Journalism 2001Journalism 2001Week 2: September 21, 2009Week 2: September 21, 2009

AnnouncementsAnnouncements Who you areWho you are

– Freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniorsFreshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors– Journalism, communication, Spanish, electrical Journalism, communication, Spanish, electrical

and computer engineering, political science, and computer engineering, political science, business, secondary education, English, business, secondary education, English, geography, psychology, organizational geography, psychology, organizational management, undecided majorsmanagement, undecided majors

– Future magazine writer, technology writer, high Future magazine writer, technology writer, high school teachers, radio broadcaster, lawyer, school teachers, radio broadcaster, lawyer, pharmacist, marketing executive, advertising pharmacist, marketing executive, advertising executive, graduate student, reporters, music executive, graduate student, reporters, music production company owner, production company owner, many unsure!many unsure!

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

Extra Credit OpportunitiesExtra Credit Opportunities

Primary election coverage at WDIO-Primary election coverage at WDIO-TVTV– Who attended? How did it go?Who attended? How did it go?

In-Class AssignmentsIn-Class Assignments

Check egradebook:Check egradebook:– www.d.umn.edu/egradebookwww.d.umn.edu/egradebook– Remember that lowest score dropped!Remember that lowest score dropped!

Tonight’s assignment:Tonight’s assignment:– Summary lead exerciseSummary lead exercise– AP Stylebook exerciseAP Stylebook exercise

List of AssignmentsList of Assignments

Journalism skills helped theseJournalism skills helped theseUMD alumni succeedUMD alumni succeed

NewspapersNewspapers– Andy Greder, Duluth News TribuneAndy Greder, Duluth News Tribune– Sarah Doty, Rochester Post-BulletinSarah Doty, Rochester Post-Bulletin– Jim Heffernan, former opinion editor, Duluth Jim Heffernan, former opinion editor, Duluth

News-TribuneNews-Tribune– Tim Franklin, publisher of the Hinckley News, Tim Franklin, publisher of the Hinckley News,

Pine County Courier (former Statesman editor, Pine County Courier (former Statesman editor, editor/reporter in Cloquet, Grand Marais, Duluth)editor/reporter in Cloquet, Grand Marais, Duluth)

TV news reportersTV news reporters– Dennis Anderson, anchor for WDIO-TVDennis Anderson, anchor for WDIO-TV– Joel Runck, reporter for KBJR-TVJoel Runck, reporter for KBJR-TV– Kyle Underwood, former WDIO-TVKyle Underwood, former WDIO-TV

Public relationsPublic relations Susan Latto, UMD Public Relations DirectorSusan Latto, UMD Public Relations Director Amy Rutledge, communications manager for Amy Rutledge, communications manager for

Minnesota Power, former anchor for KDLH-TV andMinnesota Power, former anchor for KDLH-TV and Sports InformationSports Information

Bob Nygaard, UMD Sports Information DirectorBob Nygaard, UMD Sports Information Director Grant writers/non-profit organizationsGrant writers/non-profit organizations

Cindy Finch, Woodland HillsCindy Finch, Woodland Hills AdvertisingAdvertising

John Hyduke, Westmoreland FlintJohn Hyduke, Westmoreland Flint Government relationsGovernment relations

Julene Boe, St. Louis River Alliance/City of DuluthJulene Boe, St. Louis River Alliance/City of Duluth Jess Myers, Minnesota Senate Office/former Jess Myers, Minnesota Senate Office/former

Hockey NewsHockey News

““It's impossible to teach anyone to It's impossible to teach anyone to be a journalist because most of the be a journalist because most of the skills necessary to be a good skills necessary to be a good journalist — an insatiable curiosity, journalist — an insatiable curiosity, a tenacity for the truth and a love of a tenacity for the truth and a love of words — must be developed within. words — must be developed within. Those of us who have chosen to Those of us who have chosen to teach journalism don't really teach, teach journalism don't really teach, we merely light the way.”we merely light the way.”

— — Prof. Malcolm Gibson, College Program Guide,  Prof. Malcolm Gibson, College Program Guide,  published by The New York Times Co.  published by The New York Times Co. 

Who is the current mayor of Who is the current mayor of Duluth?Duluth?

