How to write a lede

[sigma7]

Example of a bad, makes-you-wanna-crawl-under-the-covers kinda lede: "The scene at Snyder Family Stadium on Thursday made it clear — a few people know who President George W. Bush is."

Better lede: "A parasite that causes rats to sacrifice themselves to cats may also change human behavior, making women more outgoing and warmhearted, and men more jealous and suspicious." (Whole story here.)

Also, if there's anything I hate as much as Variety-speak, it's spelling it "l-e-d-e" -- though apparently I can't blame that on newspapering. Hrm. Maybe not for its invention, but certainly for its perpetuation.

Comments

[jkgriffin.livejournal.com]

Okay, the parasite story is extremely creepy. Especially since I probably have it, having had cats for a long time.

That lede thing is extremely annoying. But I'm a spelling nazi.

[sigma7.livejournal.com]

There's also referring to headlines as "heds," which just drives me batty.