A strong lead is crucial to a well-written feature. When you turn that page to a specific title, the way the it leads usually determines the mood of the article, apart from introducing the subject to the reader.
When To Write Leads
Most writers always compose the lead first. In fact, I know quite a few who couldn’t proceed to composing the rest of the piece until they are able to put a satisfactory one together.
It makes sense to write the lead first, as it usually defines how the rest of feature follows. However, it’s always a good idea not to restrict yourself in this manner. I’ve seen so many writers end up paralyzed when they’re unable to put a lead together that the work ends up being stalled. In truth, you can write the lead for your feature any time, even after running the rest of it through your proofreading software.
Types Of Leads
Most newspaper and magazine features use one of these six different techniques to write leads.
1. Summary leads gives an overview of the subject, answering the basic questions for the reader (who, what, when, where, why, and how) in as succinct a manner as possible. Most of the time, it makes sense to focus on three or less of those questions to keep your opening tight.
2. Salient feature leads put the focus on one particular aspect of the story, giving emphasis to a single specific characteristic of the subject.
3. Case-approach leads use a specific story – one representative example – to illustrate the point of the feature.
4. Suspense leads introduce the feature, but cut it off right before revealing the big news of the piece. The effect is teasing the reader into perusing the rest of the story.
