1. Journalism 2001 Week 2: September 21, 2009

3. Announcements Who you are Who you are –Freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors –Journalism, communication, Spanish, electrical and computer engineering, political science, business, secondary education, English, geography, psychology, organizational management, undecided majors –Future magazine writer, technology writer, high school teachers, radio broadcaster, lawyer, pharmacist, marketing executive, advertising executive, graduate student, reporters, music production company owner, many unsure! –All curious and interested in improving writing!

4. Extra Credit Opportunities Primary election coverage at WDIO-TV Primary election coverage at WDIO-TV –Who attended? How did it go?

5. In-Class Assignments Check egradebook: Check egradebook: –www.d.umn.edu/egradebook www.d.umn.edu/egradebook –Remember that lowest score dropped! Tonight’s assignment: Tonight’s assignment: –Summary lead exercise –AP Stylebook exercise

6. List of Assignments

7. Journalism skills helped these UMD alumni succeed Newspapers Newspapers –Andy Greder, Duluth News Tribune –Sarah Doty, Rochester Post-Bulletin –Jim Heffernan, former opinion editor, Duluth News- Tribune –Tim Franklin, publisher of the Hinckley News, Pine County Courier (former Statesman editor, editor/reporter in Cloquet, Grand Marais, Duluth) TV news reporters TV news reporters –Dennis Anderson, anchor for WDIO-TV –Joel Runck, reporter for KBJR-TV –Kyle Underwood, former WDIO-TV Kyle Underwood, former WDIO-TVKyle Underwood, former WDIO-TV

8. Public relations Public relations  Susan Latto, UMD Public Relations Director  Amy Rutledge, communications manager for Minnesota Power, former anchor for KDLH-TV and Sports Information Sports Information  Bob Nygaard, UMD Sports Information Director Grant writers/non-profit organizations Grant writers/non-profit organizations  Cindy Finch, Woodland Hills Advertising Advertising  John Hyduke, Westmoreland Flint Government relations Government relations  Julene Boe, St. Louis River Alliance/City of Duluth  Jess Myers, Minnesota Senate Office/former Hockey News

9. “It's impossible to teach anyone to be a journalist because most of the skills necessary to be a good journalist — an insatiable curiosity, a tenacity for the truth and a love of words — must be developed within. Those of us who have chosen to teach journalism don't really teach, we merely light the way.” — Prof. Malcolm Gibson, College Program Guide, published by The New York Times Co. — Prof. Malcolm Gibson, College Program Guide, published by The New York Times Co.

11. Who is the current mayor of Duluth? 1. Don Ness 2. Herb Bergson 3. Gary Doty

12. When was Don Ness elected mayor? 1. Three years ago 2. Two years ago 3. Last November

13. Is Mayor Ness a graduate of UMD? 1. Yes 2. No

14. As a student at UMD, Don Ness was ___________. 1. Captain of the UMD basketball team 2. Editor of the Statesman 3. Student Association President

15. The Duluth Public Schools system is undergoing a reorganization process. What is it called? 1. Time for change 2. The Red Plan 3. Zenith City Plan

16. Duluth voters approved the Red Plan for reorganization of the Duluth Public Schools. 1. Yes 2. No

17. Hard News Murders Murders City Council meetings City Council meetings Government meetings Government meetings Not always bad news: major announcements Not always bad news: major announcements Soft News Retirements Retirements School programs School programs Human interest Human interest

18. Are these hard news or soft news? Car wash by fourth graders to raise money for a classmate with cancer Car wash by fourth graders to raise money for a classmate with cancer Murder in Lakeside Murder in Lakeside High wind creating surf conditions for wind surfers High wind creating surf conditions for wind surfers City council meeting City council meeting Strike by AFSCME Strike by AFSCME

19. Review of last week’s news Hard News: Hard News: (murder, City Council, government, etc.) –Major local stories –Major national/international stories –Major sports stories Soft News: Soft News: (retirements, school programs, human interest) –Local stories –National/International stories –Sports stories Statesman Statesman Today’s Front Pages Today’s Front Pages Today’s Front Pages Today’s Front Pages

20. Convergence Collaboration between newspapers, TV and Internet Collaboration between newspapers, TV and Internet –KDLH/Duluth News Tribune –Newspaper reporter/radio reporter

