🏀Sports Storytelling Unit 5 – Crafting Compelling Leads and Ledes

What's a Lead/Lede Anyway?

• The lead (also spelled "lede") is the opening paragraph of a news story, article, or essay
• Serves as the hook to grab the reader's attention and entice them to keep reading
• Typically includes the most important information or the main point of the story
• Should be concise, usually no more than 35-40 words, while still providing essential details
• Aims to answer the fundamental questions of who, what, when, where, why, and how
• Can set the tone and style for the rest of the article, whether it's serious, humorous, or dramatic
• Differs from the headline, which is a short phrase or sentence that appears above the lead to summarize the story
• Plays a crucial role in engaging the audience and determining whether they will continue reading the full story

Types of Leads in Sports Writing

• Summary lead provides a concise overview of the most important aspects of the game or event
  • Includes key details such as the final score, standout performances, and significant moments
• Descriptive lead paints a vivid picture of a specific moment, scene, or emotion from the event
  • Uses sensory details and imagery to transport the reader into the story
• Quote lead opens with a compelling or provocative statement from an athlete, coach, or other relevant figure
  • Can add immediacy, authenticity, and human interest to the story
• Anecdotal lead begins with a brief story or incident that encapsulates the larger theme of the article
  • May focus on a particular player, team, or moment that represents the essence of the event
• Question lead poses a thought-provoking question to engage the reader and create curiosity
  • Should be relevant to the story and answered within the article
• Delayed identification lead withholds the name of the main subject to build suspense or surprise
  • Reveals the identity later in the lead or in the following paragraph
• Contrast lead juxtaposes two opposing ideas, teams, or players to highlight their differences or similarities
  • Can create tension, drama, or unexpected connections

Hooking Your Reader: The Art of the Opening Line

• The opening line is the first sentence of the lead and serves as the initial hook for the reader
• Should be attention-grabbing, intriguing, or surprising to make the reader want to learn more
• Can use strong action verbs, vivid descriptions, or unexpected statements to create impact
• May employ literary devices such as metaphors, similes, or alliteration to add style and flair
• Should be tailored to the tone and subject matter of the story (serious, humorous, dramatic)
• Needs to be relevant to the main point of the article and not misleading or sensationalized
• Can be a short, punchy sentence or a longer, more complex one, depending on the desired effect
• Sets the stage for the rest of the lead and the article, establishing the direction and focus of the story

Crafting Context: Who, What, When, Where, Why

• The lead should provide essential context by answering the five W's: who, what, when, where, and why
  • Who: The main characters or subjects of the story, such as athletes, coaches, or teams
  • What: The central event, game, or issue being covered in the article
  • When: The time or date when the event took place or the story unfolded
  • Where: The location or setting where the event or story occurred
  • Why: The reasons, motivations, or implications behind the event or story
• Contextual details help orient the reader and provide a foundation for understanding the story
• The lead should prioritize the most important and relevant information, not necessarily all five W's
• Context can be woven throughout the lead or provided in a more straightforward manner
• Effective context allows the reader to grasp the significance and newsworthiness of the story
• Balancing context with brevity is key to maintaining a concise and engaging lead
• Additional context and background information can be provided in subsequent paragraphs

Storytelling Techniques for Powerful Leads

• Employ descriptive language to create vivid imagery and transport the reader into the scene
  • Use sensory details (sights, sounds, smells, textures) to evoke a strong sense of place and atmosphere
• Create a sense of drama or tension by highlighting conflicts, challenges, or stakes involved
  • Use action verbs and dynamic sentence structures to convey movement and intensity
• Develop characters by revealing their thoughts, emotions, or motivations through quotes or actions
  • Show, don't tell: let the characters' words and behaviors speak for themselves
• Establish a clear and compelling narrative arc that hints at the larger story to unfold
  • Begin with a pivotal moment or inciting incident that sets the story in motion
• Use foreshadowing or hint at future developments to create anticipation and curiosity
  • Plant subtle clues or references that will pay off later in the story
• Vary sentence lengths and structures to create a rhythmic flow and maintain reader engagement
  • Alternate between short, punchy sentences and longer, more complex ones for pacing and emphasis
• Incorporate dialogue or quotes to add authenticity, personality, and human interest
  • Choose quotes that reveal character, advance the story, or provide insight and emotion

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Burying the lede: Placing the most important information too far down in the lead or article
  • Ensure that the main point or hook is presented upfront to capture the reader's attention
• Overloading the lead with too much information or unnecessary details that bog down the narrative
  • Be selective and prioritize only the most essential and compelling elements of the story
• Using clichés, tired phrases, or overly generic language that fails to distinguish the story
  • Strive for originality, freshness, and specificity in word choice and descriptions
• Relying on passive voice or weak verbs that diminish the impact and urgency of the story
  • Use active voice and strong, precise verbs to convey action, emotion, and intensity
• Failing to establish a clear focus or direction for the story, leaving the reader confused
  • Ensure that the lead sets up a coherent narrative thread and central theme to guide the reader
• Sensationalizing or misleading the reader with exaggerated claims or unsubstantiated hype
  • Maintain accuracy, credibility, and fairness in presenting the facts and context of the story
• Neglecting to proofread and edit the lead for grammar, spelling, and clarity
  • Polish the lead to ensure it is error-free, concise, and effectively communicates the intended message

Adapting Leads for Different Sports and Events

• Tailor the lead to the specific sport, event, or story being covered
  • Highlight the unique elements, terminology, and significance of each sport
• For fast-paced, action-oriented sports (basketball, hockey), emphasize speed, movement, and intensity
  • Use short, dynamic sentences and vivid verbs to capture the energy and excitement
• For slower-paced, strategic sports (baseball, golf), focus on key moments, decisions, and outcomes
  • Employ more descriptive language and character-driven storytelling to build tension and interest
• For individual sports (tennis, track and field), spotlight personal achievements, rivalries, and emotions
  • Use quotes and anecdotes to reveal the human stories behind the performances
• For team sports (football, soccer), emphasize collective efforts, teamwork, and group dynamics
  • Highlight the contributions of standout players while also capturing the overall team narrative
• For major events (championships, Olympics), capture the scale, spectacle, and historical significance
  • Place the event in a larger context and explore its impact on the sport, athletes, and fans
• For off-field stories (profiles, investigations), prioritize the human interest and societal relevance
  • Use anecdotes, quotes, and character development to engage the reader on a personal level

Practice Makes Perfect: Lead Writing Exercises

• Analyze successful leads from various sports articles and identify the techniques used
  • Deconstruct the leads to understand how they hook the reader, provide context, and set up the story
• Write multiple leads for the same story, experimenting with different angles and approaches
  • Try summary, descriptive, quote, anecdotal, and other types of leads to find the most effective one
• Rewrite weak or ineffective leads to improve their impact and clarity
  • Focus on strengthening the hook, tightening the language, and sharpening the focus
• Participate in timed writing drills to practice crafting leads under pressure
  • Set a timer for 5-10 minutes and challenge yourself to write a compelling lead for a given scenario
• Seek feedback from peers, editors, or instructors on your lead writing
  • Ask for constructive criticism on the effectiveness, clarity, and style of your leads
• Read your leads aloud to assess their flow, rhythm, and impact
  • Listen for awkward phrasing, redundancies, or unclear passages and revise accordingly
• Continually revise and refine your leads to hone your skills and develop your unique voice
  • Embrace the iterative nature of the writing process and strive for continuous improvement