- Explain the lead and its connection to the rest of the story.
- Reveal your destination, or the essential theme of the story.
- Set up the supporting material to explain the rest of the story.
- Explain why the story is important to convince your readers to come along for the ride.
How many words should a nut graph be?
The nut graf can be longer than one paragraph but in a news story I’d argue that they shouldn’t be longer than two or three paragraphs .
What makes a good nut graf?
The nut graf has several purposes: It justifies the story by telling readers why they should care . It provides a transition from the lead and explains the lead and its connection to the rest of the story. ... It often includes supporting material that helps readers see why the story is important.
What type of lead needs a nut graph?
Stories that often need nut grafs include stories with anecdotal leads , issue stories or controversy stories. Roy Peter Clark and Don Fry offer this explanation: The nut graf is used when the lead is anecdotal or indirect.
What goes in a nut graph?
A nut graph is a paragraph in which the main points of a story are summarized . Nut graphs are often used in conjunction with delayed ledes on feature stories. A feature story may begin with a delayed lede, often featuring description or an anecdote, that can last several paragraphs.
How is a story like a nut?
A fool will swallow it whole and choke . A fool will throw it away, think it of little worth. But a wise woman finds a way to crack the shell and eat the meant inside.”
What is a lede and nut graph?
In journalism, the nut graf (nutshell paragraph) is a paragraph that explains the context of the story . The term can be spelled many different ways. In many news stories, the essential facts of a story are included in the lede, the first sentence or two of a story.
Why is it called a lede?
The spelling of lede is allegedly so as to not confuse it with lead (/led/) which referred to the strip of metal that would separate lines of type. ... In journalism, the lede refers to the introductory section of a news story that is intended to entice the reader to read the full story .
How do you write an anecdotal lead?
Intrigue your reader. Tell a fascinating and stirring story that will draw the reader in and make her want to read the whole feature. Make sure the anecdote is relevant by choosing a story that directly relates in some way to your bigger story. The anecdote lead needs to have a purpose and needs to enhance the story .
What is a delayed lede?
A delayed lede allows the writer to take a more creative approach by setting a scene , describing a person or place or telling a short story or anecdote. ... A delayed lede is much like the opening of a short story or novel.
What are the 5 news values?
The secret to getting those news placements is in understanding this news values list: impact, timeliness, prominence, proximity, the bizarre, conflict, currency and human interest . The newsworthiness of a story is determined by these eight guiding principles.
What is lead sentence in news writing?
A lead is an opening paragraph that gives the audience the most important information of the news story in a concise and clear manner , while still maintaining the readers’ interest.
Which story structure is best suited for breaking news?
The inverted pyramid structure is the most commonly used structure for news writing. The inverted pyramid presents the most important information in a news story first, followed in descending order by less-important information. This structure works well for two reasons.
How do you write a lede?
- Keep it short and simple. A summary news lede should outline the main points of the whole story in its first paragraph and answer the five w’s. ...
- Get to the point. ...
- Use active voice. ...
- Avoid clichés and bad puns. ...
- Read your lede out loud.
