Week 5: Journalism 2001Week 5: Journalism 2001October 9, 2006October 9, 2006

Find the misspellings……Find the misspellings……

1.1. BayfeildBayfeild

2.2. StrawberrysStrawberrys

3.3. Both!Both!

Review of last week’s newsReview of last week’s news

Hard News:Hard News:(murders, city council, government, etc.)(murders, city council, government, etc.)– Major local storiesMajor local stories– Major national/international storiesMajor national/international stories– Major sports storiesMajor sports stories

Soft News:Soft News:(retirements, school programs, human interest)(retirements, school programs, human interest)– Local storiesLocal stories– National/international storiesNational/international stories– Sports storiesSports stories

Review of last week’s Review of last week’s assignmentsassignments

Watch wordiness!Watch wordiness!– Avoid full name in lead unless prominent personAvoid full name in lead unless prominent person– Attempted robbery, not assailant demanded money or refused to give Attempted robbery, not assailant demanded money or refused to give

up his walletup his wallet– Shot by a revolver: just shotShot by a revolver: just shot– Were let out of school: classes dismissedWere let out of school: classes dismissed

Antiquities dealer, not antique dealerAntiquities dealer, not antique dealer Sentenced to jail, fined $6,000Sentenced to jail, fined $6,000 Style errorsStyle errors

– DatelinesDatelines– NumeralsNumerals– Dollars: $6,000 not $6000Dollars: $6,000 not $6000– Correct namesCorrect names– 24-year-old: ages24-year-old: ages– Disc jockey, not disk jockeyDisc jockey, not disk jockey– StatesStates– Time: a.m., p.m.Time: a.m., p.m.

Mark Dickenson a 24 year-old student at Stockton Mark Dickenson a 24 year-old student at Stockton State College is in intensive care waiting to undergo State College is in intensive care waiting to undergo surgery after being shot by a man demanding surgery after being shot by a man demanding money shortly after 1 a.m. at the local radio station money shortly after 1 a.m. at the local radio station where he worked as a disc jockey.where he worked as a disc jockey.

24-year-old Stockton State College student Mark 24-year-old Stockton State College student Mark Dickson was shot and wounded early today while Dickson was shot and wounded early today while working at WKQV-FM in an apparent robbery by an working at WKQV-FM in an apparent robbery by an armed assailant.armed assailant.

Mark Dickson, a 24 year old disk jockey for WKQV-Mark Dickson, a 24 year old disk jockey for WKQV-FM, was shot in the arm at the station early today FM, was shot in the arm at the station early today after refusing to give up his wallet to a gunned man after refusing to give up his wallet to a gunned man demanding money.demanding money.

Mark Dickson, a 24 year-old disc jockey was shot in Mark Dickson, a 24 year-old disc jockey was shot in the left arm around 1 a.m. at the WKQV-FM radio the left arm around 1 a.m. at the WKQV-FM radio station after he refused to give up his wallet.station after he refused to give up his wallet.

CHICAGO, Ill. – Students at the Farragut Career Academy CHICAGO, Ill. – Students at the Farragut Career Academy were sent home early on Friday when scuffles in the were sent home early on Friday when scuffles in the lunchroom led to gang fights throughout the building.lunchroom led to gang fights throughout the building.

On Friday at the Farragut Academy High School several On Friday at the Farragut Academy High School several gang-related fistfights broke out resulting in 20 students gang-related fistfights broke out resulting in 20 students being arrested and charged with disorderly conduct.being arrested and charged with disorderly conduct.

Twenty students were arrested and charged with disorderly Twenty students were arrested and charged with disorderly conduct on Friday, after a series of gang related fights conduct on Friday, after a series of gang related fights broke out at Farragut Career Academy High School.broke out at Farragut Career Academy High School.

A scuffle in the lunch room at Farragut Career Academy A scuffle in the lunch room at Farragut Career Academy High School in Chicago led to an eruption of gang fights on High School in Chicago led to an eruption of gang fights on Friday leading to three students being treated at a local Friday leading to three students being treated at a local hospital, 20 arrests, and school closing early.hospital, 20 arrests, and school closing early.

20 students from Farragut Career Academy High School in 20 students from Farragut Career Academy High School in Chicago were arrested and charged with disorderly conduct Chicago were arrested and charged with disorderly conduct on Friday due to several gang-related fistfights.on Friday due to several gang-related fistfights.

Meryl Pinsoff Platt – an antiquities dealer – was fined and Meryl Pinsoff Platt – an antiquities dealer – was fined and sentenced for her role in the sale of two sacred masks, stolen sentenced for her role in the sale of two sacred masks, stolen from the Hopi Indian tribe in November.from the Hopi Indian tribe in November.

