1. Eng 223: Journalistic Writing
Chapter 5

2. Where to get news ideas? Traits a good news reporter must possess:
Curiosity
Start with the basics …5Ws and 1 H
Who: Get the full names of people involved
What: Get the details of what happened; especially the sequence of events
When: Note the day and time of the event
Where: Get the exact location. Describe the scene
Why: Understand what caused the event
How: look for more information about what happened

3. Techniques for developing curiosity
Learn to role-play
Put yourself in the role of the reader
What makes the story important or interesting?
If you will be affected by the story, what do you want to know?

4. Put the sequence of events
Learn to use timelines
Put the sequence of events
Start with the present, go back to the past and then to the future
What is happening now? In what order?

5. Techniques for developing curiosity
Be a detective
Imagine you are a detective…
What questions would you ask?
Let these questions center on what happened, motives, consequence and clues, if any…

6. Be Observant Observe and gather details using all senses
Use the show and tell technique
Visualize the scene in your mind

7. Where to get news ideas?
Basic news elements –proximity, prominence, etc.
Local or international newspapers
Other sources –people
Events in school or community

8. Where to get news ideas? BRAINSTORM
Discuss ideas for stories with other students and other people in the community
What topics would be of interest to the students of JUC?
Does anyone have an unusual course or event?
Is there a teacher, staff worth writing about?
Think of consumer stories – how to get the best books, where to get discount for school supplies
Think of topics a student like you might be interested in - good study habits, how to get a high GPA

9. Where to get news ideas? CHECK DATABASES
Check for angles or follow-up stories from clips or previous issues of the newsletter, magazines or newspapers.

10. MAP THE TOPIC Student Council Presentation When, where, who, etc.
Candidates’ slogans?
Election
Names

11. ASSUME OTHER POINTS OF VIEWS
Take an issue and discover how other people might think about it
OBSERVE
Look at announcements in the campus, city…
Are there new things, new buildings, equipments worth telling the readers about?
Is there a new event or program that makes you curious?

12. TALK TO PEOPLE Ask your friends what interests them
Listen to conversations at the cafeteria to find out about what students find interesting

13. CHECK DIRECTORIES READ LOCAL NEWSPAPERS READ ADVERTISEMENTS
JUC has a directory which lists different departments, personnel.
Do any of the departments, staff seem newsworthy?
READ LOCAL NEWSPAPERS
READ ADVERTISEMENTS

14. Where to get news ideas? LOCALIZE NATIONAL NEWS SEEK PROFILES
Is there a national issue that affects your school or community?
SEEK PROFILES
Is there a person who is in the news because of her accomplishments or achievements

15. TRACK PROGRAM AND EVENTS
Holidays , events (Flower festival) can be use as topics of news (how to spent your spring break)
Contests to be held in school ike spelling bee, reading competition

16. REWRITE PRESS RELEASES
Announcements made by agencies, companies, etc. can be used as news.(Mobily gives 50% discount on calls after 12 midnight)
FOLLOW ISSUES AND TREND
Are there problems on campus worth talking about? (cafeteria, cleanliness, bathroom breaks)

17. BE CURIOUS AND CONCERNED
THESE QUALITIES will lead you to GOOD STORIES