Week 9: Journalism Week 9: Journalism 2001 2001 March 26, 2007 March 26, 2007
Jan 12, 2016
Week 9: Journalism 2001Week 9: Journalism 2001March 26, 2007March 26, 2007
AnnouncementsAnnouncements
Feels like spring today!Feels like spring today!
Review of last week’s newsReview of last week’s news
Hard News:Hard News:(murders, city council, government, etc.)(murders, city council, government, etc.)– Major local storiesMajor local stories– Major national/international storiesMajor national/international stories– Major sports storiesMajor sports stories
Soft News:Soft News:(retirements, school programs, human interest)(retirements, school programs, human interest)– Local storiesLocal stories– National/international storiesNational/international stories– Sports storiesSports stories
Upcoming storiesUpcoming stories
Sports Reporting AssignmentSports Reporting Assignment– Final article due: March 26Final article due: March 26
Speech/news conference/multicultural Speech/news conference/multicultural reporting assignmentreporting assignment– Final article due: April 9Final article due: April 9
Feature Story AssignmentFeature Story Assignment– Story pitch due: April 4Story pitch due: April 4– First draft due: April 16First draft due: April 16– Final article due: April 23Final article due: April 23
Review of Hard News 2Review of Hard News 2
Overall good job!Overall good job! Good use of quotesGood use of quotes Avoid opinionAvoid opinion Need names of sources, attributionNeed names of sources, attribution Beware of chronological storiesBeware of chronological stories
– Focus on The News: What happened in leadFocus on The News: What happened in lead Attribution strongest after quoteAttribution strongest after quote Style errors:Style errors:
– Dates, months, toward, City of Duluth, Dates, months, toward, City of Duluth, numerals, spelling errors, City Hallnumerals, spelling errors, City Hall
St. Louis County Board of Commissioners voted to St. Louis County Board of Commissioners voted to research ways to ensure a future train connecting research ways to ensure a future train connecting Duluth to the Twin Cities would be both Duluth to the Twin Cities would be both comfortable and time-efficient for the public.comfortable and time-efficient for the public.
The Waconia board of education voted 5-2 on The Waconia board of education voted 5-2 on Monday night in a meeting to approve a two-year Monday night in a meeting to approve a two-year contract extension with Supt. Jerry Kjergaard.contract extension with Supt. Jerry Kjergaard.
The St. Louis County Board decided Tuesday to The St. Louis County Board decided Tuesday to table the proposed smoking ordinance back to the table the proposed smoking ordinance back to the committee stage to correct language and set dates committee stage to correct language and set dates for several public hearings to follow.for several public hearings to follow.
The Duluth Commission on Disabilities met The Duluth Commission on Disabilities met Wednesday for their monthly session with a new Wednesday for their monthly session with a new face at the table to discuss nomination requests, face at the table to discuss nomination requests, accessibility issues and committee reports.accessibility issues and committee reports.
Which is the correct way to Which is the correct way to punctuate a quote?punctuate a quote?
“Bla
h bla
h bla
h,” h
e s.
..
“Bla
h bla
h bla
h”, h
e s.
..
“Bla
h bla
h bla
h” he
sai
d.
60%
20%20%
1.1. ““Blah blah Blah blah blah,” he said.blah,” he said.
2.2. ““Blah blah Blah blah blah”, he said.blah”, he said.
3.3. ““Blah blah Blah blah blah” he said.blah” he said.
Which is the correct Which is the correct dateline?dateline?
SUPERIO
R, WI.
-
Super
ior,
WI -
SUPERIO
R, Wis
. -
44%
24%
32%1.1. SUPERIOR, WI. -SUPERIOR, WI. -
2.2. Superior, WI -Superior, WI -
3.3. SUPERIOR, Wis. SUPERIOR, Wis. --
The meeting is at _______.The meeting is at _______.
1.1. 7 pm7 pm
2.2. 7 p.m.7 p.m.
3.3. 7 P.M.7 P.M.
The meeting was in Duluth The meeting was in Duluth _____._____.
City H
all
City h
all
city
hal
l
33% 33%33%1.1. City HallCity Hall
2.2. City hallCity hall
3.3. city hallcity hall
The meeting was held The meeting was held _______._______.
Mar
. 30
30-M
ar
30-M
ar
33% 33%33%
1.1. Mar. 30Mar. 30
2.2. March 30March 30
3.3. 30 March30 March
She lives in __________.She lives in __________.
Cook,
MN.
Cook,
Min
n.