Meryl Pinsoff Platt, a local antiquities dealer, pleaded guilty of Meryl Pinsoff Platt, a local antiquities dealer, pleaded guilty of interstate transportation of stolen property in November, and interstate transportation of stolen property in November, and was fined $6,000 and 20 days in federal jail in connection was fined $6,000 and 20 days in federal jail in connection with the theft of two sacred masks that were stolen from the with the theft of two sacred masks that were stolen from the Hopi Indian Tribe.Hopi Indian Tribe.

Meryl Pinsoff Platt was fined $6,000 and sentenced to 30 days Meryl Pinsoff Platt was fined $6,000 and sentenced to 30 days in the federal jail for her aid in the illegal sale of two sacred in the federal jail for her aid in the illegal sale of two sacred Hopi Native American masks valued for more than $7,000 a Hopi Native American masks valued for more than $7,000 a piece.piece.

Chicago, Ill. – An antique dealer from Wilmette, Ill. was Chicago, Ill. – An antique dealer from Wilmette, Ill. was sentenced to 30 days in dail and fined $6,000 for her role in sentenced to 30 days in dail and fined $6,000 for her role in the sale of two sacred masks that were stolen form the Hopi the sale of two sacred masks that were stolen form the Hopi Indian tribe and are valued at over $7,000 each.Indian tribe and are valued at over $7,000 each.

CHICAGO – Mary Pinsoff Platt, an antiquities dealer, was fined CHICAGO – Mary Pinsoff Platt, an antiquities dealer, was fined $6,000 and sentenced to 30 days in federal jail today for her $6,000 and sentenced to 30 days in federal jail today for her involvement in the theft of two sacred masks form the Hopi involvement in the theft of two sacred masks form the Hopi Indian Tribe, valued at more than $7,000 a piece.Indian Tribe, valued at more than $7,000 a piece.

Review: Lucy Kragness Review: Lucy Kragness interviewinterview

Overall tough to condense all the info!Overall tough to condense all the info!– Some “untrue” facts!Some “untrue” facts!

Use spellchecker, AP StylebookUse spellchecker, AP Stylebook Common style errors:Common style errors:

– TitlesTitles– YearsYears– NumeralsNumerals– State namesState names– Degrees: master’s, bachelor’s, Ph.D.Degrees: master’s, bachelor’s, Ph.D.– FreelanceFreelance

Use last name on second referenceUse last name on second reference Watch editorializingWatch editorializing Verify factsVerify facts Paragraph lengthParagraph length GrammarGrammar

– AgreementAgreement– Run-on sentencesRun-on sentences– When to use hyphensWhen to use hyphens

Attribution: she said strongestAttribution: she said strongest WordinessWordiness Don’t be afraid to use quotes!Don’t be afraid to use quotes!

Review: Writing a summary Review: Writing a summary leadlead

Usually a single sentenceUsually a single sentence No more than 35 wordsNo more than 35 words Bottom line:Bottom line:

– Use a single sentence of no more than Use a single sentence of no more than 35 words to summarize an event35 words to summarize an event

Let’s rewrite the leads!Let’s rewrite the leads!

Statesman Guide to WritingStatesman Guide to Writing

Chapter 15: Weather & Chapter 15: Weather & DisastersDisasters

Covering weatherCovering weather– USA Today: Sets standardUSA Today: Sets standard

Colorful, comprehensiveColorful, comprehensive

– How does it affect the readers?How does it affect the readers?– Explaining technical informationExplaining technical information– Weather forecasting servicesWeather forecasting services

National Weather ServiceNational Weather Service AccuWeatherAccuWeather

Types of weather storiesTypes of weather stories

ForecastsForecasts– State, local forecastsState, local forecasts– Long-termLong-term

Same as hard news storiesSame as hard news stories– Select appropriate leadSelect appropriate lead– Structure concise, easy-to-understand first Structure concise, easy-to-understand first

sentencesentence– Quotations from authorities near top of storyQuotations from authorities near top of story– Tell readers what they want to know: how Tell readers what they want to know: how

weather will affect themweather will affect them

Travel conditions, closingsTravel conditions, closings– Road conditionsRoad conditions– School closingsSchool closings

Record-breaking weatherRecord-breaking weather– Storm recordsStorm records

Unusual weatherUnusual weather– Tornadoes, hurricanes, tsunamisTornadoes, hurricanes, tsunamis

Seasonal, year-end storiesSeasonal, year-end stories– Go beyond statisticsGo beyond statistics

Weather terms: AP StyleWeather terms: AP Style

Weather terms sectionWeather terms section– Comprehensive section based on Comprehensive section based on

National Weather ServiceNational Weather Service2004 Stylebook:2004 Stylebook:

A term often used incorrectly for seismic A term often used incorrectly for seismic sea wave. Scientists call them tsunamis, sea wave. Scientists call them tsunamis, a term that is not widely used and a term that is not widely used and should be explained if used.should be explained if used.

