Week 3: Journalism 2001September 27, 2010

What’s wrong?

94%

0%

6%

0% 1. Phantom’s, not Phantoms2. Catalog, not catolog3. too high, not to high4. All of the above!

Review of last week’s news

DNT Analysis

Overall excellent job! You’re now reading the newspaper

with a more critical eye Better understanding of what goes

into the newspaper; why editors make story selections

What surprised you while doing assignment?

Review: Summary lead assignment

Overall great start! Remember:

– One-sentence summary lead, 35 words or less Use dateline Write in past tense, active voice Watch state abbreviations: Fla FL FLA Watch wordiness

– has resulted in the man’s death– an altercation with police involving a taser– leads to the suspect being shot– M-26 Taser stun gun– following an attempt: after

Here’s the summary lead from the Associated Press:

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – A man behaving strangely in front of a hotel died after police shot him with a stun gun, then wrestled him to the ground and handcuffed him because he had not been subdued.

Many of your leads are just as strong!

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – A man behaving strangely died Sunday after the police shot him with a stun gun and wrestled him to the ground in front of a hotel because they believed he was on drugs.

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – A man, believed to be on drugs, died Sunday when an officer shot him with a stun gun after he refused orders outside of a local hotel.

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – A man believed to be under the influence of drugs died Sunday after police shot him with a stun gun due to strange behavior that was reported outside a local hotel.

Let’s improve these leads:

A man died in a police accident in front of a hotel on Sunday when he resisted arrest forcing officers to shoot him with a M-26 taser, he then ripped the stun darts out of his chest and charged the officers forcing them to subdue him but he died in the hospital shortly after.– Run-on sentence– 54 words: too much info – where to cut?– Why?

Man is pronounced dead after being tasered by police officer for acting strangely outside a hotel room.– Stick to past tense– When?– A hotel room?– Reads like an announcement, not news story

50,000 volts of electricity hit and killed a man police saw outside a hotel behaving strangely, probably on drugs, and when the matter was pursued he violently attempted to resident arrest.– What type of electricity?– Focus– When?– Intentional killing?

Review: Writing a summary lead

Usually a single sentence No more than 35 words Bottom line:

– Use a single sentence of no more than 35 words to summarize an event

Use active voice!

Avoid “to be” a man was killed…. a man was shot by police…. was behaving strangely

Active and passive voice: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/gramm

ar/g_actpass.html http://www.englishbaby.com/lessons/4717/mem

ber_submitted/the_passive

Grammar exercise

Dr. Grammar tips:– http://www.drgrammar.org/

Hard News 1 Story Assignment

Work in teams to interview Duluth citizens about the gubernatorial election

Each reporter writes own story Interview 8-10 Duluth residents

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

story Groups of 1 to 2 Stories will be posted on class website:

– Fall Jour 2001 Website

Let’s brainstorm ideas of where Duluth residents gather:

Canal Park DECC Miller Hall Mall Holiday Inn Bus Hub Grocery store Coffee shop Walgreens Bus Hub UMD Kirby Student Center Food Court Solon Campus Center High schools

Ideas from 2008 Greyhound bus station West Duluth Amazing Grace café in Canal Park Fond du Luth Casino/Old Downtown First Street/Cozy Bar/Encounter Gas station Miller Hill Mall bus stop Pizza Luce concert Courthouse Courtyard Public library Canal Park/Lift bridge WalMart Dunn Brothers coffee shop

Ideas from 2007 UMD Dining Center/Kirby Student Center Northland Gaming Center

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

Hard News 1 Story Pitch:Due Today!

Length of story pitch: three paragraphs, about 200 words

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

Let’s make sure that we are covering Duluth

Amy: Plaza Super One Klaus: West End Luke: Highland Village Apartments Jarred: Miller Hill Mall Emily: Canal Park Ann/Julie: UMD/Food Court DanielleBrooke: Central High School

Teachers Lizzy: Cub Annelyse: WalMart

Madiha: Mount Royal Olivia/Kaylie: Caribou Coffee Reegan: Student Athletes Stephanie: Lester Park Haley: Starbucks Princess/Jillian: CSS/UMD Library Holly: Target Tony: LSH/Griggs Fond du Luth Casino Nick: Electric Fetus Anne: Pizza Luce

What are the key issues for the governor’s race?

Work in teams at each table Come up with four issues in 5

minutes Post questions on class website at:

– http://blog.lib.umn.edu/lkragnes/jour2001fall2010/

Let’s grade Chapter 4 Quiz

Chapter 4: Reporting Basics

Where stories come from

– Breaking news– Scheduled

events– News releases– Your ideas

Stuff happens constantly

The story becomes a package Web stories can

include:– Audio – Video– Links to related

information– Other interactive

elements

Where stories come from

– Always be ready.– The bigger the

story, the more you need to be on the scene.

