LEAD WRITING EXERCISES

EXERCISE 1
Using the facts below, answer the following questions, then write a lead paragraph that answers
these questions:
WHAT HAPPENED?
WHO DID IT HAPPEN TO?
WHERE DID IT HAPPEN?
WHEN DID IT HAPPEN
WHY DID IT HAPPEN
1. About 10 last night the Champaign Fire Department dispatched a truck to the residence of
Elizabeth Klinski, age 67, on Daniel Street.
2. She had attended a concert at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts and returned to her
home around 10.
3. She found smoke pouring from a kitchen window and called the fire department.
4. Damage was estimated at $15,000.
5. Firefighters said the fire started in the kitchen, probably from a short in the kitchen range.
6. Mrs. Klinskis pet cat, Butterball, was found dead in the living room.
7. Firefighters arrived at 10:14 and had the fire out by 10:25.
8. Mrs. Klinskis husband Tom died 14 years ago. She lives alone.
9. She has lived in Champaign for 46 years.
10. She is retired from the Champaign library system, where she had served as head librarian.
11. Her three children are grown and live out of town.
12. She is an avid reader of English classic novels. She particularly enjoys Charles Dickens,
Arthur Conan Doyle and Robert Louis Stevenson.
EXERCISE 2: Write a hard-news lede of 25 words or less using these facts:
1. The Champaign City Council met Tuesday night at its usual place, the city hall at Neil and
University downtown.
2. Among the items on the agenda was a proposal to increase property taxes.
3. The resolution called for the city to receive $5,229,000 from property taxes in the next fiscal
year.
4. Thats an increase of $248,000 or about 4.8 percent.
5. The increase was approved by a 9-0 vote.
6. The new tax rate will cost the owner of a home valued at $75,000 about $345.
Exercise 3: Using the facts below, write a hard-news lede of 25 words or less.
1. The two candidates for mayor of Champaign debated last night at Central High School.
2. The debate was sponsored by the League of Women Voters. About 245 people attended. Threehundred people had been expected.

3. Republican candidate Mack Abraham said he would try to accomplish three things if elected:
(1) He would add new businesses to Marketplace Mall; (2) He would crack down on drinking by
university students in Campustown; (3) he would streamline council meetings.
4. Democratic candidate Maya Evans, the incumbent, accused Abraham of trying to give
something to everyone. She said she had learned that Abrahams largest contributor was a major
backer of Marketplace Mall.
5. Abraham said he had not received any money from anyone connected with the mall.
6. Questioned from the audience, Abraham said he would make public the names of donors only
by the dates required by law, and not before.
7. League of Women Voters President Sally Harm thanked the candidates for a good debate and
said she thought the evening was a success.
Exercise 4: Using the facts below,write a hard-news lede of 25 words or less.
1. James A. Thatcher, a correspondent for a group of English newspapers who is based in
Washington, D.C., will speak Thursday night at 7:30 in the Illini Union, Room D.
2. His topic will be The Bush Legacy.
3. Thatcher is on a speaking tour of the United States in connection with the recent publication of
his book, The Unjust Society.
4. The book is a strong condemnation of the presidency of George W. Bush for what he says is
Bushs turning over the country to the acquisitive, the greedy and the plutocrats of wealth. He
said Bushs presidency had launched an era of greed.
5. The talk is sponsored by the Political Affairs Society, a university organization that sponsors
monthly talks at the union. Admisssion is free.
Exercise 5
From the following information, write a short news story. At the end of story, note any questions
or additional information that you think is needed to complete your reporting.
Urbana police were called to the corner of Cunningham and University at 11:25 a.m. Monday to
investigate a two-vehicle accident. After arriving, they called for an emergency rescue team
because two people were injured. Two people were believed dead. Witnesses told police that a
truck in which the injured persons were riding was heading west on University. The truck failed
to stop when the light turned red and starting sliding because of the snowy conditions. The truck
hit a car broadside. The car rolled over three times and came to rest against a light pole.
At the hospital, two people were pronounced dead of injuries sustained in the accident. They
were identified as James and Martha Westhaver. He was 55; she was 54. James Westhaver was
the president of Busey Bank, the largest locally owned bank in Central Illinois.
Injured were James West, 43, and Samuel Blackwater, 36, both city employees in the Urbana
parks and recreation department. West suffered a broken leg and a possible concussion;
Blackwater had two broken arms and a broken nose. Police ticketed West for driving too fast for
road conditions. Assistant States Attorney Madelyn Cochran said she would investigate before
determining whether involuntary manslaughter charges should be lodged against West.
A bank official said Westhaver had been employed at the bank for 29 years. He was named
president on Jan. 1, 1997. He was also chairman of the Champaign County United Way this year.
Martha Westhaver hosted a talk show on WCIA-TV. Funeral arrangements are incomplete.