1. lcome to the world of urnalism, where porters have been gging dirt, raking muck, king headlines and adlines for centuries w. It’s a history full of bloid trash, of slimy nsationalists, of runkards, deadbeats and mmers” (as a Harvard iversity president once scribed reporters). But it’s a history full of roes, too: men and men risking their lives tell stories of war and agedy, risking prisonment to defend ee speech. And as you n see here, reports have come beloved characters p culture, too, turning up movies, comics and TV ows as if guided by an cult hand. Every culture seeks effective ways to spread new information and gossip. In ancient times, news was written on clay tablets. In Caesar’s age, Romans read newsletters compiled by correspondents and handwritten by slaves. Wandering minstrels spread news (and the plague) in the Middle Ages. Them came ink on paper. Voices on airwaves. Newsreels, Web sites, And 24-hour cable news networks. Thus when scholars analyze the rich history of journalism, some view it in terms of technological progress—for example, the dramatic impact of bigger, faster printing presses. Others see journalism as a specialized form literary expression, one that’s constantly evolving, reflecting and shaping its culture. Others see it as an inspiring quest for free speech, an endless power struggle between Authority (trying to control information) and the People (trying to learn the truth). Which brings to mind the words of A.J. Liefling: “Freedom of the press is guaranteed only to htose who own one.” In the pages ahead, we’ll take a quick tour of 600 years of journalism history, from hieroglyphics to hypertext: the media, the message and the politics. Technical advances and brilliant ideas forged a new style of journalism. It was a century of change, and newspapers changed dramatically. The typi newspaper of 1800 wa undisciplined mishma legislative proceeding long-winded essays a secondhand gossip. B 1900, a new breed of tor had emerged. Jour had become big busin Reporting was becom disciplined craft. And newspapers were bec more entertaining and essential than ever, w most of the features w expect today: Snappy headlines, Ads, Comic Sports pages. And an “inverted pyramid” sty writing that made stori tighter and newsier. Radio and television brought an end to newspapers’ media monopoly. Why? Well yourself: Which did yo Inside Reporting Tim Harrower Beyond breaking news 6 McGraw-Hill © 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

2. McGraw-Hill Slide 2 © 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. The world of features  News stories focus on timely, public events.  Features are more personal. Include topics, treatments, styles not found in news. Personalizing the news with stories Features explore a variety of topics Lifestyles Health Science and technology Entertainment Food Homes and gardens

3. McGraw-Hill Slide 3 © 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. The world of features  Personality profile  Human-interest story  Color story  Backgrounder  Trend story Popular feature stories 10  Reaction piece  Flashback  How-to  Consumer guide  Personal narrative

4. McGraw-Hill Slide 4 © 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Generating story ideas “Hard” news, “soft” news  Relative terms that describe topic and treatment of story. Expect serious, timely events to be written in inverted-pyramid style. Items that are less urgent or somber make up “soft” news.

5. McGraw-Hill Slide 5 © 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Generating story ideas Great stories are waiting discovery  Publication’s archives  Competitors  TV, magazines, newspapers, Web sites  News releases  Reader suggestions  Brainstorming

6. McGraw-Hill Slide 6 © 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Generating story ideas Is it a good one?  Where did it come from?  Is it original?  Did it surprise you?  Does the idea have movement?  Is there a STORY there?  Is there tension?  Is it true?  Do you like the story?

7. McGraw-Hill Slide 7 © 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Generating story ideas Turn your idea into a story  See if it’s been done.  Focus your angle.  Talk to your editor.  Do your research.  Plan the package.  Write the story.

8. McGraw-Hill Slide 8 © 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Feature style Some stories require a livelier, looser, more literary voice  Tom Wolfe dubbed it “New Journalism.” Realistic dialogue. Vivid reconstruction of scenes. Viewed through the eyes of the characters. Recording everyday details.

9. McGraw-Hill Slide 9 © 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Feature style Successful feature writers rely on literary techniques  Syntax & phrasing  Voice & tense  Detail & description  Dramatic techniques

10. McGraw-Hill Slide 10 © 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Feature style Successful feature writers…  Helpful tips Write tightly. Vary sentence structure. Match treatment to topic. Don’t overdo. Avoid 1 st person. Stay objective. Learn shorthand or use a tape recorder. Remember editors have strong opinions. Read.

11. McGraw-Hill Slide 11 © 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Feature story structures Standard story structures  How long should this story be?  What key points do I need to make?  Think visually.  Think package.

