“Citizens Serving Communities” Writing Worth Reading Neil Probst.

“Citizens Serving Communities”

Writing Worth ReadingWriting Worth Reading

Neil ProbstNeil Probst


The big ideaThe big idea

Your bylineYour byline NHQ loves telling your storiesNHQ loves telling your stories Of course, you’re welcome to tell them yourselfOf course, you’re welcome to tell them yourself Contribute feature articles to Contribute feature articles to CAP VolunteerCAP Volunteer


To Teach and Entertain To Teach and Entertain

What does a guy named Horace have to What does a guy named Horace have to do with your writing?do with your writing? Roman poetRoman poet Writing should teach and entertain, according to Writing should teach and entertain, according to

HoraceHorace Good advice for our own writing: We should “teach” Good advice for our own writing: We should “teach”

something new by presenting new information the something new by presenting new information the reader doesn’t have, and we should “entertain” by reader doesn’t have, and we should “entertain” by writing prose that awakens, rather than deadens, the writing prose that awakens, rather than deadens, the reader. Don’t want anyone to die during this process, reader. Don’t want anyone to die during this process, you know.you know.


Success IngredientsSuccess Ingredients

This lab covers:This lab covers: Writing a strong leadWriting a strong lead Providing basic informationProviding basic information Including color and interactionIncluding color and interaction Fact checkingFact checking Using multiple sourcesUsing multiple sources And more ...And more ...


The leadThe lead

Generally the first paragraphGenerally the first paragraph Tells what story is aboutTells what story is about Encourages continued readingEncourages continued reading Tells who, what, when, where, whyTells who, what, when, where, why


Lame leadLame lead

Be careful not to be lame (story below from Be careful not to be lame (story below from Montgomery AdvertiserMontgomery Advertiser))

Despite thermometer readings in recent weeks, today is the first Despite thermometer readings in recent weeks, today is the first day of summer, and it will be a long, hot one.day of summer, and it will be a long, hot one.

Today is also the longest day of the year, with sunrise at Today is also the longest day of the year, with sunrise at 5:39 a.m. and sunset at 7:55 p.m.5:39 a.m. and sunset at 7:55 p.m.

The seasonal outlook can best be described as “nasty,” The seasonal outlook can best be described as “nasty,” said Angel Montanez, a meteorologist with the National Weather said Angel Montanez, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Birmingham. Ala.Service in Birmingham. Ala.

““There are equal chances of rain and dry weather,” he said. There are equal chances of rain and dry weather,” he said. “But the forecast calls for temperatures to be higher than normal.”“But the forecast calls for temperatures to be higher than normal.”


Critical elements Critical elements

The difference in the story being read or The difference in the story being read or used as fireplace woodused as fireplace wood News (who, what, when, where, why) but alsoNews (who, what, when, where, why) but also Interaction (human element)Interaction (human element) ColorColor


News News

Who, what, when, where Who, what, when, where It’s critical to give the basics, such as who is involved. Is it the Utah It’s critical to give the basics, such as who is involved. Is it the Utah

Wing or California? Is it cadets or officers?Wing or California? Is it cadets or officers? What: What is happening? Was there a fire? Did a wing get a save What: What is happening? Was there a fire? Did a wing get a save

for a search mission? You must have a primary news element.for a search mission? You must have a primary news element. When: Recently, two weeks ago, a year ago. A time element can When: Recently, two weeks ago, a year ago. A time element can

boost the credibility of a story.boost the credibility of a story. Where: In Mexico? In a small town outside Orlando?Where: In Mexico? In a small town outside Orlando?

Importance: Facts that can be verified by the reader make it more Importance: Facts that can be verified by the reader make it more like fact rather than fictionlike fact rather than fiction


Interaction Interaction

Talk to people Talk to people Interview at least five. Even if they aren’t in the story, you Interview at least five. Even if they aren’t in the story, you

are fact checking to make sure everyone’s version of the are fact checking to make sure everyone’s version of the events is essentially the same.events is essentially the same.

You’re developing a relationship that may bear future You’re developing a relationship that may bear future fruitfruit

You’re getting quotes to add flavor to your report. If a You’re getting quotes to add flavor to your report. If a member is at the fire, tornado or hurricane, this is where member is at the fire, tornado or hurricane, this is where you get your “The houses were flattened like toothpicks” you get your “The houses were flattened like toothpicks” quote.quote.


Color Color

Paint a picture Paint a picture My favorite part. This is where you can have some fun.My favorite part. This is where you can have some fun. Color lends itself well to feature articles. It’s the mention Color lends itself well to feature articles. It’s the mention

of trees, weather conditions, activity near an event.of trees, weather conditions, activity near an event. ““snowy hills,” “Cessnas buzzed above the search site,” snowy hills,” “Cessnas buzzed above the search site,”

“geese swarmed the Chesapeake”“geese swarmed the Chesapeake”


Get Everyone Involved Get Everyone Involved

Highlight cadets and officersHighlight cadets and officers Let cadets and officers offer insights for storiesLet cadets and officers offer insights for stories Ensures that the story is balanced and reflects the Ensures that the story is balanced and reflects the

teamwork in CAPteamwork in CAP


Sources Vital Sources Vital

The difference between a story and a The difference between a story and a feature storyfeature story Anyone call tell a story, but if it’s just one person Anyone call tell a story, but if it’s just one person

telling the story, what if that single person is making telling the story, what if that single person is making up the informationup the information

Employ several sources in a story (news articles, Employ several sources in a story (news articles, Associated Press, other members of a mission) Associated Press, other members of a mission)


Fact Checking Fact Checking

Save yourself some embarrassmentSave yourself some embarrassment Get all parties involved in the story to review it and Get all parties involved in the story to review it and

suggest comments and correctionssuggest comments and corrections You don’t have to contact a ton of people to fact You don’t have to contact a ton of people to fact

check. You also can use other sources, especially the check. You also can use other sources, especially the Internet.Internet.


Buzz Us Buzz Us

Your story ideas are more than welcome!Your story ideas are more than welcome! Neil ProbstNeil Probst (334) 953-7672 or [email protected] (334) 953-7672 or [email protected]

“Citizens Serving Communities” Writing Worth Reading Neil Probst.

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