Week 6: Journalism 2001 October 15, 2007

Its’, its or it’s? 1. Its 2. Its’ 3. Or it’s?

Announcements Major Minor Expo: Major Minor Expo: –Wednesday, October 17 –10 a.m. to 2 p.m., outside the Bookstore in Kirby –Explore your major options!  Talk with academic advisors and get information about various majors and minors offered in the five undergraduate colleges at UMD  Explore study abroad programs  Discuss career options with UMD Career Services Office counselors  Try out Grad Planner, the new online graduation planning tool

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

Let’s take a quiz!

In Sunday’s paper, it was reported that ________ are on the rise in Duluth. 1. Drought problems 2. Bankruptcy filings 3. UFO sightings

A photograph in the Duluth News-Tribune last week taken by a reader north of Floodwood showed that ____________ exist in northern Minnesota. 1. mountain lions 2. jackalopes 3. killer bees

_______________ was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize last week, putting the spotlight on the importance of climate change. 1. Former President Bill Clinton 2. Former President Jimmy Carter 3. Former Vice President Al Gore

Last week, the $1.6 billion mine-to-metal project near Nashwauk on the __________ received its final regulatory permit – an air permit for construction and operation. 1. North Shore 2. Iron Range 3. Upper Peninsula

A teacher from ___________________ in Duluth last week was honored for receiving the Milken National Educator Award. 1. Denfeld High School 2. Central High School 3. East High School

Last week, an Energy Department report showed that ____________ are expected to rise despite the forecast for a warmer winter. 1. snow totals 2. heating fuel costs 3. airline rates

The Duluth city councilors voted last Tuesday 5-4 in favor of giving Mitch’s Bar in the Lincoln Park/West End neighborhood the right to put three benches outside where people can ___________. 1. wait for the bus 2. eat 3. drink and smoke

The UMD Women’s Hockey Team lost both of its games to Bemidji State University over the weekend. 1. True 2. False

The UMD Men’s Hockey Team lost both of its games this weekend. 1. True 2. False

Poplar will lose its largest singer employer next year when a taco shell factory operated by Generals Mills closes. Where is Poplar? 1. Upper Peninsula 2. Northern Wisconsin 3. Iron Range

North Dakota Proposal!

Review of last week’s assignment Pizza Burglary: Wordiness, attribution, allegedly –Retrieved the money: recovered –Avoid full name, full address in lead –Editorializing: thanks to excellent work –Exhibiting suspicious behavior: acting suspiciously –Attribution –Looking through the windows of parked cars lined along the street: Looking in parked cars –Wall kicked in and an illegal entry had been made: Wall kicked in –Was found with: had

Style errors: Style errors: –States –Ages –Addresses –Numerals Run-on sentences Run-on sentences Recovered all of the approximately $741.10: recovered the $ Recovered all of the approximately $741.10: recovered the $ Made contact: talked Made contact: talked Pockets overfilled with money: full pockets Pockets overfilled with money: full pockets Admitted Admitted Had stolen: is charged with Had stolen: is charged with

TEMPE, Ariz. – A former employee of Panhandler’s Pizza was arrested Monday for burglary and theft of the restaurant after he was looking into parked cards along the street with his pockets full of money. TEMPE – John Q. Smyth a 20-year-old former employee of Panhandler’s Pizza was arrested Monday at 3:15 a.m. in connection with a burglary at the pizza store on 106 E. University. TEMPE, Ariz. – Police arrested a man for the burglary of Panhandler’s Pizza Monday after officers saw items dropping out of his pockets. TEMPE, Ariz. – A twenty-year-old male was charged with third-degree burglary and felony theft of Panhandler’s Pizza after officers apprehended him early Monday morning.

Let’s rewrite a few graphs!

City Council Story Review Tough to write under deadline! Tough to write under deadline! –Reinforces why reporters come prepared to meetings with agendas, background info Several strong stories Several strong stories –Good use of quotes Style errors Style errors –Titles –City Council or city council? Need to put news in lead Need to put news in lead Need attribution, titles Need attribution, titles Use councilor – not counselor! Use councilor – not counselor!

