1. Beyond Breaking News
Journalism

2. Table of Contents Features Generating Story Ideas Feature Style
Features Story Structure
Profiles
Enterprise Projects
Investigative Reports
Package Planning
Short-form Alternatives
Editorials and Columns
Reviews

3. 1. Features Common feature categories Lifestyles Health
Goals, relationships, families, fashion, fitness.
Health
Science and Technology
NOT research papers
Entertainment
Food
Homes and gardens

4. Hard News and Soft News Hard News Soft News
Serious, timely news events.
Soft News
Lighter, less urgent, less somber topics.
Some stories could be either depending on the writer’s approach to the story and how the readers will view it.

5. Popular Types Personality Profiles Human-Interest Story
Combines quotes, facts and descriptions to reveal your subject’s true nature.
Human-Interest Story
Unleash your story-telling skills to set the scene, describe the characters, capture the mood and get readers to laugh, cry or tell their friends about a story that is tragic, funny, odd or inspirational.

6. Popular Types Cont. Color Story
“Color” means flavor or mood. It’s the type of piece you write when you’re asked to attend an event – a parade, a strike, a funeral, a disaster – and convey the experience by interviewing and describing.
Backgrounder – Also called Analysis Piece
Through research and interviews, you focus on an issue or event in the news, explaining how it happened, why it matters, and what is next.

7. Popular Types Cont. Trend Story Reaction Piece
Keeps readers plugged in to the people, places, things and ideas affecting today’s culture – the latest/hottest/coolest/oddest – from fads and fashions to lifestyles and entertainment.
Reaction Piece
When a dramatic event happens, a reaction piece provides a sampling of opinions from experts, victims, and ordinary folks.

8. Popular Types Cont. Flashback How-To
Commemorative stories usually run on the anniversary of an historic event combining facts, photos and interviews to explain why it was important then, and why it still matters.
How-To
This popular interactive format teaches readers how to do something. It often works best presented as an easy-to- follow checklist, diagram, or step-by- step sequence of tips.

9. Popular Types Cont. Consumer Guide Personal Narrative
Almost everything we do, buy or eat can be rated in a way that advises readers what is good, bad and ugly.
Personal Narrative
Editors usually discourage stories written in the first person, but if you have a gripping tale to tell, writing a personal narrative may be the best way to re-create the drama.

10. 2. Generating Story Ideas
Where to Find FEATURE Story Ideas
Your publication’s archive
Your competitors
TV, magazines, newspapers, websites
News releases
Reader suggestions
Brainstorming

11. Is it Good? Where did your idea come from? Is the idea original?
Reporting ideas are better than random ideas.
Is the idea original?
Find a new angle.
Does the idea surprise you?
If not, will it surprise your readers?
Does the idea have movement to it?
Change, motion, direction…
Is there a STORY there?
Is there tension?
Is the story true?
Do YOU like the story?

12. Turning an Idea into a Story
See if it’s been done
Focus your angle
Talk to your editor
Do your research
Write the story
Plan the package
Refer to handout for more details.

13. 3. Feature Style New Journalism is…
Realistic dialogue;
Vivid reconstruction of actual scenes that were
viewed through the eyes and minds of the characters, while
recording everyday details that contained the most symbolic resonance.
Feature writers rely on literary techniques you won’t find in standard news stories.

14. Syntax and Phrasing
News stories have simple declarative sentences that contain just facts.
Feature stories can use slang and contractions, can phrase for dramatic effect, and can even use fragments.
Ten seconds. Count it: One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. Seven. Eight. Nine. Ten. Ten seconds was roughly how long it lasted. Nobody had a stopwatch, nothing can be proven definitively, but that’s the consensus. The tornado that swooped through Utica at 6:09 p.m. took some 10 seconds to do what it did. Ten seconds is barely a flicker. It’s a long, deep breath. It’s no time at all. It’s an eternity.
Story by Julia Keller, Chicago Tribune

15. Voice and Tense News Stories – Past Tense
Feature Stories – Often in Present
Features stories often use 2nd person to put you into the story.
Behold the fat man. Go ahead. Everybody does. He doesn’t mind, honestly. That’s how he makes his living. Walk right up to him. Stand and stare…. Don’t be shy. Ask him a question.
“What’s your name?”
“T.J. Albert Jackson. Better known as Fat Albert.”
“How much do you weigh?”
“Eight hundred and ninety-one pounds.”
“Gawd! How many meals you eat a day?”
“Three.”
“What – three cows?”
Story by David Finkel, St. Petersburg Times

