newswriting for radio. the boston news-letter the first regularly published newspaper in america,...

Newswriting for Radio

The Boston News-LetterThe first regularly published newspaper in America, began publication in 1704

The Inverted Pyramid style of writing

Most important info at the top.

The Inverted Pyramid style of writing

Details go next.

The Inverted Pyramid style of writing

Less important info last.

The Inverted Pyramid style of writingUsed during the Civil War, when unreliable telegraph lines could fail at any time.

The Inverted Pyramid style of writingPresents facts quickly, can be edited for space, and suits today’s limited attention spans.

The Inverted Pyramid style of writingImportant for radio listeners who can’t go back to reread a story. Also serves as an “attention-grabber.”

The Lead SentenceTypes of leads

The Hard Lead

The Throwaway Lead

The Umbrella Lead

The Soft Lead

The Humorous Lead

The Lead SentenceExamples

The Hard Lead

A jury convicted John Smith todayon three counts of first-degreemurder.

The Lead SentenceExamples

The Throwaway Lead

A verdict tonight in the JohnSmith murder trial. A jury today…

The Lead SentenceExamples

The Umbrella Lead

A guilty verdict in the John Smith murder trial has brought tears and relief to the victim’s family.

The Lead SentenceExamples

The Soft Lead

Compared to his recent battles with cancer, Jim Jones must look at his re-election campaign as a walk in the park.

The Lead SentenceExamples

The Humorous Lead

It was a sticky situation on the Eisenhower today as a semi-trailer carrying a load of molasses overturned at the Circle Interchange.

The Lead SentenceExamples of what NOT to use as a lead.

The Question Lead

Could anyone be happier tonight than the million dollar lotto winner?

The Lead SentenceExamples of what NOT to use as a lead.

The Quote Lead

“I don’t care how much it costs, we’re going to build a new Cubs baseball field,” Mayor Rahm Emanuel said today.

The Lead SentenceExamples of what NOT to use as a lead.

The Buried Lead

Early this morning a construction worker named Ed Jones was working at a subway station…