Journalism 2001Journalism 2001Week 2: September 15, 2008Week 2: September 15, 2008

AnnouncementsAnnouncements

Who you areWho you are– Freshmen, sophomores, juniorFreshmen, sophomores, junior– Communication, philosophy, film, English, Communication, philosophy, film, English,

International Studies, Business, Literature, International Studies, Business, Literature, Political Science, undecided majorsPolitical Science, undecided majors

– Future accountants/business leaders, Men’s Future accountants/business leaders, Men’s Health reporters, activists, anchors, editors, Health reporters, activists, anchors, editors, freelance writers, Sports Illustrated reporters, freelance writers, Sports Illustrated reporters, newspaper reportersnewspaper reporters

– All curious and interested in improving writing!All curious and interested in improving writing!

Extra Credit OpportunitiesExtra Credit Opportunities Primary election coverage at WDIO-TVPrimary election coverage at WDIO-TV

– Who attended? Cody?Who attended? Cody? Media Expert: Wednesday, 9/17; 1 p.m., Media Expert: Wednesday, 9/17; 1 p.m.,

Kirby RaftersKirby Rafters– Mark Anfinson, an attorney who represents Mark Anfinson, an attorney who represents

newspapers on behalf of the Minnesota newspapers on behalf of the Minnesota Newspaper Association, will talk about the First Newspaper Association, will talk about the First Amendment challenges faced by journalists and Amendment challenges faced by journalists and citizens alike at the recent GOP convention in the citizens alike at the recent GOP convention in the Twin Cities.Twin Cities.

– 10 Extra Credit points: Write 5 paragraph 10 Extra Credit points: Write 5 paragraph summary of what you learned; will be posted on summary of what you learned; will be posted on class Web siteclass Web site

Review of last week’s newsReview of last week’s news Hard News:Hard News:

(murder, City Council, government, etc.)(murder, 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

StatesmanStatesman Today’s Front PagesToday’s Front Pages

On Sunday, a front-page story in the Duluth On Sunday, a front-page story in the Duluth News-Tribune focused on:News-Tribune focused on:

1.1. Reopening of the Reopening of the I-35W bridgeI-35W bridge

2.2. Job shortage at Job shortage at the Fond du Luth the Fond du Luth CasinoCasino

3.3. Mayor Don Ness Mayor Don Ness

What major sporting event took place in What major sporting event took place in Duluth over the weekend?Duluth over the weekend?

1.1. Grandma’s Grandma’s MarathonMarathon

2.2. Northshore Northshore Inline MarathonInline Marathon

3.3. Minnesota Minnesota TwinsTwins

Who won the election for state Who won the election for state representative in the 7B DFL Primary?representative in the 7B DFL Primary?

1.1. Bill KronBill Kron

2.2. Marsh Marsh StenersonStenerson

3.3. Roger ReinertRoger Reinert

______________________ skiing operations will ______________________ skiing operations will continue this winter despite city budget cuts continue this winter despite city budget cuts and layoffs that threatened to shut down the and layoffs that threatened to shut down the program.program.

1.1. Chester BowlChester Bowl

2.2. Spirit MountainSpirit Mountain

3.3. Fond du LacFond du Lac

Fond du Lac Band of Chippewa Chairwoman Karen Fond du Lac Band of Chippewa Chairwoman Karen Diver says the millions of dollars her tribe’s Diver says the millions of dollars her tribe’s _________ pays the City of Duluth each year amounts _________ pays the City of Duluth each year amounts to a “gift” the band isn’t inclined to continue giving to a “gift” the band isn’t inclined to continue giving unless it gets something better in return.unless it gets something better in return.

1.1. tourism taxtourism tax

2.2. casinocasino

3.3. reservationreservation

Journalism Case StudiesJournalism Case Studies

Throughout semester we’ll look at Throughout semester we’ll look at ethical dilemmas journalists face on ethical dilemmas journalists face on the jobthe job– Compiled by University of Indiana Compiled by University of Indiana

School of JournalismSchool of Journalism Today: Today: When Journalists Play GodWhen Journalists Play God

Words matter!Words matter!

Assignment due today:Assignment due today: Using the Tuesday (9/9) Duluth News-Tribune, list Using the Tuesday (9/9) Duluth News-Tribune, list

the stories on the front page, local section and the stories on the front page, local section and the sports section. Determine if the stories where the sports section. Determine if the stories where selected on the traditional news elements of:selected on the traditional news elements of:– TimelinessTimeliness– Proximity/relevanceProximity/relevance– ConflictConflict– ProminenceProminence– Consequence & impactConsequence & impact– Human InterestHuman Interest

Keep evaluations brief: no more than three sentences each.Keep evaluations brief: no more than three sentences each.