The Duluth City Council unanimously approved a contract to keep the Bayfront Blues Festival in Duluth this year at an emergency meeting Monday night settling controversy about the festivals location. The Bayfront Blues Festival will remain in Duluth’s Bayfront Park after the city council approved an amendment to the original contract Monday night after a long, lengthy, and at times heated debate. After a heated discussion Monday the City Council decided that the Bayfront Blues Festival is going to stay in Bayfront Park. City council members finally ended the Bayfront Blues controversy Monday night, in a 6-0 vote agreeing to Bayfronts’ requested amendments, thus keeping the festival in downtown Duluth.

Let’s look at how the Duluth News- Tribune covered the council meeting Paragraphs scrambled Paragraphs scrambled Put the story in the correct order Put the story in the correct order

What’s misspelled? 1. Croisant 2. Breakfast

Chapter 8: Special Leads Non-breaking news story or feature Non-breaking news story or feature –Narrative –Contrast –Staccato –Direct-address –Question & quote –“none of the above”

Narrative Leads Puts readers into the middle of the action Lead block: Observation the key! Lead block: Observation the key! –2 or more paragraphs leading to main point Nut graph Nut graph –“So what” paragraph Keep the story going Keep the story going

Examples of narrative leads

Contrast Leads Compares, contrasts Compares, contrasts –Old & new –Short & tall –Yesterday & today Turn words: Turn words: –Now, today, yesterday, this year, but Hard news or a feature Hard news or a feature

Staccato Leads Short bursts of phrases Short bursts of phrases Meant to tease readers Meant to tease readers The Clash in London The Clash in London

Direct-address lead Inserting “you” into the story Inserting “you” into the story Communicates with the reader Communicates with the reader Rarely used in newspapers Rarely used in newspapers Common in public relations, advertising Common in public relations, advertising

Question Leads Questions the audience Questions the audience Answer the question quickly – second graph Answer the question quickly – second graph Tease the audience Tease the audience Combine question leads with direct address Combine question leads with direct address Legislative roll call example Legislative roll call example

Quote Leads Literally open with a quote from a source Literally open with a quote from a source Rarely used in newspapers Rarely used in newspapers Sports, broadcasting Sports, broadcasting Don’t misrepresent in a quote lead Don’t misrepresent in a quote lead Beware of libel when using a quote lead Beware of libel when using a quote lead

“None of the above” leads When is a lead “none of the above?” When is a lead “none of the above?” Combining several types of leads Combining several types of leads

Creating Effective Leads Use vivid verbs in leads Use vivid verbs in leads –Enhance sentences, paint a picture Choosing a lead: Which lead, and when? Choosing a lead: Which lead, and when? –Summary lead: breaking news –Narrative lead: follow-up, feature –Staccato: feature, soft news –Question: soft news, feature

How writers decide on a lead Being creative: different from others Being creative: different from others What their sources said What their sources said Their own observations Their own observations Tradition Tradition Their editors Their editors Space Space

Chapter 14: Speeches, news conferences

Covering a speech Preparation: Preparation: –Research subject, speaker –Prepare questions –Catch the speaker early –Advance texts  Research easier, but speakers often wander from text –Tape recorder  Use for backup of quotes

Steps to follow during the speech Take copious notes Take copious notes –Quotations: mark notes Make observations Make observations –Clothing, mannerisms Listen for news Listen for news –What makes this speech special? Listen for summaries Listen for summaries Follow-up questions Follow-up questions

Writing the speech story Questions to answer: Questions to answer: –What is the key point? –What are the other major points? –Which quotes are the best? –Is any of this news? –When is the deadline?

Organizing the information Organizing the information –Inverted-pyramid news stories  Summary lead: –35 words, usually one sentence  Second paragraph: –Back up lead with strong quote, paraphrase  Third paragraph: –Continue developing lead, or write transitional paragraph (possibly bullets)  Fourth paragraph or after the bullets: –Continue developing lead, or developing bulleted items  Balance of the story: –Quotations, paraphrases  Final paragraph: –Try to end with direct quotation –Never: “he/she concluded”

News Conferences Gang interview Gang interview –All reporters get same information Why call a news conference? Why call a news conference? –After a crisis –Explain controversy –Make an announcement –Can control what’s given to reporters

