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June 29, 2005
This is not your father's blog entry
Having trouble coming up with a fun, creative lede for that feature or trend story? Then consider using one of the following:
-- Forget [whatever].
This works for all kinds of stories. Here are a few examples:
"Forget string. These days more and more people use tape to seal their packages."
"Forget foreign countries. These days more and more people are taking vacations right here at home."
"Forget shoes. These days more and more people are going barefoot."
-- This is not your father's [whatever]
Like "forget" this formulation is good for most subjects. To wit:
"This is not your father's pocketwatch. No, it's digital and has a built-in GPS system."
"This is not your father's men's magazine. No, it's raunchier and has more pictures."
"This is not your father's Caesar salad. No, it's much bigger and comes in a plastic container."
If neither of these works, try something like the lede used in a USA Today article on tennis phenom Maria Sharapova: "The story line could be written many ways."
Who could argue with that?
Posted by teb at June 29, 2005 12:39 PM