The chapter ends with a concluding thought about the lists, guidelines, rules, and laws presented. What is the author's hope for how these rules will be used by a writer?
Explanation
The author concludes the chapter by expressing the hope that the provided rules and guidelines will serve as a helpful starting point for writers, offering structure and ideas when they are faced with the challenge of a blank page, rather than being a paralyzing set of restrictions.
Other questions
According to the chapter on leads, what are the three basic things a television news lead must accomplish every time?
What is the term for the common broadcast news writing problem where a past event is described using present-tense verbs, similar to how one might tell a joke?
Which of the following leads about a man who robbed a Quick-D Mart in the morning best exemplifies the 'real present tense' as described in the chapter?
Which type of lead is described as keeping something out to make the viewer curious?
According to the list of things to avoid, why should writers refrain from telling viewers that the news is 'good, bad, or disappointing'?
What is one of the four keys to successful leads that emphasizes a 'SUBJECT-VERB-OBJECT' structure?
When is it considered acceptable to include a person's name, age, or address in a television news lead?
What specific piece of advice is given regarding questions in a lead?
The chapter mentions a common and problematic writing habit of dropping verbs in a lead. Which of the following examples illustrates this mistake?
What is the key reason given for reading a lead aloud before it goes on air?
Which lead type would be most appropriate for a story providing new developments on a major fire that was the top story the previous day?
The chapter advises writers to stay 'viewer-centric'. What example does it give of a news director encouraging this practice?
What is the primary difference highlighted between a television news lead and a newspaper lead?
Why does the chapter advise against starting a story with the word 'another'?
Which of the following leads for a story about an uninjured baby who fell from a window is an example of a 'Connection with viewer' lead?
What is the second key to successful leads, which advises against using the verb 'to be'?
Based on the text, what is a primary reason to avoid 'dating' your story in the lead with words like 'yesterday'?
How does the chapter suggest rephrasing a question lead like 'Have you ever wondered how they time traffic lights?' to be more effective?
What is the main danger of 'cramming too much information into the lead'?
According to the chapter, which lead type would be exemplified by the sentence: 'LOU GEHRIG SAID HE WAS “THE LUCKIEST MAN ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH.” IF HE COULD TALK… A BABY WOULD BE SAYING THE SAME THING TONIGHT.'?
What does the text identify as a 'turn-off' that should be avoided when starting a lead?
In the scenario of a woman robbing a quilt shop and being arrested, what is the key principle behind writing a 'present-tense' lead for the evening news?
What is the problem with a lead that includes the line 'don't congratulate each other'?
Which of the following sentences best demonstrates the use of a powerful verb instead of a noun, as recommended in the 'keys to successful leads'?
What is the final key to a successful lead mentioned in the chapter, which involves treating viewers as 'selfish, self-centered people' to keep them engaged?
If a writer is crafting a lead for a story about a baby who fell out of a window and was saved by a pile of shaving cream, which lead type starts the story from the beginning?
The text provides an example of a past tense lead and a false present tense lead about a baby falling from a window. Which statement is the correct false present tense example?
Why does the chapter advise against giving orders like 'check this out' in a lead?
In the context of the chapter on leads, which tense is described as 'even better' than the preferred present-tense?
What is the primary goal of a television news lead as described in the chapter?
A story lead states: 'FIVE-THOUSAND CHILDREN FALL OUT OF WINDOWS EVERY YEAR. FOR MOST... IT GOES BADLY. BUT ONE LOCAL BABY ESCAPED WITHOUT INJURY...THANKS TO A PILE OF SHAVING CREAM.' What type of lead is this?
The chapter gives a reason why journalists shouldn't label news as 'good' for some and 'bad' for others. What specific example is used to illustrate this point?
What is the suggested correction for the dropped verb in the lead 'A MAN... IN JAIL TONIGHT'?
How many basic things must a lead accomplish, according to the numbered list in the chapter?
The chapter lists four 'keys to successful leads'. Which of the following is NOT one of those four keys?
When is it appropriate to use a person's age in a lead, according to the examples provided?
What is the second purpose of a lead, as listed in the chapter's three-point list?
Which of the following leads for the quilt shop robbery story best captures a present-tense angle focused on the store owners?
What is the reason lazy or rushed anchors sometimes get 'burned' when reading scripts cold?
When the text states 'You can re-read a sentence in a newspaper or web story...Get it unclear on TV or radio and your audience is confused and lost,' what principle is it emphasizing?
In what situation does Rule number 1, 'Write to Video', supersede the rule to write in active voice?
The chapter mentions a news director who paid a producer 25 cents for a specific practice. What was this practice?
What is wrong with the lead 'A MAN WALKS INTO A QUICK-D MART THIS MORNING...'?
Which lead example from the text uses the 'Connection with viewer' technique?
Why should a writer avoid a lead like 'This is the most disturbing thing you’ll hear all day'?
What does it mean for a lead to 'set the tone' of a story?
According to the text, good anchors will do what with a writer's script?
Which phrase is given as a better alternative to the ineffective lead question, 'Have you ever wondered how they time traffic lights?'
What is the key difference between a 'false present' tense lead and a 'real present' tense lead?