21. What does it mean for a journalist to be objective? Let’s hear your definitions Let’s hear your definitions

22. For a journalist this is one of our biggest responsibilities as a writer. We all come with our own view points, opinions, and interpretations, but as a journalist it's our job to be informative/tell a story with out adding our two cents. To be objective means to be unbiased. For a journalist this is one of our biggest responsibilities as a writer. We all come with our own view points, opinions, and interpretations, but as a journalist it's our job to be informative/tell a story with out adding our two cents. To be objective means to be unbiased. When a journalist is objective their article is as devoid as possible of personal values, feelings, opinions or beliefs. It is important for news reports to be objective so the audience can form their own opinions. It is a journalists job to simply report the facts, without a personal agenda. Unless one is reporting for a news source with a clear agenda, it is imperative to "respect the integrity of facts". Alfred C. Kinsey described a journalists job well by saying "We are recorders and reporters of the facts -- not judges of the behavior we describe." When a journalist is objective their article is as devoid as possible of personal values, feelings, opinions or beliefs. It is important for news reports to be objective so the audience can form their own opinions. It is a journalists job to simply report the facts, without a personal agenda. Unless one is reporting for a news source with a clear agenda, it is imperative to "respect the integrity of facts". Alfred C. Kinsey described a journalists job well by saying "We are recorders and reporters of the facts -- not judges of the behavior we describe."

23. Words matter!

24. Chapter 3: Newswriting Basics Summary lead literally sums up the story in the lead, giving the reader the most important information first Summary lead literally sums up the story in the lead, giving the reader the most important information first Developed in Civil War when stories sent by telegraph Developed in Civil War when stories sent by telegraph Continued into the 1970s with wire service telegraph machines Continued into the 1970s with wire service telegraph machines

25. Just the facts –Good reporters respect integrity of facts. –Facts tell the story. –Readers draw their own conclusions. You must try to be objective. Truthful. Fair. Where do opinions belong in a newspaper?  Most newspaper stories can be placed on a continuum.  Ranges from rigidly objective (breaking news) to rabidly opinionated (movie reviews).

26. The 5 Ws and H! Who? Who? What? What? When? When? Where? Where? Why? Why? How? How? Focal point determines emphasis in lead

27. The WHO –Readers love stories that focus on people. –WHO keeps it real.  Who’s involved?  Who’s affected?  Who’s going to benefit?  Who’s getting screwed? The WHAT –WHAT gives news its substance.  Stories become dry and dull if they focus too much on WHAT.  Need WHO.

28. The WHEN –Timeliness essential to every story.  When events happened or will happen.  How long they lasted or will last. The WHERE –The closer the event, the more relevant it is for readers. –Many stories require supplements.  Map  Diagram  Photo

29. The WHY –Finding explanations difficult. –The WHY is what makes news meaningful. The HOW –Often requires detailed explanation. –Sometimes omitted to save space. –Readers love “how- to” stories.

30. Inverted pyramid Put the most important news first Put the most important news first Organize the rest of the paragraphs in descending order of importance Organize the rest of the paragraphs in descending order of importance Why? Lets readers quickly scan a newspaper story and decide whether to continue reading it Why? Lets readers quickly scan a newspaper story and decide whether to continue reading it Different from short stories, novels, most feature stories Different from short stories, novels, most feature stories Easy to cut stories as needed to fit news hole Easy to cut stories as needed to fit news hole

31. The inverted pyramid Newswriting format summarizes most important facts at story’s start This is the lead, which summarizes the story’s most important facts This paragraph adds more details or background This paragraph adds even more details This adds more details More details

32. Writing basic news leads –Collect all your facts.  Lead should summarize.  The more you know, the easier it is to summarize. How to write an effective news lead –Sum it up. Boil it down.  List who, what, when, where, why of story.

33. Writing basic news leads –Prioritize the five W’s.  Lead contains the most important facts.  Which of the key facts deserves to start the first sentence? How to write an effective news lead –Rethink. Revise. Rewrite.  Is it clear?  Is it active?  Is it wordy?  Is it compelling?

34. Writing basic news leads –Writing leads often a process of trial and error.  Try different approaches. How to write an effective news lead –Create different leads using the…  Who.  What.  When.  Where.  Why.

35. Beyond the basic news lead Be accurate. Be accurate. Remember what day it is. Remember what day it is. Don’t name names. Don’t name names. Use strong verbs. Use strong verbs. Story checklist Ask “Why should I care?” Ask “Why should I care?” Sell the story. Sell the story. Don’t get hung up. Don’t get hung up. Move attributions to the end of the sentences. Move attributions to the end of the sentences.

