Lead summary The initial paragraph of a news item in which the writer provides a summary of two or more activities rather than focusing on just one. Typically seen in a news piece. A soft lead is one that draws the reader in with a quotation, story, or other literary tactic. These leads often use passive voice to create a feeling of distance between the reader and the information being presented. Soft leads are commonly used in journalism to add interest to stories by including quotations from sources in them. These leads are easy to write and require very little research because you can base them on facts already included in the article. They can also be used as transitions between sections of an article or between different topics within the same article. Examples include quotes from sources such as politicians or celebrities, or anecdotes about people we don't know but who are mentioned in the article. Summary leads are used at the beginning of articles to give the reader a quick overview of several related events or issues. They usually contain information not found in any of the individual activities listed below. These leads are most effective when they include both strong adjectives and action verbs to attract readers' attention and make them want to read on.