Writing 101
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Transcript of Writing 101
Journalistic Writing 101
News, Features, Interviews, Qualities, Factors
News Vs. Features
Listen to the news story and the feature story– What do they have in common?
– How are they different?
Classic (Telegraph) News Form
Most Important
Least
Important
Summary Lead
(5ws and H, starting with most interesting item)
Quotes
Transitions
End on a good quote
The Feature
Tell a true story
Use plot, characters, dialogue, literary devices etc.
Should have at least one nut graph (summary paragraph tied to recent events)
Draw your reader in
The Interview
Interview Definition– Any time you gather information, and solicit
information from a source.
Sources– Primary- A person who has information that is
essential to the story– Secondary- People or documents that add
information and perspective to a story, but are not essential
Interview Keys
Prepare! (RESEARCH)– Learn as much as you can about the person you
will interview– Write questions before the interview– Be prepared to add or change questions
Schedule interview Greet and identify yourself and the purpose
of the interview
Interview Keys- Poor Example
Reporter- I’m supposed to ask you about your plans for student council.
Smiley- Okay. Reporter-What can you tell me about your plans? Smiley- Well, big things will be happening. Reporter-How do you plan to implement those
things? Smiley- The student council will work very hard
to make the changes.
Interview Keys- Prepared!!!
Reporter- Joan, how do you plan to fight against suspensions and expulsions, as you promised in your campaign?
Smiley- Actually that will be tough at first. More important is my promise to have more student input in school board policies. With that input, we can work towards stopping suspensions
Interview Keys- Prepared!!!
Reporter- I believe the council tried two years ago to get more student input in board decisions, and failed. How do you propose to become more involved now?
Smiley- Well, I’ve already met the superintendent and the school board president to create a student liason position on the policies committee.
Interview Keys- Questions
INFORMEDOPEN ENDEDPROBINGFOLLOW UP
Interview Keys- Questions
5 Ws and an H– Who? What? When?
Where? Why? How?
GOOD STARTING POINT
Interview Keys- Questions
OPEN ENDED– Ask for an opinion or an interpretation.
– DO NOT LET THEM ANSWER YES OR NO!
Interview Keys- Questions
Change these to OPEN ENDED
Did you sign the petition? Do you floss regularly? Does your computer do calculus? Is the football team going to be good
this year?
Interview Keys- Questions
FOLLOW UP (Probe)– LISTEN to your source’s answers
• Identify when they are being unclear, or vague and make them clarify.
• Make them expand on new information you didn’t know about before the interview
• LOOK FOR THE “ANGLE” AND FOLLOW IT
Three Factors are essential to News1. FACT
News Must be Factual– News is based on
actual occurrences, situations, thoughts, and ideas.
– Not all facts are news.
Three Factors are essential to News2. INTEREST
News Must be Interesting– Not all facts are
interesting
– The degree and breadth of interest will vary.
• High interest for a few
• Some interest for many
• Great interest for many
Three Factors are essential to News3. People/ Audience
It is the job of the reporter to make facts interesting to people.– What does your
audience want?
News Qualities #1
News must be Accurate– Every statement, name and date, age, address,
and quotation is a verifiable fact.– The general impression must be correct as
well as the specific details.
News Qualities #2
News must be Balanced– Every fact must have the proper emphasis
– Get all of the sides to a story, and report all of the important details.
News Qualities #3
News must be Objective– News is a non-biased, factual report of an event (as
much as possible)
– Rely on knowledgeable sources for all information.
– Some background and interpretation is often needed. Such stories are written under a byline.
News Qualities #4
News must be Concise and Clear– Hard news follows the inverted pyramid form
(Most important facts first)
– “Effective reporting is painstakingly precise in word choice, yet full of life and vigor; colorful yet without subjective tinting. . .”
• -Mitchell V. Charnley
News Qualities #5
News must be Timely– Other factors being equal, this quality will always
determine what gets published.
– All events don’t have to be current. They all just have to be appropriate for the time. (current)
Features are different Based on people, not necessarily events Don’t have to be as timely While you don’t want to waste words, you don’t
have to be as concise
Features are the same Everything must be accurate Writing should be objective event though it is a
personal story Based on great interviews