Week 5: Journalism 2001 October 12, 2009

Find the misspellings…… 1. Bayfeild 2. Strawberrys 3. Both!

Review of last week’s news Hard News: Hard News: (murders, city council, government, etc.) –Major local stories –Major national/international stories –Major sports stories Soft News: Soft News: (retirements, school programs, human interest) –Local stories –National/international stories –Sports stories

More extra credit opportunities Volunteer at either WDIO-TV or KBJR-TV on election night, November 3 Volunteer at either WDIO-TV or KBJR-TV on election night, November 3 Earn 10 extra credit points by ing a BRIEF description of what you learned to me by November 10 Earn 10 extra credit points by ing a BRIEF description of what you learned to me by November 10 If you volunteered at WDIO for the primary, OK to volunteer at KBJR – interesting to see the station differences If you volunteered at WDIO for the primary, OK to volunteer at KBJR – interesting to see the station differences

News-Tribune in the news Letter from the editor: How a serious rivalry gave us a fun project Letter from the editor: How a serious rivalry gave us a fun project – cle/id/148783/ cle/id/148783/ cle/id/148783/ NBC News: p/ # NBC News: p/ # p/ # p/ #

Words Matter!

Review of last week’s assignments Watch wordiness! Watch wordiness! –Avoid full name in lead unless prominent person –Attempted robbery –Were let out of school: classes dismissed Style errors Style errors –Spelling! –Datelines –Numerals: When starting sentence, spell out –Correct names –24-year-old: ages –Disc jockey, not disk jockey –States –Time: a.m., p.m.

VINELAND, N.J. – A 24-year-old male is in stable condition at Bridgeton Hospital after being shot while a man attempted to rob him around 1 a.m. at his disc jockey job at WKQV-FM. VINELAND, N.J. – A college student working as a disk jockey is in stable condition at the Bridgetown Hospital after he was shot in the arm early today outside of a small radio station during a failed robbery attempt. VINELAND, N.J. – A student at Stockton State College was shot today after an attempted robbery at his work, the radio station WKQV-FM, and is now in stable condition at Bridgeton Hospital.

CHICAGO, Ill. – A gang related scuffle at Farragut Career Academy High School resulted in student arrests, injuries and an early release from school on Friday. CHICAGO – 20 students were arrested and charged with disorderly conduct at Farragut Career Academy High School after gang-related fist fights broke out early on Friday. Gang-related fighting broke out on Friday afternoon at Farragut Career Academy High School after several students caused a commotion in the school’s lunchroom eventually leading to the arrest of 20 students.

Review: Writing a summary lead Usually a single sentence Usually a single sentence No more than 35 words No more than 35 words Bottom line: Bottom line: –Use a single sentence of no more than 35 words to summarize an event

Statesman Guide to Writing

Hard News 1 Story: Due Thursday! Interview a member of the Duluth area media to learn more about what it’s like to work as a journalist Interview a member of the Duluth area media to learn more about what it’s like to work as a journalist Story due: Thursday, October 15 Story due: Thursday, October 15 Stories will be posted on class Web site: Stories will be posted on class Web site: –Fall Jour 2001 Web site Fall Jour 2001 Web siteFall Jour 2001 Web site

Sports Story Pitch Due: Wednesday, October 7 Select a UMD or prep sporting event to cover Select a UMD or prep sporting event to cover Length of story pitch: no more than three paragraphs, about 200 words Length of story pitch: no more than three paragraphs, about 200 words Include the 5 Ws and H: what makes this story newsworthy Include the 5 Ws and H: what makes this story newsworthy Complete article due: November 12 Complete article due: November 12

Covering sports Compiling, crunching sport stats –Conduct solid research. –Take careful notes. –Use stats selectively. –Add charts, graphs or sidebars, if needed.