36. Leads that succeed –Basic news leads –Anecdotal/ narrative leads –Scene-setter leads –Blind leads –Roundup leads A roundup of commonly used options –Direct address leads –The startling statement –Wordplay leads

37. Leads that succeed –Basic news leads  Summary lead –Combines five W’s into one sentence.  Delayed identification lead –Withholds the name of the person in question until the second paragraph  Immediate identification lead –Uses a public figure or celebrity in the sentence.

38. Leads that succeed –Anecdotal/ narrative leads  Have a beginning, middle and end.  Will be mini-story with symbolic resonance for bigger story. –Scene-setter leads  Lack urgency of hard- news leads.  Borrowed from fiction. –Blind leads  Extreme delayed information lead. –Deliberately teases reader.

39. Leads that succeed –Roundup leads  Rather than focus on one person, place or thing, impress reader with longer list. –Direct address leads  Use second-person voice. –The startling statement  Also called a “zinger” or a “Hey, Martha.” –Wordplay leads  Encompass wide range of amusing leads.

40. Leads that succeed –Topic leads  Convey no actual news. –Question leads  Are irritating stalls. –Quote leads  Don’t fairly summarize the story. …and three lazy leads you should usually reconsider

41. After the lead…what next? –Know how long the story should be. Add another paragraph Write the nut graf –Paragraph that condenses the story idea into nutshell. Briefs and brites:  Brief – written using the inverted pyramid.  Brite – written with more personality than a brief.

42. The lead Key facts in inverted- pyramid form Chronology of events Kicker Story structure –The martini glass  Use for: –Crimes. –Disasters. –Dramatic stories. Giving an overall shape to writing

43. Story structure –The kabob  Also called Wall Street Journal formula or the Circle.  Use for: –Trends. –Events where you want to show actual people. Giving an overall shape to writing Anecdote Nut graf Meat Anecdote

44. Story structure –Modern journalist’s job basically boils down to  Teaching.  Storytelling. Keeping readers from getting bored –Use narratives when you can. –Think like a teacher.

45. Story structure –Keep paragraphs short. –Write one idea per paragraph. –Add transitions. Writing tips as you move from paragraph to paragraph Alternatives to long, gray news stories  Bullet items  Sidebars  Subheads  Other storytelling alternatives

46. Story structure –Good writers agonize over the kicker as much as the lead.  Plan ahead.  Don’t end with a summary.  Avoid clichés.  End with a bang. The big finish

47. Rewriting –Writing is rewriting.  Make things a little better.  Few stories arrive fully formed and perfectly phrased.  Most require rethinking, restructuring and rewording. Good story. Now make it better.

48. Rewriting –Passive verbs  Start sentences with their subjects.  Replace to be with stronger verbs. –Redundancy  Avoid unnecessary modifiers. Reasons to hit the delete key 5 –Wordy sentences –Jargon & journalese  Filter out jargon and officialese. –Clichés  Lower the IQ of your writing.

49. Active voice Write in active/rather than passive voice Write in active/rather than passive voice What’s the difference? What’s the difference? –In active voice, the subject performs the action expressed in the verb; the subject acts –In passive voice, the subject receives the action expressed in the verb; the subject is acted upon Active voice doesn’t mean present tense Active voice doesn’t mean present tense

50. Huh? Active voice: Subject acts Active voice: Subject acts –The dog bit the boy. –Mary will present her research at the conference. –Scientists tested the hypothesis by conducting experiments. Passive voice: Subject acted upon Passive voice: Subject acted upon –The boy was bitten by the dog. –Research will be presented by Mary at the conference. –Experiments have been conducted to test the hypothesis.

51. Rewriting –Find typical example. –Average number of words per sentence. –Number of “hard” words with 3 or more syllables (no proper names). The Fog Index – a readability gauge –Add average number of words to number of “hard” words. –Multiply the sum by 0.4.

52. Rewriting –Most Americans read at or about 9 th -grade level.  Aim for Fog Index of 7 to 8.  Bible, Mark Twain, TV Guide have Fog Index around 6. The Fog Index – a readability gauge

53. Editing –Before you write  Assigning story.  Planning angle.  Estimating scope.  Anticipating packaging. The role editors play in your stories –While you write  Adding details.  Monitoring speed.  Fine-tuning.  Layout changes.

54. Editing –After you write  Editing content.  Copy editing.  Cutting or padding.  Assigning follow-up stories. The role editors play in your stories

55. Newswriting style –Every news outlet customizes guidelines. –Copy desk’s job to standardize style. –Know AP and your news outlet’s style. Who’s right?

