Beyond Breaking News

Journalism

Table of Contents

1. Features

2. Generating Story Ideas

3. Feature Style

4. Features Story Structure

5. Profiles

6. Enterprise Projects

7. Investigative Reports

8. Package Planning

9. Short-form Alternatives

10. Editorials and Columns

11. Reviews

1. Features

Common feature categories• Lifestyles

– Goals, relationships, families, fashion, fitness.

• Health• Science and Technology

– NOT research papers

• Entertainment• Food• Homes and gardens

Hard News and Soft News

Hard News

Serious, timely news events.

Soft News

Lighter, less urgent, less somber

topics.

Some stories could be either depending on the writer’s approach to the story and how the readers will view it.

Popular Types

1. Personality Profiles• Combines quotes, facts and

descriptions to reveal your subject’s true nature.

2. Human-Interest Story• Unleash your story-telling skills to set

the scene, describe the characters, capture the mood and get readers to laugh, cry or tell their friends about a story that is tragic, funny, odd or inspirational.

Popular Types Cont.

3. Color Story• “Color” means flavor or mood. It’s the

type of piece you write when you’re asked to attend an event – a parade, a strike, a funeral, a disaster – and convey the experience by interviewing and describing.

4. Backgrounder – Also called Analysis Piece

• Through research and interviews, you focus on an issue or event in the news, explaining how it happened, why it matters, and what is next.

Popular Types Cont.

5. Trend Story• Keeps readers plugged in to the

people, places, things and ideas affecting today’s culture – the latest/hottest/coolest/oddest – from fads and fashions to lifestyles and entertainment.

6. Reaction Piece• When a dramatic event happens, a

reaction piece provides a sampling of opinions from experts, victims, and ordinary folks.

Popular Types Cont.

7. Flashback• Commemorative stories usually run on

the anniversary of an historic event combining facts, photos and interviews to explain why it was important then, and why it still matters.

8. How-To• This popular interactive format teaches

readers how to do something. It often works best presented as an easy-to-follow checklist, diagram, or step-by-step sequence of tips.

Popular Types Cont.

9. Consumer Guide• Almost everything we do, buy or eat

can be rated in a way that advises readers what is good, bad and ugly.

10.Personal Narrative• Editors usually discourage stories

written in the first person, but if you have a gripping tale to tell, writing a personal narrative may be the best way to re-create the drama.

2. Generating Story Ideas

• Where to Find FEATURE Story Ideas– Your publication’s archive– Your competitors– TV, magazines, newspapers, websites– News releases– Reader suggestions– Brainstorming

Is it Good?

1. Where did your idea come from?– Reporting ideas are better than random ideas.

2. Is the idea original?– Find a new angle.

3. Does the idea surprise you?– If not, will it surprise your readers?

4. Does the idea have movement to it?– Change, motion, direction…

5. Is there a STORY there?6. Is there tension?7. Is the story true?8. Do YOU like the story?

Turning an Idea into a Story

1. See if it’s been done2. Focus your angle3. Talk to your editor4. Do your research5. Write the story6. Plan the package

Refer to handout for more details.

3. Feature Style

• New Journalism is…1. Realistic dialogue;2. Vivid reconstruction of actual scenes that

were3. viewed through the eyes and minds of the

characters, while4. recording everyday details that contained

the most symbolic resonance.

• Feature writers rely on literary techniques you won’t find in standard news stories.

Syntax and Phrasing

• News stories have simple declarative sentences that contain just facts.

• Feature stories can use slang and contractions, can phrase for dramatic effect, and can even use fragments.

Ten seconds. Count it: One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. Seven. Eight. Nine. Ten. Ten seconds was roughly how long it lasted. Nobody had a stopwatch, nothing can be proven definitively, but that’s the consensus. The tornado that swooped through Utica at 6:09 p.m. took some 10 seconds to do what it did. Ten seconds is barely a flicker. It’s a long, deep breath. It’s no time at all. It’s an eternity.

Voice and Tense

• News Stories – Past Tense• Feature Stories – Often in Present

• Features stories often use 2nd person to put you into the story.

Behold the fat man. Go ahead. Everybody does. He doesn’t mind, honestly. That’s how he makes his living. Walk right up to him. Stand and stare…. Don’t be shy. Ask him a question.

“What’s your name?”