12. McGraw-Hill Slide 12 © 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Writing profiles Good profiles reveal feelings, attitudes, habits and mannerisms  How to research and write successful profiles Solicit your subject’s support. Interview and observe. Find your focus. Follow up with interviews and research. Structure your story.

13. McGraw-Hill Slide 13 © 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Writing profiles Sample story structures for profiles  Anecdotal lead Engaging, revealing small story to lure readers in  Nut graf Summarizes why this person matters now  Scene #1 Observe subject in action using dialog, details, descriptions  Chronology Recap of subject’s past

14. McGraw-Hill Slide 14 © 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Writing profiles Sample story structures…  Scene #2 Another look at the subject in action  What lies ahead Plans, dreams, goals and obstacles  Closing quote

15. McGraw-Hill Slide 15 © 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Writing profiles 1.Capture details. 2.Re-create scenes. 3.Add quotes and dialogue. Ways to paint a better portrait 3

16. McGraw-Hill Slide 16 © 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Enterprise projects  Finding the time Work with your editors. Make lists. Prioritize. Devote time each day. Keep the project organized. Don’t overwork. Enterprise stories explore Why, How, and What Happens Next

17. McGraw-Hill Slide 17 © 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Enterprise projects  Start with thesis.  Do your research.  Report. Report. Report. Doing the reporting  Control the material.  Look for universal connections.

18. McGraw-Hill Slide 18 © 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Enterprise projects  Keep a running list of questions and things to do.  Talk to your editor every day. Doing the reporting  Cooperate with photographers, designers, graphics staff.

19. McGraw-Hill Slide 19 © 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Enterprise projects  Write from the first.  Write after each interview. Writing the story  Rewrite each time.  Plan your ending.  Save often, print frequently.

20. McGraw-Hill Slide 20 © 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Enterprise projects  Don’t be afraid of the edit. Writing the story  Seek outside input.  Enjoy the process.

21. McGraw-Hill Slide 21 © 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Investigative reporting Investigation is the work of the reporter. Subject involves something of importance to readers. Others are attempting to hide these matters from public. Proud tradition may be in decline Digging up dirt Be skeptical… …but remain objective. Focus tightly. Cast a wide net. Keep your nose clean. Work the Web.

22. McGraw-Hill Slide 22 © 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Package planning  Photocopy page 127.  Summarize story idea in 25 words or less.  Answer questions readers will ask. Using the package-planning form  Specify photos or illustrations.  Write headline/deck.  Set staff, deadlines, lengths.  Create rough layout.

23. McGraw-Hill Slide 23 © 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Short-form alternatives  Fast-facts box  Bio box  Checklist  List  Step-by-step guide To reach readers, condense the data  Quiz  Factual index  Diagram  Quote collection  Timeline

24. McGraw-Hill Slide 24 © 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Writing editorials and columns  Editorial – usually from 300 to 500 words; comments on current events; appears to express the opinion of the paper Editorials and columns provide personality and passion to a paper  Editorial cartoon – combines art and commentary of current events  Column – signed opinion

25. McGraw-Hill Slide 25 © 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Writing editorials and columns  Topical commentary Reaction to events  Personal meditations Personal life  Slice of life Storyteller Columns: The options are endless Advice for columnists Develop a distinctive voice. Do your own reporting. Choose worthy topics. Avoid jumping on bandwagons. Always have a backup.

26. McGraw-Hill Slide 26 © 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Writing editorials and columns  Column logos  Different headline font  Initial cap How do readers recognize this story is an opinion column?

27. McGraw-Hill Slide 27 © 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Writing reviews  Criticism – study, evaluation and interpretation of the arts For reader-friendly reviews, create a fact box. Readers depend on critics for advice

28. McGraw-Hill Slide 28 © 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Writing reviews  Structure your reviews.  Balance reporting and opinion.  Know your stuff.  Be aware of biases.  Don’t be pompous.  Don’t be cruel. How to write criticisms

29. McGraw-Hill Slide 29 © 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Writing reviews  Other Don'ts Don’t reveal plot twists or story endings. Don’t add unnecessary phrases. Avoid vague adjectives. How to write criticisms Don’t be negative of amateur or childrens plays. Don’t get personal. Don’t take it personal.

30. McGraw-Hill Slide 30 © 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Writing reviews  Get to the point.  Add rating system.  Create fast-fact boxes for readers. Graphic extras