1. Updated March 2011

2.  Writer  Blogger  Videographer  Radio & TV Commentator  Webmaster

3.  Cover their team  Give fans inside access  Break news  Develop sources

4.  Capture the anticipation  Find a new angle  Remember the basics  Significance of the matchup  Key players, team records, rivalry, injuries

5.  Lead includes 5 w’s and key element  Nut paragraph  Body of story in chronological order  Avoid hometowning  Use action verbs and crisp, lively words

6.  Gives reader perspective  Measures performance  How is the writing style different?  Use of hyphenated modifiers  Metaphors, Similes and Alliterations

7.  Opinionated  Timely and relevant  Written in first person  Backed with facts  Conversational

8.  Action verbs, literary style  Sports jargon  Seven Steps to Error-Free Stories  Avoiding redundancies and clichés  Writing for Broadcast

9.  Primary sources – coaches, players, AD  Secondary sources – teammates, family, fans  Material sources – print publications  Behind-the-scene sources – boosters, ex- players, friends of the program

10.  Don’t burn your source  Verify the information  Try to find someone who will speak on-the- record

11.  What purpose do quotes serve?  What are direct quotes?  What kind of quotes should be paraphrased?  What is attribution? Best attributive verb?

12.  Handling tips from anonymous sources  Primary and secondary sources  What it means to be “off the record”  Blogs vs traditional print – how rules differ  Importance of accuracy

13.  How do you set up an interview?  How do you prepare for the interview?  What physical tools should you bring?  Why use open-ended questions?  Why avoid leading questions?  Key to asking follow-up questions?  Body language and environment?

16.  How blogs establish credibility  How Twitter/Facebook connect you to sources  What multi-media skills are needed for blogging?

18.  Role of a Sports Information Director  Difference between reporters and SIDs  What comprises a Media Guide?  Function of a News Release?  Organizing a news conference