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: lkragnes@d.umn.edulkragnes@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 lkragnes@d.umn.eduemail by end of class to lkragnes@d.umn.edu 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.