Class Notes: Steps For Writing a Lead & Steps For Writing a Headline

5 Steps For Writing a Lead

Step 1
Think about how you would interest your best friend in this story if you were explaining it out loud. What's the "hook" that would grab his or her interest immediately?

Step 2
Consider the most interesting part of the story. This needs to be used up front to interest the reader in what will follow, but still worded in a way that will get immediate attention.

Step 3
Think of using an interesting fact, a question, or something humorous or provocative as your lead. Be sure you are completely familiar with your subject so that these "hooks" will more easily come to mind.

Step 4
Use active verbs as much as you can, and avoid the passive voice. Use a thesaurus if you need active synonyms for passive words.

Step 5
Keep it brief: 2 to 3 sentences, no more than 25 words. Read your lead objectively. Edit and rewrite to make it as lean as possible while still maintaining the factors that will draw in your reader.



Steps For Writing a Headline:
1) Active Verbs
2) Keep it concise (short and sweet)
3) Grab reader=s attention