Email Microsoft Word attachment to: lkragnes@d.umn.eduEmail Microsoft Word attachment to: lkragnes@d.umn.edu

Also due today:Also due today:AP Stylebook practiceAP Stylebook practice

Let’s check AP Stylebook….Let’s check AP Stylebook….

Chapter 4: Summary leadsChapter 4: Summary leads

Summary lead literally sums up the Summary lead literally sums up the story in the lead, giving the reader story in the lead, giving the reader the most important information firstthe most important information first

Developed in Civil War when stories Developed in Civil War when stories sent by telegraphsent by telegraph

Continued into the 1970s with wire Continued into the 1970s with wire service telegraph machinesservice telegraph machines

Inverted pyramidInverted pyramid

Put the most important news firstPut the most important news first Organize the rest of the paragraphs in Organize the rest of the paragraphs in

descending order of importancedescending order of importance Why? Lets readers quickly scan a Why? Lets readers quickly scan a

newspaper story and decide whether to newspaper story and decide whether to continue reading itcontinue reading it

Different from short stories, novels, most Different from short stories, novels, most feature storiesfeature stories

Easy to cut stories as needed to fit news Easy to cut stories as needed to fit news holehole

The 5 Ws and H!The 5 Ws and H!

Who?Who? What?What? When?When? Where?Where? Why?Why? How?How?

Focal point determines emphasis in Focal point determines emphasis in leadlead

No two leads the sameNo two leads the same

Reporters covering the same story Reporters covering the same story will write different leadswill write different leads

Examples from Examples from Duluth News-TribuneDuluth News-Tribune and Minneapolis and Minneapolis Star TribuneStar Tribune about about opening of Swenson Science Buildingopening of Swenson Science Building

How to write a summary How to write a summary leadlead

Usually a single sentenceUsually a single sentence No more than 35 wordsNo more than 35 words

Bottom line:Bottom line:– Use a single sentence of no more Use a single sentence of no more

than 35 words in a summary leadthan 35 words in a summary lead

Identifying the focal pointIdentifying the focal point

Which W or H is the focal point?Which W or H is the focal point? Let’s practice:Let’s practice:

– The search for a new president for the The search for a new president for the university has been temporarily postponed.university has been temporarily postponed. Who:Who: What:What: When:When: Where:Where: Why:Why: How:How:

Focal point?Focal point?

Mayor Jane Doe announced today Mayor Jane Doe announced today that she will not seek re-election next that she will not seek re-election next year.year.– Who:Who:– What:What:– When:When:– Where:Where:– Why:Why:– How:How:

Focal point?Focal point?

In an effort to increase awareness on In an effort to increase awareness on campus, the UMD Kirby Program Board campus, the UMD Kirby Program Board has appointed a new coordinator, and she has appointed a new coordinator, and she plans to use more advertising to bring plans to use more advertising to bring about change.about change.– Who:Who:– What:What:– When:When:– Where:Where:– Why:Why:– How:How:

Focal point?Focal point?

What to avoidWhat to avoid

Clutter leads:Clutter leads:– Too much information overwhelms Too much information overwhelms

readersreaders Buried leads:Buried leads:

– Don’t make the reader work too hardDon’t make the reader work too hard

What’s the bottom line for a What’s the bottom line for a summary lead?summary lead?

1.1. Usually a single Usually a single sentence of no sentence of no more than 35 more than 35 words.words.

2.2. Usually as long as Usually as long as needed to tell story.needed to tell story.

3.3. Usually two Usually two sentences of no sentences of no more than 35 more than 35 words.words.

Billings GazetteBillings Gazette Examples Examples

Stuck gas pedal puts automobile in Stuck gas pedal puts automobile in bank officebank office

Blizzard leaves ‘nothing to feed’Blizzard leaves ‘nothing to feed’ Flash flood leaves mess in BuffaloFlash flood leaves mess in Buffalo Buffalo flash flood leaves silt layer, Buffalo flash flood leaves silt layer,

‘incredible mess’‘incredible mess’ Subdivision wants county to take Subdivision wants county to take

over private roadover private road

How I write a leadHow I write a lead

When starting to write a story, I often write When starting to write a story, I often write out all of my notes, including the direct out all of my notes, including the direct quotesquotes

Lead often becomes clear in the second Lead often becomes clear in the second graphgraph

When leaving a meeting, speech, etc., ask When leaving a meeting, speech, etc., ask myself: What would I tell my friend, myself: What would I tell my friend, husband, person passing in the street?husband, person passing in the street?