Breaking news events– Move fast.– Always carry a

cell phone.– Carry a camera.

Where stories come from

– Write advances, precedes or previews.

– Make sure the newsroom keeps a long-range calendar.

Scheduled events– Bone up on

history before the event.

– Team up with editors, photographers and other reporters for big events.

Where stories come from

– Some handouts are truly newsy.

– Do not print releases verbatim.

– If you turn releases into a longer story, verify facts.

New releases– If you use a

quote from the release, say “according to the release” or “in a prepared statement.”

Let’s look at UMD’s news releases

Susan Latto, Public Relations Director– http://www.d.umn.edu

Stories in morgue

Oregon pays tribute to its Vietnam vets:– p. 216

Mail species:– p. 217

Glove story:– p. 219

You wore flip-flops to the White House?!:– p. 222

Finding and using sources

– Select sources for relevance. Police beat

– Check sources for accuracy.

A reporter is only as good as his or her sources

– Balance sources for fairness.

– Cultivate sources for tips. Coffee shop

Finding and using Sources

–Depth Story will provide

more information and insight.

–Context Reader discovers

more points of view.

The more sources you use, the better your reporting will be

– Reliability Less chance of

inaccuracy or bias.

Finding and using sources

– Newsmakers– Spokespeople– Experts– Official records– Reference

material– Ordinary folks

The wide world of sources

Using the Internet

– You can’t always trust what you find.

– It is no substitute for reality.

A researcher’s dream come true– Do some real

reporting.

Using the Internet

Research & reference www.bartleby.com www.statelocalgov.net www.profnet.com www.urbanlegends.about.com

Search engines www.google.com www.yahoo.net www.webcrawler.com

Webliography Journalism tips & tools www.npc.press.org/

library/reporter.clm www.newslink.org www.poynter.org reporter.umd.edu

Using the Internet

– Authority Sure of the author’s

identity, reliability and credentials?

Site sponsored by reputable institution or organization?

Evaluating a website’s reliability

Information seem comprehensive and complete?

Is there a way to contact author or verify or challenge information?

Using the Internet

– Accuracy Does the

information originate with the source?

Can you verify this information from another reliable source?

Evaluating a Web site’s reliability

Are there spelling, grammar or factual errors that cast doubt on the site?

Using the Internet

– Timeliness Has site been

updated recently? Are there

publication dates on all pages containing timely material?

Evaluating a Web site’s reliability

Can you ensure all information is up to date?

Are the links to and from the pages updated regularly?

Using the Internet

– Newgroups Online bulletin

boards organized by topic.

– E-mail Most efficient

way to contact experts.

Beyond the basics

– Weblogs Mostly opinion. Writing your own

blog can establish dialogue with sources and readers.

Taking notes

– Involves multitasking Listening Interpreting Observing Evaluating Writing Thinking

Good note-taking isn’t easy– Need a system

to guarantee that what you report matches the data your source gave you

Taking notes

– Speed transcription. Skip small words. Abbreviate long

words.

A page in a reporter’s notebook– Carefully spell

out important facts.

– Use the first free moment to review notes.

Taking notes

– Choose a notebook that is a comfortable size for you.

– Use different colors ink for different speakers.

A page in a reporter’s notebook– Mark things that

seem important.– Draw lines to

separate speakers.

– Use quotation marks around quotes.

Setting up the interview

Make an appointment– Call or email your source, time permitting

Identify yourself as reporter, name publication

Set length of interview in advance– Half hour, hour, over lunch

Make interview convenient for source Describe the story Dress the part Be on time!

Asking questions

Do your homework! Write out your questions

– Use reporter’s notebook, refer back to them

– Let the conversation flow – other questions often answered

– Make eye contact– Example: Senator interview

Personal questions– Tough to ask personal questions after a

tragedy– Be compassionate, sympathetic– Do homework, try to interview in person– Break ice with general questions– Soften the question:

I know you’re busy; sorry to bother you– Examples:

Sunshine hits the accelerator Flash flood in Buffalo

Frame questions to fit the story’s purpose– Every story needs theme, purpose– Focus on the purpose when asking

questions– Refer back to questions

Establish rapport– Tell sources who you are, what you are

doing– Listen, don’t argue– Thank sources for their time– Set timeframe for the interview

What to do with hostile sources

You’re not a lawyer: avoid hostile questions

Save tough questions for end of interview Be sympathetic, understanding Reason with the source Try to understand source’s position Repeat damaging things that have been

said about a source Keep asking questions

Making, using observations

What’s unusual – or common?– Observe surroundings– Demeanor of source– Personal features

Examples:– Successful business leader interview– Train, doll collectors

Write fast!