96%

0%4%

1.1. Don NessDon Ness

2.2. Herb BergsonHerb Bergson

3.3. Gary DotyGary Doty

When was Don Ness elected When was Don Ness elected mayor?mayor?

4%

91%

4%

1.1. Three years agoThree years ago

2.2. Two years agoTwo years ago

3.3. Last NovemberLast November

Is Mayor Ness a graduate of Is Mayor Ness a graduate of UMD?UMD?

43%

57%

1.1. YesYes

2.2. NoNo

As a student at UMD, Don Ness As a student at UMD, Don Ness was ___________.was ___________.

9%

50%

41%1.1. Captain of the Captain of the UMD basketball UMD basketball teamteam

2.2. Editor of the Editor of the StatesmanStatesman

3.3. Student Student Association Association PresidentPresident

The Duluth Public Schools system is The Duluth Public Schools system is undergoing a reorganization process. What undergoing a reorganization process. What is it called?is it called?

36%41%

23%

1.1. Time for Time for changechange

2.2. The Red PlanThe Red Plan

3.3. Zenith City Zenith City PlanPlan

Duluth voters approved the Red Plan for Duluth voters approved the Red Plan for reorganization of the Duluth Public Schools.reorganization of the Duluth Public Schools.

24%

76%1.1. YesYes

2.2. NoNo

Hard NewsHard News

MurdersMurders City Council meetingsCity Council meetings Government meetingsGovernment meetings Not always bad news: major Not always bad news: major

announcementsannouncements

SoftSoft NewsNews RetirementsRetirements School programsSchool programs Human interestHuman interest

Are these hard news or soft Are these hard news or soft news?news?

Car wash by fourth graders to raise Car wash by fourth graders to raise money for a classmate with cancermoney for a classmate with cancer

Murder in LakesideMurder in Lakeside High wind creating surf conditions for High wind creating surf conditions for

wind surferswind surfers City council meetingCity council meeting Strike by AFSCMEStrike by AFSCME

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

ConvergenceConvergence

Collaboration between newspapers, Collaboration between newspapers, TV and InternetTV and Internet– KDLH/Duluth News TribuneKDLH/Duluth News Tribune– Newspaper reporter/radio reporterNewspaper reporter/radio reporter

What does it mean for a What does it mean for a journalist to be objective?journalist to be objective?

Let’s hear your definitionsLet’s hear your definitions

For a journalist this is one of our biggest For a journalist this is one of our biggest responsibilities as a writer. We all come with responsibilities as a writer. We all come with our own view points, opinions, and our own view points, opinions, and interpretations, but as a journalist it's our job interpretations, but as a journalist it's our job to be informative/tell a story with out adding to be informative/tell a story with out adding our two cents. To be objective means to be our two cents. To be objective means to be unbiased.unbiased.

When a journalist is objective their article is When a journalist is objective their article is as devoid as possible of personal values, as devoid as possible of personal values, feelings, opinions or beliefs. It is important for feelings, opinions or beliefs. It is important for news reports to be objective so the audience news reports to be objective so the audience can form their own opinions. It is a journalists can form their own opinions. It is a journalists job to simply report the facts, without a job to simply report the facts, without a personal agenda. Unless one is reporting for a personal agenda. Unless one is reporting for a news source with a clear agenda, it is news source with a clear agenda, it is imperative to "respect the integrity of facts". imperative to "respect the integrity of facts". Alfred C. Kinsey described a journalists job Alfred C. Kinsey described a journalists job well by saying "We are recorders and well by saying "We are recorders and reporters of the facts -- not judges of the reporters of the facts -- not judges of the behavior we describe."behavior we describe."

Words matter!Words matter!

Chapter 3: Newswriting Chapter 3: Newswriting BasicsBasics

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

Just the factsJust the facts

– Good reporters Good reporters respect integrity respect integrity of facts.of facts.

– Facts tell the Facts tell the story.story.

– Readers draw Readers draw their own their own conclusions.conclusions.

You must try to be objective. You must try to be objective. Truthful. Fair.Truthful. Fair.

Where do opinions Where do opinions belong in a newspaper?belong in a newspaper?

