An introduction to the FEATURE unit Everyone has a story An introduction to the FEATURE unit

Step one: PAIR UP TODAY IS BIRTHDAY ORDER! 1. LINE UP FROM JAN. 1 TO DEC. 31 2. Find a seat with your partner 3. Make sure you have pencil and paper 4. If necessary, pretend that you like yourself and want to share information about yourself 5. Proceed to step two on this PowerPoint!

Step two: Get to know each other Ask your partner to name the following (and write down the answers) An unusual or surprising hobby in which you are involved . . . A unique or uncommon place you have lived . . . A talent or skill you have that is not very common in young people . . . A passion or commitment you have that inspires you . . . A characteristic about your family or background that is unique . . . WILD CARD = your choice of something that makes you unique . . .

Step three: BRAINSTORM Take a minute to read through the answers Decide on some POTENTIAL story angles – what you will choose to write in a story about your partner 3. Generate some additional questions you want to ask (These can be related to the items you just asked or completely new) Generate even more questions you want to ask (You should probably realize that you will have to write a 350-400 story on this person, so good interviewing would be prudent) Read two good examples of everyone has a story on the next two slides... (No, really, go read them now)

Sample story #1

Sample story #2

Step four: MORE INTERVIEWING You should notice that these stories are focused on something important about that person (and not EVERYTHING about that person) Even if your person hasn’t saved a life or been on a mission trip, that’s okay. We’ve had stories on collecting Disney pins, riding horses, video game excellence… you name it and I’ve probably enjoyed reading something similar. These stories are a mix of facts, quotes and stories (anecdotes) When you interview some more, you should make sure that you have enough information to satisfy #1 and #3 when you write a story about your partner Generate some more questions If you want to cheat and see where we’re going, sneak a peak at STEP SIX Interview your partner

Step five: GET ORGANIZED If you get this far today, you rock! You should be able to answer the following questions the next time we meet: What will this story be about? (One sentence, and NOT just “It’s about ____ (name)” This will bring verbal abuse) What are the major subtopics (two to four – in the first example, the topic is “lifeguarding”, one subtopic is “Time she saved a life” another is “Training”) ? What are the best facts you have? What are the best quotes you have? What are the best stories/anecdotes you have?

Step six: WRITE THE STORY We will discuss how to do this in class but know that your story will need the following: An outline, rough and final (typed) LOTS of paragraphs 350-450 words (approx.) Several quotes/stories, and many relevant facts Phrase headline and summary subheadline Creative lead Sections that follow outline with transitions between Quotes, stories, facts in each main section NO LISTS