sports writing powerpoint

7/27/2019 Sports Writing Powerpoint

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Sports Writing


2/23

Sports Writing vs News Writing

Both use similar typesBoth use similar typesof leads: feature angleof leads: feature angle

or news pegor news peg

Both look for the mostBoth look for the most

interestinterest--compellingcompelling

facts.facts.

Both writers write theBoth writers write the

body of the story, addbody of the story, add

an acceptable lead, andan acceptable lead, and

then present thethen present the

predominant facts inpredominant facts in

order of theirorder of their

importance.importance.


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Sports Writing vs New Writing

Writing aboutsports is more

colorful, less

formal than news

writing

Sports writing isfaster paced and

more lively


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Tips for doing it well

Know the sport wellRules

Strategy

Team RecordsPlayer Records

Spend time talking to

coaches and playersbefore game daysWhat parts of the game

is the team working on?Attend games:

Its not enough to get

info second hand fromcoaches, players,spectators


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Sports stories areabout people

The relationships off

the field lead to

results on the field

Work on detecting

the strengths and

weaknesses of the

team or players


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Understand that playing and winning are notthe only stories: look for stories of

perseverance


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Sports storiesshould ask WHY

Read professionalstories to get an idea

of what works


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Accuracy is crucialObserve the gameand take notes

Be fair and unbiasedeven though youhave a favorite team

or playerAvoid the use ofWE

Support all opinionswith facts or withquotes from sources


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The writer has theThe writer has theresponsibility ofresponsibility of

interpreting difficultinterpreting difficult

plays and decisionsplays and decisionsfor fans who are toofor fans who are too

excited to noticeexcited to notice

exactly what happens.exactly what happens.

It is not enough toIt is not enough to

report only the resultsreport only the results

of the game. Theof the game. The

game off the field, i.e.game off the field, i.e.

the strategy andthe strategy and

atmosphere, is asatmosphere, is as

important as the oneimportant as the oneon it.on it.


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Writing Tips

Use the specialized language of the sport ifthe average reader would understand it

Dont be too technical

Avoid clichs like the plague

Just because the coach says, We have toplay as a team, or Were going all the way tostates, doesnt mean you have to use it.

Tell the story in plain terms, with specific

details, and let the facts tell the storyAvoid long lists of statistics or score:highlight the most important and put others in

a sidebarDouble check accuracy


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Types of Stories: Advance

Gives insight into theupcoming game,providing as many

specifics as possibleMay focus on aspecific aspect of the

upcoming game: howwill the team replace aninjured star?

Built on strongquotes, descriptionand anecdotes

Requires coaches andreporter to think ahead


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Types of Stories: Trend

Does not rehashplays from each game

Highlights trends in

the course of ateams play since thelast issue

Answers thequestion: Whatsgone on over the last

month and WHY?More analysis andfocus on individual

players


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Types of Stories: Advance Trend

Adds information on the upcominggame to the trend story, including how

last months games influence it


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Types of Stories: Advance Trend

Include informationon the upcoming

event as the first part

of the story

Devote more space

to the upcomingevent

Condense into the

available space asmany of the

highlights of the past

events as possible


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Sports News Stories

Sports have alsobecome big business,

especially at the

college/professionallevel

Look for storiesabout college

recruiting, sports

funding, fan behavior,use of performance

enhancing drugs


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Game Stories

Seldom used in monthly studentnewspapers unless a late deadline on

a significant game Excellent option for posting on line

Not a rehash of play-by-play action Focus on interesting and game-

changing moments first

Weave in postgame quotes from

players and coaches


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Game Story Reporting

Look for an angle orfocus

How significant is

the event?

What are the

probable lineups?What are the records

of the teams or

individualcompetitors?


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Analyze comparativescoring records

Tradition and rivalry:

how do the teamsstand in won/lostfigures?

Weather conditions:did weather affect theoutcome?

What systems ofplay or strategies areused by teams or

individuals?


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Condition of players,both physical and

mental

Individual angles,

such as star players

Other specifics, such

as crowd antics (the

Zoo) new uniforms,

appearance orcondition of the

playing field


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Sports FeaturesThese are the stories behind or beyond the

game

Based on human interest and/or oddity

The Post ran a lengthy feature on the fate ofBarbero and how the efforts to save him

advanced veterinary medicine


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Sports Features

Athlete profilesSeasonal activities

Girls playing onboys teams

Athletes paying forpersonal trainers

Students who coachteams with youngerkids

Informative featureson unusual sports

and the students whoplay them


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Things to avoid

Quotes that sound like they could be aboutany sport

Quotes that allow coaches to belittle athletes

in your paper

Boring leads. Which story would you rather

read?LEAD ONE:

There are high expectations for this years

competition cheerleading squad after a great

season last year, finishing second in districts.


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Or LEAD TWO?

Its a sea of school-spirited blue and white,broken occasionally by pink: blue shorts,white shoes, blue mats and white-wrapped

wrists. Vera Bradley purses lie scatteredaround the perimeter of the room, betweensports bags and plastic bags of ice.

Its two weeks before the Valley Districtcheerleading competition and 26 girls arecasually bending their bodies in half before

yet another practice. Theyve beenpreparing since mid-August, working to getthe stunts, and the timing, and the

synchronization exactly right, andcompetition keeps creeping closer.

sports writing powerpoint

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