Imagine this newspaper lede: “A local man walked his dog on a sunny Tuesday afternoon near the park, enjoying the gentle breeze and the sound of birds, until a sudden encounter with a stray animal resulted in a minor injury.”
Yawn. Now, the real lede: “Man bitten by rabid dog in downtown park, authorities warn of health risk.” See the difference? The first one buries the danger, the second hits you with it.
Your brain naturally wants to build suspense. But in most writing—especially emails, meetings, or blog posts—suspense is just annoying. Your reader is busy. Don’t make them dig.
How to Stop Burying the Lede (The Fix is Simple)
Before you write anything, ask yourself: “What is the one thing my reader must know?” That’s your lede. Put it first, even if it feels blunt.
Then, add context. “I’m sorry to hear you’re leaving the team—here’s how we’ll handle the transition.” That’s better than “Here are the transition steps… oh, and by the way, John quit.”
For stories in conversation, reverse the order. Start with “So, I got engaged this weekend!” and then mention the traffic. Your friends will lean in instead of zoning out. Trust me, I’ve tested this.
Idiom Tips: Bury the Lede or Bury the Lead? | Proofed
