Anecdotal Lead

Roger Cohen, Op-Ed Columnist, The New York Times:

“NEW YORK — Where Oedipus once tormented us, it is now Narcissus.” 

I find the first few paragraphs relatively boring, with overly-technical writing. I was still encouraged to read past the first two paragraphs, however, just to find a better explanation to the lead.  

Straight Lead

Associated Press:

“WASHINGTON – Former vice president Dick Cheney was hospitalized after experiencing chest pains today, an aide said.”

The lead works because it is Dick Cheney and, even though many readers hate him, they want to know about his trip to the hospital.  

Question Lead

Dan Turner, Los Angeles Times :

“Was Joseph Andrew Stack, who is presumed dead after flying a small plane into an Austin, Texas, office building today that housed Internal Revenue Service workers, a terrorist?”

The lead does not work so well because, while story may turn out interesting, many readers probably don’t care whether or not he was a terrorist by a journalist’s definition.  Maybe Dan Turner’s fans will care, but that may be about all he has going for himself on this one.