Take a lot of notes– Listen, don’t try to get down all the

quotes– Never can have too many notes!– Take notes even if using tape recorder

Battery or tape failure, operator error– Using a tape recorder

Ask permission Can be time consuming

Taking notes

– Tape recorder

Pros and cons

DisadvantagesReplaying and transcribing takes time

Machine can fail

If you don’t save tapes, not lasting record

AdvantagesHighest accuracy

Actual proof of what was said

Can post interview on paper’s Web site

Taking notes

– Notebook

Pros and cons

DisadvantagesPeople talk faster than you can write

Standing still to write restricts movement

Won’t be able to read all your own handwriting

AdvantagesNothing to break, no batteries

Easy to access and transcribe

Becomes permanent record

Taking notes

– Typing

Pros and cons

DisadvantagesPeople talk fast; quotes may be inaccurate

Computers can destroy or delete files

Stuck sitting in one place staring at a screen

AdvantagesFastest way to go from notes to story

Most efficient way to get data on deadline

Can conduct interview using chat or e-mail

Interviewing

– Phone interviews

Interview pros and cons

DisadvantagesImpersonal

Difficult (and sometimes illegal) to record

More likely to mishear or misquote someone

AdvantagesFast and efficient

Less intimidating

Cell phones allow interviews to take place anywhere at any time

Interviewing

– E-mail interviews

Interview pros and cons

DisadvantagesNo personal interaction

Lagtime between questions and answers

Takes longer; are you sure the person is who he/she claims to be?

AdvantagesGives interviewees time to construct responses

Offers the most flexibility

Typed responses easy to copy and paste; provide record of what was said

Interviewing

– In-person interviews

Interview pros and cons

DisadvantagesWastes time traveling and waiting

Distractions can interrupt interview

If you are uncomfortable, it becomes obvious

AdvantagesBest way to build rapport

Physical surroundings can provide useful data

People take you more seriously when you are in front of them

Closed-ended questions– Asked to get precise answer– Useful when already know the answer, need

confirmation– Used when source is comfortable– Don’t be hostile!

Open-ended questions– Useful when have more time– Often learn unexpected information– Gets source’s opinions, feelings– Anything else to add? Anything I’m forgetting?

After the interview

Thank source Ask for best way to reach the source

– phone or email – if have additional questions

Never agree to show the source a story once it’s written

Interviewing

Relax. Be in charge. Start with basics. Budget time. Begin with softballs. Focus

questions.

Tips for successful interviews

Keep it simple. Limit “yes/no”

questions. Get every question

answered. Ask follow-up

questions. Stay flexible.

– During the interview

Interviewing

Ask people to slow down.

Don’t worry about asking a dumb question.

Look around. Use reassuring body

language.

Use silence. Don’t interrupt. Don’t take sides. Use the toughest

question last.

– During the interview (continued)

Interviewing

Review notes with interviewee.

Ask who else you should contact?

Ask permission to call later.

Ask interviewees to call you.

Tips for successful interviews

Say, “Thank you.” Review notes again

privately. Check back with

sources after story runs.

– After the interview

Anonymous sources?

On the record: Everything can be used

Off the record: Nothing can be used On background: Material can be

used, no attribution by name On deep background: Can be used,

with no attribution; can get confirmation– All the President’s Men: Woodward &

Bernstein

Who was Deep Throat?

30-year mystery: Mark Felt– http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_Throat

Interviewing

– Many interviewers, one interviewee

– Many interviewers, many interviewees

One-on-one is not the only option– One interviewer,

many interviewees

Quotations

– But be careful.– People lie.

Exaggerate Fudge facts

– People yammer. And stammer And ramble

Real words give stories personality

What’s the difference between a direct quote and a

paraphrase?

Types of quotations

Complete direct quotations– “John Doe said that he did it,” she said.

Paraphrased quotations– John Doe said that he did it, she said.

Partial quotations– John Doe “said that he did it,” she said

Direct quotations

Exact quote: quotation marks around sentence

Most editors allow reporters to clean up grammar or to take out profanities

Make sure quotes are right! Beware of leading questions; use

paraphrase

Why use direct quotes?

Specific, vivid statements Descriptive statements Inner feelings Capture personality Supplement statements of fact Reduce attributions

Paraphrased quotations

Indirect quotes Used when direct quote dull,

uninformative Must attribute paraphrases to news

source When in doubt, paraphrase

Partial Quotations

Using part of a direct quote, often for emphasis

Can be confusing Be careful: Could draw attention to a

point, jeopardizing objectivity– She told police it was an “accident”

when she hit the tree.

Most important rule

Never make up quotations or paraphrases– Shattered Glass: Stephen Glass Story

CBS 60 Minutes story Stephen Glass index

What about grammar errors?

