Two news leads that grab attention are Question Leads and Suspense Leads. They draw the readers into a news report.
However, they are not easy to write. They need imagination, and creativity.
# Question Leads
The question leads are used to evoke curiosity, and are most suited for speculative reports. They can also be used for provocative or pro-and-con reports.
However, it is essential that the reporter provides an answer to the question early in the story. Otherwise, he runs the risk of losing reader interest.
An interesting news report was written when the Union Sports Ministry awarded the priority status to Wushu, a marital art.
NEW DELHI: Wushu, what?
You may be pardoned if you have not heard of the sport Wushu.
The Sports Ministry has. That is why it has decided to promote Wushu from the general to the priority category and demoted hockey from the priority to the general category.
# Suspense Lead
A suspense lead is one where the news point is delayed. The reporter puts in a human interest or surprise point in the first paragraph to catch the attention of the reader. The news point appears in the second paragraph. The suspense leads are mostly written for soft stories.
BHUBANESWAR: Ram Prakash Ojha is an unhappy man. His unhappiness stems not from his lack of skills but from his heritage.
Ojha was refused a government job because his father was convicted on embezzlement charges. “Why should I be penalised for my father’s crime?” asks Ojha.
Kinds of Leads I: Who, What, Why
Kinds of leads II: When, Where and How
Kinds of Leads III: Simple, Multiple Point, Quotation
