1. Feature and Magazine Writing Chapter 6

2. Long outline Let a week pass if you have the time Let a week pass if you have the time “When you’re embroiled in the reporting, everything seems important. Some facts you have worked so hard to get, you just can’t bear to give them up. When you research intensely, every little detail seems important. But if you give yourself distance, the truly important ones stand out.” “When you’re embroiled in the reporting, everything seems important. Some facts you have worked so hard to get, you just can’t bear to give them up. When you research intensely, every little detail seems important. But if you give yourself distance, the truly important ones stand out.”

3. Story structure Chronological: tells a story from beginning to end Chronological: tells a story from beginning to end Flashback and flash-forward is acceptable Flashback and flash-forward is acceptable Least-to-most important: opposite of the news story’s inverted pyramid, which -- after a lead -- presents the most important information first Least-to-most important: opposite of the news story’s inverted pyramid, which -- after a lead -- presents the most important information first Moves the subject from the simple to the complex Moves the subject from the simple to the complex May or may not present the information chronologically May or may not present the information chronologically

4. Story structure … Problem and solution: subdivides the issues, provides answers, moves on to the big answer Problem and solution: subdivides the issues, provides answers, moves on to the big answer Often begins with one or more anecdotes or examples of problems, then moves to solutions to those problems Often begins with one or more anecdotes or examples of problems, then moves to solutions to those problems Catalog: Essentially a list, classified and explained Catalog: Essentially a list, classified and explained Repetitive structure: Introduces a concept and hammers away at it until the point is made Repetitive structure: Introduces a concept and hammers away at it until the point is made Reinforces concept with anecdotes and quotations Reinforces concept with anecdotes and quotations Combination of the above Combination of the above

5. Writing the lead Delayed lead: Withholds (for a few paragraphs) identification of the person, group, place, or event that is central to the story Delayed lead: Withholds (for a few paragraphs) identification of the person, group, place, or event that is central to the story Descriptive lead: Paints a word portrait of a person, group, place, or event (page 189) Descriptive lead: Paints a word portrait of a person, group, place, or event (page 189) Called situation lead if a scene is set or an atmosphere is created Called situation lead if a scene is set or an atmosphere is created Each segment begins with a different person’s point of view, then is developed chronologically from material Each segment begins with a different person’s point of view, then is developed chronologically from material

6. Leads …  Direct address lead: Usually uses or implies the second person, “you,” is designed to involved the reader in the story without introducing the writer  Expression lead: Has many variations. May mimic words from several fields (movies etc)  First-person lead: Something personal and extraordinary  Diary lead: uses first person in a telegraphic style

7. Leads …  Freak lead: Rare. Definition, fragment, onomatopoeia, poetry, pun, script leads  Prediction lead: This lead ties a startling forecast to a reputable source  Question lead: Last resort. Lacks intrigue. Quotation lead: Indirect or direct quote, tied to some sort of description of the person speaking or the setting Quotation lead: Indirect or direct quote, tied to some sort of description of the person speaking or the setting

8. Leads … Relationship lead: Describes cause and effect, which explains how one event triggers another Relationship lead: Describes cause and effect, which explains how one event triggers another Surprise lead: Shocks the reader. Only when the reader reaches the transition to the body of the story, does the meaning of the lead become clear Surprise lead: Shocks the reader. Only when the reader reaches the transition to the body of the story, does the meaning of the lead become clear Summary lead: Sums up in a few sentences, or a few paragraphs, the essence of the story Summary lead: Sums up in a few sentences, or a few paragraphs, the essence of the story

9. Writing the body of the story Long paragraphs Long paragraphs Weak verbs Weak verbs Telling rather than showing Telling rather than showing Wordiness Wordiness Lack of anecdotes Lack of anecdotes Jargon Jargon Cliches Cliches

10. Writing the end of the story First paragraph First paragraph Last two paragraphs Last two paragraphs

11. Student critique Story structure Story structure Lead Lead Use of quotations Use of quotations Anecdotes, if necessary Anecdotes, if necessary Humor, if necessary Humor, if necessary Use of verbs Use of verbs Telling rather than showing Telling rather than showing Cliches, rather than originality Cliches, rather than originality