16. Detail and Description
News stories feel like they are written in a newsroom.
Features have a you-are-there immediacy through carefully detailing people’s actions and appearance.
He’s in the back seat of the family Volvo, headed to school. His mom and dad are talking up front, but he’s not listening. He is still waking up. His light blond hair is uncombed as usual; a micro-pebble of sleep dust clings to the lashes of his right eye. Through headphones, a man is singing into his brain.

17. Other Dramatic Techniques
Features can’t fabricate facts, but you can present them in dramatic ways, borrowing techniques from traditional story telling. For example:
Tell stories chronologically
Interior monologues
Please, God. Don’t let it be kids.
That was Edgcomb’s single thought, the one that kept pace with his racing heart as he ran toward Milestone: Please, God, no kids. Please. Please.
He’d been a firefighter for 25 years, he was a powerful, well-built man, a natural leader, and nobody would call Dave Edgcomb weak, no sir. He carried an air of can-do confidence.
But right now he was, in his thoughts, on his knees.
Please, God, just don’t let it be kids.
He knew it was bad, real bad, and he knew he could handle anything – but not kids. No dead kids.
Story by Julia Keller, Chicago Tribune

18. Helpful Tips Write tightly Vary sentence structure
Keep it short
Vary sentence structure
Match your treatment to your topic
Serious topic = serious tone
Don’t overdo it
Avoid first person stories
Stay objective
Don’t cheerlead, ridicule or editorialize
Find your voice
Read

19. 4. Features Story Structure
Standard Story Structures
Short-From Alternatives
Refer to handout for details.

20. 5. Profiles Profiles are biographical, but are more than the 5 W’s.
A good profile reveals feelings, exposes attitudes, and captures habits and mannerisms.
A profile shout be informative and entertaining.

21. Researching and Writing
Ask for your subject’s support
Interview and observe
This is not a one time step
Find your focus
What is the most interesting angle for this story?
Follow up with further interviews and research.
Structure your story.
Begin with an appealing lead, a solid nut graf and a fitting finish.
Avoid fact-choked chronologies, rambling monologues and meaningless anecdotes.
Be fair to your subject and kind to your readers.

22. Three ways To Make it Better
Capture details
Use all of your senses, but only write the details that matter.
Re-Create Scenes
Can be what you observe, or the subject’s past.
Add Quotes and Dialogue
Need quotes by and about the subject.
Record dialogue you hear, or from stories you are told.
Avoid using yourself in the dialogue.

23. 6. Enterprise Projects
Enterprise projects give readers a chance to meet colorful characters, to confront complex controversies to explore the why, the how and the what happens next.
Enterprise projects often become special sections or multipart series that take weeks, even months to research.

24. People and Issues
Enterprise projects focus on people or issues.
People – An in-depth profile of a newsworthy person, family or group, often selected to represent a broader social concern or trend.
If I Die – Focuses on one dying child – a 12- year-old cancer victim – while addressing how our culture deals with dying children.
Issues – A detailed look at a controversy or problem, exploring what it means and what lies ahead.
Why Do We Speed? - Focuses on an increase in speeding and the results.

25. Advice on Enterprise Stories
Reporting
Start with a thesis
Do your research
Report, report, report
Stay organized
Look for universal connections
Keep a running list of questions and things to do
Talk to your editor
Cooperate with design team
Writing
Write from the first idea
Write after each interview
Rewrite each time
Plan your ending
Save often, print a lot
Don’t be afraid to edit
Seek outside input
Enjoy the process

26. Enterprise Examples If I Die - http://www.poynterextra.org/IfIDie/
Read the story. Be sure to read all 4 parts.
Why Do We Speed? - / cover-speed_x.htm
Read the story. Be sure to read all of the parts and view the graphic from the first page.
Because everyone else does Because we're sure we won't crash Because we think we have a good excuse Because we think we have a right to Because no one's gonna stop us

27. 7. Investigative Reporting
Derek Zoolander: Do you understand that the world does not revolve around you and your do whatever it takes, ruin as many people's lives, so long as you can make a name for yourself as an investigatory journalist, no matter how many friends you lose or people you leave dead and bloodied along the way, just so long so you can make a name for yourself as an investigatory journalist, no matter how many friends you lose or people you leave dead and bloodied and dying along the way?

