Introduction:
We are transitioning from gathering material—reporting—to writing. We’ll start at the top of the story with the key elements that will hook readers in: the headline (hed), lead paragraph/section (lede), and the paragraph that previews the story, the nut graf.
Learning objectives:
- Identify heds, ledes and nut grafs in other work
- Critique heds, ledes and nut grafs
- Write heds, ledes, and nut grafs for own stories
Steps to completion:
Background:
- Readings:
- Lede video
- Nut graf video
- Find a story from the Don van Natta list or elsewhere with a great lede. Using the categories in the lede video, what kind of lead is it? Does do what Edward R. Murrow told Nancy Dickerson a lede should do?* What drew you to it? Write a short blog post linking to the story and evaluating the ledes in the Module 7 category using the “lede” tag by Oct. 17.
- I will assign you a partner in the class. Critique each other’s profile’s ledes and nut grafs along the following lines:
- What kind of lede is it?
- Does it highlight the main character in the story?
- Does it draw the reader into the story?
- Does it work with the headline?
- Does the nut graf hook you in and make you want to read the rest of the story?
- Share with your partner and me as Dropbox Paper by Oct. 19.
Reflective:
- Class discussion Oct. 18: Effective ledes and nut grafs
- Class discussion Oct. 20: Discuss peer revisions and finalize top matter
Exploratory
- Story packages for news analysis and pick-your-own stories due Nov. 1
- Ledes and nut grafs for same due Nov. 4.
* See the Dropbox Paper doc I shared with you at the beginning of the semester