The 5 W’s (and 1 H)
(Don't forget the So-what!?)
Who? The owner, a smoker, Henry smith, 29. The age is important. Along with other personal information, such as address and occupation, it differentiates him from other Henry Smiths in the readership area.
What? Fire cause damage estimated by the fire chief at $2,500.
Where? 1705 W. Haven St.
When? The call was received at 10:55 P.M., Tuesday. Firefighters from station 19 arrived at the scene at 11:04. The fire was extinguished at 11:30.
Why? The fire was started by carelessness on the part of Smith, according to Fire Chief Bill Malone.
How? Smith told fire officials that he fell asleep in bed while smoking a cigarette.
If you had asked other questions, you might have learned more from the fire department. This was the eighth fire this year caused by smoking in bed. All last year there were four such fires. Smith said he was insured. The fire chief said no charges will e filed against smith. It was the first fire at this house. Smith was not injured.
Have you figured out the SO-WHAT!?
Assume your editor has suggested you hold your story to only four paragraphs. Your first step is to rank the information in descending order of importance. There are a lot of fires in this town, but eight this year have been caused by smoking in bed. Perhaps that’s the most important thing about this story.
A possible lead to this story might look like:
A Tuesday night fire started by a careless smoker caused an estimated $2,500 in damage to a home at 1705 W. Haven St.
Something is wrong…
Question:
Who said the smoker was careless?
You must remember to keep your opinions to yourself. If the fire chief said this, then fine – say so. Otherwise you must fix the lead.
Fire that caused an estimated $2,500 in damage to a home at 1705 W. Haven St. Tuesday was cause by smoking in bed, Fire Chief Bill Malone said.
What: Fire
Where: 1705 W. Haven St.
When: Tuesday
How: Smoking in bed
We have not answered the Who and the Why yet…let’s keep writing.
The owner of the home, Henry Smith, 29, said he fell asleep in bed while smoking a cigarette. When he awoke 30minutes later, smoke filled the room.
Firefighters arrived nine minutes after receiving the call. It took them about 26 minutes to extinguish the fire, which was confined to the bedroom of the one-story house.
According to Chief Malone, careless smokers have caused eight fires this year.
Smith, who was uninjured, said the house was insured.
Ok, but this seems a little too long…what about the so-what aspect? What is so interesting about this story?
Perhaps an even better lead (and shorter) might sound like this:
A smoker fell asleep in bed ignited a fire that caused minor damage to his home on W. Haven St. Tuesday, Fire Chief Bill Malone said. It was the cities eighth fire caused by smokers, twice as many as occurred all last year.
What makes this lead better?
Well, it is broken down into 2 sentences, which makes it more readable. Also, the so-what has become more important to the story.
Lets continue:
The owner of the home, Henry Smith, 29, of 1705 W. Haven St., said he fell asleep in bed while smoking a cigarette. When he awoke 30 minutes later, smoke filled the room.
Mr. Miller helps Eddie and Brandon on their leads
4 comments:
Many people use slang to shorten words, or make them sound better. All of us have used slang at least once, whether you know it, or not! The problem with using slang is that just about everyone who uses it, doesnt know where the word originated, or what it means...A word's origins usually comes from a different language.
Why do people pick Jets over Patriots, or Patriots over Jets? Every one has a favorite team, whether baseball or basketball. There are problems over sports only for liking teams. Some of these problems can be resolved.
Drunk Driving:
The people who drive intoxicated cause many car accidents. If the bar tenders/bouncers have a taxi for every person who had one too many drinks, then it would save many lives.
Why do people do stupid things on T.V. for money?
People do stupid things on T.V. for fast cash and fame because they would like to have what famous people have. American Idol, for example, people have to go up to three people who tell them they can't sing. Most people there expect to win. Fear Factor is another show. Crazy people take cash and risk their life instead of living.
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