Assignment 1 : Creating Engaging Leads

All leads are not created equal. Leads to stories must be written with the audience in mind. After reading Creating Engaging Leads , you will choose onestory and write two leads for that story. One lead will be for a daily newspaper and the other lead will be for a national newspaper.

For each lead, you must:

1. Formulate a lead sentence that draws the audience in by using a writing technique appropriate for a daily audience and for a national audience.

2. Develop a summary lead that answers at least three of the five "w's" (who, what, where, when, and why) appropriate for a daily newspaper and for a national newspaper.

3. Create a lead that is concise, consisting of no more than 25 words appropriate for a daily newspaper and for a national newspaper.

The leads must be written in Associated Press (AP) style.

Assignment 2 : Opinion Piece

Online education is something that is discussed quite frequently in our society. As a student in the online environment you should be able to write an opinion piece for a specified audience that is concise, clear, and convincing regarding your point of view.

Write a 300-word opinion piece that includes the following:

1. Develop a summary lead that is concise, engaging, and answers at least three of the five "w's."

2. Differentiate various opinions about the benefits, challenges, and future of online education.

3. Conclude with a strong self-opinion about online education.

The piece must include at least one source of information. The piece must be written in Associated Press (AP) style. You must fully identify the source of information for the piece in a way that does not detract from it.