Lead
A lead (sometimes written as "lede") is the opening paragraph or introduction of a news story that quickly tells readers the most important information. It's like a snapshot that captures the key points of who, what, when, where, why, and how of the story. In newspaper publishing, the ability to write strong leads is a crucial skill because it determines whether readers will continue reading the article. Think of it as the "hook" that grabs the reader's attention and gives them the main points even if they read nothing else.
Examples in Resumes
Wrote compelling leads for over 200 front-page stories
Trained junior reporters in crafting effective ledes and story structure
Won regional press award for best lead writing in breaking news coverage
Typical job title: "News Writers"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find News Writers
Professional Organizations
Job Boards
Online Communities
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you approach writing leads for complex investigative stories?
Expected Answer: Should discuss balancing the need to grab attention while accurately presenting complicated information, and mention experience in handling sensitive or controversial topics in opening paragraphs.
Q: How do you mentor junior writers in developing strong leads?
Expected Answer: Should explain their teaching methods, how they provide constructive feedback, and give examples of how they help others improve their writing skills.
Mid Level Questions
Q: How do you adapt your lead writing for different types of stories?
Expected Answer: Should explain how they change their approach for breaking news versus feature stories, and demonstrate understanding of different lead styles (summary, narrative, etc).
Q: How do you handle writing leads under tight deadlines?
Expected Answer: Should discuss their process for quickly identifying key information and crafting compelling openings while maintaining accuracy under pressure.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What are the essential elements of a good news lead?
Expected Answer: Should mention the 5 W's (who, what, when, where, why) and how, and explain why clear and concise writing is important in leads.
Q: How do you decide what information to include in your lead?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate basic understanding of news values and ability to identify the most newsworthy aspects of a story.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic news writing fundamentals
- Understanding of the 5 W's and H
- Ability to write clear, simple leads
- Basic fact-checking skills
Mid (2-5 years)
- Writing various types of leads
- Meeting tight deadlines consistently
- Handling complex story structures
- Strong editorial judgment
Senior (5+ years)
- Mentoring junior writers
- Managing major story coverage
- Writing award-winning leads
- Expert news judgment
Red Flags to Watch For
- Unable to write clear, concise sentences
- Poor grammar and punctuation skills
- Difficulty identifying key story elements
- Can't meet deadlines
- Lack of attention to accuracy
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