In-Class Practice Exercise #2

Chapter 9
Variations of the Inverted Pyramid Lead

1.From the following facts, write the first two paragraphs of a news article:
WHO: 40 passengers
WHAT: Evacuated from a Northwest Airlines jet, Flight 428
WHERE: At the LaCrosse, Wis., Municipal Airport
WHEN: Monday following a flight from Minneapolis to LaCrosse
WHY: A landing tower employee spotted smoke near the wheels
HOW: Not applicable

2. Rewrite the following lead as a you lead:

A new disclosure law going into effect today will make it easier for consumers to determine the
cost of a funeral.

3. Below are leads for the same story as they appeared in three newspapers.
A. Which do you prefer? Why?
B. Write a you lead based on the information in the three leads.
WASHINGTONThe USAs 40 million Social Security recipients will get an unexpected benefit
from inflation: fatter checks.
WASHINGTONThe nations 40 million Social Security beneficiaries will receive a 5.4 percent
cost-of-living increase in January, the biggest boost in eight years, the government announced
Thursday.
WASHINGTONThe nations 40 million Social Security recipients will receive their biggest
increase in 8 years in January, a 5.4 percent increase that will average an extra $31 a
months.

4. You have confirmed the following facts.

A. In 35 words or fewer, write an immediate-identification lead using the information
below.
B. Using the same information below, write a delayed-identification lead.
WHO: Duane La Chance, 55, Springfield, a pipe fitter employed by Gross Co. Engineers, a
company based in Springfield.
WHAT: Suffered third-degree burns and was listed in serious condition Tuesday night in the
intensive-care unit at Springfield Hospital.
WHEN: 3 p.m. Tuesday
WHERE: Springfield Municipal Power Plant, 222 Power Drive.
HOW: La Chance was installing new pipes on the roof of the power plant when he accidently
touched a power line carrying 15,000 volts with a piece of angle iron
SOURCE: Henry Rosen, project manager for Gross Engineers.

5. The two candidates for mayor debated last night at the high school. You covered the
debate and took the following notes.
A. Write a summary lead using the information below.
B. Write a multiple-element lead using the same information below.
The debate was sponsored by the League of Women Voters. About 245 people attended. More
than 300 were expected. Republican candidate Jesse Abraham said he would try to accomplish
three things if elected: (1) He would widen and improve Main Street; (2) he would buy land to
build a city park on the south side; and (3) he would streamline council meetings. Democratic
candidate Juanita Williams, the incumbent, accused Abraham of logrolling (trading political
favors). She said he was trying to give something to everyone. The city tax base cant support
the kinds of programs he is proposing, she said. She also revealed that she has learned that
Abrahams largest contributors are merchants who own land along Main Street. Theyre the
only ones who would benefit from widening the street, she charged. Abraham said he had not
received a single donation from the merchants. Questioned from the audience, he said he would
not make the names of campaign donors public until after the election on Nov. 3. League
President Sally Harm thanked the candidates for a good debate and said she thought the
evening was a success.