Most newspaper stories can Most newspaper stories can be placed on a continuum.be placed on a continuum.

Ranges from rigidly Ranges from rigidly objective (breaking news) to objective (breaking news) to rabidly opinionated (movie rabidly opinionated (movie reviews).reviews).

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

The WHOThe WHO– Readers love Readers love

stories that focus stories that focus on people.on people.

– WHO keeps it WHO keeps it real.real. Who’s involved?Who’s involved? Who’s affected?Who’s affected? Who’s going to Who’s going to

benefit?benefit? Who’s getting Who’s getting

screwed?screwed?

The WHATThe WHAT– WHAT gives news WHAT gives news

its substance.its substance. Stories become dry Stories become dry

and dull if they focus and dull if they focus too much on WHAT.too much on WHAT.

Need WHO.Need WHO.

The WHENThe WHEN– Timeliness essential Timeliness essential

to every story.to every story. When events When events

happened or will happened or will happen.happen.

How long they lasted How long they lasted or will last.or will last.

The WHEREThe WHERE– The closer the The closer the

event, the more event, the more relevant it is for relevant it is for readers.readers.

– Many stories require Many stories require supplements.supplements. MapMap DiagramDiagram Photo Photo

The WHYThe WHY– Finding Finding

explanations explanations difficult.difficult.

– The WHY is what The WHY is what makes news makes news meaningful.meaningful.

The HOWThe HOW– Often requires Often requires

detailed detailed explanation.explanation.

– Sometimes Sometimes omitted to save omitted to save space.space.

– Readers love Readers love “how-to” stories.“how-to” stories.

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 inverted pyramidThe inverted pyramid

Newswriting format summarizes Newswriting format summarizes most important facts at story’s startmost important facts at story’s start

This is the lead, which summarizes the story’s most important facts

This paragraph adds more details or background

This paragraph adds even more details

This adds more details

More details

Writing basic news leadsWriting basic news leads

– Collect all your Collect all your facts.facts. Lead should Lead should

summarize.summarize. The more you The more you

know, the easier it know, the easier it is to summarize.is to summarize.

How to write an effective news leadHow to write an effective news lead– Sum it up. Boil it Sum it up. Boil it

down.down. List who, what, List who, what,

when, where, why when, where, why of story.of story.

Writing basic news leadsWriting basic news leads

– Prioritize the five Prioritize the five W’s.W’s. Lead contains the Lead contains the

most important most important facts.facts.

Which of the key Which of the key facts deserves to facts deserves to start the first start the first sentence?sentence?

How to write an effective news leadHow to write an effective news lead– Rethink. Revise. Rethink. Revise.

Rewrite.Rewrite. Is it clear?Is it clear? Is it active?Is it active? Is it wordy?Is it wordy? Is it compelling?Is it compelling?

Writing basic news leadsWriting basic news leads

– Writing leads Writing leads often a process of often a process of trial and error.trial and error. Try different Try different

approaches.approaches.

How to write an effective news leadHow to write an effective news lead– Create different Create different

leads using the…leads using the… Who.Who. What.What. When.When. Where. Where. Why. Why.

Beyond the basic news leadBeyond the basic news lead

Be accurate.Be accurate. Remember what Remember what

day it is.day it is. Don’t name Don’t name

names.names. Use strong verbs.Use strong verbs.

Story checklistStory checklistAsk “Why should I Ask “Why should I

care?”care?”Sell the story.Sell the story.Don’t get hung up.Don’t get hung up.Move attributions to Move attributions to

the end of the the end of the sentences.sentences.

Leads that succeedLeads that succeed

– Basic news leadsBasic news leads– Anecdotal/ Anecdotal/

narrative leadsnarrative leads– Scene-setter Scene-setter

leadsleads– Blind leadsBlind leads– Roundup leadsRoundup leads

A roundup of commonly used optionsA roundup of commonly used options– Direct address leadsDirect address leads– The startling The startling

statementstatement– Wordplay leadsWordplay leads

Leads that succeedLeads that succeed

–Basic news leadsBasic news leads Summary leadSummary lead

– Combines five W’s Combines five W’s into one sentence.into one sentence.

