In news, you have something called a "lead." Now, personally, as a writer (okay, still not a pro, but..I like to pretend that I"m actually a writer),anyway, as I was saying: as a writer, I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with leads.
What a lead is, is the first line of a news story...otherwise known as the "lead in." It's meant to grab the reader and pull him or her in, in just a few short words. And for me, it's hell to write. I love the challenge...but hate trying to come up with an attention-getting lead. It's a bit like the titles we put on our blogs, I suppose. Trying to come up with a title that will get people interested enough to read the rest of what you've written.
Which is all well and good in a blog--but, when you've got some really dry story to write for a paper...say, a really dull school board meeting...it can be hell. And, you may think you've come up with a great lead, only to have your editor totally re-write it.
Some leads should be edited, but aren't. And some headlines, as well. Take this headline, which I saw tonight, on Yahoo News: "Bush urges bickering allies on Terroism" Now, is it me, or does the writer make it sound like Bush is urging U.S. allies to squabble a bit more about terrorism? Not a good headline. Headlines are even tougher, because you have to say a lot with only a handful of words.
Here's some more examples of bad editing: (From actual newspaper headlines over the years)
REALLY STUPID HEADLINES:
Iraqi Head Seeks Arms
British Left Waffles on Falkland Islands
Miners Refuse to Work After Death
War Dims Hope for Peace
If Strike Isn't Settled Quickly, It May Last a While
Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant
Drunks Get Nine Months in Violin Case
Couple Slain; Police Suspect Homicide
Astronaut Takes Blame for Gas in Space *(told him he shouldn't have had the beans on toast, tee-hee)
Typhoon Rips through Cemetery; Hundreds Dead
Man Struck by Lightning Faces Battery Charge
Kids Make Nutritious Snacks
Lawyer Says Client Is Not That Guilty.
After Detour To California
Shuttle Returns To Earth *(Well, better than New Jersey
)
Gas Cloud Clears Out Taco Bell. (What'd I tell 'ya, stay away from those beans!)
Man Jumps off 2nd Street Bridge
Neither Jumper Nor Body Found
Alzheimer's Center Prepares For An Affair To Remember
Woman Improving After Fatal Crash
Study Reveals Those Without Insurance Die More Often
Properly Drafted Will Reduces Anxiety After Death
Man Found Dead In Cemetery
Red Tape Holds Up New Bridge
British Union Finds Dwarfs in Short Supply
Man Minus Ear Waives Hearing
Steals Clock, Faces Time
Bank Drive-in Window Blocked by Board
Old School Pillars are Replaced by Alumni
Marijuana Issue Sent To A Joint Committee
Governor's Penis Busy [should be "Pen Is"]
Clinton Places Dickey In Gore's Hands
Organ Festival Ends In Smashing Climax
Long Island Stiffens For Lili's Blow
Would She Climb To The Top Of Mr. Everest Again? Absolutely!
And the classified adverts department have terrible editors:
For sale: lee majors (6 million dollar man)$50
Full sized mattress. 20 yr warranty. like new. slight urine smell.
Cows, calves never bred... also 1 gay bull for sale.
Snow blower for sale...only used on snowy days.
Amana washer $100. Owned by clean bachelor who seldom washed.
1 man, 7 woman hot tub -- $850/offer
Tickle me elmo, still in box, comes with it's own 1988 mustang, 5l, auto, excellent condition $6800
2 wire mesh butchering gloves, 1 5-finger, 1 3-finger, pair: $15
Free puppies...part German shepherd part dog
Nordic track $300hardly used call chubbie
Get a little john: the traveling urinal holds 2 1/2 bottles of beer.
Shakespeare's pizza free chopsticks
Bill's septic cleaning"we haul American made products"
Nice parachute never opened used once slightly stained
Free: farm kittens. ready to eat.
Notice: to person or persons who took the large pumpkin on highway 87
near southridge storage. please return the pumpkin and be checked. pumpkin
may be radioactive. all other plants in vicinity are dead. *(Hmmm--sounds like something from Doctor Who...or Cheyrnobal...or New Jersey.)
Exercise equipment: queen size mattress & box spring -$175.
Joining nudist colony, must sell washer & dryer$300.
Our sofa seats the whole mob and it's made of 100% Italian leather.
FOR SALE BY OWNER Complete set of Encyclopedia Britannica. 45 volumes. Excellent condition.$1,000.00 or best offer. No longer needed. Got married last weekend.Wife knows everything.
