Wednesday, January 20, 2010
The 'dos and don'ts' of leads
I didn't do well on writing my leads for this last assignment. I used attention-attracting statements without the back-up sentence. I said the boy DIED! Wow, I sure failed that one! The poor paramedic didn't get a name and who knows when that lady ran into the truck while talking to her insurance company. I hope with practice comes perfection. I will strive to find the essence of the story and then write my leads. I don't think I have been reading deep enough.
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Since you were writing a lead the paramedic shouldn't have gotten a name in the first place, unless he was famous. What helped me most in the book was the phrase 1) who 2) did what 3) to whom.. this helps to summarize and keep the main story the focus, not all the minor details. If the reader wants to know who the paramedic was, they will read on.
ReplyDeleteYour mistakes are pretty common. You picked up on the key to writing the lead though...look carefully at ALL the information and piece it together from there. I am sure you will get it next time.
ReplyDeleteHey Rosalie! I'm in the same boat with you on that one. We all need work and I agree with you, "Practice does make perfect". Just keep on paddling and do your research and I know you'll nail it.
ReplyDeletePractice does make perfect! There are things that should be in the lead and then i don't know if you should list it
ReplyDeleteGrade: 10/10
ReplyDeleteRosalie -- and others -- Don't be too hard on yourselves. For many of you, this style of writing is brand new. It will take some getting used to. We will practice a lot in this class. At the end of the semester, I hope you will find yourself quite comfortable writing as a reporter.