it’s all about the story
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It’s All About the Story. Using digital tools to get it. Using digital tools. To help with reporting by Quickly learning about the topic and staying current Finding sources. Using digital tools. Gaining background for interviewing prep or writing Verifying information - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
It’s All About the Story
Using digital tools to get it
Using digital tools• To help with reporting by
–Quickly learning about the topic and staying current
–Finding sources
Using digital tools–Gaining background for interviewing prep
or writing–Verifying information –Developing story ideas
Using digital tools• To stay organized
–Keeping track of large amounts of information
–Need to have information at your fingertips at all times
Organization• To help with notes and file
management, these are two good options: Google docs and Dropbox
Organization• Both are on the cloud and share
attributes:–Good backup systems–Files are always accessible from any
computer (and phone) –Notes and documents are easily
searchable (terms within documents)–You can share with others
Organization• Social bookmarking sites
–Keep online documents organized and have quick access to them
–Offer a streamlined way to collaborate and share information – you don’t have to e-mail separate links
–Help with discovery by allowing you to search the bookmarks of others interested in the topic
Additional hints• Test drive some of the sites to find
one you like. • Make using it a habit• Nothing is more frustrating than
trying to recreate a search to find something you read on online
Additional hints• Using a common folder-naming
system across platforms is helpful–Bookmark tags–Word and Google doc folders–e-mail folders –Paper file folders
Learning about a topic and staying current• RSS readers help you quickly get
up to speed on a subject• It pushes information to you and is
a one-stop shop for–Blogs–Web sites–Searches–Twitter feeds
Rss Readers• Include the class blog in your feed,
too.• My bundle
Another option for staying current• Twitter – another automatic feed
that helps you to stay in the loop–You can follow sources, government
agencies, advocacy groups, fellow journalists
– It’s helpful to create a list so you can easily include that Twitter feed in your RSS reader.
Twitter lists to RSS• https://api.twitter.com/1/
<username>/lists/<list-name>/statuses.atom
Building your Twitter feed• When you follow someone, Twitter will
suggest others• You can add the followers of the
people you follow• You can follow the lists of others• Additional suggestions
Additional hints– Include information in your Twitter profile
about your beat and/or interests (most people you select to follow will follow you in turn)
RSS• How to keep up on Lincoln and UNL
events/news?
Additional hints• If you set aside some time each day
or each week to scroll through your reader, you’ll start to see trends, recognize experts and develop story ideas
Using digital tools• Getting all these tools in place may
take some time initially• But have a streamlined and
organized system will save far more time in the long run
• Digital tools links
The Art of Story Development
Journalism 350
Story Ideas and Development
Types of stories• Issues• Profiles• Trends• Breaking news• Reaction• Localization
How to cultivate ideas• “Nearly every good story idea
begins as a question.” – James B. Stewart in Follow The Story
• Be curious.
Talk to people• Who: Friends, classmates,
teachers, secretaries, people in lines, store clerks.
Talk to people• Questions: What’s on your mind?
What gets you mad? What would you change? What issues are you passionate about? What are you talking about today?
Where to get ideas?• Read everything you can. Read
stories with a critical eye. –How did the reporter develop the story?–Who did they interview? What’s another way
to tell that story?
Where to get ideas?• Eavesdrop – coffee houses,
restaurants, Union, elevators and Twitter.
• Change your route.• Monitor your RSS feed.
An example
An example
Twitter• Browse and search.
–#LNK–#UNL–#Huskers
• Follow the right people
Twitter• You have to spend time wading
through garbage but there are gems.
• #LNK :–Pet food bank–Entrepreneurial pitch night–How local moms are using the iPhone
Story idea?• from #UNL - Twitter Search by
majorsager (Sage)• I don't appreciate being kicked out
of a class after the first day because I was sick and emailed the professor. Thanks #UNL
Story idea?• Happy New Year, all! Time gets away
from me sometimes. Big news: #UNL is making the switch to Outlook. Here we go!
Story idea?• from Daily Nebraskan RSS • Financial Counseling Sessions • When: Thursday, Jan. 12, Tuesday,
Jan. 17, Wednesday, Jan. 18, Tuesday, Jan. 24, Thursday, Jan. 26 and Monday, Jan. 30 ...
Think creatively• Think about different approaches.
Potholes.• Whose point of view?• What is most interesting?• Who is most affected?
How to cultivate ideas• You need to spend quality quiet
time – off-the-grid time – thinking about ideas and how you’d develop them.
• Check time
Your assignment for next week• Get a fully loaded RSS reader up
and running.• Use it and other strategies to
develop three viable story ideas to live tweet.
• # # #
Finding the focus• Be specific.• Story ideas: Not the debt ceiling
legislation, but instead how the cuts created by it will affect student loans.
• Who did what?
Finding the focus• Use an outline.• Write a headline.• Tell the story in six words. Three
words.• How would you tell the story to your
Mom?
Questions to ask• What’s the news?• Who cares?• What’s the impact?• Has the story been done before?
Visualize your story• Devote some quality time to thinking about your
idea. Best to do so unplugged.• Imagine what the lede would be. Imagine where
the story goes from there.• Who would you need to interview or what
information would you need in order to write that lede?
• Who would you need to interview or what information gather in order to flesh out the story.
Getting the story• Do background research.• List possible sources.• List questions you’ll want answered.• Call sources to nail down the idea.
The story pitch• The heart of a written pitch is what
you think the story’s nut graph will be.
• The idea needs to be focused. To help you focus, try to distill it in three to five words.
The story pitch• Clearly state exactly what the story
is about and why it’s worth doing. • Clearly answer why readers should
care about the story and why now.
The story pitches• For each pitch:
– Include the basics of the story.– Include statistics, if applicable.–Start with a sentence that’s to-the-point.– Include the “so what” – why should we
care.–Keep it short.
Why write a pitch• Helps you visualize and focus.• Helps your editor “sell” the story.
Keys to a story• News• Impact• Human element• Context