
1. Elements of quote ledes
a. Your interview subject has
prominence in the lede
2. Writing a quote lede
a. General guidelines for quote ledes
b. Don’t misrepresent in a quote lede
c. Beware of libel when using a quote
lede

10. Creating Effective Ledes
A. Using Strong Verbs in Ledes
1. Make sure the verb is precise
B. Choosing a Lede: Which Lede, and
When?
1. There are no rules
2. Hard news usually requires a
summary lede

11. In-Class Exercise
• VISIT A MAINSTREAM NEWS SITE AND IDENTIFY TWO
DIFFERENT "SPECIAL LEDES“
• Things to consider:
– IS THIS THE BEST LEDE FOR THIS STORY?
– CAN THIS LEDE BE IMPROVED?
– IS A SUMMARY MORE APPROPRIATE?
– WOULD ONE OF THE OTHER SPECIAL LEDES WORK BETTER?