“T.J. Albert Jackson. Better known as Fat Albert.”

“How much do you weigh?”

“Eight hundred and ninety-one pounds.”

“Gawd! How many meals you eat a day?”

“Three.”

“What – three cows?”

Detail and Description

• News stories feel like they are written in a newsroom.

• Features have a you-are-there immediacy through carefully detailing people’s actions and appearance.

He’s in the back seat of the family Volvo, headed to school. His mom and dad are talking up front, but he’s not listening. He is still waking up. His light blond hair is uncombed as usual; a micro-pebble of sleep dust clings to the lashes of his right eye. Through headphones, a man is singing into his brain.

Other Dramatic Techniques

• Features can’t fabricate facts, but you can present them in dramatic ways, borrowing techniques from traditional story telling. For example:– Tell stories chronologically– Interior monologues

Please, God. Don’t let it be kids.

That was Edgcomb’s single thought, the one that kept pace with his racing heart as he ran toward Milestone: Please, God, no kids. Please. Please.

He’d been a firefighter for 25 years, he was a powerful, well-built man, a natural leader, and nobody would call Dave Edgcomb weak, no sir. He carried an air of can-do confidence.

But right now he was, in his thoughts, on his knees.

Please, God, just don’t let it be kids.

He knew it was bad, real bad, and he knew he could handle anything – but not kids. No dead kids.

Helpful Tips

1. Write tightly– Keep it short

2. Vary sentence structure

3. Match your treatment to your topic– Serious topic = serious tone

4. Don’t overdo it

5. Avoid first person stories

6. Stay objective– Don’t cheerlead, ridicule or editorialize

7. Find your voice

8. Read

4. Features Story Structure

• Standard Story Structures• Short-From Alternatives

• Refer to handout for details.

5. Profiles

• Profiles are biographical, but are more than the 5 W’s.

• A good profile reveals feelings, exposes attitudes, and captures habits and mannerisms.

• A profile shout be informative and entertaining.

Researching and Writing

1. Ask for your subject’s support

2. Interview and observe– This is not a one time step

3. Find your focus– What is the most interesting angle for this story?

4. Follow up with further interviews and research.

5. Structure your story.– Begin with an appealing lead, a solid nut graf and a

fitting finish.

– Avoid fact-choked chronologies, rambling monologues and meaningless anecdotes.

– Be fair to your subject and kind to your readers.

Three ways To Make it Better

1. Capture details• Use all of your senses, but only write the

details that matter.

2. Re-Create Scenes• Can be what you observe, or the subject’s

past.

3. Add Quotes and Dialogue• Need quotes by and about the subject.• Record dialogue you hear, or from stories

you are told.• Avoid using yourself in the dialogue.

6. Enterprise Projects

• Enterprise projects give readers a chance to meet colorful characters, to confront complex controversies to explore the why, the how and the what happens next.

• Enterprise projects often become special sections or multipart series that take weeks, even months to research.

People and Issues

Enterprise projects focus on people or issues.

• People – An in-depth profile of a newsworthy person, family or group, often selected to represent a broader social concern or trend.– If I Die – Focuses on one dying child – a 12-

year-old cancer victim – while addressing how our culture deals with dying children.

• Issues – A detailed look at a controversy or problem, exploring what it means and what lies ahead.– Why Do We Speed? - Focuses on an increase

in speeding and the results.

Advice on Enterprise Stories

Reporting• Start with a thesis• Do your research• Report, report, report• Stay organized• Look for universal

connections• Keep a running list of

questions and things to do

• Talk to your editor• Cooperate with design

team

Writing• Write from the first

idea• Write after each

interview• Rewrite each time• Plan your ending• Save often, print a lot• Don’t be afraid to edit• Seek outside input• Enjoy the process

Enterprise Examples

• If I Die - http://www.poynterextra.org/IfIDie/– Read the story. Be sure to read all 4

parts. • Why Do We Speed? -

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2004-02-23-cover-speed_x.htm– Read the story. Be sure to read all of

the parts and view the graphic from the first page.

Because everyone else does Because we're sure we won't crash Because we think we have a good excuse Because we think we have a right to Because no one's gonna stop us

7. Investigative Reporting

• Derek Zoolander: Do you understand that the world does not revolve around you and your do whatever it takes, ruin as many people's lives, so long as you can make a name for yourself as an investigatory journalist, no matter how many friends you lose or people you leave dead and bloodied along the way, just so long so you can make a name for yourself as an investigatory journalist, no matter how many friends you lose or people you leave dead and bloodied and dying along the way?

