User talk:Chicsquared

The 5 W’s and H Exercise:

Read the sample news leads below and answer the questions in the spaces provided. In some cases, the answer to one or more questions may be understood but not stated.

Poor children in New Brunswick are often unprepared for school and do not learn basic reading skills in the first three grades, according to a report published last week by the Department of Education.

Who? Poor children in New Brunswick.

What? Do not learn basic reading skills.

When? In the first three grades.

Where? In New Brunswick.

Why? They are unprepared for school.

How? …

The school golf team went on Sept. 20 to compete with five high schools and to reclaim the trophy they lost in a disappointing tournament last year.

Who? The school golf team.

What? Won a golf tournament.

When? On Sept. 20.

Where? New Brunswick.

Why? They lost last year, therefore this year’s win was a triumph.

How? They played well… I assume.

Writing the Summary Lead I

Below are the answers to the questions: who, what, when, where, why, and how. From this information, write a summary news lead of approximately 25 words. Remember to put the most important facts first, but don’t sacrifice accuracy or reader interest.

Who:		a grade 10 student What:		suspended from school When: 	January 30 Where: 	Rothesay High School Why:	Suspended for the rest of the year after being charged with possession of a BB gun at school and not carry proper identification How:	school administrators confiscated the weapon; met with the student, his father, and a police office, Russell Adam, who filed ad criminal report and explained the court procedure to the student and his father Notes:	Assume you’re writing for the February 17 issue of the Rothesay High news paper.

A Rothesay High student was recently suspended from school for the remainder of the year for being in possession of a BB gun.

A Rothesay High student didn’t stick to his guns when he recently brought a BB gun to school without proper identification. After school administrators and a police officer confiscated the weapon, they met with the student and his father. It was decided that the student would be suspended for the remainder of the year. (Follow with a quote in next paragraph).

A grade 10 student at Rothesay High wasn’t gunning for a suspension, but that is just what he received after being in possession of a BB gun at school without proper identification.

Rewriting Leads

Below are examples of poorly written leads. Rewrite the leads and explain why and how you changed each.

Premier Shawn Graham spoke to students at Rothesay High School Monday about their commitment to make New Brunswick a better place to live. “Students who volunteer their time and energy through programs like Big Brothers and Sisters, Run for the Cure, and the Red Cross learn that by giving of themselves, they earn positive, long-lasting rewards,” Graham said. Graham spoke for approximately 20 minutes to members of the student body in observance of National Volunteer Week.

Critique of old lead: Too much information, reader becomes overwhelmed or bored with all the information crammed into one opening paragraph.

New Lead: In observance of National Volunteer Week, Premier Shawn Graham spoke to Rothesay High students on Monday about giving back to their community.

What’s wrong with Oliver Holmes High School? Nothing that a little paint, repair and building maintenance can’t fix. At least that’s what School District 20 superintendent Sonya Wilson told teachers, school personnel, parents and the media at a press conference during Monday night’s District Education Council meeting. Wilson announced a $1.5 million in new funding to use towards repairing the run-down school building.

Critique of Old Lead: It begins with a question. Readers do not know and may not care about what is wrong with Oliver Holmes High School.

New Lead:

Sonya Wilson, superintendent of School District 20, has announced $1.5 million in new funding for Oliver Holmes High School. The school has been in bad condition for a while, but Wilson states, “it is nothing that a little paint, repair, and building maintenance can’t fix.”

Writing Leads Activity 4 List 10 possible story ideas that could be covered at Rothesay High School for the week. Use three of those ideas to write a lead for each. At least one of the leads should be a summary lead and one should be a delayed or creative lead. •	Grad class barbeque •	Environment club •	Human Rights club •	Sports teams •	Book club •	Grad ski trip to Mt. St.-Anne