The reply to the crossword clue “what a journalist would possibly bury” is usually thought-about to be a LEAD. In journalistic phrases, the lead (additionally spelled “lede”) is the introductory part of a information story that’s supposed to seize the reader’s consideration and convey the details of the article. To bury the lead, subsequently, means to obscure or de-emphasize a very powerful data inside a narrative, usually by putting it later within the article or by failing to spotlight its significance. For example, if a information report a few groundbreaking medical discovery dedicates the preliminary paragraphs to background data earlier than lastly revealing the precise breakthrough, one might say the lead has been buried.
The observe of burying the lead diminishes the effectiveness of the information report. Readability and concision are paramount in journalism. A well-constructed lead instantly informs the reader of the story’s significance and encourages continued studying. Conversely, a buried lead can confuse or discourage the viewers, probably resulting in a misinterpretation of the information or an entire lack of curiosity. Traditionally, the emphasis on a robust lead has advanced alongside the altering calls for of stories consumption. As audiences turned extra accustomed to available data, the power to rapidly grasp the core message turned more and more necessary, putting even larger worth on the well-structured lead.
