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Week 4: Journalism 2001October 4, 2010
Its, it’s or its’. Which is correct?
1. Its2. It’s3. Its’
Review of last week’s news
Review 9/27 summary lead assignment
Overall continued progress! Best to use one-sentence summary lead Style errors:
– Datelines– State abbreviations– Addresses
Grammar– Spelling– Run-on sentences– In-complete sentences– Agreement– That/which
Editing marks
Let’s review editing marks in Stylebook:– page 459
A neighbor of a house on Lawler Avenue reported a fire caused by a smoldering cigarette on a mattress on Friday at 7 p.m., where firefighters had to break into the empty house to extinguish it.
Skokie Fire Department was called to a house located on Lawler Avenue because a fire had broken out on Friday night, caused by a cigarette left on a mattress and pillow.
A neighbor tipped firefighters to a burning house at Lawler Avenue on Friday where the fire was discovered to be caused by forgotten cigarette left on mattress and pillow with damages estimated at around $50,000.
Winter storm brought snow, hail, torrential rains and left behind icy roads and frigid temperatures in Northern California Thursday morning causing hundreds of fender-bender accidents.
Residents look forward to Friday’s sunny forecast after a winter storm swept northern California Thursday morning causing icy roads, frigid temperatures, snow, hail, and even torrential rainfall that officials say could lead to dangerous mudslides.
Thursday’s winter storm in Northern California of snow, ice, hail, and torrential rains caused hundreds of car accidents and a danger of mudslides however Friday is expected to be dry and sunny.
Review: Writing a summary lead
Usually a single sentence No more than 35 words Bottom line:
– Use a single sentence of no more than 35 words to summarize an event
Review: Lucy Kragness interview
Overall tough to condense all the info!– Some “untrue” facts!
Use spellchecker (how to spell Kragness?), AP Stylebook
Use past tense, third person Common style errors:
– Titles– Years– Numerals– State names– Degrees: master’s, bachelor’s– Freelance
Use last name on second reference Avoid restating question Watch editorializing Verify facts Paragraph length: 2-3 sentences max Grammar
– Agreement– Run-on sentences– When to use hyphens
Attribution: she said strongest “Quote here,” she said. Wordiness Don’t be afraid to use quotes!
As Lucy Kragness talked about her experiences as a journalist and instructor, her love of journalism wasn’t only obvious in what she said, but also in the way she said it.
Lucy Kragness’ career came full circle when she recently returned to teaching at the University of Minnesota Duluth where she teaches students about the exciting world of journalism, a world that she knows very well.
After years of being a journalist and assistant to the chancellor, Lucy Kragness has returned to teaching because the journalism minor has once again become available for students at UMD.
Hard News 1 Story Assignment
How are interviews going? Work in teams to interview Duluth citizens
about the gubernatorial election Each reporter writes own story Interview 8-10 Duluth residents
– Might not use all sources in story– List all sources, with contact info, at end of
story Groups of 1 to 2 Stories will be posted on class website:
– Fall Jour 2001 Website
Let’s make sure that we are covering Duluth
Amy: Plaza Super One Klaus: West End Luke: Highland Village Apartments Jarred: Miller Hill Mall Emily: Canal Park Ann/Julie: UMD/Food Court Danielle/Brooke: Central High School Teachers Lizzy: Cub Annelyse: WalMart
Madiha: Mount Royal Olivia/Kaylie: Caribou Coffee Reegan: Student Athletes Stephanie: Lester Park Haley: Starbucks Princess/Jillian: CSS/UMD Library Holly: Target Tony: LSH/Griggs Fond du Luth Casino Nick: Electric Fetus Anne: Pizza Luce
What are you finding are the key issues for the governor’s
race? Work in teams at each table Come up with four issues in 5
minutes Post questions on class website at:
– http://blog.lib.umn.edu/lkragnes/jour2001fall2010/
Let’s grade Chapter 5 Quiz
Sports Story Pitch Due:Monday, October 4
Select a UMD or prep sporting event to cover
Length of story pitch: no more than three paragraphs, about 200 words
Include the 5 Ws and H: what makes this story newsworthy
Complete article due: November 8
Sample sports story pitch
The sporting event that I am going to cover is a upcoming high school prep football game between the varsity squads of Duluth Denfeld and Hibbing high school. The game is scheduled for Friday, October 13th at 5:15 PM.
I am expecting a large home crowd, and some theatrics from fans considering this is the end of Duluth Denfeld's homecoming week.