Covering a news conference Do your homework! Do your homework! –Read news releases –Research old stories –Research speaker –Talk to editors –Talk to other reporters  What will not be covered

Advance story Advance story –Brief story announcing event –Often only coverage of event Questions and answers Questions and answers –Television reporters often have the edge  Speakers wants to be seen as well as heard –Arrive early for a good seat

News conference as media event Presidential news conference Presidential news conference –Began with Theodore Roosevelt –Today major news event  Reporters also want to be seen and heard  Draws 300 reporters, usually lasts 30 minutes

Online speech sources Great American Speeches: PBS Great American Speeches: PBS – The History Channel The History Channel – infoUSA infoUSA – m mhttp://usinfo.state.gov/usa/infousa/facts/speeches.ht m

An awfully long day…

Chapter 18: News Releases What is a news release? What is a news release? –Announcements  New line of products  Events  Promotions  Public service announcements –Cause-promoting  Fundraising  Volunteers –Image-building  Politicians  Corporations

Evaluating news releases Does it have news value? Does it have news value? –Local, regional or national Is it trying to gain free publicity? Is it trying to gain free publicity? Is it worth following up? Is it worth following up? –Story and/or photograph Can it be trusted? Can it be trusted?

What is Public Relations? Promoting an organization, institution or corporation Promoting an organization, institution or corporation UMD Communicators Council UMD Communicators Council UMD Communicators Council UMD Communicators Council –University Relations University RelationsUniversity Relations –Natural Resources Research Institute Natural Resources Research InstituteNatural Resources Research Institute –Minnesota Sea Grant Minnesota Sea GrantMinnesota Sea Grant

Which releases will be used? No set formula No set formula –Interests of reporters, editors –How many people affected Usually rewritten Usually rewritten –Eliminate “fluff:” self-serving, promotional info –Embarrassing if two media use exact same wording –Often raise additional questions

ed releases –How to write a press release How to write a press releaseHow to write a press release  Concise  Well-written  Factual  Honest  Timely

Using news releases Boiling down a handout Boiling down a handout –Determine 5Ws and H –Find the lead –Eliminate fluff –Avoid free ads –Determining local news value

How to write a news release Avoiding hype Avoiding hype Avoiding jargon Avoiding jargon Structure of a release Structure of a release  Contact information  For Immediate Release  Dateline  Headline  Lead, inverted pyramid style copy  Quotes  Boilerplate paragraph

Handouts Wise Words from PR Week Career Guide Wise Words from PR Week Career Guide Journalism can be a deadly profession Journalism can be a deadly profession

Another wayward sign! What’s the correct spelling? 1. Souvenirs! 2. Souvanirs

Chapter 19: Multicultural Reporting NY Times: How Race is lived in America NY Times: How Race is lived in America –One year project –Published in June, July of 2000 –15 installments –Teams of reporters, editors

Rodney King beating Footage of the Rodney King beating Footage of the Rodney King beating – kingbeating- qt,1, quicktime?ctrack=2&cset=true kingbeating- qt,1, quicktime?ctrack=2&cset=truehttp:// kingbeating- qt,1, quicktime?ctrack=2&cset=true Ten years after the LA Riots: Ten years after the LA Riots: – poll-470pa2an,1, story poll-470pa2an,1, storyhttp:// poll-470pa2an,1, story

Trends in multicultural coverage Cultural sensitivity training Cultural sensitivity training Diversification of media staffs Diversification of media staffs –13.42 percent in 2004 Overall newsroom staffing tumbling Overall newsroom staffing tumbling –4 percent decline overall Diversification of coverage Diversification of coverage –Inner cities: Minorities are the majorities

Approaches to multicultural coverage Guidelines for media and reporters Guidelines for media and reporters –Provide consistent, daily coverage –Get to know the communities you cover –Develop multicultural links and friendships –Expand coverage beyond the “problem people” perspective –Mainstream sources for all stories –Periodically assess the representativeness of sources –Don’t “overcredential” sources –Recognize that there is diversity within cultures –Bring your own perspective to the newsroom

