Writing a Lead

What do you know?When she first heard about the Art Gallery of Ontario, she knew she had to go. As one of the largest art museums in North America and including more than 68,000 works in its collection, it’s no wonder why this teenager wanted to spend her weekend in Toronto.

What do you know?

On Friday, the Cambridge Libraries held a Family Fun Day. The event was aimed at parents with small children at Clemens Mill Library and organized by Sarah Frisse.

What do you know?

Starting January 2009, the local Tim Hortons store on Eagle Street and Hespeler Road began to cut back employees’ hours.

What do you know?

Future Shop employees were shocked when an irate customer threatened to burn down the store with a flamethrower over gift cards.

What do you know?

The Fourth Annual Long & McQuade Juvenile Diabetes fundraising barbecue was held on Saturday, June 14th at the rehearsal facility on Industrial Road in Cambridge.

What do you know?

Lisa Simpson, an 18-year-old grade twelve student from St. Benedict hit the “apply” button on January 21st on the Ontario Colleges official website.

What do you know?

It’s only three days into the semester and Maggie Simpson of St. Benedict Catholic School has already changed every one of her original classes.

What do you know?

Starting February 9th, volunteers at Fiddlesticks will be participating in a program at the Ferguson Homestead which focuses on alcohol awareness through the creative medium of photography.

What do you know?

The news that awaited grade twelve student Lisa Simpson after school on December 16th wasn’t at all expected—early acceptance to the University of Waterloo.

What do you know?

Every year Maggie Simpson’s family takes the time to go to their physician and get the flu shot. This year though despite their best efforts, Maggie’s mother came down with the flu.

What do you know?

On January 29th, Lisa Simpson took her first flight alone to Ottawa, where she was to take a tour of the Carleton University campus.

What do you know?

About a week and a half ago, Lisa Simpson,16, and her younger sister Maggie, 15, were left behind as their parents flew to Mexico for a much-needed and well-deserved vacation.

What do you know?

On Friday, January 30th, Lisa Simpson went to her friends’ house for a small get together. As people continued to arrive, she began to socialize, forgetting the fact that her purse was left in the basement.

What do you know?

On Friday, January 29th, Bart Simpson overcame his father, Homer Simpson, in a game of racquetball at the YMCA.

Writing a Lead

The goal of the lead is to draw the reader into the story.

There are different types of leads that a reporter can use.

Summary Lead

For some stories, such as a breaking news story, the reporter wants to present the facts immediately. In one sentence, the reporter provides the most important information.

Blind Lead

If the person involved in the story is not well-known, the reporter will describe the person rather than name him or her in the first sentence.

Delayed Lead

In the neck-of-the-vase format, the reporter begins with a personal anecdote, so the lead will be delayed for a few paragraphs.

Write a Lead

• Robbery at Scotiabank ATM• 19-year-old female victim• Saturday at 11:30 pm• Main Street in Cambridge.• Male suspect, tall, middle-aged, white,

skinny, blond hair• Demanded cash• No weapon used

Write a Lead

• 500 part-time teachers at Wilfred Laurier University

• Worried about losing their jobs

• WLU trying to reduce costs by 14% in 2009-10 Budget

Write a Lead

• Three people arrested in Cambridge, including 59-year-old man, 55-year-old woman, and 30-year-old man.

• Police search turned up drugs and a gun

• Investigating local property crimes

• Thursday at 11pm

Write a Lead

• Two middle-aged ice fishers escaped death when their GMC truck crashed through ice on Lake Puslinch.

• Driving between fishing huts

• The two men scrambled out of the frozen water and ran to safety.

• Sunday at 11pm

Write a Lead

• Bus driver faces impaired driving charge.

• 48-year-old male driver

• Driving erratically on QEW

• Sunday at 7:30am

• Bus travelling to Niagara Falls

• 20 passengers