What is a Lead?

The opening paragraph of a news story summarises the entire story. Lead could be a word, phrase, brief sentence or a paragraph or series of paragraphs. Main function of a lead is not only to introduce the story but also to answer the questions of the reader. Good leads answer all questions regarding a news story. 

In a few questions a lead or intro expresses the essential elements of a news story namely five W’s and one H. They are the basic elements of news writing. Depending on the style of the story the order of W’s and H may change. While reporting an accident, a reporter may start with ‘Where’, and then move on to further details; whereas during an election reporting, he/she will directly go for ‘Who’. The answer for the W’s and H are the facts related to the story. 

They are considered the basics in the news gathering process also.

• Five W’s and one H

Who did that?

What happened?

Where did it take place?

When did it take place?

Why did that happen?

How did it happen?

The fact is that none of these questions can be answered with a simple yes or no.