Burying the lead

Definition

Burying the lead refers to the practice of placing the most important information or main point of a news story deeper in the text instead of presenting it upfront. This can confuse readers and detract from the overall effectiveness of a piece by obscuring what matters most, which is essential in lead writing to hook the audience's attention.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Burying the lead often leads to reader disengagement as they may miss critical information that should have been emphasized from the start.
2. Effective lead writing is crucial for journalists, as it sets the tone for the entire article and influences how readers perceive the importance of the information.
3. In news writing, leads typically answer the who, what, when, where, why, and how, making it essential to get these key points across early on.
4. Avoiding burying the lead helps maintain clarity and ensures that readers can quickly grasp the significance of the story without having to sift through unnecessary details.
5. Common reasons for burying the lead include attempting to create suspense or being overly verbose, which can undermine a story's impact.

Review Questions

• How does burying the lead affect reader engagement and comprehension in journalism?
  • Burying the lead negatively affects reader engagement and comprehension by hiding crucial information that should be highlighted at the beginning. When journalists fail to present the most important facts upfront, readers may become confused or lose interest, making it harder for them to understand the significance of the story. This practice goes against effective lead writing strategies designed to capture attention and convey essential details quickly.
• Discuss how following the inverted pyramid structure can help prevent burying the lead in a news article.
  • Following the inverted pyramid structure helps prevent burying the lead by ensuring that journalists present the most critical information at the start of their articles. This style emphasizes placing key facts first, allowing readers to grasp essential points without wading through less relevant details. By prioritizing information in this way, writers can engage their audience immediately and maintain clarity throughout their work.
• Evaluate the potential consequences of burying the lead in a high-stakes news report, such as breaking news or investigative journalism.
  • Burying the lead in high-stakes news reports can have significant consequences, as it risks losing reader trust and diluting the urgency of critical information. In breaking news situations, where timely delivery is vital, failing to highlight key facts upfront may leave audiences uninformed about crucial developments. Additionally, in investigative journalism, where transparency and accountability are paramount, obscuring essential points can undermine credibility and dilute accountability efforts. Ultimately, effective communication is essential in these contexts to ensure that important messages resonate with readers.

Related terms

Lead: The opening sentence or paragraph of a news story that summarizes the main point and captures reader interest.

Inverted Pyramid:

A writing style used in journalism where the most important information is presented at the beginning, followed by supporting details in decreasing order of importance.

Nut Graph: A paragraph that explains the news value of the story, often found after the lead, providing context and background.