Three most common story types 1.Game stories 2.Feature stories  Analysis  Profiles 3.Columns

Game story checklist Final score Final score Teams’ names Teams’ names When and where When and where Key players and key plays Key players and key plays Quotes Quotes Strategies Strategies Key statistics Key statistics Injuries Injuries Both teams’ records Both teams’ records What the game means What the game means Other relevant factors Other relevant factors

Sophomore guard Kalin Lucas, the 2009 Big Ten Player of the Year, stops to sign autographs before practice at the Metrodome in Minneapolis on March 19. Michigan State has since advanced to the Final Four and will play the University of Connecticut on April 4.

Covering sports Advance sporting event checklist Significance of game Significance of game History History Key players Key players Records and recent performances Records and recent performances Quotes Quotes Strategies Strategies Injuries Injuries Other factors Other factors Who’s favored Who’s favored Time, place and ticket information Time, place and ticket information

Freshmen quarterback Jon Lynch led the Bulldogs' offense at spring practice Thursday afternoon at Malosky Stadium.

Sports style –Team name usually plural. –High school athletes are girls and boys. –Abbreviate league names. –Use figures for measurements. –Use numerals for scores and time.

Tim Crisp of Fitchburg, WI finishes the last few feet of the 2009 American Birkebeiner in Hayward, WI this Saturday.

High School Sports Coverage Reporters must keep stats Reporters must keep stats –No sports information directors Stringers: College students covering high school sports Stringers: College students covering high school sports Quotes from losing, Quotes from losing, winning coaches & players

Reporting Sports Working with statistics Working with statistics –Box scores –Team statistics –Individual statistics –Beware of becoming “statistic junkie” –Review statistics for trends: play-by-play charts

Going beyond statistics Going beyond statistics –Watch coaches on sidelines, nervous parents in stands –Policies for post-game interviews  Cool-down time –Talk to coaches –Talk to players –Talk to trainers A showcase for good writing A showcase for good writing Beyond the game – contracts, courtrooms, boardrooms Beyond the game – contracts, courtrooms, boardrooms

Checklist for sportswriters Go with a summary lead if warranted, but more room to be creative. Go with a summary lead if warranted, but more room to be creative. Avoid chronological approaches Avoid chronological approaches Blend facts, turning points, quotations, statistics, analysis Blend facts, turning points, quotations, statistics, analysis Avoid cliches: cliffhangers, take it to ‘em Avoid cliches: cliffhangers, take it to ‘em Avoid “ridiculous” direct quotations: we whipped ‘em good Avoid “ridiculous” direct quotations: we whipped ‘em good Use vivid description when appropriate Use vivid description when appropriate Double-check spellings Double-check spellings Do your homework Do your homework

Online sports sources National Collegiate Athletic Association: National Collegiate Athletic Association: –www2.ncaa.org www2.ncaa.org National Basketball Association: National Basketball Association: National Football League: National Football League: Major League Baseball: Major League Baseball: ESPN: ESPN:

What are typical reporting beats? 1. Police & fire 2. Courts 3. Education 4. Government 5. All of the above

Covering a beat –New beat  Do research.  Talk to your predecessor.  Achieve a mind- meld with editors.  Meet people. Beat reporters focus on specific topics or institutions Make lists  Key sources  Upcoming meetings and events  Story ideas

Working a beat: Do’s and don’ts –Familiarize yourself. –Follow the money. –Call sources back. –Write for your readers. DO –Get too cozy.  What does that mean? –Get used. –Waste sources’ time. –Simply mimic. DON’T

Obituaries Writing obits: A fate worse than death? Writing obits: A fate worse than death? –Each paper has different policies on obituaries –Often front-page news Capturing the flavor of a life Capturing the flavor of a life –Prominent citizens/entertainers  Michael Jackson  Patrick Swayze Often published free of charge Often published free of charge

Writing obituaries Death is news –Obituaries are read more closely by more people than any other part of the paper.  They tell stories.  They touch hearts.  They honor and inspire. What’s the difference?  Death notice — brief announcement with basic facts.  Obituary — longer announcement and provides more history and detail.

