Difference between revisions of "Lead-in"

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A '''leadin''' or '''lead-in''' is the first [[clue]] of a [[tossup]].  Per the rules of [[pyramidality]], it is the most difficult clue to buzz off of in a tossup. Yet in pyramidal quizbowl, since leadins must abide by all of the [[Clue#Rules for good clues|rules for good clues]], the leadin will inform the player of what specifically is being asked for (i.e. a title, an element, a concept, etc.) and will consist of a clue or clues that uniquely identify the answerline. Thus when writing leadins, writers should take especial care to avoid [[stock clues]] and [[Clue#Vague clues|vague clues]].
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__NOTOC__
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<onlyinclude>A '''lead-in''' (or '''leadin'''<ref name="nb">While most established [[quizbowl lingo|quizbowl terminology]] compounds tend to be written [[wiktionary:closed compound|solid]] (unhyphenated), "leadin" can be considered the less readable variant, especially for new players.</ref>)
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is the first [[clue]] of a [[tossup]], and thus, per [[pyramidality]], also the most difficult clue in a tossup.
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A good lead-in contains a [[pronoun]] early in the sentence that informs the player of what type of answer is specifically being asked for (i.e. a book, an element, a concept, etc.).
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As with any [[Clue#Rules for good clues|clue]], a lead-in should be [[uniquely identifying]] of the [[answer]].</onlyinclude>
  
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==Leadin etiquette==
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==First line==
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Leadins often contain information that is more tangentially related to the subject at hand. Examples include literary criticism about a novel (rather than descriptions of the plot or characters), opinions of historians about a given historical event (rather than specific facts describing said event), or literature about works of art (rather than descriptions of the work of art itself).
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The term '''first line''' is roughly equivalent to the lead-in. In principle, it refers to the literal first line of a question's text as it appears on the page; however, since players are not able to judge this in game it is usually applied to the first sentence or clause, and in practice can slip even further.  The term "first-lined" is often used to indicate a question was answered very early and celebrate the player for answering from the most difficult clues.
  
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==Pop culture in leadins==
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==Types==
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Though tangential academic information is generally acceptable in leadins to academic tossups, pop culture clues should generally be avoided for leadins unless the question itself is a [[mixed impure academic|mixed pop culture/academic question]].
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===Tangential lead-ins===
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Some lead-ins may contain information that is more tangentially related to the subject at hand. Examples include literary criticism about a novel (rather than descriptions of the plot or characters), opinions of historians about a given historical event (rather than specific facts describing said event), or literature about works of art (rather than descriptions of the work of art itself).
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Quizbowl does not specifically value such "tangential" lead-ins over any other lead-ins.
  
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==Bonus leadins==
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Though tangential academic information is acceptable in lead-ins to academic tossups, [[pop culture]] clues should be avoided for lead-ins
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The term "leadin" can sometimes also refer to the introduction to a [[bonus]], before the first part proper. ("Intro(duction)" for bonuses may be preferred to avoid ambiguity.) Bonus introductions typically identify the theme of the bonus or state an interesting or little-known fact about the first bonus part, though care should be taken to avoid writing overly lengthy leadins. In an oft-criticized practice, some writers insert (usually terrible) jokes or other [[funn]] content into their bonus leadins.  
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(unless the question is intentionally a [[mixed impure academic|mixed pop culture/academic question]]).
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==Bonus lead-ins==
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The term "lead-in" also refers to the '''introduction''' (or '''intro''') of a [[bonus]], which occurs before the first [[bonus part]] proper.
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Bonus lead-ins typically either identify the theme of the bonus, or give a brief clue (possibly an interesting or little-known fact) about the answer to the first bonus part.
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In modern quizbowl theory, these are recognized as the only two types of bonus lead-ins.<ref>[https://hsquizbowl.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=17905 A unified theory of bonus leadins] by [[theMoMA]] » Sun Sep 27, 2015 3:47 pm</ref>
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===What to avoid===
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Bonus lead-ins that are overly long, or have (usually terrible) jokes or other [[funn]] content, are often criticized and should be avoided.
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==Notes==
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<references />
  
 
[[Category:Quizbowl basics]] [[Category:Question-writing philosophies]]
 
[[Category:Quizbowl basics]] [[Category:Question-writing philosophies]]
 
[[Category:Original QBWiki Page]]
 
[[Category:Original QBWiki Page]]
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{{c|Quizbowl concepts}}

Latest revision as of 13:54, 7 August 2022

A lead-in (or leadin[1]) is the first clue of a tossup, and thus, per pyramidality, also the most difficult clue in a tossup. A good lead-in contains a pronoun early in the sentence that informs the player of what type of answer is specifically being asked for (i.e. a book, an element, a concept, etc.). As with any clue, a lead-in should be uniquely identifying of the answer.

First line

The term first line is roughly equivalent to the lead-in. In principle, it refers to the literal first line of a question's text as it appears on the page; however, since players are not able to judge this in game it is usually applied to the first sentence or clause, and in practice can slip even further. The term "first-lined" is often used to indicate a question was answered very early and celebrate the player for answering from the most difficult clues.

Types

Tangential lead-ins

Some lead-ins may contain information that is more tangentially related to the subject at hand. Examples include literary criticism about a novel (rather than descriptions of the plot or characters), opinions of historians about a given historical event (rather than specific facts describing said event), or literature about works of art (rather than descriptions of the work of art itself). Quizbowl does not specifically value such "tangential" lead-ins over any other lead-ins.

Though tangential academic information is acceptable in lead-ins to academic tossups, pop culture clues should be avoided for lead-ins (unless the question is intentionally a mixed pop culture/academic question).

Bonus lead-ins

The term "lead-in" also refers to the introduction (or intro) of a bonus, which occurs before the first bonus part proper. Bonus lead-ins typically either identify the theme of the bonus, or give a brief clue (possibly an interesting or little-known fact) about the answer to the first bonus part. In modern quizbowl theory, these are recognized as the only two types of bonus lead-ins.[2]

What to avoid

Bonus lead-ins that are overly long, or have (usually terrible) jokes or other funn content, are often criticized and should be avoided.

Notes

  1. ↑ While most established quizbowl terminology compounds tend to be written solid (unhyphenated), "leadin" can be considered the less readable variant, especially for new players.
  2. ↑ A unified theory of bonus leadins by theMoMA » Sun Sep 27, 2015 3:47 pm
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