A standfirst should stand first
A standfirst is a short opening paragraph often used in journalism to set the scene or summarise the subsequent article. When prose opens with a standfirst, make sure it is distinguishable from the rest of the text. A useful technique, especially if the page contains many distractions and much supplementary matter, is to set the standfirst paragraph in a larger size.
103 Meaning and semantics
If you do this, make sure the standfirst is differentiated from any sub- headings of the same size – consider italicising the standfirst or choosing a different weight for the headings.
Demarcate paragraphs appropriately
Choosing the means to delineate paragraph breaks is both an aesthetic and a functional decision. We use paragraphs to mark individual units of thought, and you help your readers by giving them a pause between those thoughts. The boundary between one paragraph and the next should there- fore be clearly and simply marked.
A standfirst should stand first
A standfirst is a short opening paragraph often used in journalism to set the scene or summarise the subsequent article. When prose opens with a standfirst, make sure it is distinguishable from the rest of the text. A useful technique, especially if the page contains many distractions and much supplementary matter, is to set the standfirst paragraph in a larger size.