I noticed a brief forum discussion from back in January about the definition of kicker and deck. I've got both terms in my glossary. The main difference is that the kicker comes before the headline and the deck comes after the headline. While the deck usually expands on the headline or topic of the article it accompanies, the kicker may be a sort of intro or a section heading. Each is set in some type of font that contrasts with or sets it apart from the headline and body of the article.
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So the function of a kicker is to provide the theme or context for the story or place in the book for it to logically be placed. The deck functions as an approach to the story that should provoke interests to read further. From all that I have resourced on these terms does this seem right?
Russell, I think that’s a great way of describing those two bits.
Additionally, keep in mind that within individual organizations there might be differences in what they call each part internally although they probably use them pretty much like you and I describe.