Watch your language Would you include these? –Addresses –Cause of death –Past personal problems –Flowery phrases Other terminology  Funerals are scheduled.  Masses are celebrated.  People die unexpectedly.  People die after surgery.  A man is survived by his wife.

Talking with families about the deceased –Don’t be squeamish. –If you’re not sure what to say, use a script. –Be supportive. –Be willing to listen. –If it will be a long obituary, gather as much detail as possible.

Typical content of obits Full name Full name Address Address Date of death Date of death Cause of death Cause of death –How to handle suicides? Age Age Occupation Occupation Accomplishments Accomplishments Time and date of services, visitation information Time and date of services, visitation information Place of burial, memorial information Place of burial, memorial information Names of survivors Names of survivors

In the news U.S. Supreme Court Ruling about Wiccan symbols: U.S. Supreme Court Ruling about Wiccan symbols: – 25.html 25.htmlhttp:// 25.html

Sources of information Funeral homes Funeral homes Families Families Confirming information Confirming information Avoiding hoaxes Avoiding hoaxes eHow: How to write an obituary eHow: How to write an obituary –

Let’s look at some examples… Today’s Duluth News-Tribune news alert: Today’s Duluth News-Tribune news alert: – Cloquet Pine-Journal: Cloquet Pine-Journal: – group/Obituaries/ group/Obituaries/ group/Obituaries/ New York Times: New York Times: – murdock.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=obituaries%2 0today&st=cse murdock.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=obituaries%2 0today&st=csehttp:// murdock.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=obituaries%2 0today&st=cse

Ethics Case Killing news: Responsible coverage of suicides Killing news: Responsible coverage of suicides – e-news-topics/killing-news-responsible-coverage-of- suicides/ e-news-topics/killing-news-responsible-coverage-of- suicides/ e-news-topics/killing-news-responsible-coverage-of- suicides/ Sharing the community’s grief: Little Rock news coverage of 3 teenage suicides Sharing the community’s grief: Little Rock news coverage of 3 teenage suicides – e-news-topics/sharing-the-communitys-grief/ e-news-topics/sharing-the-communitys-grief/ e-news-topics/sharing-the-communitys-grief/ Intruding on grief: Does the public really have a "need to know?“ Intruding on grief: Does the public really have a "need to know?“ – g-privacy/intruding-on-grief/ g-privacy/intruding-on-grief/ g-privacy/intruding-on-grief/

Readings from the textbook A passion for raising rabbits: p. 224 A passion for raising rabbits: p. 224 BGSU professor a talented sculptor: p. 225 BGSU professor a talented sculptor: p. 225 Church bus crash on turnpike kills 3: p. 226 Church bus crash on turnpike kills 3: p. 226 For those cut off, a life primeval: p. 227 For those cut off, a life primeval: p. 227 “This one’s for real”: p. 230 “This one’s for real”: p. 230 Family loses all in house fire: p. 232 Family loses all in house fire: p. 232 Into the flames: p. 234 Into the flames: p. 234

Covering police, fire beats Making the rounds: develop sources Making the rounds: develop sources –Each city, county different –Billings, Sheridan examples Departmental records Departmental records –Police log, reports –Fire reports

Duluth area public service Organizational structures Organizational structures –Duluth Police Department Duluth Police DepartmentDuluth Police Department –St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department St. Louis County Sheriff’s DepartmentSt. Louis County Sheriff’s Department –Duluth Fire Department Duluth Fire DepartmentDuluth Fire Department

Covering accidents and disasters Most editors maintain standards –What is the severity? –How many people are affected? –Is it local? Photographs from last spring’s Photographs from last spring’s News Photography class News Photography class

Writing stories on traffic accidents –Usually lead with WHAT or WHO. –Start with a delayed-identification lead.  Delay naming victims until 2 nd or 3 rd paragraph.  Distribute key facts logically through first few paragraphs.  Generally no need to identify police by name.

