writing a news story

Hard news story:
This is how journalists refer to news of the day. It is a chronicle of current events/incidents and is the most common news style on the front page of your typical newspaper.

Soft news story:
This is a term for all the news that isn't time-sensitive. Soft news includes profiles of people, programs or organizations. As we discussed earlier, the "lead" is more literary. Most of YPP's news content is soft news.

Feature:
A news feature takes one step back from the headlines. It explores an issue. News features are less time-sensitive than hard news but no less newsworthy. They can be an effective way to write about complex issues too large for the terse style of a hard news item. Street kids are a perfect example. The stories of their individual lives are full of complexities which can be reflected in a longer piece.

Editorial:
The editorial expresses an opinion. The editorial page of the newspaper lets the writer comment on issues in the news. All editorials are personal but the topics must still be relevant to the reader.

Structure for article:
The lead
One of the most important elements of news writing is the opening paragraph or two of the story. Journalists refer to this as the "lead," and its function is to summarize the story and/or to draw the reader in (depending on whether it is a "hard" or "soft" news story - See below for the difference between these two genres of news stories).

In a hard news story, the lead should be a full summary of what is to follow. It should incorporate as many of the 5 "W's" of journalism (who, what, where, when and why) as possible. (e.g. "Homeless youth marched down Yonge St. in downtown Toronto Wednesday afternoon demanding the municipal government provide emergency shelter during the winter months." - Can you identify the 5 W's in this lead?)

In a soft news story, the lead should present the subject of the story by allusion. This type of opening is somewhat literary. Like a novelist, the role of the writer is to grab the attention of the reader. (e.g. "Until four years ago, Jason W. slept in alleyways...") Once the reader is drawn in, the 5 "W's" should be incorporated into the body of the story, but not necessarily at the very top.

The body
The body of the story involves combining the opinions of the people you interview, some factual data, and a narrative which helps the story flow. A word of caution, however. In this style of writing, you are not allowed to "editorialize" (state your own opinion) in any way.

Further tips for news writing:
Finding story ideas

Keep your eyes and ears open; listen to what your friends are talking about.

Read everything you can get your hands on; get story ideas from other newspapers and magazines.

Think of a youth angle to a current news story.

Research a subject that interests you ask yourself what you would like to know more about.

Talk to people in a specific field to find out what is important to them.
Newsgathering

Begin collecting articles on your subject.

Talk to friends and associates about the subject.

Contact any agencies or associations with interest or professional knowledge in the area.

Create a list of people you want to interview; cover both sides of the story by interviewing people on both sides of the issue.


Collect government statistics and reports on the subject get old press releases or reports to use as background.
Interviewing do's and don'ts

Be polite.

Explain the ground rules of the interview to people unfamiliar with how the media works - this means that you tell them the information they give you can and will be published. If they do not want any part of what they say published, they need to tell you it is "off the record."

Tape the interview (so if anyone comes back at you, you have the proof of what was said).

Build a relationship with the person being interviewed.

Start with easy questions; end with difficult questions.

Read the body language of the person you're interviewing and if they get defensive, back away from the question you are asking and return later.

Don't attack the source.

Keep control of the interview; don't let the subject ramble or stray from the subject.


On the other hand, don't let your "opinion" of what the story should be colour the interview. Always remember that the person you are talking with knows more about the subject than you do.
Organizing the information

Gather your notes, interviews and research into a file.

Review your notes.

Look for a common theme.

Search your notes for good quotes or interesting facts.


Develop a focus.

Write the focus of the article down in two or three sentences.
Writing and editing

Remember you are the narrator, the story teller.

Don't be afraid to rewrite.

Be as clear and concise in the writing as possible.

Avoid run-on sentences.

Be direct.

Tell a good story.

Tell the reader what you think they want to know.

Always ask yourself what the story is about.

Read the story out loud; listen carefully.

Tips for Krebs Class:

1.pick a topic
2.find an angle
3.collect information
4.conduct interviews
5.organize and write
6.revise and edit

Law and Ethics notes

5 freedoms of first amendment (1791) :

religion, speech, press, assembly, petition to government



The Tinker Standard:
tinker vs. Des Moines School District (1969)
*black armbands to school- 1965
Student speech cannot be censored as long as it does not "materially disrupt class work or involve substantial disorder or invasion of the rights of others"



The Fraser Standard:
Bethel School District vs. Fraser (1986)
*inappropriate speech for class president.
Because school officials have an "interest in teaching students the boundaries of socially appropriate behavior, " they can censor students speech that is vulgar or indecent, even if it does not cause a "material or substanial disruption."



The Hazelwood Standard:
Hazelwood School District vs. Kulmeier (1988)
*censors stories in student newspaper about teen pregnacy and divorce
Censorship of school-sponsored student expression is permissible when school officials can show that it is "reasonably related to legitimate pedagogical (teaching) concerns."



