And selecting your feature article idea.

We are going to talk about the necessary background for developing and researching feature story ideas. First, lets review some of the advice I presented to you last week. It’s useful and important. The point of today

Look for ways to broaden a news story’s impact (synthesis by looking at common threads within a news story or series of stories). Localize. Consider how one story can affect a person or group. Reporters must dig deep to report and write well. Keep an idea file. Read a lot about things you know little. What does your publication cover? What is undercovered? Be a tourist in your own town. Look for the “why” of a news story (extrapolation) Ways to find ideas

Today, we are going to be selecting your feature idea. This means you are picking the thing you wish to spend time writing about, but first, let’s talk about getting some good sources and background information. Pay attention

This is the subtle art of getting information that will guide the writing process. First step. Find what has already been written about your subject. Example: A feature on the Equality club, an analysis piece on LGBTQ marriage. Look in the newspapers, books, social media, and other sources to see what has been written. Where would you go? How can you be sure of what HAS been written? Where do you look? Backgrounding

Identify and locate sources to establish questions and also lend authority. How do we identify potential sources and narrow our focus? How do we look for authoritative sources? How do you determine reliability of your sources (both documents and people)? Find sources

Those who provide information but aren’t quoted (true background sources) Those who can offer a big picture/overview (help provide context or summary) Authorities for an official version (experts) People who live the story (find a central character to give the story a face) [someone of emphasis, doesn’t mean you will necessarily write a personality profile] You need different kinds of sources

Retrieve your idea folder. You will revisit the articles you put in them and the articles you viewed from the last assignment (developing feature ideas). Browse through them and decide what feature you wish to write. Pick the subject and the format. Remember to keep it relevant to high school-aged life (that’s a broad swathe of opportunities). Each of you will hand in the following by the end of class: A feature story idea ( topic and format) Possible sources (must have at least two of each of the four kinds). I will evaluate these and approve or redirect ideas and resources for future lessons. The next few lessons will have the bulk of your reporting done. Beyond that, it’s all writing and developing your style. Exercise