28. What is Investigative Reporting?
It is the reporting, through one’s own work product and initiative, matters of importance which some persons or organizations wish to keep secret. The three basic elements are:
The investigation is the work of the reporter, not some other investigation.
The subject of the story has reasonable importance to the readers.
Others are attempting to hide these matters from the public

29. Advice for Investigative Reporters
Be skeptical…
…but remain objective
Focus tightly
Cast a wide net
Stay within legal bounds
Anything illegal or unethical could be used to blackmail you, or discredit your story.
Work the Web

30. 8. Package Planning

31. 9. Short-Form Alternatives
Fast-Facts Bob
Who, what, why, when, where concisely.
Bio Box
Biographical information, usually used to supplement a profile story.
Checklist
List
Step-By-Step Guide
Quiz
Diagram

32. Short-Form Alternatives cont.
Factual Index – Also called “Harper’s Index”
Setup and punchline
Quote Collection
Timeline
Refer to handout for specific details.

33. 10. Editorials and Columns
Editorials, columns and reviews are the place to express opinions that should not be found in other articles.
Editorials and columns are often in a separate section of the paper called the “op-ed” page.

34. Editorials
words
Comments on current events, criticizes or praises officials, endorses political candidates, or explains why issues matter to readers.
Editorials are usually unsigned, thus appearing to represent the opinion of the entire paper.

35. Advice for Writing Editorials
Keep it tight
Keep it relevant
Take a stand
Attack issues, not personalities
Don’t be a bully
Control your anger
Write a strong lead and solid finish

36. Editorial Cartoon Combines art and commentary
Cartoon about current events
Often makes fun of public officials or current events

37. Columns Similar to editorials, but they are signed.
The opinions in a column are solely those of the writer.
Successful columnists have a following of readers.
Some columnists sell their columns to national syndicates that distribute them worldwide.
Can be on any topic or issue, from sports, to music, to gossip, to anything.

38. Advice for Writing Columns
Develop a distinctive voice
Base your opinions on facts – and present those facts
Do your own reporting
Choose worthy topics
Avoid jumping on a bandwagon
Always have a backup column

39. How do you Know it is a Column?
Column logos
Headline Font – Different from standard headline.
An initial cap.
This is an initial cap. It signals the start of an opinion column. It is not a standard news story.

40. 11. Reviews Movies Music Television Theater
Other performances (dance, comedians, etc.)
Books
Art
Food
Games
Technology
Cars
Consumer Goods (lawn mowers, refrigerators)
Travel Advice
Business Advice

41. How to Write Reviews Structure your review
Lead
Storyline
What’s Good
What’s Bad
Summary
Balance reporting and opinion
Know your stuff
Be aware of biases and adjust your reviews
Eschew pomposity
Don’t…
Be cruel
Ruin surprises
Add unnecessary phrases (I think...)
Write negative reviews of ammeter or children productions
Get personal. Criticize the performance, not person.
Take it personal when people disagree.

42. Section Review You should know: what features are;
what the most common feature topics and formats are;
how to come up with ideas for feature stories;
how to tell if your feature idea is a good one and how to turn it into a story;
how the style of feature writing differs from news writing;
what story structures work well for features;
how to research and write biographical profiles;
how to write special stories and series that explore people and issues in greater depth (enterprise projects);
how to do investigative reporting, and what to watch out for;
how teamwork can help turn stories into appealing packages through package planning;
how to condense material using short-form alternatives, such as bios, checklists, timelines and diagrams; and
how to write editorials, columns and reviews.

