Journalism 09/07/12 To Do Now/Today: 1. - Divide the classroom in half 2. - Go over PowerPoint on NEWS/FEATURES 3. - Have students come up with an idea based on their half of the class and write an article about it (news or features). NEXT CLASS: You will be divided into your BEAT and you will begin writing for that section. I first want you to get a grip on how to write a NEWS ARTICLE or a FEATURES ARTICLE because the trasnsition will be much easier.
NEWS LEADS: A lead should summarize the article so readers immediately grasp the problem or situation. Make sure you draw the reader into the article, but NEVER editorialize (telling readers how they should feel). Use interesting, unbiased words. Be clear and concise. A lead in an investigative story can incorporate a features lead in order to hook readers. Investigative stories tend to be much longer than normal news pieces, so the lead can be as long as three paragraphs (centerspread).
SIDE NOTE All articles, no matter the topic, should sound professional and entirely distanced and unbiased. There should never ever be any first person in any news article unless it is in a quote. Try to make the article engaging by mixing up diction and using detailed descriptions, but be wary of opinionated adverbs and adjectives.
Direct quotes are the preferred method of sourcing for out newspaper. No quote should stand alone. Strive for diversity in selecting the sources of your quotes! Varied opinions, varied sources! Quotes should be between 5-20 words in length. For really great quotes in an article that focuses on human interest, the limit is flexible to words. If the quote is really strong, it definitely deserves its own paragraph! Be accurate. Every quote must be word for word. Quotes should only be tagged with “said,” but these tags can come at the beginning, middle, or end of the quote. Mix it up! Place “said” before the speaker’s name. Write: Said Anderson, “Quote.” Don’t write: Anderson said “Quote.” New person, new paragraph. Choose the BEST quotes.
WHAT IS NEWS COMPOSED OF? Facts Anecdotes Quotes/Opinions
FEATURES Feel free to highlight the “wow” element of an article. Ask yourself what makes the article unique and interesting to students, and capitalize on that. Cliché leads and quote leads can be very effective but must be used moderately.
Literary Allusions: Relates a person or event to some character or event in literature. Historical Allusion: Relates a person or event to some character or event in history. Contrast: Compares extremes—the big with the little, the comedy with the tragedy, age with youth, rich with poor—if such comparisons is applicable to the news event. Pun: A novelty that uses a pun to quick the reader’s attention. Description (person): This type of lead can help establish the character trait you wish to convey to your readers in personality profile. Description (event): As with the description site lead, the event description can go a long way in establishing the mood of the story to your readers. Capsule or Punch Lead: Uses a blunt, explosive statement to summarize the most newsworthy feature.
Parody Lead: Mimics a well-known proverb, quotation, or phrase. Direct Address Lead: Speaks directly to the reader on a subject of widespread interest or appeal. Anecdotal Lead: Uses an event to represent the universal experience. Sequence or Narrative: Places the reader in the midst of action.
In a features articles, you can write a little more creatively. The overall tone of your article can be much more creative, even a LITTLE biased, with the degree of your individuality. If you are writing a humorous column, your job is to find a funny topic and make it hilarious through skilled writing. Pick a topic that is offbeat or that you are knowledgeable about and make it universal. Personality profile Human interest Trend story Backgrounders In-depth story