BEAT WRITING

The W’s, Active vs. Passive, APA Style

The W’s of Beat Writing

The W’s in question, as you probably know, refer to the Who, What, When, Where and Why that every story should address. Your beats need to cover as many of these as possible.

Example: The Drama Club performs “West Side Story” on

April 14-16 at 7:30 p.m. and April 17 at 2 p.m. Tickets can be purchased either through the box office or at the door and are $10 for adults, $8 for students and senior residents of Solon get in free with identification. The number for the box office is 440-349-6249.

Active vs. Passive Voice

Replace these flat, lifeless, boring, YAWN-YAWN words with interesting, action-packed verbs.

Am Are Is Was Were Be Being Become Becameto be NOT to be, PLEASE!

will be different will differis interesting to me interests me

The teams were going to the game The teams will attendto insure that the project is doable to insure the project's feasibility

The club will be hosting a battle of the bands

The club will host a battle of the bands

this is a caricature of a student this comic strip caricatures a student

There was an event last year Last year’s event

Active vs. Passive Voice cont. What’s wrong with this beat? May 3 through Oct. 1 Amish Buggy rides will be

held Tuesday and Thursday from 11a.m. to 8p.m. at Ma and Pa’s gift shack. Come for an authentic ride through the country side for prices that start at $5.

Better Example Ma and Pa’s Gift Shack in Twinsburg is hosting Amish Buggy rides Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11a.m. to 8p.m., May 3- Oct 1……

APA Style-Musical Artists, Songs

CD Review: The Big Sweet Ultraviolet Rain From the very first sounds on their second album — an

electronic drone shattered by jangly pop — there's no denying that the Big Sweet are one of the most polished bands on the scene. While it's worth mentioning that they're still in high school, the truth is age doesn't even scratch the surface of what's most impressive about this quartet. Ultraviolet Rain is lyrically smart and reminiscent of everything we love about indie-rock heroes like Pavement. From the sunny kick-off "Laces" to the Replacements-style melancholy of "Empty Movie Reels," the Big Sweet aren't about fads — just back-to-basics music that's catchy enough to draw you in and deep enough to keep you listening. — Munnell

APA Style-Movies

'The Hangover Part II'Disappointing but not a disasterMay 26, 2011 | By Eric Helton

Peter Travers calls upon the wisdom of his pal Gary Busey in reviewing The Hangover Part II, the lackluster sequel to the huge comedy hit starring Zach Galifianakis, Ed Helms and Bradley Cooper. Galifianakis and Ken Jeong are still hilarious, but something about the movie just doesn't work. It's a disappointment, but for fans of the first film, not a disaster.

APA Style-Titles

BOOK: Schappell’s title, “Blueprints for Building Better Girls,” is, as you may have guessed, ironic. As in her first book, the blistering “Use me” published in 2000, the eight stories here concern women operating under a post-1960s, post-Friedan, “you can have it all” ethos passed from mother to daughter to sister. -New York Times

Article: Today’s question was written by Susan Behrens, who is a professor at Marymount Manhattan College and the author of “Grammar: A Pocket Guide.” Her question comes from the article “Saving Scrapbooks From the Scraphead.”

Your Turn!

What’s wrong with this beat? This Week’s Student Government Meeting… (University of

Tampa-The Minaret) “Volleyball 4 Japan” is being hosted by PEACE on Wednesday, April

27 beginning at 7:00 p.m. The volleyball tournament event is being opened to all UT students and participants must form a team of six and register in Vaughn 206. The cost is $5.00 per person and all proceeds go to the Red Cross in Japan!

GOOD EXAMPLEThis Week’s Student Government Meeting… (University of Tampa-The Minaret)PEACE will be hosting the fundraiser “Volleyball 4 Japan” on Wednesday, April 27 beginning at 7p.m. The volleyball tournament event is open to all UT students and participants must form a team of six and register in Vaughn 206. The cost is $5 per person and all proceeds go to the Red Cross in Japan!

More Examples

What’s wrong with this beat? This Week’s Student Government Meeting…

(University of Tampa-The Minaret) The Spring Leadership Retreat is Feb. 26. If you haven’t

done it yet, register in the OSLE office in Vaughn room 215. There is a $10 deposit fee, but it’s worth it.

GOOD EXAMPLEThis Week’s Student Government Meeting… (University of Tampa-The Minaret)The Spring Leadership Retreat is Feb. 26. Register in the OSLE office in Vaughn room 215. There is a $10 deposit fee.

This version is less narrative… 

Last One…

What’s wrong with this beat? There will be a special guest at Covelli Center as Wiz

Khalifa comes to Youngstown for his much acclaimed concert tour….Tickets will be $44 until all are sold and they are being snatched up as you read.

GOOD EXAMPLEAcclaimed, special guest Wiz Khalifa performs at the Covelli Center in Youngstown, Ohio on September 28, 2011 at 7:30p.m…..Tickets cost $44 and are limited.

 Okay = The Grog Shop will be hosting Craig Owens…Better = The Grog Shop hosts Craig Owens…

Time for your REWRITE

Remember to check on the W’sStay with Active voice. The Subject should be taking action

Remember APA Style (times, dates & dollars)

Fix that Grammar and Spelling!