What happened?What happened? Who cares?Who cares?

Active voiceActive voice

Write in active/rather than passive voiceWrite in active/rather than passive voice What’s the difference?What’s the difference?

– In active voice, the subject performs the In active voice, the subject performs the action expressed in the verb; the subject action expressed in the verb; the subject actsacts

– In passive voice, the subject receives the In passive voice, the subject receives the action expressed in the verb; the subject is action expressed in the verb; the subject is acted uponacted upon

Active voice doesn’t mean present tenseActive voice doesn’t mean present tense

Huh?Huh? Active voice: Subject actsActive voice: Subject acts

– The dog bit the boy.The dog bit the boy.– Mary will present her research at the Mary will present her research at the

conference.conference.– Scientists tested the hypothesis by conducting Scientists tested the hypothesis by conducting

experiments.experiments. Passive voice: Subject acted uponPassive voice: Subject acted upon

– The boy was bitten by the dog.The boy was bitten by the dog.– Research will be presented by Mary at the Research will be presented by Mary at the

conference.conference.– Experiments have been conducted to test the Experiments have been conducted to test the

hypothesis.hypothesis.

Summary of summary leadsSummary of summary leads

Don’t go with the first leadDon’t go with the first lead Avoid unnecessary wordsAvoid unnecessary words Avoid gobbledygookAvoid gobbledygook

– Government jargonGovernment jargon Write clearly, conciselyWrite clearly, concisely Use vivid verbsUse vivid verbs Use colorful wordsUse colorful words

Chapter 3: Qualities of good Chapter 3: Qualities of good writingwriting

Poynter Institute for Media StudiesPoynter Institute for Media Studies http://www.poynter.orghttp://www.poynter.org

Robert Gunning: 10 Principles Robert Gunning: 10 Principles of Clear Writingof Clear Writing

Keep sentences short, on the averageKeep sentences short, on the average Prefer the simple to the complexPrefer the simple to the complex

– KISS: Keep It Simple, Stupid!KISS: Keep It Simple, Stupid! Use familiar wordsUse familiar words

– 1010thth grader grader Avoid unnecessary wordsAvoid unnecessary words Use active verbsUse active verbs Write the way you talkWrite the way you talk Use terms your reader can pictureUse terms your reader can picture Tie in with your reader’s experienceTie in with your reader’s experience Use a variety of wordsUse a variety of words Write to express, not impressWrite to express, not impress

– Communicate!Communicate!

Words matter!Words matter!

Chapter 5: Organizing a news Chapter 5: Organizing a news storystory

Inverted pyramid styleInverted pyramid style– Write a terse lead of no more than 35 wordsWrite a terse lead of no more than 35 words– Provide backgroundProvide background

From source or previous storyFrom source or previous story– Present news in order of descending importancePresent news in order of descending importance

Seldom chronologicallySeldom chronologically– Use quotations early and throughoutUse quotations early and throughout

After the news, separated by news and paraphrasesAfter the news, separated by news and paraphrases– Use transitionsUse transitions

Numerically, by time, geographically, with words (also, but, Numerically, by time, geographically, with words (also, but, once)once)

– Do not editorialize!Do not editorialize!– Avoid “the end”Avoid “the end”

Report news until the end; often end with direct quoteReport news until the end; often end with direct quote

Hourglass StyleHourglass Style– Same as inverted pyramid until the turn, Same as inverted pyramid until the turn,

a transitional paragraph to introduce a a transitional paragraph to introduce a chronology of eventschronology of events

– Used when reporting trials, police, fire Used when reporting trials, police, fire newsnews

Circle StyleCircle Style– Mainly for feature storiesMainly for feature stories– Reporter sets scene, returns to itReporter sets scene, returns to it

Block StyleBlock Style– News or feature storiesNews or feature stories– Often broader story, introduces many Often broader story, introduces many

sourcessources

What about the end?What about the end?