What is Investigative Reporting?

• It is the reporting, through one’s own work product and initiative, matters of importance which some persons or organizations wish to keep secret. The three basic elements are:– The investigation is the work of the

reporter, not some other investigation.– The subject of the story has reasonable

importance to the readers.– Others are attempting to hide these

matters from the public

Advice for Investigative Reporters

• Be skeptical…• …but remain objective• Focus tightly• Cast a wide net• Stay within legal bounds

– Anything illegal or unethical could be used to blackmail you, or discredit your story.

• Work the Webwww.ire.org/resourcecenter

8. Package Planning

9. Short-Form Alternatives

1. Fast-Facts Bob• Who, what, why, when, where concisely.

2. Bio Box• Biographical information, usually used to

supplement a profile story.

3. Checklist4. List5. Step-By-Step Guide6. Quiz7. Diagram

Short-Form Alternatives cont.

8. Factual Index – Also called “Harper’s Index”

• Setup and punchline

9. Quote Collection10.Timeline

• Refer to handout for specific details.

10. Editorials and Columns

• Editorials, columns and reviews are the place to express opinions that should not be found in other articles.

• Editorials and columns are often in a separate section of the paper called the “op-ed” page.

Editorials

• 300-500 words• Comments on current events,

criticizes or praises officials, endorses political candidates, or explains why issues matter to readers.

• Editorials are usually unsigned, thus appearing to represent the opinion of the entire paper.

Advice for Writing Editorials

1. Keep it tight2. Keep it relevant3. Take a stand4. Attack issues, not personalities5. Don’t be a bully6. Control your anger7. Write a strong lead and solid finish

Editorial Cartoon

• Combines art and commentary• Cartoon about current events• Often makes fun of public officials or

current events

Columns

• Similar to editorials, but they are signed.

• The opinions in a column are solely those of the writer.

• Successful columnists have a following of readers.

• Some columnists sell their columns to national syndicates that distribute them worldwide.

• Can be on any topic or issue, from sports, to music, to gossip, to anything.

Advice for Writing Columns

1. Develop a distinctive voice2. Base your opinions on facts – and

present those facts3. Do your own reporting4. Choose worthy topics5. Avoid jumping on a bandwagon6. Always have a backup column

How do you Know it is a Column?

• Column logos• Headline Font – Different from

standard headline.• An initial cap.

This is an initial cap. It signals the start of an opinion

column. It is not a standard news story.

11. Reviews

• Movies• Music• Television• Theater• Other

performances (dance, comedians, etc.)

• Books• Art

• Food• Games• Technology• Cars• Consumer

Goods (lawn mowers, refrigerators)

• Travel Advice• Business Advice

How to Write Reviews

1. Structure your review1. Lead2. Storyline3. What’s Good4. What’s Bad5. Summary

2. Balance reporting and opinion3. Know your stuff4. Be aware of biases and adjust your reviews5. Eschew pomposity6. Don’t…

1. Be cruel2. Ruin surprises3. Add unnecessary phrases (I think...)4. Write negative reviews of ammeter or children

productions5. Get personal. Criticize the performance, not person.6. Take it personal when people disagree.

Section Review

• You should know:– what features are; – what the most common feature topics and formats are; – how to come up with ideas for feature stories; – how to tell if your feature idea is a good one and how to

turn it into a story; – how the style of feature writing differs from news writing; – what story structures work well for features; – how to research and write biographical profiles; – how to write special stories and series that explore

people and issues in greater depth (enterprise projects); – how to do investigative reporting, and what to watch out

for; – how teamwork can help turn stories into appealing

packages through package planning; – how to condense material using short-form alternatives,

such as bios, checklists, timelines and diagrams; and – how to write editorials, columns and reviews.

Section Outline• THE WORLD OF FEATURES

– Personalizing the news with stories that educate and entertain. Feature stories often focus on issues that are less timely and more personal: trends, relationships, entertainment.

– They include topics, treatments, styles and structures you won't find in standard news stories. – Hard news vs. soft news: What do these terms mean?

