The shape of a story
Kicker
A short line above the headline that flags the topic or section, or a punchy final line that ends a story neatly.
"Kicker" does double duty. At the top of a story it is the little label above the headline ("EXCLUSIVE", "ANALYSIS", "ROUND 12"). At the bottom it is the closing line that gives the piece a sense of an ending, the verbal equivalent of a door clicking shut. Both jobs reward a light touch.