Let’s look up sporting events
UMD Athletics
Next week
Practice City Council meeting– Tape of a previous meeting
October 25
We will attend City Council meeting.
Assignment: Due 10/11
Enroll in the News University course, “The Interview.” Access the course at: http://www.newsu.org
When you finish the course, send me a Course Report, which is the last item on the left hand column when you are in the course. Send the report to: [email protected]
You must complete the course by Monday, October 11 at 11:59 p.m.
Happy interviewing!
Assignment due tonight
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
Another its, its’ or it’s?
1. It’s2. Its’3. Its
Bottom line on it’s or its
Use it’s: when mean it is, it has All other uses: its
No such word as its’
Useful websites
Grammar, writing– Purdue’s OWL (Online Writing Lab)– Guide to Grammar and Writing, Capital Commu
nity College Foundation– Guide to Grammar and Style, Jack Lynch
Journalism– Beginning Reporter Resources– Power Reporting
Let’s review…
Interviewing– How to gather information
Quotes– Direct, paraphrase, partial
Taking notes
– Tape recorder
Pros and cons
DisadvantagesReplaying and transcribing takes time
Machine can fail
If you don’t save tapes, not lasting record
AdvantagesHighest accuracy
Actual proof of what was said
Can post interview on paper’s Web site
Taking notes
– Notebook
Pros and cons
DisadvantagesPeople talk faster than you can write
Standing still to write restricts movement
Won’t be able to read all your own handwriting
AdvantagesNothing to break, no batteries
Easy to access and transcribe
Becomes permanent record
Taking notes
– Typing
Pros and cons
DisadvantagesPeople talk fast; quotes may be inaccurate
Computers can destroy or delete files
Stuck sitting in one place staring at a screen
AdvantagesFastest way to go from notes to story
Most efficient way to get data on deadline
Can conduct interview using chat or e-mail
Interviewing
– Phone interviews
Interview pros and cons
DisadvantagesImpersonal
Difficult (and sometimes illegal) to record
More likely to mishear or misquote someone
AdvantagesFast and efficient
Less intimidating
Cell phones allow interviews to take place anywhere at any time
Interviewing
– E-mail interviews
Interview pros and cons
DisadvantagesNo personal interaction
Lagtime between questions and answers
Takes longer; are you sure the person is who he/she claims to be?
AdvantagesGives interviewees time to construct responses
Offers the most flexibility
Typed responses easy to copy and paste; provide record of what was said
Interviewing
– In-person interviews
Interview pros and cons
DisadvantagesWastes time traveling and waiting
Distractions can interrupt interview
If you are uncomfortable, it becomes obvious
AdvantagesBest way to build rapport
Physical surroundings can provide useful data
People take you more seriously when you are in front of them
Closed-ended questions– Asked to get precise answer– Useful when already know the answer, need
confirmation– Used when source is comfortable– Don’t be hostile!
Open-ended questions– Useful when have more time– Often learn unexpected information– Gets source’s opinions, feelings– Anything else to add? Anything I’m forgetting?
Use objective verbs of attribution
Straight news stories– Use neutral verbs: said, added
“Said” isn’t boring – readers expect it No need to be creative
– Avoid asserted, bellowed, contended, cried, declared, demanded, emphasized, harangued, hinted, maintained, opined, stammered, stated, stressed
Placement of attributions
Usually follows the quotation Normally follows first sentence in
multiple sentence quote When sources change, new
attribution needed Use attribution once in a quotation Use attribution between complete,
partial quotes
What are typical reporting beats?
1. Police & fire2. Courts3. Education4. Government5. All of the above
Covering a beat
– News beat Do research. Talk to your
predecessor. Achieve a mind-
meld with editors. Meet people.
Beat reporters focus on specific topics or institutions
Make lists Key sources Upcoming meetings
and events Story ideas
Working a beat: Do’s and don’ts
– Familiarize yourself.
– Follow the money.– Call sources back.– Write for your
readers.
DO
– Get too cozy. What does that
mean?– Get used.– Waste sources’
time.– Simply mimic.
DON’T
Obituaries
Writing obits: A fate worse than death?– Each paper has different policies on
obituaries– Often front-page news
Capturing the flavor of a life– Prominent citizens/entertainers
Michael Jackson Patrick Swayze
Often published free of charge
Writing obituaries
Death is news– Obituaries are
read more closely by more people than any other part of the paper. They tell stories. They touch hearts. They honor and
inspire.
What’s the difference?
Death notice — brief announcement with basic facts.
