Week 9: Journalism 2001 November 5, 2007

Announcements Feels like winter today! Feels like winter today! Election Coverage Election Coverage –If second time, need short summary of what you did, reactions to experience –Forward me an from the station showing that you are participating Class website of stories: Class website of stories: – –Excellent editing of stories!

Upcoming stories Sports Reporting Assignment Sports Reporting Assignment –Final article due: November 5 –Next week: Edit stories in class, put up on website Community Journalism reporting assignment Community Journalism reporting assignment –Story pitch due: October 31 –Final article due: November 19 Feature Story Assignment: Feature Story Assignment: –Story pitch due: November 14 –First draft due: November 26 –Final article due: December 10

Which is the correct way to punctuate a quote? 1. “Blah blah blah,” he said. 2. “Blah blah blah”, he said. 3. “Blah blah blah” he said.

Which is the correct dateline? 1. SUPERIOR, WI Superior, WI - 3. SUPERIOR, Wis. -

The meeting is at _______ pm 2. 7 p.m P.M.

The meeting was in Duluth _____. 1. City Hall 2. City hall 3. city hall

The meeting was held _______. 1. Nov November November

She lives in __________. 1. Cook, MN. 2. Cook, Minn. 3. Cook, Minnesota

________ Jane Doe was charged with burglary year-old 2. Thirty-year-old year old

The victory was number ______ for the coach four hundred 3. four hundred (300)

The new house is located at _____ N. Eighth Ave. W N. 8th Ave. W North 8th Avenue West

Chapter 9: Features Hard news vs. soft news Hard news vs. soft news –Hard news: breaking stories –Soft news: looking at people, places and things that shape the world, nation, community Feature stories often soft news Feature stories often soft news No firm line between news story/feature story No firm line between news story/feature story –Many news events “featurized”

What are feature stories? Profile people who made the news Profile people who made the news Explain events that moved or shook the news Explain events that moved or shook the news Analyze what is happening in the world, nation or community Analyze what is happening in the world, nation or community Teach an audience how to do something Teach an audience how to do something Suggest better ways to live in a complicated world Suggest better ways to live in a complicated world Examine trends in constantly changing societies Examine trends in constantly changing societies Take people someplace or let them see something new Take people someplace or let them see something new Entertain or humor an audience Entertain or humor an audience

Watch out for “Jell-O Journalism” Some editors decry emphasis on soft writing Some editors decry emphasis on soft writing If news story, give it a summary lead If news story, give it a summary lead –Don’t make reader work to get to the news

Types of feature stories Personality profiles Personality profiles –Bring audience closer to a person –Paint vivid picture of the person  Interviews, observations, creative writing –One of the most popular features –Buck Human interest story Human interest story –Show a subject’s oddity, or its practical, emotional or entertainment value –Travel writing

Trend stories Trend stories –Examines people, things or organizations that are having an impact on society In-depth stories In-depth stories –Detailed account beyond a basic news story or feature –Lengthy news feature –Investigative story Backgrounder/analysis piece Backgrounder/analysis piece –Adds meaning to current issues in the news by providing more explanation

Feature story examples Dartball a big hit Dartball a big hit Whitewater rafting on the St. Louis River Whitewater rafting on the St. Louis River Higher education in Duluth Superior Higher education in Duluth Superior UMD Alumni Story UMD Alumni Story Buck profile Buck profile Duluth News-Tribune Duluth News-Tribune –Article on timekeeper

Let’s brainstorm some ideas! New mayor interview New mayor interview UMD volleyball player UMD volleyball player New women basketball coaches New women basketball coaches Best woman hockey player in nation Best woman hockey player in nation Snowboarding/terrain park at Spirit Mtn Snowboarding/terrain park at Spirit Mtn Major business owner Major business owner Karen Diver Karen Diver Football coach reflection Football coach reflection

Organizing a feature story Choose the theme Choose the theme –Do research, organize story around theme –Each section – beginning, body, end – revolve around theme –Narrow your theme  Has the story been done before?  The audience  Holding power  Worthiness

Write the lead Write the lead –Usually avoid summary leads  Tough to summarize feature in opening paragraph –Lead possibilities endless:  Narrative, contract, staccato, direct address, etc. –Lead block: two or more paragraphs Write the body Write the body –Vital information while educating, entertaining and emotionally tying reader to the subject Provide background information Provide background information

Use a thread Use a thread –Can be single person, event or thing that highlights theme of the story Use transitions Use transitions –Transitions hold paragraphs together and helps writers move from one person or area to the next –Common transition words: meanwhile, therefore, sometimes, also, and, but, meantime, nevertheless, however

Use dialogue Use dialogue –Keeps readers attached to a story’s key players –Helps to introduce sources Use voice Use voice –Subjective expression of writer –Writer’s signature or personal style –More license to reveal opinions, personality Write the ending Write the ending –Can trail off, or end with a climax –Often ends where the lead started –End with a quote

Rewriting and collaboration First draft rarely makes it into print First draft rarely makes it into print Editor, reporter brainstorm ideas Editor, reporter brainstorm ideas Develop clear, narrow angle Develop clear, narrow angle Impact sources: Impact sources: –Real people who bring stories to life

Checklist for effective features Know how to write news Know how to write news Do your homework Do your homework Use observation Use observation Use a tape recorder Use a tape recorder Do not be afraid to ask questions Do not be afraid to ask questions Maintain a relationship with every source Maintain a relationship with every source Transcribe handwritten notes as soon as possible Transcribe handwritten notes as soon as possible

Write a rough outline first Write a rough outline first Do not overwrite Do not overwrite –Use lots of quotes! Polish the story Polish the story Take criticism from an editor Take criticism from an editor

Feature Story Reporting Assignment Story Pitch Due: November 14 Story Pitch Due: November 14 –No more than three paragraphs, 200 words –Include 5Ws and H – to: First draft due: November 26 First draft due: November 26 Final story due: December 10 Final story due: December 10

Out-of-Class Assignments Due today: Due today: –Computer Assisted Reporting Assignment Due November 12: Due November 12: –News Release rewrites

Tonight’s assignment Karen Diver Lecture Karen Diver Lecture –We’re going to attend the lecture by Karen Diver at 7 p.m. in the Kirby Ballroom –Complete your article by Wednesday, November 7:  to  words max

Portfolio Store academic information on your Electronic Portfolio. Each student has 100 mb of storage. Store academic information on your Electronic Portfolio. Each student has 100 mb of storage. Access Electronic Portfolio at: sp Access Electronic Portfolio at: sp sp sp

Egradebook Doublecheck assignments correct in egradebook: Doublecheck assignments correct in egradebook: – Late Assignments: If you haven’t made arrangements to complete late assignments, you receive no points.