Lead Writing Assignment
Write a lead paragraph from 5 of the 6 sets of facts
Note: Do not try to put all of the available information into the lead paragraph. Be
selective. Use proper A.P. style. Double-check facts and spelling of proper names.
Plant Accident
• Duane LaChance, 53, of Petal, a pipe fitter employed by Gross Engineers
• Company based in Petal, Mississippi
• LaChance suffered third-degree burns
• Was listed in serious condition tonight in intensive care unit at Methodist Hospital
• Happened 3 p.m. today at Petal Municipal Power Plant, 222 Power Drive
• LaChance installing new pipes on the roof of the plant when he accidentally touched
wrench to power line carrying 15,000 volts
• Source for this information is Henry Rosen, project manager for Gross Engineers
McCartney Illness
• Peter McCartney, famous rock singer
• Entered Riverside Hospital for exploratory throat surgery today
• Voice had been reduced to a whisper following Bennett Auditorium performance in
front of capacity crowd of 1,000 fans last night
• Checked in the hospital last night; surgery is scheduled for tomorrow
BOE Meeting
• Hattiesburg Board of Education met this morning
• All members were present
• Assistant Superintendent Max Hoemmeldorfer reported enrollment this school year
dropped by 200 students to 1,050
• Hoemmeldorfer: “This is the third year we’ve lost enrollment. The future looks bleak.”
• Board accepted report and then passed a group of new rules proposed by the
administration
• New rules will prohibit female students from wearing miniskirts
• Will prohibit all students from wearing blue jeans
• Male students will not be allowed to wear hair below their ears