Cook,
Min
nesota
33% 33%33%
1.1. Cook, MN.Cook, MN.
2.2. Cook, Minn.Cook, Minn.
3.3. Cook, Cook, MinnesotaMinnesota
________ Jane Doe was charged ________ Jane Doe was charged with burglary.with burglary.
30-
year
-old
Thirt
y-ye
ar-o
ld
30 y
ear o
ld
33% 33%33%
1.1. 30-year-old30-year-old
2.2. Thirty-year-Thirty-year-oldold
3.3. 30 year old30 year old
The victory was number ______ The victory was number ______ for the coach.for the coach.
400
four h
undred
four h
undred
(300
)
33% 33%33%
1.1. 400400
2.2. four hundredfour hundred
3.3. four hundred four hundred (300)(300)
The new house is located at The new house is located at _____._____.
505
North
8th
Ave
. W.
505
N. 8th
Ave
. W.
505
North
8th
Ave
nu...
33% 33%33%
1.1. 505 N. Eighth Ave. W.505 N. Eighth Ave. W.
2.2. 505 N. 8th Ave. W.505 N. 8th Ave. W.
3.3. 505 North 8th 505 North 8th Avenue WestAvenue West
Chapter 9: FeaturesChapter 9: Features
Hard news vs. soft newsHard news vs. soft news– Hard news: breaking storiesHard news: breaking stories– Soft news: looking at people, places and Soft news: looking at people, places and
things that shape the world, nation, things that shape the world, nation, communitycommunity
Feature stories often soft newsFeature stories often soft news No firm line between news No firm line between news
story/feature storystory/feature story– Many news events “featurized”Many news events “featurized”
What are feature stories?What are feature stories? Profile people who made the newsProfile people who made the news Explain events that moved or shook the newsExplain events that moved or shook the news Analyze what is happening in the world, Analyze what is happening in the world,
nation or communitynation or community Teach an audience how to do somethingTeach an audience how to do something Suggest better ways to live in a complicated Suggest better ways to live in a complicated
worldworld Examine trends in constantly changing Examine trends in constantly changing
societiessocieties Take people someplace or let them see Take people someplace or let them see
something newsomething new Entertain or humor an audienceEntertain or humor an audience
Watch out for “Jell-O Watch out for “Jell-O Journalism”Journalism”
Some editors decry emphasis on soft Some editors decry emphasis on soft writingwriting
If news story, give it a summary leadIf news story, give it a summary lead– Don’t make reader work to get to the Don’t make reader work to get to the
newsnews
Types of feature storiesTypes of feature stories
Personality profilesPersonality profiles– Bring audience closer to a personBring audience closer to a person– Paint vivid picture of the personPaint vivid picture of the person
Interviews, observations, creative writingInterviews, observations, creative writing
– One of the most popular featuresOne of the most popular features– BuckBuck
Human interest storyHuman interest story– Show a subject’s oddity, or its practical, Show a subject’s oddity, or its practical,
emotional or entertainment valueemotional or entertainment value– Travel writingTravel writing
Trend storiesTrend stories– Examines people, things or Examines people, things or
organizations that are having an impact organizations that are having an impact on societyon society
In-depth storiesIn-depth stories– Detailed account beyond a basic news Detailed account beyond a basic news
story or featurestory or feature– Lengthy news featureLengthy news feature– Investigative storyInvestigative story
Backgrounder/analysis pieceBackgrounder/analysis piece– Adds meaning to current issues in the Adds meaning to current issues in the
news by providing more explanationnews by providing more explanation
Feature story examplesFeature story examples
Dartball a big hitDartball a big hit Whitewater rafting on the St. Louis Whitewater rafting on the St. Louis
RiverRiver Higher education in Duluth SuperiorHigher education in Duluth Superior UMD Alumni StoryUMD Alumni Story Buck profileBuck profile Sunday’s Duluth News-TribuneSunday’s Duluth News-Tribune
– Sam Cook articles on Global Warming 101 Sam Cook articles on Global Warming 101 ExpeditionExpedition
Let’s brainstorm some Let’s brainstorm some ideas!ideas!
Organizing a feature storyOrganizing a feature story
Choose the themeChoose the theme– Do research, organize story around Do research, organize story around
themetheme– Each section – beginning, body, end – Each section – beginning, body, end –
revolve around themerevolve around theme– Narrow your themeNarrow your theme
Has the story been done before?Has the story been done before? The audienceThe audience Holding powerHolding power WorthinessWorthiness
Write the leadWrite the lead– Usually avoid summary leadsUsually avoid summary leads
Tough to summarize feature in opening Tough to summarize feature in opening paragraphparagraph
– Lead possibilities endless:Lead possibilities endless: Narrative, contract, staccato, direct address, etc.Narrative, contract, staccato, direct address, etc.
