Chapter 7

 Feature sidebars ▪ A piece that is used to support or accompany another story that has been written  In Magazines ▪ Usually written over time ▪ Based on publication period of magazine  In Newspapers ▪ Often written on deadline ▪ Often used to support breaking news

 Subject matter of sidebars varies ▪ Certain characteristics of them common to them  Can be straight fact ▪ Often a feature story strong on human interest  Usually assigned by the editor  News stories they accompany ▪ Usually breaking news  Can be on the same page, jump page, or totally different page

 Must be able to stand independently ▪ Needs info or facts from original story ▪ Readers need to understand it without reading the news story  Needs to be written quickly ▪ Still needs to be written very well  Need to match the tone of the original story ▪ If news story is happy ▪ It should be bright ▪ If news story is sad ▪ It should be dark

 The Profile ▪ AKA - The personality piece & the interview ▪ Difference between the three is the length  Profiles are major contenders ▪ For both newspaper and magazine space ▪ Newspapers ▪ They tend to blend between the three types

 Magazines ▪ Much longer than newspaper profiles ▪ Contain a strong element of depth ▪ Usually written by a staff member ▪ Someone well qualified & known ▪ Can get the big interview when an unknown freelancer can’t  Profiles are a staple of a writers diet ▪ Can be written creatively & in many ways

 Feature series ▪ Many articles written over time on specific issues/topics  Requires lots of time from writers & editors ▪ Usually reserved for important issues ▪ Is our water supply running out? ▪ What impact will our new governor have on state economy? ▪ Any issue of importance to publications audience ▪ Can be considered for a feature series

 Specialized features and multimedia journalism ▪ What benefits do publication get from the internet? ▪ Are there any advantages to publishing online ▪ Any disadvantages ▪ How many of you visit online magazines? ▪ What does the website offer ▪ That the magazine doesn’t

 Features can be printed in the publication  Online postings offer benefits ▪ Wider reach, beyond circulation ▪ Archiving ▪ Ability to read articles long after print version is gone ▪ Additional information ▪ Print edition has only so much space available ▪ Multi-media elements ▪ Websites can include video, more pictures, sounds, etc ▪ These are not available in printed form

 Let’s do some searching  I will give each of you a publication name  Find for me – and be able to explain why ▪ 2 stories they did that can benefit from a sidebar ▪ 2 profile candidates with different backgrounds ▪ A person who’s not already famous or known by you ▪ That would be an appropriate profile for that magazine ▪ 2 topics ▪ Appropriate for a series in that publication ▪ 2 stories they did in the past ▪ 1 that is at least 3 months old, 1 that is at least 6 months old