Multicultural websites Asian American Journalists Association Asian American Journalists Association Asian American Journalists Association Asian American Journalists Association Maynard Institute Maynard Institute Maynard Institute Maynard Institute National Association of Black Journalists National Association of Black Journalists National Association of Black Journalists National Association of Black Journalists –Minnesota Spokesman Recorder Minnesota Spokesman RecorderMinnesota Spokesman Recorder National Association of Hispanic Journalists National Association of Hispanic Journalists National Association of Hispanic Journalists National Association of Hispanic Journalists National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association Native American Journalists Association Native American Journalists Association Native American Journalists Association Native American Journalists Association The Center for an Accessible Society The Center for an Accessible Society The Center for an Accessible Society The Center for an Accessible Society Disability Resources on the Internet Disability Resources on the Internet Disability Resources on the Internet Disability Resources on the Internet Disability Data Disability Data Disability Data Disability Data

Checklist for improving coverage Have I covered the story with sensitivity, accuracy, fairness and balance regarding all of the people involved? Have I covered the story with sensitivity, accuracy, fairness and balance regarding all of the people involved? What are the likely consequences of publication? Who will be hurt and who will be helped? What are the likely consequences of publication? Who will be hurt and who will be helped? Have I sought a diversity of sources? Have I sought a diversity of sources? Am I seeking true diversity or using tokenism by allowing one minority person to represent a community or point of view? Am I seeking true diversity or using tokenism by allowing one minority person to represent a community or point of view? Have I allowed preconceived ideas to limit my efforts to include diversity? Have I allowed preconceived ideas to limit my efforts to include diversity?

Am I flexible about the possibility that the focus of the story may change when different sources are added? Am I flexible about the possibility that the focus of the story may change when different sources are added? Have I thought about using quotations from minority experts in non-traditional fields? Have I thought about using quotations from minority experts in non-traditional fields? Have I spent time in minority communities and with residents to find out what people are thinking and to learn more about lifestyles, perspectives, customs, etc.? Have I spent time in minority communities and with residents to find out what people are thinking and to learn more about lifestyles, perspectives, customs, etc.? Have I written about achievements on their own merits, rather than as “stereotype breakers?” Have I written about achievements on their own merits, rather than as “stereotype breakers?” Have I guarded against allowing place names to become code words for crime? Have I guarded against allowing place names to become code words for crime? As I seek diversity, am I being true to my other goals as a journalist? As I seek diversity, am I being true to my other goals as a journalist? Will I be able to explain my decision clearly and honestly to anyone who challenges it – and not to rationalize? Will I be able to explain my decision clearly and honestly to anyone who challenges it – and not to rationalize?

Community Journalism Reporting Assignment Story Pitch Due: Wednesday, 10/24 Story Pitch Due: Wednesday, 10/24 –No more than three paragraphs, 200 words –Include 5Ws and H – to: Work in teams or solo Work in teams or solo –Go out into an area of Duluth, report on a topic of interest in that area –Divide the city into zones – let’s assign teams to locations:  Central Hillside  Chester Park/UMD  Congdon Park  Downtown/Central Business District  Duluth Heights  East Hillside/Endion  Kenwood  Lakeside/Lester Park  Lincoln Park/West End  Park Point  Piedmont Heights  West Duluth  Woodland Final story due: 11/19 Final story due: 11/19

Hard News 1 Assignment: Due TODAY Any problems? Any problems? Write story in Microsoft Word, doublespaced, and as an attachment to: Write story in Microsoft Word, doublespaced, and as an attachment to: Hard News 2 Story: Due 10/26 Hard News 2 Story: Due 10/26

Sports Reporting Assignment Final story due: 11/5 Final story due: 11/5 Any challenges? Any challenges?

Out-of-Class Assignment: Due 10/22 From information provided from a Duluth Police Department news release, write an inverted-pyramid news story based on all the information available. From information provided from a Duluth Police Department news release, write an inverted-pyramid news story based on all the information available. Write your story in Microsoft Word, doublespaced, and a copy of the story as an attachment to: lkragnes Write your story in Microsoft Word, doublespaced, 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

Egradebook Doublecheck assignments correct in egradebook: Doublecheck assignments correct in egradebook: – Mid-term alerts to students with Ds, Fs Mid-term alerts to students with Ds, Fs If grading today: –A: –B: –C: –D: –F: 0-39

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