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Can You Hook Readers?

Nothing draws a reader into a story like a great lede. A lede is an article’s first sentence or paragraph. It introduces a story, provides key information, and makes a reader want to know more. Sometimes, a lede contains an engaging quote. Sometimes, it sets the scene. In a serious news article, the lede might include the critical information right up front: the who, what, when, and where. Above all, a good lede keeps a reader reading.

Junior Journalists, we want to know:

Can you hook the reader? Read the ledes of a few articles from your favorite magazines, newspapers, or online news sources. Choose one you think you can improve. Rewrite it! How would you pull readers in? Have a teacher, parent, or guardian send it to us at timeforkids.com/tfkpressclub or email it to tfkpressclub@time.com.

Click here to learn more about the TFK Press Club and to access past missions.