56. 66 newswriting tips –Writing leads –The rest of the story –Editing and style –Rules of grammar –Word choices  Nonsexist, nonageist, nondiscriminatory –Punctuation

57. No two leads the same Reporters covering the same story will write different leads Reporters covering the same story will write different leads Examples from Duluth News-Tribune and Minneapolis Star Tribune Examples from Duluth News-Tribune and Minneapolis Star Tribune

58. How to write a summary lead Usually a single sentence Usually a single sentence No more than 35 words No more than 35 words Bottom line: –Use a single sentence of no more than 35 words in a summary lead

59. Identifying the focal point Which W or H is the focal point? Which W or H is the focal point? Let’s practice: Let’s practice: –The search for a new president for the university has been temporarily postponed.  Who:  What:  When:  Where:  Why:  How: Focal point?

60. Mayor Jane Doe announced today that she will not seek re-election next year. Mayor Jane Doe announced today that she will not seek re-election next year. –Who: –What: –When: –Where: –Why: –How: Focal point?

61. In an effort to increase awareness on campus, the UMD Kirby Program Board has appointed a new coordinator, and she plans to use more advertising to bring about change. In an effort to increase awareness on campus, the UMD Kirby Program Board has appointed a new coordinator, and she plans to use more advertising to bring about change. –Who: –What: –When: –Where: –Why: –How: Focal point?

62. What’s the bottom line for a summary lead? 1. Usually a single sentence of no more than 35 words. 2. Usually as long as needed to tell story. 3. Usually two sentences of no more than 35 words.

63. How I write a lead When starting to write a story, I often write out all of my notes, including the direct quotes When starting to write a story, I often write out all of my notes, including the direct quotes Lead often becomes clear in the second graph Lead often becomes clear in the second graph When leaving a meeting, speech, etc., ask myself: What would I tell my friend, husband, person passing in the street? When leaving a meeting, speech, etc., ask myself: What would I tell my friend, husband, person passing in the street? What happened? What happened? Who cares? Who cares?

64. Summary of summary leads Don’t go with the first lead Don’t go with the first lead Avoid unnecessary words Avoid unnecessary words Avoid gobbledygook Avoid gobbledygook –Government jargon Write clearly, concisely Write clearly, concisely Use vivid verbs Use vivid verbs Use colorful words Use colorful words

65. Journalism Case Studies Throughout semester we’ll look at ethical dilemmas journalists face on the job Throughout semester we’ll look at ethical dilemmas journalists face on the job –Compiled by University of Indiana School of Journalism Today: When Journalists Play God Today: When Journalists Play GodWhen Journalists Play GodWhen Journalists Play God

66. Words matter!

67. Assignments for today: Using the Tuesday (9/15) Duluth News-Tribune, list the stories on the front page, local section and the sports pages. Keep evaluations brief: no more than three sentences each. Email Microsoft Word attachment to: lkragnes@d.umn.edu Using the Tuesday (9/15) Duluth News-Tribune, list the stories on the front page, local section and the sports pages. Keep evaluations brief: no more than three sentences each. Email Microsoft Word attachment to: lkragnes@d.umn.edulkragnes@d.umn.edu Be a Reporter course through NewsU Be a Reporter course through NewsU One question quiz through Moodle One question quiz through Moodle

68. Hard News 1 Story Assignment Interview a member of the Duluth area media to learn more about what it’s like to work as a journalist Interview a member of the Duluth area media to learn more about what it’s like to work as a journalist Stories will be posted on class Web site Stories will be posted on class Web site

69. Hard News 1 Story Pitch Due: September 30 Length of story pitch: three paragraphs, about 200 words Length of story pitch: three paragraphs, about 200 words Include the 5 Ws and H: what makes this story newsworthy Include the 5 Ws and H: what makes this story newsworthy

70. In-class assignment for 9/28 To help you prepare for interviewing sources, during next week’s class you will be interviewing Lucy Kragness. She will review her background, and each student will ask at least one question. –Assume story assignment for the Statesman –To prepare, review website, write out questions in advance.  http://www.d.umn.edu/~lkragnes http://www.d.umn.edu/~lkragnes

71. Out-of-class assignment for 9/28 Summary lead exercises 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 lkragnes@d.umn.edu Be an Editor through NewsU Be an Editor through NewsU

72. Today’s assignment AP Stylebook editing practice AP Stylebook editing practice Summary lead exercise Summary lead exercise –Steps to help you:  Identify the five Ws and H –Who? –What? –When? –Where? –Why? –How?  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 lkragnes@d.umn.edu