In-Class Practice Exercise #1

Chapter 9
Identifying the 5Ws and H in a Lead
&
Writing Leads

Exercise A:
Dissect the following sentences to better understand how journalists use who, what, where,
when, why and how to construct their leads. Not all elements may be present in each lead.
Example: A man wielding a rubber-tipped cane robbed a Columbia bakery Sunday evening after
threatening to whack a salesclerk.
Who?
What?
Where?
When?
Why?
How?

A man wielding a rubber-tipped cane

robbed
a Columbia bakery
Sunday evening
not apparent
by threatening to whack a salesclerk

1. A homeless man was found dead in a snow-covered parking lot Wednesday as the
temperature fell below freezing for the first time this winter, police said.
Who?
What?
Where?
When?
Why?
How?
2. Jose Aguilar Cruz will receive the first Weinberg Prize for Investigative Reporting in a
small ceremony Thursday in Pinehurst Auditorium.
Who?
What?
Where?
When?
Why?
How?
3. A major earthquake struck about 50 miles northwest of San Jose, Costa Rica, on
Monday morning, prompting a tsunami warning along the countrys Pacific Coast.

Who?
What?
Where?
When?
Why?
How?
4. A carry-on suitcase detonated by a bomb squad Monday at Los Angeles International
Airport did not appear to contain any explosives, airport Deputy Manager David Barnacle
said.
Who?
What?
Where?
When?
Why?
How?

Exercise B: Writing Leads

The most effective method of learning how to write good leads is through practice. When writing
leads, remember SIS when you write a lead (short, interesting and simple).
Write a lead for each set of facts below.
1.
Who: police
What: are investigating the death of a man
Where: Fox Wood Apartments
When: early this morning
Why: unknown
How: whose body was found
2.
Who: the screeches of animals in pain
What: pierced the early morning air
Where: on Dearborns west side
When: today
Why: unknown
How: as fire destroyed Freds Pets

3.
Who: a student
What: is suing Green Hills College
Where: unknown

When: unknown
Why: after being suspended for plagiarism
How: for $600,000
4.
Who: a suspected shoplifter
What: died
Where: at Sadlers Department Store
When: this afternoon
Why: unknown
How: after a struggle with security guards
5.
Who: three people
What: died
Where: the intersection of Ford Road and Telegraph Road
When: this afternoon
Why: unknown
How: in a fiery car accident