Don’t end with “the end”Don’t end with “the end” No editorial comment to wrap it upNo editorial comment to wrap it up Just quit, or use a direct quoteJust quit, or use a direct quote

Hard News 1 Story AssignmentHard News 1 Story Assignment

Work in teams to interview Duluth citizensWork in teams to interview Duluth citizens Each reporter writes own storyEach reporter writes own story Interview 8-10 DuluthiansInterview 8-10 Duluthians

– Might not use all sources in storyMight not use all sources in story– List all sources, with contact info, at end of storyList all sources, with contact info, at end of story

Groups of 1 to 2:Groups of 1 to 2:– Will finalize groups next weekWill finalize groups next week

Stories will be posted on class Web site:Stories will be posted on class Web site:– Fall Jour 2001 WebsiteFall Jour 2001 Website

Let’s brainstorm ideas of where Let’s brainstorm ideas of where Duluthians gather:Duluthians gather:

Greyhound bus station West DuluthGreyhound bus station West Duluth Amazing Grace café in Canal ParkAmazing Grace café in Canal Park Fond du Luth Casino/Old DowntownFond du Luth Casino/Old Downtown First Street/Cozy Bar/EncounterFirst Street/Cozy Bar/Encounter Gas stationGas station Miller Hill Mall bus stopMiller Hill Mall bus stop Pizza Luce concertPizza Luce concert Courthouse CourtyardCourthouse Courtyard Public libraryPublic library Canal Park/Lift bridgeCanal Park/Lift bridge WalMartWalMart Dunn Brothers coffee shopDunn Brothers coffee shop

Ideas from last semesterIdeas from last semester UMD Dining Center/Kirby Student CenterUMD Dining Center/Kirby Student Center Northlan Gaming CenterNorthlan Gaming Center

– Lincoln Park/West EndLincoln Park/West End Encounter/Cozy Bar corner (2Encounter/Cozy Bar corner (2ndnd Ave. E. & First St.) Ave. E. & First St.) Spirit MountainSpirit Mountain Miller Hill MallMiller Hill Mall Community CenterCommunity Center DECC: Hockey gameDECC: Hockey game Downtown: Superior StreetDowntown: Superior Street Marshal Performing Arts Center: PlayMarshal Performing Arts Center: Play

Hard News 1 Story Pitch Due: Hard News 1 Story Pitch Due: September 24September 24

Length of story pitch: three Length of story pitch: three paragraphs, about 200 wordsparagraphs, about 200 words

Include the 5 Ws and H: what makes Include the 5 Ws and H: what makes this story newsworthythis story newsworthy

Let’s look at the calendar:Let’s look at the calendar:http://http://www.d.umn.eduwww.d.umn.edu/~lkragnes/~lkragnes

Sample story pitchSample story pitch

Michelle Michelle SkarpSkarp– What’s missing from list of questions?What’s missing from list of questions?

In-class assignment for 9/22In-class assignment for 9/22

To help you prepare for interviewing To help you prepare for interviewing sources, during next week’s class you sources, during next week’s class you will be interviewing Lucy Kragness. She will be interviewing Lucy Kragness. She will review her background, and each will review her background, and each student will ask at least one question.student will ask at least one question.– Assume story assignment for the Assume story assignment for the

StatesmanStatesman– To prepare, review website, write out To prepare, review website, write out

questions in advance.questions in advance. http://www.d.umn.edu/~lkragneshttp://www.d.umn.edu/~lkragnes

Assignment for 9/22Assignment for 9/22

Summary lead exercisesSummary lead exercises– Steps to help you:Steps to help you:

Identify the five Ws and HIdentify the five Ws and H What’s the focal point?What’s the focal point?

– Determine what’s the most important to Determine what’s the most important to includeinclude

– Reminder: Summary lead contains no more Reminder: Summary lead contains no more than 35 wordsthan 35 words

– Email assignment, written in Microsoft Word, Email assignment, written in Microsoft Word, as an attachment to as an attachment to lkragnes@d.umn.edulkragnes@d.umn.edu

Read Chapters 6, 7, 10Read Chapters 6, 7, 10

Today’s assignmentToday’s assignment AP Stylebook editing practiceAP Stylebook editing practice Summary lead exerciseSummary lead exercise

– Steps to help you:Steps to help you: Identify the five Ws and HIdentify the five Ws and H

– Who?Who?– What?What?– When?When?– Where?Where?– Why?Why?– How?How?

What’s the focal point?What’s the focal point?– Determine what’s the most important to includeDetermine what’s the most important to include– Reminder: Summary lead contains no more than 35 Reminder: Summary lead contains no more than 35

wordswords– Email assignment, written in Microsoft Word, as an Email assignment, written in Microsoft Word, as an

attachment to attachment to lkragnes@d.umn.edulkragnes@d.umn.edu