Writing for Mass Media Spring 2009

Today’s agenda—March 5 To return Quiz #4 To discuss your leads To discuss Story Structure To review for Midterm Exam next Tuesday To discuss extra credit points for Midterm Exam Postpone Due date of Outside Assignment #3 until after Spring Break

News n/index.htmhttp:// n/index.htm IABC Student Chapter – up.php?gid= http:// up.php?gid= – Internships and other scholarship opportunities are posted on the IABC Facebook site! Hard copies of internship opportunities are in my office

Lead information A study was released yesterday by the University of Colorado. The study was funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. The study said that 60 percent of college students who begin studying science, mathematics or engineering switch to another major. The study cited poor teaching and an aloof faculty as the cause.

Your leads Sixty percent of college students majoring in science, mathematics and engineering switched majors according to a study released Monday. On last Friday, a study was conducted; it cited that 60 percent of college students at the University of Colorado switched their major, due to poor faculty teaching. Poor teaching and an aloof faculty are the cause of the 60 percent of college students whom change their major.

Your leads The University of Colorado released a study on Monday and found that 60% of college students who begin studying science, mathematics or engineering switch to another major. The University of Colorado released a study on Monday which showed that 60% of college students who begin with math, science, or engineering majors choose to switch to another major.

Write this lead A fire destroyed a home on East 17 th Street. It was started by a cigarette that was discarded in a sofa. The fire left the husband, his wife and their four children homeless. The fire started at 1 a.m. and caused $30,000 in damages.

Your leads A family is left homeless when a fire destroyed there home causeing 30,000 in damages. The cause of the fire was a cigarette left in the sofa. A family of six left homeless after there house burned down, a cigarette was found discarded in the couch. A family of six was left homeless after a cigarette set fire to their house and caused over $30,000 worth of damages.

Your leads A fire completely damages a home, leaving husband, wife and their four children homeless. A fire causes major damage to a home, leaving husband, wife and their four children homeless. A family is homeless after their house burns down due to a lit cigarette.

Story structure Remember some of the basics like Inverted Pyramid

Writing a Basic News Story Inverted Pyramid and Story Focus –The basic news story is told upside down (inverted pyramid), with most important information first to least important information. Results of a news event first. Lead Less important info. Least important info.

Story structure First you determine your focus=lead Determine the order Review your notes from your interview –Categories –Did you have those? –Main points in order of importance –Quotes –Most important to least –Fit in with your categories/main points

Story structure The kiss-off method for using quotes –Use quotes from the speaker, then kiss them off –Use quotes from a different speaker, then kiss them off –Don’t go back and forth between speakers –THIS IS CONFUSING TO YOUR READER!!!

Story structure Story flow –Transitions Chronological terms First, second, third And, but… Repetition of words –Use of quotes –Use specific details –Strong lively sentences

Story structure Write short sentences Write short paragraphs Simplify your wording Avoid jargon Write in active voice

Story Structure—in the middle Parallelism; see page 163 for example Pacing Simple sentences for complex information Lists can help

The End Future action Return to the beginning Quote ending Just stop

Extra credit for midterm Choose one of the options Let’s talk about the events –Basketball –Invisible children –Baseball –Table tennis How many notes should you take? Who should you talk with? What if you need help?

Midterm Exam Check out the Review on the wiki – ntPage#comment http://writingformassmedia.pbwiki.com/Fro ntPage#comment Come prepared to take the book portion on Monday You may use AP Stylebook You will write on Thursday. This portion is 25 points on your test.

Tuesday’s agenda Midterm Exam Turn in your notes from your extra credit opportunities