I tried writing the opening to my article on vegetarianism and this is what I got so far. [A lot of people like to sit down at night and eat a big, juicy steak – and then there are those who prefer an organic meal without any meat. Vegetarianism is not uncommon, but it’s not exactly popular.] I'm not sure what kind of lead this is - or why I'm having so much trouble with it. My first articles went so smoothly...
Maybe I could just start with a question?
That's a weak lead.
If you post the rest of your article, I can help you with the lead.
Heh...I'm a fiction writer, not a journalist, so it's really hard for me ... The article isn't finished yet - it's barely even started. And it's still kind of choppy because I haven't really done much editing and reordering and stuff just yet.
[There are a variety of reasons as to why people convert to vegetarianism.
A vegetarian diet is proven to be healthier and can provide health benefits. It can give all the vitamins, fats, and minerals necessary for one’s health, while meat is not a crucial part of a healthy diet.
However, meat can give one all the essential nutrients in a single serving, something that most vegetarian foods cannot do. This makes meat a much more convenient source for such things as protein and vitamins.
Many simply find it cruel to kill animals for food, as it has been proven that they can feel fear and pain when being slaughtered.
Tally ------, vegetarian for seven months, said, “I looked stuff up on YouTube and I just saw a bunch of animals being abused.”
While it’s true that there are some meat industries that do not go through with inhumane slaughters, many of them do.
“I don’t like people who do abuse the animals, and I don’t really know which companies do and which companies don’t,” ------ said.]
How about this sentence as your lead?
A vegetarian diet has been proven to be healthier than a diet with meat.
Hmmm....That one would be okay, I suppose. Might attract more people. Thanks!
The purpose of a journalistic lead is to summarize the news article. It also serves to entice the reader to keep on reading.
Writing the opening to an article can sometimes be challenging, and it's common to come across difficulties now and then. It seems like you're unsure about the type of lead you have and why you're having trouble with it. Let's break down your current opening and discuss ways to improve it.
Your opening begins by contrasting people who enjoy eating meat with those who prefer organic, meatless meals. This juxtaposition can potentially engage readers and pique their curiosity. However, the sentences following it suggest that while vegetarianism is not uncommon, it's not exactly popular. This statement might confuse readers since it contradicts the previous sentence.
To strengthen your opening, you can consider the following steps:
1. Clarify the purpose: Before writing the opening, determine the main objective of your article. Are you writing to persuade readers about the benefits of vegetarianism, provide information, or discuss its impact on health or the environment? Clarifying your purpose can guide your opening.
2. Grab attention: Begin the article with a compelling hook that captures readers' attention right from the start. This can be a surprising fact, a thought-provoking question, a vivid anecdote, or a relevant quote. The goal is to engage readers and make them want to continue reading.
3. Provide context: After the hook, provide some background information to set the stage for your article. Explain why vegetarianism is significant, relevant, or timely. You can cite statistics, mention recent trends, or discuss the growing popularity of plant-based diets.
4. State your thesis: Towards the end of your opening, explicitly state your main thesis or the main argument you will be making in the article. This helps readers understand the purpose of the article and what they can expect to learn or explore further.
By following these steps, you can create a more effective and engaging opening for your article on vegetarianism. Remember to revise and refine your opening until you're satisfied with it.