The Frederick Standard:
Morse vs. Frederick (june 25, 2007)
January 2002, Olympic torch travels through town. Principle Morse cancels school. Senior Frederick unveils banners on the sidewalk across the street which reads "bong hits 4 jesus" .
*suspended for 10 days

Libel (writen)
*A defamatory statement (hurts there character)
*published to atleast one other person (other than plantiff)
"of and concerning" the plantiff (identify specifically with plantiff)
*that it is a false statement of fact
*and made with fault: the level of fault depends on status of plantiff

What is the company?
play station
Who is the target audience:
male
What persuasive method used (humor, action, celebrity, human interest, etc.)?
humor
How were camera shots and editing used to enhance the message?
showed clips of video itself,
What is the slogan/message for the company?
"live in your world play in ours"
Was the message effective? Why or why not?
yeah, but im not interested in buying video games.

2)
What is the company?
budweiser
Who is the target audience:
21 and up, male
What persuasive method used (humor, action, celebrity, human interest, etc.)?
humor, animals
How were camera shots and editing used to enhance the message?
rewinding/sounds of rewinding, background
What is the slogan/message for the company?
(just the logo)
Was the message effective? Why or why not?
yeah i thought it was really funny, definatly got the humor behind it.

3)
What is the company?
chrysler
Who is the target audience:
women
What persuasive method used (humor, action, celebrity, human interest, etc.)?
celebrity- celine dion
How were camera shots and editing used to enhance the message?
music playing/celine singing
What is the slogan/message for the company?
"Drive & Love "
Was the message effective? Why or why not?
yeah, i really liked the car and the song!

4)
What is the company?
pepsi
Who is the target audience:
21-35 year olds when aired.
What persuasive method used (humor, action, celebrity, human interest, etc.)?
celebrity, humor
How were camera shots and editing used to enhance the message?
musis, special effects
What is the slogan/message for the company?
"its a twist on a great thing "
Was the message effective? Why or why not?
no, i didn't find it funny at all,

5)
What is the company?
FedEx express
Who is the target audience:
21-50
What persuasive method used (humor, action, celebrity, human interest, etc.)?
humor
How were camera shots and editing used to enhance the message?
close-up
What is the slogan/message for the company?
-
Was the message effective? Why or why not?
yes/no.

6)
What is the company?
dodge
Who is the target audience:
males
What persuasive method used (humor, action, celebrity, human interest, etc.)?
humor, action
How were camera shots and editing used to enhance the message?
rock music, close-ups
What is the slogan/message for the company?
"grab life by the horns"
Was the message effective? Why or why not?
yeah, i like trucks in general so it caught my attention.

7)
What is the company?
gatorade
Who is the target audience:
male, athletes
What persuasive method used (humor, action, celebrity, human interest, etc.)?
celebrity
How were camera shots and editing used to enhance the message?
action shots, close up shot
What is the slogan/message for the company?
"is it in you"
Was the message effective? Why or why not?

8)
What is the company?
ESPN
Who is the target audience:
male, athletes, sports fans
What persuasive method used (humor, action, celebrity, human interest, etc.)?
celebrity, athletes
How were camera shots and editing used to enhance the message?
quick shots
What is the slogan/message for the company?
"this is sports center"
Was the message effective? Why or why not?
no, didnt know who everyone was

9)
What is the company?
h&r block
Who is the target audience:
18-55, more males then females
What persuasive method used (humor, action, celebrity, human interest, etc.)?
celebrity, humor
How were camera shots and editing used to enhance the message?
camera shots acting like there filming
What is the slogan/message for the company?
"double check"
Was the message effective? Why or why not?
no

10)
What is the company?
Bud light
Who is the target audience:
21+
What persuasive method used (humor, action, celebrity, human interest, etc.)?
humor
How were camera shots and editing used to enhance the message?
parade, upside down clown
What is the slogan/message for the company?
"make it a bud light"
Was the message effective? Why or why not?
no

11)
What is the company?
Visa
Who is the target audience:
18-55, more males
what persausive method used (humor, celebrity, action, human interest, etc.)
humor, celebrity
How were camera shots and editing used to enhance the message?
close ups,
what is the slogan/message
"everywhere you want to be"
Was the message effective? why or why not?
yeah i thought it was funny

Definition:
Define “Journalism” in 1-3 sentences.
-Current events that are newsworthy that are advertised via computers, tv, radio, newspaper, etc.



List and describe the six criteria of newsworthiness.

TITLE DESCRIPTION EXAMPLE
1. Significance, the more significant the more it impacts people. (ie. Haiti affects thousands of people)

2. Timeliness, events that are occuring now. (ie. the weather right now)

3. Unusualness, events are don't occur often. (ie. fires, planes crashing, earthquakes)

4. Proximity, information and facts close to your area. (ie. local sports team, news about your city)

5. Prominence, import people. (ie. celebrities, athletes, politicians)

6. Human Interest, a "feel good" story. (ie. the vikings donating money to charity)




What are the advantages of print journalism?
1. you have the abilility to read it when you want to, on your time you dont have to wait.

2. it's tangible, you can take it along with you.

3. choose what you want to read and how much.

4. more descriptive then on the news,


What are the advantages of broadcast journalism?

1. have the element of scene and sound. (the more senses you have the more affective and vivid)

2. more current. ability to be live and at the scene.

3. accessibility, not everyone gets the newspaper delivered.


Why has online journalism (convergent media) become so popular?
you can control when, where and how you read the news. theres unlimited space. theres more features avaible, like pictures and videos. you have the abilility to pick what you want to read, and not have to wait through the entire show.