Delayed Delayed identification leadidentification lead– Withholds the name Withholds the name

of the person in of the person in question until the question until the second paragraphsecond paragraph

Immediate Immediate identification lead identification lead

– Uses a public figure or Uses a public figure or celebrity in the celebrity in the sentence.sentence.

Leads that succeedLeads that succeed

– Anecdotal/ Anecdotal/ narrative leadsnarrative leads Have a beginning, Have a beginning,

middle and end.middle and end. Will be mini-story Will be mini-story

with symbolic with symbolic resonance for resonance for bigger story.bigger story.

– Scene-setter leadsScene-setter leads Lack urgency of hard-Lack urgency of hard-

news leads.news leads. Borrowed from fiction.Borrowed from fiction.

– Blind leadsBlind leads Extreme delayed Extreme delayed

information lead.information lead.– Deliberately teases Deliberately teases

reader.reader.

Leads that succeedLeads that succeed

– Roundup leadsRoundup leads Rather than focus Rather than focus

on one person, on one person, place or thing, place or thing, impress reader impress reader with longer list.with longer list.

– Direct address Direct address leadsleads Use second-Use second-

person voice.person voice.

– The startling The startling statement statement Also called a Also called a

“zinger” or a “zinger” or a “Hey, Martha.”“Hey, Martha.”

– Wordplay leadsWordplay leads Encompass wide range Encompass wide range

of amusing leads.of amusing leads.

Leads that succeedLeads that succeed

– Topic leadsTopic leads Convey no actual news.Convey no actual news.

– Question leadsQuestion leads Are irritating stalls.Are irritating stalls.

– Quote leadsQuote leads Don’t fairly summarize Don’t fairly summarize

the story.the story.

……and three lazy leads you should and three lazy leads you should usually reconsiderusually reconsider

After the lead…what next?After the lead…what next?

– Know how long the Know how long the story should be.story should be.

Add another paragraphAdd another paragraph

Write the nut grafWrite the nut graf

– Paragraph that Paragraph that condenses the story condenses the story idea into nutshell.idea into nutshell.

Briefs and brites:Briefs and brites:Brief Brief – written using – written using the inverted the inverted pyramid.pyramid.

Brite Brite – written with – written with more personality more personality than a brief.than a brief.

The lead

Key facts in inverted- pyramid form

Chronology of events

Kicker

Story structureStory structure

– The martini glassThe martini glass Use for:Use for:

– Crimes.Crimes.– Disasters.Disasters.– Dramatic Dramatic

stories.stories.

Giving an overall shape to writingGiving an overall shape to writing

Story structureStory structure

– The kabobThe kabob Also called Also called Wall Street Wall Street

Journal Journal formula or the formula or the Circle.Circle.

Use for:Use for:– Trends.Trends.– Events where you want Events where you want

to show actual people.to show actual people.

Giving an overall shape to writingGiving an overall shape to writing

Anecdote

Nut graf

Meat

Meat

Meat

Anecdote

Story structureStory structure

– Modern journalist’s Modern journalist’s job basically boils job basically boils down todown to Teaching.Teaching. Storytelling.Storytelling.

Keeping readers from getting Keeping readers from getting boredbored – Use narratives Use narratives

when you can.when you can.

– Think like a Think like a teacher.teacher.

Story structureStory structure

– Keep paragraphs Keep paragraphs short.short.

– Write one idea per Write one idea per paragraph.paragraph.

– Add transitions.Add transitions.

Writing tips as you move from Writing tips as you move from paragraph to paragraphparagraph to paragraph

Alternatives to long, Alternatives to long, gray news storiesgray news storiesBullet itemsBullet itemsSidebarsSidebarsSubheadsSubheadsOther storytelling Other storytelling alternativesalternatives

Story structureStory structure

– Good writers Good writers agonize over the agonize over the kicker as much as kicker as much as the lead.the lead. Plan ahead.Plan ahead. Don’t end with a Don’t end with a

summary.summary. Avoid clichés.Avoid clichés. End with a bang.End with a bang.

The big finishThe big finish

Rewriting Rewriting

– Writing is rewriting.Writing is rewriting. Make things a little Make things a little

better.better. Few stories arrive fully Few stories arrive fully

formed and perfectly formed and perfectly phrased.phrased.

