Starting Wednesday, The Associated Press will offer editors two lead paragraphs for many news stories. From Editor and Publisher:
“The concept is simple: On major spot stories — especially when events happen early in the day — we will provide you with two versions to choose between,” the AP said in an advisory to members. “One will be the traditional ‘straight lead’ that leads with the main facts of what took place. The other will be the ‘optional,’ an alternative approach that attempts to draw in the reader through imagery, narrative devices, perspective or other creative means.”
A sharp, vivid writing style will certainly engage readers of the 1,700 newspapers using AP copy. We can only imagine what this will mean for Mideast coverage.
