Burying the lead

Definition

Burying the lead refers to a writing error where the most important or newsworthy information is placed too far down in the text, making it less noticeable. This practice can hinder reader engagement and understanding because readers often skim headlines and first paragraphs for key points. In media writing, crafting compelling lead paragraphs and headlines is crucial for capturing the audience's attention and conveying essential information upfront.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Burying the lead can frustrate readers who expect to find the most critical information quickly, potentially leading to decreased readership.
2. Good journalistic practice emphasizes placing the most compelling facts at the beginning of an article, allowing readers to grasp the essence of the story immediately.
3. Effective headlines are designed to highlight key elements of a story, working in tandem with strong lead paragraphs to avoid burying the lead.
4. In some cases, burying the lead can result from an attempt to build suspense or provide background information, but this often backfires if done excessively.
5. Journalists are trained to avoid burying the lead by following guidelines and techniques that prioritize clarity and reader engagement in their writing.

Review Questions

• How does burying the lead impact reader engagement and comprehension in news writing?
  • Burying the lead negatively affects reader engagement by making it difficult for audiences to find crucial information quickly. Readers often skim articles for key points, so when important details are placed too far down, they may lose interest and miss out on understanding the main message. This practice can also confuse readers, as they might not grasp what the article is primarily about until later sections, which undermines effective communication.
• Discuss the strategies that writers can use to prevent burying the lead when crafting articles.
  • Writers can prevent burying the lead by adopting an inverted pyramid structure, ensuring that essential information appears at the beginning of their articles. They should focus on creating strong, concise lead paragraphs that summarize the most significant points. Additionally, effective headlines can help set expectations for readers, guiding them toward understanding what the article will discuss. Writers should continually review their work to ensure clarity and prioritize vital facts upfront.
• Evaluate how burying the lead can affect a publication's credibility and trustworthiness among its audience.
  • Burying the lead can significantly impact a publication's credibility and trustworthiness as it may signal to readers that the writer is not prioritizing essential information. If audiences consistently find themselves searching for key facts buried within articles, they may begin to question whether they can rely on that publication for clear and accurate reporting. A pattern of burying leads can damage a publication's reputation over time, as readers prefer sources that deliver news efficiently and effectively.

Related terms

Lead: The opening sentence or paragraph of a news article that summarizes the main points and draws readers in.

Inverted Pyramid: A style of writing where the most important information is presented first, followed by supporting details in order of decreasing importance.

Headline: A brief, attention-grabbing title of a news article that summarizes the main point and entices readers to continue reading.