Covering accidents and disasters Traffic accident checklist Victims Victims Extent of injuries/cause of death Extent of injuries/cause of death Cause of accident according to police Cause of accident according to police Location Location Time Time Vehicles Vehicles Arrests or citations Arrests or citations Comments Comments Acts of heroism Acts of heroism Relevant facts Relevant facts

A tree came crashing down in front of a house on Brainerd Avenue in Duluth on March 23 due to excess weight on its branches during an ice rain storm.

Covering accidents and disasters When disaster strikes –Arriving on the scene  Go where the action is.  Question authorities.  Talk to victims and eyewitnesses.  Record details that capture the scene.  Check in often with your editors.  Collaborate.

Covering accidents and disasters When disaster strikes –Dealing with victims of a tragedy  Ask permission.  Go slow.  Empathize—but watch what you say.

Covering fires Reporting and writing fire stories –Identify yourself. –Find the command post. –Introduce yourself to command. –Get as close as you can. –Wear boots.

Firefighters responded to a fire on the 300 block of 58th Ave West on March 3rd. A man in the home was remodeling when his painting equipment caught on fire. The man suffered no injuries, but his friend was taken to the hospital.

Covering fires Organizing stories on fire –Death or injury usually the lead. –Focus on the most compelling aspect. –Cover the aftermath. –May offer opportunity to use narrative storytelling.

Duluth firefighters take down a ladder after extinguishing a fire at Duluth Upholstery on the corner of E. 9th Street and 12th Avenue at about 10 p.m. on Tuesday night.

More readings from the textbook! Four crime briefs: p. 236 Four crime briefs: p. 236 Check-writer sets off clerk’s internal alarm: p. 237 Check-writer sets off clerk’s internal alarm: p. 237 Murderer caught in Texas 15 years after escape: p. 238 Murderer caught in Texas 15 years after escape: p. 238 Rampaging rooster attacks girl: p. 240 Rampaging rooster attacks girl: p. 240 The Michael Jackson Verdict: p. 242 The Michael Jackson Verdict: p. 242 Amazing finish in relay winds gold, saves Phelps: p. 250 Amazing finish in relay winds gold, saves Phelps: p. 250 Verr-ific!: p. 252 Verr-ific!: p. 252 Give me the sign: p. 254 Give me the sign: p. 254 Vermeil senses it was go time: p. 256 Vermeil senses it was go time: p. 256

Another wayward sign!

What’s misspelled? 1. Additional 2. Availible 3. Restrooms

Out-of-Class Assignment: Due 10/19 From information provided from a Tempe Police Department activity log, write an inverted-pyramid news story based on all the information available. From information provided from a Tempe Police Department activity log, write an inverted-pyramid news story based on all the information available. Write your story in Microsoft Word, double spaced, and a copy of the story as an attachment to: lkragnes Write your story in Microsoft Word, double spaced, and a copy of the story as an attachment to: lkragnes Make sure to copy yourself on the Make sure to copy yourself on the

Tonight’s assignment City Council Candidate Forum: City Council Candidate Forum: – –We’re going to watch part of last week’s forum for at-large City Council candidates –Complete an inverted pyramid story of no more than 400 words in class:  by end of class to –OK to use computer to take notes –Relax! All will receive 10 points  EXCEPT: Style errors will be deducted!

Assignment: Due tonight Enroll in the News University course, “The Interview.” Access the course at: Enroll in the News University course, “The Interview.” Access the course at: When you finish the course, send me a Course Report, which is the last item on the left hand column when you are in the course. Send the report to: When you finish the course, send me a Course Report, which is the last item on the left hand column when you are in the course. Send the report to: You must complete the course by Monday, October 12 at 11:59 p.m. You must complete the course by Monday, October 12 at 11:59 p.m. Happy interviewing! Happy interviewing!

Egradebook Doublecheck assignments correct in egradebook: Doublecheck assignments correct in egradebook: –

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