– Lead block: two or more paragraphsLead block: two or more paragraphs Write the bodyWrite the body
– Vital information while educating, Vital information while educating, entertaining and emotionally tying reader to entertaining and emotionally tying reader to the subjectthe subject
Provide background informationProvide background information
Use a threadUse a thread– Can be single person, event or thing Can be single person, event or thing
that highlights theme of the storythat highlights theme of the story Use transitionsUse transitions
– Transitions hold paragraphs together Transitions hold paragraphs together and helps writers move from one person and helps writers move from one person or area to the nextor area to the next
– Common transition words: meanwhile, Common transition words: meanwhile, therefore, sometimes, also, and, but, therefore, sometimes, also, and, but, meantime, nevertheless, howevermeantime, nevertheless, however
Use dialogueUse dialogue– Keeps readers attached to a story’s key playersKeeps readers attached to a story’s key players– Helps to introduce sourcesHelps to introduce sources
Use voiceUse voice– Subjective expression of writerSubjective expression of writer– Writer’s signature or personal styleWriter’s signature or personal style– More license to reveal opinions, personalityMore license to reveal opinions, personality
Write the endingWrite the ending– Can trail off, or end with a climaxCan trail off, or end with a climax– Often ends where the lead startedOften ends where the lead started– End with a quoteEnd with a quote
Rewriting and collaborationRewriting and collaboration
First draft rarely makes it into printFirst draft rarely makes it into print Editor, reporter brainstorm ideasEditor, reporter brainstorm ideas Develop clear, narrow angleDevelop clear, narrow angle Impact sources:Impact sources:
– Real people who bring stories to lifeReal people who bring stories to life
Checklist for effective Checklist for effective featuresfeatures
Know how to write newsKnow how to write news Do your homeworkDo your homework Use observationUse observation Use a tape recorderUse a tape recorder Do not be afraid to ask questionsDo not be afraid to ask questions Maintain a relationship with every Maintain a relationship with every
sourcesource Transcribe handwritten notes as soon Transcribe handwritten notes as soon
as possibleas possible
Write a rough outline firstWrite a rough outline first Do not overwriteDo not overwrite
– Use lots of quotes!Use lots of quotes! Polish the storyPolish the story Take criticism from an editorTake criticism from an editor
Feature story assignmentFeature story assignment
Story Pitch Due: April 4Story Pitch Due: April 4– No more than three paragraphs, 200 No more than three paragraphs, 200
wordswords– Include 5Ws and HInclude 5Ws and H– Possible sourcesPossible sources– Story angleStory angle– Email to: Email to: [email protected]@d.umn.edu
First draft due: April 16First draft due: April 16 Final story due: April 23Final story due: April 23
Out-of-Class AssignmentsOut-of-Class Assignments
Due today:Due today:– Computer Assisted Reporting Computer Assisted Reporting
AssignmentAssignment Due April 2:Due April 2:
– News Release rewritesNews Release rewrites
Tonight’s assignmentTonight’s assignment City Council MeetingCity Council Meeting
– We’re going to watch the Duluth City We’re going to watch the Duluth City Council meeting from last Monday nightCouncil meeting from last Monday night
– Complete an article in class:Complete an article in class: email by end of class to [email protected] by end of class to [email protected] 350-400 words max350-400 words max
– OK to use computer to take notesOK to use computer to take notes– Relax! All start with 10 pointsRelax! All start with 10 points
Style errors will be deducted!Style errors will be deducted!– Who’s on the City Council:Who’s on the City Council:
http://http://www.ci.duluth.mn.us/city/council/ccmembers.htmlwww.ci.duluth.mn.us/city/council/ccmembers.html
PortfolioPortfolio
Store academic information on your Store academic information on your Electronic Portfolio. Each student has Electronic Portfolio. Each student has 100 mb of storage.100 mb of storage.
Access Electronic Portfolio at: Access Electronic Portfolio at: https://https://portfolio.umn.edu/portfolio/index.jspportfolio.umn.edu/portfolio/index.jsp
EgradebookEgradebook
Doublecheck assignments correct in Doublecheck assignments correct in egradebook:egradebook:– http://www.d.umn.edu/egradebookhttp://www.d.umn.edu/egradebook
Late Assignments:Late Assignments:
If you haven’t made arrangements to If you haven’t made arrangements to complete late assignments, you complete late assignments, you receive no points.receive no points.