Obituary — longer announcement and provides more history and detail.
Watch your language
Would you include these?– Addresses– Cause of death– Past personal
problems– Flowery phrases
Other terminology Funerals are scheduled. Masses are celebrated. People die
unexpectedly. People die after surgery. A man is survived by his
wife.
Talking with families about the deceased
– Don’t be squeamish.
– If you’re not sure what to say, use a script.
– Be supportive.
– Be willing to listen.– If it will be a long
obituary, gather as much detail as possible.
Typical content of obits Full name Address Date of death Cause of death
– How to handle suicides? Age Occupation Accomplishments Time and date of services, visitation information Place of burial, memorial information Names of survivors
In the news
U.S. Supreme Court Ruling about Wiccan symbols:– http://www.startribune.com/484/story/11
38325.html
Sources of information
Funeral homes Families Confirming information Avoiding hoaxes eHow: How to write an obituary
– http://www.ehow.com/how_3456_write-obituary.html
Let’s look at some examples…
Duluth News-Tribune:– http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/
Cloquet Pine-Journal:– http://www.pinejournal.com/event/obitua
ries/group/Obituaries/ New York Times:
– http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/12/arts/12murdock.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=obituaries%20today&st=cse
Ethics Case Killing news: Responsible coverage of
suicides– http://journalism.indiana.edu/resources/ethics/sen
sitive-news-topics/killing-news-responsible-coverage-of-suicides/
Sharing the community’s grief: Little Rock news coverage of 3 teenage suicides– http://journalism.indiana.edu/resources/ethics/sen
sitive-news-topics/sharing-the-communitys-grief/
Intruding on grief: Does the public really have a "need to know?“– http://journalism.indiana.edu/resources/ethics/inv
ading-privacy/intruding-on-grief/
Readings from the textbook
A passion for raising rabbits: p. 224 BGSU professor a talented sculptor:
p. 225 Church bus crash on turnpike kills 3:
p. 226 For those cut off, a life primeval: p.
227 “This one’s for real”: p. 230 Family loses all in house fire: p. 232 Into the flames: p. 234
Covering police, fire beats
Making the rounds: develop sources– Each city, county different– Billings, Sheridan examples
Departmental records– Police log, reports– Fire reports
Duluth area public service
Organizational structures– Duluth Police Department– St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department– Duluth Fire Department
Covering accidents and disasters
Most editors maintain standards– What is the severity?– How many people
are affected?– Is it local?
• Photographs from• News Photography class
Writing stories on traffic accidents
– Usually lead with WHAT or WHO.– Start with a delayed-identification
lead. Delay naming victims until 2nd
or 3rd paragraph. Distribute key facts logically
through first few paragraphs. Generally no need to identify
police by name.
Covering accidents and disasters
Traffic accident checklistVictimsExtent of
injuries/cause of death
Cause of accident according to police
Location
TimeVehiclesArrests or citationsCommentsActs of heroismRelevant facts
A tree came crashing down in front of a house on Brainerd Avenue in Duluth on March 23 due to excess weight on its branches during an ice rain storm.
Covering accidents and disasters
When disaster strikes– Arriving on the scene
Go where the action is.
Question authorities.
Talk to victims and eyewitnesses.
Record details that capture the scene.
Check in often with your editors.
Collaborate.
Covering accidents and disasters
When disaster strikes– Dealing with victims of a tragedy
Ask permission. Go slow. Empathize—but
watch what you say.
Covering fires
Reporting and writing fire stories– Identify yourself.– Find the
command post.– Introduce
yourself to command.
– Get as close as you can.
– Wear boots.
Firefighters responded to a fire on the 300 block of 58th Ave West on March 3rd. A man in the home was remodeling when his painting equipment caught on fire. The man suffered no injuries, but his friend was taken to the hospital.
Covering fires
Organizing stories on fire– Death or injury usually the lead.– Focus on the most compelling aspect.– Cover the aftermath.– May offer opportunity to use narrative
storytelling.
Duluth firefighters take down a ladder after extinguishing a fire at Duluth Upholstery on the corner of E. 9th Street and 12th Avenue at about 10 p.m. on Tuesday night.
Tonight’s in-class assignment
AP Stylebook Quiz!
Egradebook
Doublecheck assignments correct in egradebook:– http://www.d.umn.edu/egradebook
Portfolio
Store academic information in your Electronic Portfolio. Each student has 100 mb of storage.
Access Electronic Portfolio at: https://portfolio.umn.edu/portfolio/index.jsp