Most require rethinking, Most require rethinking, restructuring and restructuring and rewording.rewording.

Good story. Now make it better.Good story. Now make it better.

Rewriting Rewriting

– Passive verbsPassive verbs Start sentences Start sentences

with their with their subjects.subjects.

Replace Replace to be to be with with stronger verbs.stronger verbs.

– RedundancyRedundancy Avoid Avoid

unnecessary unnecessary modifiers.modifiers.

Reasons to hit the delete keyReasons to hit the delete key5– Wordy sentencesWordy sentences– Jargon & journaleseJargon & journalese

Filter out jargon Filter out jargon and officialese.and officialese.

– Clichés Clichés Lower the IQ of Lower the IQ of

your writing.your writing.

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.

Rewriting Rewriting

– Find typical Find typical example. example.

– Average number Average number of words per of words per sentence.sentence.

– Number of “hard” Number of “hard” words with 3 or words with 3 or more syllables (no more syllables (no proper names).proper names).

The Fog Index – a readability gaugeThe Fog Index – a readability gauge– Add average Add average

number of words number of words to number of to number of “hard” words.“hard” words.

– Multiply the sumMultiply the sumby 0.4.by 0.4.

Rewriting Rewriting

– Most Americans Most Americans read at or about read at or about 99thth-grade level.-grade level. Aim for Fog Index Aim for Fog Index

of 7 to 8.of 7 to 8. Bible, Mark Twain, Bible, Mark Twain,

TV GuideTV Guide have Fog have Fog Index around 6.Index around 6.

The Fog Index – a readability gaugeThe Fog Index – a readability gauge

Editing Editing

– Before you writeBefore you write Assigning story.Assigning story. Planning angle.Planning angle. Estimating scope.Estimating scope. Anticipating Anticipating

packaging.packaging.

The role editors play in your The role editors play in your storiesstories – While you writeWhile you write

Adding details.Adding details. Monitoring speed.Monitoring speed. Fine-tuning.Fine-tuning. Layout changes.Layout changes.

Editing Editing

– After you writeAfter you write Editing content.Editing content. Copy editing.Copy editing. Cutting or padding.Cutting or padding. Assigning follow-up Assigning follow-up

stories.stories.

The role editors play in your The role editors play in your storiesstories

Newswriting styleNewswriting style

– Every news outlet Every news outlet customizes customizes guidelines.guidelines.

– Copy desk’s job to Copy desk’s job to standardize style.standardize style.

– Know AP and your Know AP and your news outlet’s news outlet’s style.style.

Who’s right?Who’s right?

66 newswriting tips66 newswriting tips

– Writing leadsWriting leads– The rest of the The rest of the

storystory– Editing and styleEditing and style– Rules of grammarRules of grammar

– Word choicesWord choices Nonsexist, Nonsexist,

nonageist, nonageist, nondiscriminatorynondiscriminatory

– Punctuation Punctuation

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

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’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.

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?

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

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!

Assignments for today:Assignments for today:

Using the Tuesday (9/15) Duluth News-Using the Tuesday (9/15) Duluth News-Tribune, list the stories on the front page, Tribune, list the stories on the front page, local section and the sports pages. Keep local section and the sports pages. Keep evaluations brief: no more than three evaluations brief: no more than three sentences each. Email Microsoft Word sentences each. Email Microsoft Word attachment to: attachment to: lkragnes@d.umn.edulkragnes@d.umn.edu

Be a Reporter course through NewsUBe a Reporter course through NewsU One question quiz through MoodleOne question quiz through Moodle

Hard News 1 Story AssignmentHard News 1 Story Assignment

Interview a member of the Duluth Interview a member of the Duluth area media to learn more about what area media to learn more about what it’s like to work as a journalistit’s like to work as a journalist

Stories will be posted on class Web Stories will be posted on class Web sitesite

Hard News 1 Story Pitch Due: Hard News 1 Story Pitch Due: September 30September 30

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

In-class assignment for 9/28In-class assignment for 9/28

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

Out-of-class assignment for Out-of-class assignment for 9/289/28

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

Be an Editor through NewsUBe an Editor through NewsU

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