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What is the difference between lede and lead?

Author

Avery Gonzales

Updated on February 18, 2026

What is the difference between lede and lead?

The spelling lede is an alteration of lead, a word which, on its own, makes sense; after all, isn't the main information in a story found in the lead (first) paragraph? And sure enough, for many years lead was the preferred spelling for the introductory section of a news story.

Moreover, is it bury the lede or bury the lead?

The Oxford English Dictionary put it in the 1950s, while Merriam Webster puts it around 1970. Today, it is most commonly used in the phrase bury the lede, which refers to failing to emphasize the most important part of a story. Of course, lead in the sense of first or primary would work equally well here.

Furthermore, what is a good lede? A good lede must accomplish three specific things: Give readers the main points of the story. Get readers interested in reading the story. Accomplish both of these in as few words as possible.

Also know, what does burying the lead mean?

bury the lead. (idiomatic) (news writing style) To begin a story with details of secondary importance to the reader while postponing more essential points or facts.

What is a lede in journalism?

Long ago the noun lede was an alternative spelling of lead, but now lede is mainly journalism jargon for the introductory portion of a news story—or what might be called the lead portion of the news story.

Why is it spelled lede?

Spelling the word as lede helped copyeditors, typesetters, and others in the business distinguish it from its homograph lead (pronounced led ), which also happened to refer to the thin strip of metal separating lines of type (as in a Linotype machine).

What does nut graf mean?

"Nut graf" (or nut graph, nutgraph, nutgraf) is an editorial slang term used by editors and copy editors at newspapers and magazines. The term refers to a paragraph or sentence that summarizes the essence of a story without divulging every detail.

How do you bury something?

Dig fast and dig true; don't dig the hole any wider than is required, as you will be wasting time and energy.
  1. For maximum security, it is recommended that you bury your package no less than 2 1/2 - 3 feet deep.
  2. Once your hole has been dug, place your package into it and cover it with a layer of good-size rocks.

How do you right a lead?

Tips for Writing a Lead
The Five W's and H: Before writing a lead, decide which aspect of the story – who, what, when, where, why, how – is most important. You should emphasize those aspects in your lead. Wait to explain less important aspects until the second or third sentence. Conflict: Good stories have conflict.

How do you use long in a sentence?

Examples of 'so long' in a sentenceso long
  1. Nobody has taken so long to say yes.
  2. It was not physically possible for a man to run so fast for so long.
  3. She tells me of the shock of seeing daylight for the first time in so long.
  4. You are allowed to do other work in your own time so long as you declare it.

Where do reporters get their information?

Agencies - a news reporter gets news from various news agencies such as PTI, ANI, AFP, Reuters, etc. They pay fees to the agencies for their services. Sources- over the time, journalists develop what are known as sources. Sources are people who are connected with the news beat the reporter covers.

How do you use Needless to say?

needless to say. Very likely or obvious, self-evident, as in Needless to say, the availability of assault weapons is closely connected with crime. Although nonsensical at first glance (if unnecessary to say, why say it?), this phrase is generally used for emphasis. It originated as needless to speak in the early 1500s.

How far down are you buried?

In fact, some areas allow graves to be as shallow as two feet from the surface…whereas other communities encourage graves to be a whopping 12 feet deep (to allow room for the burial of relatives). For the most part, being buried “six feet under” is a commonly used phrase and nothing more.

What does the phrase bury the hatchet mean?

Bury the hatchet is an American English idiom meaning "to make peace".

What does dont bury the lead mean?

In journalism, there's an expression: Don't bury the lead (also known as the “lede”). Basically, it means you should write the most important thing first; each successive paragraph can flesh out the main idea for those who are interested in reading further.

What does it mean to spell someone?

“to spell” is used as a verb to mean 'to take over' (some work) temporarily (for a short time) in place of another person. This use of “spell” is related to the noun “spell” meaning a duration of time.

Is lede a Scrabble word?

Yes, lede is in the scrabble dictionary.

