LEADS
There is generally a better way to begin a story than with A, An, The, It is, There is, There are.
Avoid beginning a story with figures, but when this must be done, then spell out, as: Ten thousand men marched away today.
The comprehensive A. P. lead is generally preferable, but in writing some stories, particularly feature stories, a reporter may find a more effective lead than the sentence or sentences that summarize the story.
Remember that your reader's time may be limited and that if your story begins with a striking sentence, arresting either because of what it says or the manner in which it says it, your story will be read.
THE CUTTLEFISH
He that uses many words for the explaining of any subject doth, like the cuttlefish, hide himself in his own ink.—Anon.
BEARER OF INTELLIGENCE . . . DISPELLER OF IGNORANCE AND PREJUDICE . . . A LIGHT SHINING INTO ALL DARK PLACES.