2006 AP Stylebook:– “Never alter quotations even to correct minor

grammatical errors or word usage. Casual minor tongue slips may be removed by using ellipses but even that should be done with extreme caution. If there is a question about a quote, either don’t use it or ask the speaker to clarify.”

Pitfalls to avoid in quoting

Inaccuracies from source Rambling on and on Hard-to-understand quotations Ungrammatical: If it doesn’t make sense,

don’t use it Use good taste Watch out for offensive language Be certain when using dialect:

– North Country, Fargo

Use objective verbs of attribution

Straight news stories– Use neutral verbs: said, added

“Said” isn’t boring – readers expect it No need to be creative

– Avoid asserted, bellowed, contended, cried, declared, demanded, emphasized, harangued, hinted, maintained, opined, stammered, stated, stressed

Placement of attributions

Usually follows the quotation Normally follows first sentence in

multiple sentence quote When sources change, new

attribution needed Use attribution once in a quotation Use attribution between complete,

partial quotes

Where the quote marks go

Useful guidelines: p. 841. Jones said, “We will be there tomorrow.”2. Jones said that he would be there Wednesday.3. He will be there Wednesday, Jones said.4. “All our transcontinental flights are full,” she

said.5. Coach Jones said that it was his “dumbest

mistake”: deciding to start an untested freshman at quarterback.

6. Coach Jones asked his team, “Can we win this game?”

7. “Johnson’s plea to ‘win this game for the community’ really fired us up,” Smith said.

8. “We’re so enthusiastic about this project that we can’t stop thinking about it,” Jones said.

9. “We’re so enthusiastic about this project that we can’t stop thinking about it,” Jones said. “We look forward to getting council approval.

“We hope that will come at the next meeting.”

10. Get in there now,” the coach said, “before I make you run extra laps.”

11. “I think it is wise to lengthen the school year,” Smith said.

It would be ludicrous to do so,” Johnson said.

Check egradebook

Assignments listed at egradebook:– http://www.d.umn.edu/egradebook

If assignments missing that you turned in, let me know ASAP

Out-of-class assignment due today

Summary lead exercises– Steps to help you:

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

– Determine what’s the most important to include

– Reminder: Summary lead contains no more than 35 words

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

Be a Reporter and Be an Editor through NewsU

Chapter 4 Quiz

Assignment for 10/4 Part I: More summary lead exercises!

– Steps to help you:– Identify the five W’s and H

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

– Determine which is the most important to include.– A summary lead should contain no more than 35 words.– One sentence strongest summary lead.Email

assignment, written in Microsoft Word, and send as an attachment to lkragnes@d.umn.edu

Part II: The Lead Lab, NewsU

Sports Story Story Pitch Due:Monday, October 4

Select a UMD or prep sporting event to cover

Length of story pitch: no more than three paragraphs, about 200 words

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

Complete article due: November 8

In-class assignment for tonight

To help you develop interviewing skills, during tonight’s class you will be interviewing Lucy Kragness. She will review her background, and you will ask her questions.– Assume story assignment for the Statesman– To prepare, review Web site, write out

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

– Email final five paragraph story, written in Microsoft Word, as an attachment by Tuesday (September 29) to: lkragnes@d.umn.edu

– Story will not be graded; all receive 10 points BUT! 1 point deducted for each style error!

Introductions Instructor: Lucy Kragness

– University of Minnesota Duluth Experience 3/96 to present: Executive Assistant to the Chancellor 1/05 to present: Jour 2001 instructor, Jour 2300 instructor 10/90 to 3/96: Alumni Director, University Relations 8/90 to 10/90: Acting Director, Alumni and Media Relations 11/84 to 10/90: Publications Director, Alumni and Media

Relations 3/89 to 5/94: Taught Publications Editing, a three-credit

spring quarter journalism course 6/85 to 6/90: Volunteer editorial adviser, Statesman student

newspaper– Freelance Experience:

7/86 to present: Freelance writer, photographer for several regional and national publications

– Newspaper Experience: 9/83 to 9/84: One-person bureau in Sheridan, Wyo.,

for the Billings Gazette in Billings, Mont. 3/81 to 9/83: Assistant state editor at the Billings

Gazette in Billings, Mont. 3/80 to 3/81: Managing editor of the Williston Daily

Herald, Plains Reporter (weekly) and the Williston Basin Reporter (bi-weekly), all in Williston, N.D.

11/79 to 3/80: Assistant managing editor/Sunday editor at the Williston Daily Herald

6/79 to 11/79: Reporter, business editor at the Williston Daily Herald

11/78 to 6/79: Assistant editor at the Northeaster newspaper in Minneapolis.

– Education: Master of Education in Educational Computing and

Technology, University of Minnesota Duluth, 2001. Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, School of Journalism

and Mass Communication, University of Minnesota Minneapolis, 1979.

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