• Common categories – Lifestyles – Health – Science and technology – Entertainment – Food – Homes and gardens

• Popular Types of Feature Stories – Personality profile – Human-interest story – Color story – Backgrounder – Trend story – Reaction piece – Flashback – How-to – Consumer guide – Personal narrative

Section Outline Cont.

• GENERATING STORY IDEAS – There are great stories everywhere, just waiting to be discovered. The four best angles: How

to save time....How to save money....How to be loved....How to make money.

• Where to Find Those Great (But Elusive) Story Ideas– Start compiling a list: Look for ideas everywhere; then jot them down. – Organize your ideas by topic (people, places, trends) or by treatment (profiles, photo stories,

how-to guides). – The best places to look for ideas:

• your publication's archives

• your competitors

• TV, magazines, newspapers, Web sites

• news releases

• reader suggestions

• brainstorming

• How to Tell if Your Idea is a Good One – Eight ways to assess a story idea before you try selling it to an editor.

• You Think You've Got a Good Idea? Here's How to Turn It into a Story: – See if it's been done. – Focus your angle. – Talk to your editor. – Do your research. – Plan the package. – Write the story.

Section Outline Cont.

• FEATURE STYLE – Some stories require a livelier, looser, more literary voice. – "The New Journalism" pioneered by Tom Wolfe, Hunter S. Thompson

and Gay Talese in the 1960s. Reporters began borrowing literary techniques from novelists.

– Today, feature writers still rely on literary techniques you won't find in standard news stories.

• Advice and Suggestions – Helpful tips for successful feature writing – Using syntax and phrasing – Using voice and tense – Using detail and description – Using other dramatic techniques

• FEATURE STORY STRUCTURES– Standard Story Structures

• Using traditional text to convey information. • The inverted pyramid is rarely used in feature stories. While it's an efficient

way to organize facts in a news story, it is NOT an engaging way to organize ideas in a feature.

– Short-Form Story Structures • Using colorful, creative layouts that are easy to produce and appeal to

readers' short attention spans. • Suggestions for using a more visual approach.

Section Outline Cont.

• WRITING PROFILES – Profiles are more than a who-what-when-where-why rehash of

facts. – A good profile:

• reveals feelings; • exposes attitudes; • captures habits and mannerisms; and • entertains as well as informs.

• How to Research and Write Successful Profiles – Solicit your subject's support. – Interview and observe. – Find your focus. – Follow up with further interviews and research. – Structure your story.

• Advice and Suggestions – Tips on working with photographers. – Ways to paint a better portrait: capturing details, re-creating

scenes, and adding quotes and dialogue. – Checklist of questions to ask yourself when reporting and

writing profiles.

Section Outline Cont.

• ENTERPRISE PROJECTS – Special stories that allow reporters to reach beyond the routine. – Most provide in-depth examination of people and issues. – They are creative, ambitious and unique. – They often become special sections or multi-part series.

• Advice and Suggestions – How do I find time for enterprise? – Expert advice on reporting and writing enterprise stories.

• INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING – In a free society, some journalists do more than just explain—they

expose.• What Is Investigative Reporting? Three Basic Elements:

– that the investigation be the work of the reporter, not a report of an investigation made by someone else;

– that the subject involves something of reasonable importance; and – that others are attempting to hide these matters from the public.

• Advice and Suggestions – Digging up dirt: Advice for investigative reporters.

Section Outline Cont.

• PACKAGE PLANNING – Using teamwork and working with the editor, photographer and designer to turn

stories into appealing packages.

• SHORT-FORM ALTERNATIVES – Alternatives to narrative text – Condensing data for readers with short attention spans – Short-form formats:

• fast-fact box • bio box • checklist • list • quiz • step-by-step guide • factual index • diagram • timeline • quote collection

• WRITING EDITORIALS AND COLUMNS – In editorials, columns and reviews, the writer's opinions aren't just allowed,

they're encouraged. They're essential.

• Advice and Suggestions – Editorials: where publications take a stand – Columns: where the options are endless – Writing commentary: Advice for columnists

Section Outline Cont.

• WRITING REVIEWS – Readers need your expert guidance to find the best

performances and products.

– Distinction between "critic" and "reviewer."

• Advice and Suggestions – Using graphic extras that make reviews more reader-friendly.

– How to write criticism that gets good reviews.