by Matt Carlson
Sometimes, the quick and concise dissemination of information is crucial when a major event looms upon society. This was the case in a CNN article titled, "CDC: 3.4 million inhalable H1N1 vaccine does available soon." The lead used in this article was a textbook example of how a lead can be brief, yet tell the reader what he or she needs to know quickly. In this article the lead reads, "Health officials expect more than three million doses of H1N1 flu vaccine to be available in the first week of October." It tells the concerned reader the very things he or she wants to know including the quantity of vaccine available, when it will be ready and that this announcement was made by health officials themselves.
In general, the lead is strong and has strong news elements such as what, when and who. However, the lead fails to detail a few important criteria. This article is from a national source and the lead gives no information as to where the three million doses will be distributed. Also, upon first glance, the amount of vaccine could cause alarm. Three million is not that much, give our country is home to over 300 million people. The lead could have used a less finite number or use a phrase such as, "initial round of H1N1 vaccine available first week of October."
Sometimes, the quick and concise dissemination of information is crucial when a major event looms upon society. This was the case in a CNN article titled, "CDC: 3.4 million inhalable H1N1 vaccine does available soon." The lead used in this article was a textbook example of how a lead can be brief, yet tell the reader what he or she needs to know quickly. In this article the lead reads, "Health officials expect more than three million doses of H1N1 flu vaccine to be available in the first week of October." It tells the concerned reader the very things he or she wants to know including the quantity of vaccine available, when it will be ready and that this announcement was made by health officials themselves.
In general, the lead is strong and has strong news elements such as what, when and who. However, the lead fails to detail a few important criteria. This article is from a national source and the lead gives no information as to where the three million doses will be distributed. Also, upon first glance, the amount of vaccine could cause alarm. Three million is not that much, give our country is home to over 300 million people. The lead could have used a less finite number or use a phrase such as, "initial round of H1N1 vaccine available first week of October."
