Eng 223: Journalistic Writing Chapter 5

Where to get news ideas? Traits a good news reporter must possess: Curiosity Start with the basics …5Ws and 1 H Who: Get the full names of people involved What: Get the details of what happened; especially the sequence of events When: Note the day and time of the event Where: Get the exact location. Describe the scene Why: Understand what caused the event How: look for more information about what happened

Techniques for developing curiosity Learn to role-play Put yourself in the role of the reader What makes the story important or interesting? If you will be affected by the story, what do you want to know?

Put the sequence of events Learn to use timelines Put the sequence of events Start with the present, go back to the past and then to the future What is happening now? In what order?

Techniques for developing curiosity Be a detective Imagine you are a detective… What questions would you ask? Let these questions center on what happened, motives, consequence and clues, if any…

Be Observant Observe and gather details using all senses Use the show and tell technique Visualize the scene in your mind

Where to get news ideas? Basic news elements –proximity, prominence, etc. Local or international newspapers Other sources –people Events in school or community

Where to get news ideas? BRAINSTORM Discuss ideas for stories with other students and other people in the community What topics would be of interest to the students of JUC? Does anyone have an unusual course or event? Is there a teacher, staff worth writing about? Think of consumer stories – how to get the best books, where to get discount for school supplies Think of topics a student like you might be interested in - good study habits, how to get a high GPA

Where to get news ideas? CHECK DATABASES Check for angles or follow-up stories from clips or previous issues of the newsletter, magazines or newspapers.

MAP THE TOPIC Student Council Presentation When, where, who, etc. Candidates’ slogans? Election Names

ASSUME OTHER POINTS OF VIEWS Take an issue and discover how other people might think about it OBSERVE Look at announcements in the campus, city… Are there new things, new buildings, equipments worth telling the readers about? Is there a new event or program that makes you curious?

TALK TO PEOPLE Ask your friends what interests them Listen to conversations at the cafeteria to find out about what students find interesting

CHECK DIRECTORIES READ LOCAL NEWSPAPERS READ ADVERTISEMENTS JUC has a directory which lists different departments, personnel. Do any of the departments, staff seem newsworthy? READ LOCAL NEWSPAPERS READ ADVERTISEMENTS

Where to get news ideas? LOCALIZE NATIONAL NEWS SEEK PROFILES Is there a national issue that affects your school or community? SEEK PROFILES Is there a person who is in the news because of her accomplishments or achievements

TRACK PROGRAM AND EVENTS Holidays , events (Flower festival) can be use as topics of news (how to spent your spring break) Contests to be held in school ike spelling bee, reading competition

REWRITE PRESS RELEASES Announcements made by agencies, companies, etc. can be used as news.(Mobily gives 50% discount on calls after 12 midnight) FOLLOW ISSUES AND TREND Are there problems on campus worth talking about? (cafeteria, cleanliness, bathroom breaks)

BE CURIOUS AND CONCERNED THESE QUALITIES will lead you to GOOD STORIES