Task 5: Writing City, State and National Leads

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 457.

G) Localizing Your Lead.

Being an intern in one of the local newspaper you have been given an assignment to write only a lead for the story, correcting errors if necessary.

The state Department of Transportation today announced plans for next year. It will spend a total of $418 million to build new roads and to improve old ones. The amount represents a $14.5 million increase over last year's total. The money comes from a state gasoline tax amounting to 4 cents per gallon sold. The department allocates the money on the basis of need, with the most congested and dangerous areas receiving the most help. Included in the allocations for next year are $17.8 million, allocated to widen from two to four lanes state highway 17-92, which runs through the southeastern part of your city for a distance of approximately three miles. Construction work on the highway project is expected to begin in four months and to be completed within one and one-half years.

Your editor-in-chief has asked you to write a lead for any of these stories, choose the story you like and write a suitable lead. While writing, correct errors if necessary. Imagine that the first story (A) involves the event in the city; the second one (B) involves the event in the state; and the third story (C) involves the event in the nation. Take into consideration your audience. Think how you are going to represent the key discourse categories in the text of the story.

A) CITY BEAT

The restaurant is located at 480 Parkside Dr. and specializes in Chinese cuisine. It is owned by Fred Lee, who also does all the cooking. City health inspectors suspended its license late yesterday. They complained of poor food handling and storage. “The condition of the licensed premises was so serious that it was condemned as posing an immediate threat to public health,” the city's emergency license suspension order states. Chester Garland, a city health inspector, said the city suspends licenses only when there are serious violations. “It has to be something that is a major problem,” Garland said. “We don't just do it on minor stuff.” Garland added that the restaurant has consistently failed to comply with city health codes. Violations cited yesterday by city inspectors include rodent and roach infestations. The inspectors found rodent droppings strewn about storage areas and on canned goods. Garlands report adds: “A mouse was seen running across the dining room. A live mouse was spotted in the pantry. Another mouse jumped on an inspector. Toxic materials were stored in food-preparation and dish-washing areas. Food was found improperly stored in a janitor's closet as well as in uncovered containers and in locations less than 6 inches off the floor.”

B) State Beat

It was an interesting idea proposed today by a state senator from your city: Neil Iacobi. Today Iacobi made a proposal that would affect most newspapers in your state, or at least those that publish editorials. Iacobi said he is drafting legislation that would require newspapermen to sign the editorials they write so people know the writers identity. “It's one of the most blatant attempts at press-bashing in recent memory,” responded Tony DiLorento, executive director of the State Press Association. Iacobi said he has already found 32 co-sponsors for his bill. Violations would be punishable as second-degree misdemeanors. “It doesn't say you can't write something-only that you have to sign what you write,” Iacobi said. “Editorialists should be accountable to their readers. They can attack you and tear you apart and do anything to you, and no one even knows who they are. That's not right or fair. Only cowards would do something like that.”

C) National Beat

The nations homebuilders are concerned about a problem that affects young adults – but also the entire nation (and its economy as well). The problem is affordable housing. At its annual convention, currently being held in Las Vegas, Nevada, the National Homebuilders Association revealed that a survey it commissioned shows a drop in homeownership rates over the last 10 years among young families – and a rapidly dwindling stock of low-cost rental housing. The associations' members expect the problems to continue. The homeownership rate among families in the 25-to-34 age group has fallen to 45%, largely because they don't have the cash for a down payment or the income to qualify for a loan. At the same time, rents are at record high rates in much of the country, making it harder for young families to accumulate the money needed for a down payment. Wayne Doyle, the association's President, offered no concrete solutions to the problem, which has sent the homebuilding industry into the doldrums, with fewer sales and higher unemployment rates. “Young families face a difficult situation,” Doyle concluded. “They must accumulate enough savings to make a down payment but they are finding it harder to obtain good jobs, and also find that more and more of their money is going for rent, so it's harder to save anything for a house.” By comparison, the homeownership rate for 65-to-74 year olds is 78.2%.

The second paragraph in a news story is almost as important as the lead – and as difficult to write. Like the lead, the second paragraph should emphasize the news. In addition, the second paragraph should provide a smooth, logical transition from the lead to the lowing paragraphs.

While writing second paragraphs, some reporters fail to emphasize the news. Other reporters fail to provide smooth transitions. As a result, their stories may seem dull or disorganized. You are given some advice how to write second paragraphs.