What is a lead in a paragraph?

A lead paragraph (sometimes shortened to lead; in the United States sometimes spelled lede) is the opening paragraph of an article, essay, book chapter, or other written work that summarizes its main ideas.

What is a hard news lead?

Hard news leads put all the important information into the first paragraph, known as the lead. This usually includes the who, what, where, when and why of the story.

What is the difference between hard and soft lead?

The hardness refers to the lead. A soft lead will be much darker and easier to “spread.” It will also smudge faster and is harder to erase. Soft lead is what you use near the end of the piece when you’re pulling in very dark darks. Hard lead is fainter and is easier to erase.

What is the importance of a lead in a write up?

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.

What are the two general types of lead?

There are only two basic leads, direct and delayed. All the others fall under these two types.