Writing in Various Genres

Writing in Various Writing in Various GenresGenres

Steve Cox and Neil ProbstSteve Cox and Neil Probst

The Alpha ... An The Alpha ... An OverviewOverview

● ● The news release ... where it all The news release ... where it all starts.starts.

● ● Getting local coverage.Getting local coverage.

● ● Contribute feature articles to Contribute feature articles to CAP CAP VolunteerVolunteer..

● ● Various types of feature storiesVarious types of feature stories

● ● Electronic mediaElectronic media

● ● Social mediaSocial media

News releasesNews releases

• Your news release is the ideal starting point for your feature story.

• It needs to contain many of the elements your feature will include:

• Active voice

• The main news

• Additional facts

• Additional details

Questions?

Types of StoriesTypes of Stories

• Hard News Feature

• A Feature Story Based on a News Event That Occurs

Success storiesSuccess stories

• Every wing has them.

• A cadet becomes a governor, then senator.

Novel approachesNovel approaches

• When a high-profile author includes CAP in his novel, that’s a great story.

• In this instance, author Dale Brown included CAP cadets in his drama.

Customer takes rideCustomer takes ride

• Anytime the customer rides along, you’ve got a good story.

• Here you add the added bonus of a really neat rare-bird tracking angle.

Multi-state effortsMulti-state efforts

• Anytime more than one wing is involved, you’ve got a story.

• Yes, you won’t always have a famous aviator go missing, but part of the draw there as well was the many wings that teamed up.

When Cadets Save When Cadets Save LivesLives

• The three cadets pictured saved the life of a Canadian woman involved in a motorcycle accident.

• Keep in eye on the efforts of your cadets; there’s hardly more positive news than they provide.

The story itselfThe story itself

• Pre-reporting (get to know your interviewees before you speak to them)

• Saves time

• Avoid “stupid” questions

• Make deadline

TechnologyTechnology

• Digital camera (Document the mission with photos of aircrew, customer, members in action)

• Digital recorder (excellent for interviews)

Multiple SourcesMultiple Sources

• Accuracy

• Fairness

• Give a true reflection of how special people are.

• Better, more comprehensive viewpoint

• No feelings hurt, especially when more than one wing involved

To Quote or Not to To Quote or Not to QuoteQuote

• Careful not to overuse

• Keep brief

• Use for drama, not for stating facts.

““Real” PeopleReal” People

• Media’s way of saying interview those on the front lines, not just wing commanders and other high-level players.

• Often cadets are your best source for a fresh, positive voice.

Be a ResearcherBe a Researcher

• Additional sources for stories include online news media.

• Add context, flavor to stories.

• Details from news agencies show the larger picture of which CAP takes part.

Keep Eyes on the PrizeKeep Eyes on the Prize

• After your news release and submission to CAP News Online and/or the Volunteer, focus extra attention on local and national media.

• This is your best avenue for telling the CAP story to an audience that may not know us.

• In the process you’ll likely build a connection with local media that will last for many years.

The HarvestThe Harvest

CAP plane in Denver Post that spotted lost hikers

Steamboat Pilot & Today illustrates flooding story with CAP aerials

Montrose Daily Press carries full story on SAREX

Blog Blog — The New Wave— The New Wave

IACE takes cadets to Singapore. Their trip is documented at blog: http://iacesingapore.wordpress.com/

WHY BLOG??

• Relaxed format

• Can pack oodles of copy and photos in.

• Additional element to story; for instance, you could write a feature story on IACE and include a blog link for those who want to enjoy particular experiences of cadets in different countries.

Electronic MediaElectronic Media

NUMEROUS POSSIBILITIES

• Wing web sites

• Video productions

• Multimedia and slide presentations

Keep in touch

Reach Steve at scox@capnhq.gov.

Reach Neil at nprobst@capnhq.gov.

Thank you. We look forward to helping you in any way we can.