2. Rockin’ the Interview Go to the best source with the most reliable info (expert).

3. How many people should I talk to?  For most stories, interview at least THREE people.  For features or spotlights, one person is fine.

4. Before the interview 1.Research the person and topic 2.Prepare your questions

5. How do I prepare good questions?  No “yes/no” answer questions  Ask open ended questions  No –est questions (best part, biggest worry, greatest accomplishment, etc.)  Guideline: What is your goal? What are your obstacles? How will you overcome obstacles? How did _______ begin?

6. At the interview  Identify yourself as a reporter for the school paper  Shake hands / make eye contact  Write down: Exact spelling of name (first & last) Job title / Grade level Number of years in position

7. Show interest  Nod your head  Say: “Interesting.” “Hmmmm.” Laugh at jokes  Ask questions not necessarily on your list

8. Getting the deets  Use phone to record interview  Take really good notes Write all important details down Get several direct quotes for the interview story

9. Today:  Finish Interview Questions  Complete interview  Write the interview story

10. Writing the interview story  Write the lead  All the best material Includes most of the who, what, when, where, why & how

11. Follow the inverted pyramid  Continue to layer facts about the topic with quotes from the people interviewed

12. Write the headline  No a, an, the  Written in present tense Girls basketball wins regional title  Only punctuation used:, ‘’ ;  Semi-colon used when a period is appropriate Principal installs security cameras; Students protest  Avoid forms of “To Be” (am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been, have, has, had)  Use lower case caps except for: First letter of first word & proper nouns

13. Tricks of the Trade  Because headline space is limited: Committee  Panel Relative  Kin Explosion  Blast Reduction  Cuts Resigns  Quits Selected  Named

14. Tricks of the Trade  Alliteration sometimes okay: Valley vouchers void Bartered books bring big bundle Teachers tests trigger trauma  Puns are sometimes nice: Three booked in library dispute Phone users have many hang-ups Boys baseball hits homerun

15. Writing the sports story  Know about the sport  research and read up on it  Get to know coaches and players  how they feel, what they think of the opposition, how they view the big event  Don’t ignore minor sports or freshman or JV teams

16. Sports features  About sports topics New technology/equipment (new dugouts, helmets) Personality profiles (athletes, coaches, AD) Training regimens Info on opposing team

17. Things to include:  Past years’ scores against teams  Condition of athletes (injuries)  Key athletes in starting line up  Comments on style of play  History of rivalry  Info on band, halftime shows, cheerleaders, pep rallies, etc.

18. At the game  Sit in press box (if football)  Take detailed notes of events  Watch the sidelines, officials & spectators  You are not there to hangout or cheer

19. Deets to include:  Sport  Whether boys’ or girls’  Freshman, junior-varsity or varsity  Score

20. More ideas:  Interviews with players  Descriptions of spectators’ actions during game  Historical perspective on the sport  Wrap-ups of the season  Explain confusing events that took place

21. The Editorial Page

22. Editorials can…  …Explain  things going on around VVHS  …Criticize  constructive and suggest solutions  …Lead  create change  …Praise  kudos  …Persuade  teachers, parents, students, admin

23. Parts of the editorial: 1.Intro: brief background/history 2.Reaction: explain your position 3.Details: give support for your position/acknowledge other views, but say why yours is better 4.Conclusion: recommend solutions, alternatives, direction & restate position

24. Other components of the Editorial Page  Opinion polls  Letters to editor (written by other students)  Diverse viewpoints  Profile column  Fashion/fads  Club column  Reviews  Advice Columns  Random opinions (student body)

25. Profile Columns  On a person of note (athlete, artist, student, actor, teacher, coach)  Includes her or his: Views on current topics Likes/dislikes Plans for future Activities Community contributions

26. Writing a Review  How is it similar to &/or different from other products/places?  Did it meet your expectations?  What are the strengths and weaknesses? Ideas: products, restaurants, transportation, hobbies, clothing, technology, colleges, etc.

27. Performances  Acting  Sets  Dialogue  Lighting  Sound  Direction Ideas: plays, concerts, movies, videos, etc.

28. Advertising 101

29. Steps to sell an ad 1.Make a list of prospective advertisers 2.Give “Marketing Survey” to student body See pp. 412-413 3.Create “Rate Card” with contact info 4.Prepare “Pitch” Include info from survey Figure out how much per student it will cost prospective advertisers

30. Advertising  Establish partners  Open your district email  Click “Compose Email”