Writing News Leads
10ELA39 min
Learning Objective
I can write a concise and informative lead that summarizes the main points of a news story.
Lesson Flow
Watch Video
Guided Notes
Key concepts students will learn:
- •
The lead of a story is the first sentence or two, usually fewer than 30 words, that aims to grab the reader's attention.
- •
Effective leads often contain a combination of the five Ws and one H: who, what, when, where, why, and how.
- •
Avoid leads that are simply the topic, a question, or a direct quote, as these are generally less effective at engaging the reader.
Practice
7 questions • Multiple choice & Short answer
Exit Ticket
“Write a lead (one or two sentences, under 30 words) for a news story about a local high school that won a state debate championship.”
Teacher Guide
Get the complete package:
- Answer keys for all questions
- Differentiation strategies
- Extension activities
- Printable student handouts
