Story basics

Names

Don't assume the spelling of anyone's name. Ask them how to spell it. Ask them to repeat it, if necessary.

There's nothing worse than someone seeing their name printed incorrectly.

Correct spelling throughout a story adds credibility.

Numbers Refer to the AP style book for this.

Numbers one though nine get spelled out. Numbers 10 or more are numerals.

The nine-year-old boy played catch. The 12-year-old girl drank lemonade.

** Percentages have different rules. Always write the numeral before the word percent.

There's a 3 percent chance you will get the flu at this point.

No questions asked

Even though you interviewed the person for your story, don't say that.

No: “When asked if she/he...”

Questions are rarely used in print journalism with exception to the Q+A format.

Take ME out

There should rarely be any first person references to yourself in the story. Maybe if you are writing a column...

No: “I sat down with” “she said during an interview.”

Just quote and use normal attribution.

Attribution

Don't assume things about people.

Attribution adds credibility to your story. It shows you did interview them and were not just observing them from afar.

If the source told you something (doesn't have to be exactly word for word – but don't change the meaning) add “he said” or she said

at the end.

Attribution Finding her place in the world has been challenging for Amber Brown, an 18-year-old freshman studying journalism at Temple

University.

Finding her place in the world has been challenging for Amber Brown.

Brown, an 18-year-old freshman at Temple University, said her time in high school didn't prepare her for what was to come.

Profile description In a profile story, it's nice to have a

visual representation of the person. This is

one area where you can use

adjectives, but don't go

overboard.

“Really” and “very” won't cut it in print journalism.

Profile description

As I walked into class, there sat Sam Gray, a young man dressed head to toe in baseball paraphernalia.

In the corner classroom in the basement of Temple University's Tuttleman Hall sits freshman journalism student Sam Gray.

Gray, 20, dressed head to toe in baseball paraphernalia, anxiously awaits the beginning of class.

“I heard Angelo Cataldi was coming to speak,” Gray said. “Man, I'd kill for his job.”

Lead

Think about the most interesting thing that person said.

This may require you to ask more in-depth questions. The more you ask, the more quotes and information you get.

• Who inspired them to get into journalism?• Who do they look up to in the field and why?

• Was it challenging to get to this point in their school career? (moving, changing schools/majors?)

Lead

Billy Boot is an 18-year-old journalism major at Temple University. He grew up on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, but now finds

himself living in a less-than-desirable two-bedroom home in North Philadelphia.

North Philadelphia is no Manhattan. But for Billy Boot, it's his new home.

The 18-year-old Temple University freshman said he knew he would love the news business, but was worried it might be hard to break

into the New York City journalism scene.

Last names on second reference

Anna Jones loves cheese. So much so that the busy mother of three decided to blog about it.

Jones' website CheesePlz.com is celebrating its fifth anniversary, and there's a lot to celebrate, she said.

“I'm getting major wine labels to buy ads on my website. Last month, we reached 1 million viewers,” Jones said. “I never dreamed

I could accomplish so much at home with my kids here.”

Quotes get their own paragraph

Don't use a quote in the middle of a sentence. It is it's own thought. Give it a sentence leading up to it that will set the quote

up.

Quotes get their own paragraphStephanie Thomas never dreamed she'd be wearing a gold medal around her

neck.

But after drilling the ball to the back of the net with 12 seconds left on the clock, she and her varsity soccer squad from George Washington High School

have a reason to celebrate.

In the final seconds of overtime in the state championship game against Hershey High School on Nov. 29, the Colonials beat the Kisses, 3-2.

“I can't believe it. All of the sudden, the ball was in front of me and I knew what I had to do. It was unreal,” said Thomas, who received a scholarship to

play at Temple University next year.

Always said 99 percent of the time, use said. Not admitted or revealed, etc.

Always use said, not says.

“I can't believe it. All of the sudden, the ball was in front of me and I knew what I had to do. It was unreal,” said Thomas, who received a scholarship to play at

Temple University next year.

If you already explained that she got a scholarship, or you will use that elsewhere in the story...

“I can't believe it. All of the sudden, the ball was in front of me and I knew what I had to do. It was unreal,” Thomas said.