43. Section Outline THE WORLD OF FEATURES Common categories
Personalizing the news with stories that educate and entertain. Feature stories often focus on issues that are less timely and more personal: trends, relationships, entertainment.
They include topics, treatments, styles and structures you won't find in standard news stories.
Hard news vs. soft news: What do these terms mean?
Common categories
Lifestyles
Health
Science and technology
Entertainment
Food
Homes and gardens
Popular Types of Feature Stories
Personality profile
Human-interest story
Color story
Backgrounder
Trend story
Reaction piece
Flashback
How-to
Consumer guide
Personal narrative

44. Section Outline Cont. GENERATING STORY IDEAS
There are great stories everywhere, just waiting to be discovered. The four best angles: How to save time....How to save money....How to be loved....How to make money.
Where to Find Those Great (But Elusive) Story Ideas
Start compiling a list: Look for ideas everywhere; then jot them down.
Organize your ideas by topic (people, places, trends) or by treatment (profiles, photo stories, how-to guides).
The best places to look for ideas:
your publication's archives
your competitors
TV, magazines, newspapers, Web sites
news releases
reader suggestions
brainstorming
How to Tell if Your Idea is a Good One
Eight ways to assess a story idea before you try selling it to an editor.
You Think You've Got a Good Idea? Here's How to Turn It into a Story:
See if it's been done.
Focus your angle.
Talk to your editor.
Do your research.
Plan the package.
Write the story.

45. Section Outline Cont. FEATURE STYLE Advice and Suggestions
Some stories require a livelier, looser, more literary voice.
"The New Journalism" pioneered by Tom Wolfe, Hunter S. Thompson and Gay Talese in the 1960s. Reporters began borrowing literary techniques from novelists.
Today, feature writers still rely on literary techniques you won't find in standard news stories.
Advice and Suggestions
Helpful tips for successful feature writing
Using syntax and phrasing
Using voice and tense
Using detail and description
Using other dramatic techniques
FEATURE STORY STRUCTURES
Standard Story Structures
Using traditional text to convey information.
The inverted pyramid is rarely used in feature stories. While it's an efficient way to organize facts in a news story, it is NOT an engaging way to organize ideas in a feature.
Short-Form Story Structures
Using colorful, creative layouts that are easy to produce and appeal to readers' short attention spans.
Suggestions for using a more visual approach.

46. Section Outline Cont. WRITING PROFILES
Profiles are more than a who-what-when-where-why rehash of facts.
A good profile:
reveals feelings;
exposes attitudes;
captures habits and mannerisms; and
entertains as well as informs.
How to Research and Write Successful Profiles
Solicit your subject's support.
Interview and observe.
Find your focus.
Follow up with further interviews and research.
Structure your story.
Advice and Suggestions
Tips on working with photographers.
Ways to paint a better portrait: capturing details, re-creating scenes, and adding quotes and dialogue.
Checklist of questions to ask yourself when reporting and writing profiles.

47. Section Outline Cont. ENTERPRISE PROJECTS Advice and Suggestions
Special stories that allow reporters to reach beyond the routine.
Most provide in-depth examination of people and issues.
They are creative, ambitious and unique.
They often become special sections or multi-part series.
Advice and Suggestions
How do I find time for enterprise?
Expert advice on reporting and writing enterprise stories.
INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING
In a free society, some journalists do more than just explain—they expose.
What Is Investigative Reporting? Three Basic Elements:
that the investigation be the work of the reporter, not a report of an investigation made by someone else;
that the subject involves something of reasonable importance; and
that others are attempting to hide these matters from the public.
Digging up dirt: Advice for investigative reporters.

48. Section Outline Cont. PACKAGE PLANNING SHORT-FORM ALTERNATIVES
Using teamwork and working with the editor, photographer and designer to turn stories into appealing packages.
SHORT-FORM ALTERNATIVES
Alternatives to narrative text
Condensing data for readers with short attention spans
Short-form formats:
fast-fact box
bio box
checklist
list
quiz
step-by-step guide
factual index
diagram
timeline
quote collection
WRITING EDITORIALS AND COLUMNS
In editorials, columns and reviews, the writer's opinions aren't just allowed, they're encouraged. They're essential.
Advice and Suggestions
Editorials: where publications take a stand
Columns: where the options are endless
Writing commentary: Advice for columnists

49. Section Outline Cont. WRITING REVIEWS Advice and Suggestions
Readers need your expert guidance to find the best performances and products.
Distinction between "critic" and "reviewer."
Advice and Suggestions
Using graphic extras that make reviews more reader-friendly.
How to write criticism that gets good reviews.