How do you spell thats?

contraction of that is: That's mine. contraction of that has: That's got more leaves.

What is a Graf in journalism?

Graf (AKA, the Paragraph)
Graf is part of a general editorial shorthand that editors at newspapers, magazines, and other written publications use very often. Or, an editor might write the word graf on the pages of a story you're writing to reference a paragraph they want you to work on.

What type of word is don t?

A contraction is a word made by shortening and combining two words. Words like can't (can + not), don't (do + not), and I've (I + have) are all contractions. People use contractions in both speaking and writing.

What type of word is the?

Articles are considered a type of adjective, so "the" is technically an adjective as well. However, "the" can also sometimes function as an adverb in certain instances, too. In short, the word "the" is an article that functions as both an adjective and an adverb, depending on how it's being used.

What are the types of leads?

Such routine events and spot events are normally written in straight or summary leads.
  • Straight lead (or Summary lead)
  • Descriptive lead.
  • Quotation lead.
  • Question lead.
  • Personal lead.
  • 'You' lead (or Direct Address lead)
  • Contrast lead.
  • Delayed lead (or suspended interest lead)

What is a delayed lede?

A delayed lede allows the writer to take a more creative approach by setting a scene, describing a person or place or telling a short story or anecdote. If that sounds familiar, it should. A delayed lede is much like the opening of a short story or novel.

How do you use lead in a sentence?

lead Sentence Examples
  1. "Lead the way, Romeo," she said dryly.
  2. He's sought out anyone he thinks might lead him in the right direction.
  3. He's singing like the choir lead at a church revival.
  4. Slipping her hand through his extended elbow, she let him lead her into the center of the room.

What is the difference between headline and lead?

Headline: Wife of Miami Dolphins player breaks through police barricade to headbutt an officer and is arrested on multiple charges. Lead: THE WIFE OF A MIAMI DOLPHINS PLAYER IS UNDER ARREST AFTER BREAKING THROUGH A POLICE BARRICADE AND HEAD-BUTTING AN OFFICER.

How do you write a soft lead?

Write your lead. Focus on starting with an anecdote, quote or description. Describe a place, a person or a moment that comes out of your reporting. For anecdotal and descriptive leads limit your soft lead to three to four paragraphs.

What is a descriptive lead?

Descriptive leads begin the article by describing a person, place, or event in vivid detail. They focus on setting the scene for the piece and use language that taps into the five senses in order to paint a picture for the reader. This type of lead can be used for both traditional news and feature stories.

What is an anecdotal lead?

An anecdotal lead is used to start out an essay or a short story. It tells a brief story to instantly capture the interest of the reader or to

What is the lead in?

A lead-in is something that is said or done as an introduction before the main subject or event, especially before a radio or television program. You may also like.

What is journalism summary lead?

A summary lead concisely tells the reader the main idea of the story or conveys its news value. Most journalists and editors believe that the lead should come in the first sentence or first few sentences of a hard news article.

How do you introduce a news report?

The intro should be appropriate in style to the story.
  1. Newsworthy. To write an intro, you must first decide what makes the story news.
  2. Short and simple. Your intro should normally be no longer than 20 words.
  3. Attract the reader.
  4. Appropriate style.
  5. Key points.
  6. Information.
  7. Analysis.
  8. News angle.

What is the lead in a newspaper?

Introduction. The lead, or opening paragraph, is the most important part of a news story. A good lead does just that. It gives readers the most important information in a clear, concise and interesting manner. It also establishes the voice and direction of an article.

How long is a news story?

Many (not all) papers have a 500-word limit for staff-written stories, unless the subject calls for more. Understand, much longer than 500 words, and people skim or skip the story. In traditional (paper) newspapers, space = paper = money.

How do you write a lead in an essay?

Be sure to have a least three sentences in your lead, whatever type it may be.
  1. Begin with one or more questions that grab the reader's attention.
  2. Begin with a startling statistic (number evidence) or unusual fact.
  3. Begin with a quote from an expert in the field or experienced person.
  4. Begin with a short anecdote (story)

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