Analysis on Leads

Analysis on Leads

By Brittany Falkers

            An example of an effective lead comes from the StarTribune.com.  Staff reporter Vince Tuss wrote an article, "Officer at center of Fong Lee shooting" the lead is as follows:

"A Minneapolis police officer at the center of controversy after fatally shooting 19-year-old Fong Lee in 2006 has been fired, a department spokesman said Wednesday."

The lead is effective because it gets right to the action of the story.  In the article Tuss gives other important details describing the why and how aspect of the story.  In his lead, however, he uses the who, what, and when details well. 

The lead is effective because of proximity value as well as a sort of impact value. Proximity is seen from the "where" of the lead, Minneapolis.  The impact is seen from the 'who' part of the lead, a police officer.  A corrupt officer has the potential for great impact on citizens.