Proseminar in Journalism July 29, 2008

Final Project: Questions? Identify a cultural or political issue and or trend. Tell the story of this issue/trend through a person or persons involved in the issue. Find someone who is passionate about the issue because they likely will have a personal story to tell. After indentifying your "angle" on the story, and writing your nut graf, don't forget to build in the history of the issue and context. Remember you want to write a slice of this story, using all you have learned in this class. We have a short time period, so I do not expect or want a magazine length story or a book. OR Profile a working journalist, who faces challenges would allow you to discuss trends and/or issues in journalism This story should be 1500 words long. Students who do a soundslides/audio will receive extra credit, but it is not a requirement. It should be an enhancement for your experience.

Walking through the ethics minefield gh.php

Cases Should you follow the John Edwards story? rds_love_child/celebrity/ rds_love_child/celebrity/ rds_love_child_update/celebrity/65199

Frameworks Why am I concerned about this story or photo? Why is it news? What good would publication do? Is the information compete and accurate? Am I missing an important point of view? What does my reader need to know

More frameworks How would I feel if the story or photo were about me or a member of my family? What are the likely consequences of publication? What good or harm could result? What are my alternatives? Will I be able to clearly and honestly explain my decision to anyone who challenges it?

Revision IS Writing! Is the idea well focused? Does the story need more information or sources? DON’T WRITE AROUND IT Does the order work? Is it logical and interesting? In that order! Do problems occur in the state in early stages? Can you sketch the structure of the story?

Focus tightly Think about what the real story is and choose a slice of it. Emphasize what’s coming or what’s new and what it means to readers. Tell them the impact, how they can act on and use this information.

Make it all count Squeeze a fact on every line: Allow one idea per sentence

Make the story move Use only the information that helps make the point.

Slow down the pace of information Too much writing on difficult subjects makes a dense-pack juncture in a story. Too much info stuffed into tight, dense paragraphs is too hard to comprehend. Slow the flow here.

Keep it tight Use punctuation to propel the story. Colons and bullets can replace some words and help the reader move faster.

Use the question/answer technique As you are writing and revising, does one paragraph raise a question or point that should be answered or explained in the next? Try to anticipate the reader’s question and answer them.

Keep it tight Use punctuation to propel the story. Colons and bullets can replace some words and help the reader move faster.

Avoid weak transitions A well-organized story needs only a few transitions.

Use the question/answer technique As you are writing and revising, does one paragraph raise a question or point that should be answered or explained in the next? Try to anticipate the reader’s question and answer them.

Pick up the phone Is there something bugging you? Is there an interview you didn’t do?

READ IT ALOUD Read it to check your pacing. Read it to see where paragraphs fall. Read it to see if sentences are too long or don’t make sense. Read it so see if you have “locked the box” for the reader with your kicker!

If you sit in your chair waiting for feedback, you will wait a long time Listen hard to feedback. Build on the strength of the story, don’t dump on the weakeness.

Self Editing ctexpression.htm