2005, 2006 Stylebook:2005, 2006 Stylebook:Use tsunami, but explain the term.Use tsunami, but explain the term.

Checklist for weather storiesChecklist for weather stories

Develop sources with National Weather ServiceDevelop sources with National Weather Service Keep in touch with the:Keep in touch with the:

– State PatrolState Patrol– State Department of TransportationState Department of Transportation– Local law enforcement agenciesLocal law enforcement agencies– Local agencies responsible for snow removal, storm Local agencies responsible for snow removal, storm

cleanupcleanup– Institutions affected by weather: schools, utilities, Institutions affected by weather: schools, utilities,

airports, National Guard, hospitals, train stations, airports, National Guard, hospitals, train stations, bus companies, taxi companies, Post Officebus companies, taxi companies, Post Office

Interview local residents caught in the weatherInterview local residents caught in the weather

On-line weather sourcesOn-line weather sources

““Ask the experts” page on Ask the experts” page on USAToday.comUSAToday.com

CNN.comCNN.com National Weather Service: National Weather Service:

www.NWS.NOOA.govwww.NWS.NOOA.gov AccuWeather: AccuWeather: AccuWeather.comAccuWeather.com Weather Channel: Weather Channel: weather.comweather.com UMD home page: UMD home page: www.d.umn.eduwww.d.umn.edu

Weather story examplesWeather story examples

Tornado at coal mineTornado at coal mine Flash flood in BuffaloFlash flood in Buffalo Blizzard storiesBlizzard stories Snowplows hit the skidsSnowplows hit the skids

Covering disastersCovering disasters

Elements of disaster coverageElements of disaster coverage– The first bulletinsThe first bulletins– Writethrus: Complete stories, update Writethrus: Complete stories, update

bulletinsbulletins 11stst Lead-Writethru, 2 Lead-Writethru, 2ndnd Lead-Writethru, etc. Lead-Writethru, etc.

– Reporters use instinct: “nose for news”Reporters use instinct: “nose for news”– Including essential informationIncluding essential information– Coordinating coverageCoordinating coverage– Getting the latest leadGetting the latest lead

Two problems for reportersTwo problems for reporters

A pitfall of instantaneous coverageA pitfall of instantaneous coverage– To beat competition, facts often not To beat competition, facts often not

doublecheckeddoublechecked Interviewing victims’ familiesInterviewing victims’ families

– Research by Karen McCowan, reporter Research by Karen McCowan, reporter for The Arizona Republicfor The Arizona Republic Many relatives didn’t mind being Many relatives didn’t mind being

interviewed after a disasterinterviewed after a disaster

Covering September 11Covering September 11

First bulletinsFirst bulletins– Radio, TV, InternetRadio, TV, Internet

When did you learn the news?When did you learn the news?

Another wayward sign!Another wayward sign!

What’s misspelled?What’s misspelled?

1.1. AdditionalAdditional

2.2. AvailibleAvailible

3.3. RestroomsRestrooms

Chapter 23: SportsChapter 23: Sports Evolution of sports writingEvolution of sports writing

– Sports pages consistentSports pages consistent Contest coverage, personality profiles, features, Contest coverage, personality profiles, features,

columnscolumns Go beyond the game: Vikings scandalsGo beyond the game: Vikings scandals

– Flowery prose: Grantland Rice, Nashville Daily Flowery prose: Grantland Rice, Nashville Daily News, 1901News, 1901

– Stanley Woodward, New York Herald TribuneStanley Woodward, New York Herald Tribune Still cliches – strive for middle groundStill cliches – strive for middle ground WWII put sports into better perspective: 5Ws & HWWII put sports into better perspective: 5Ws & H

– 1970s and 1980s: More balanced approach1970s and 1980s: More balanced approach– Best sports writing: Includes statistics, essential Best sports writing: Includes statistics, essential

ingredients (5Ws & H), more analyticalingredients (5Ws & H), more analytical

High School Sports High School Sports CoverageCoverage

Terry Henion, Omaha World-HeraldTerry Henion, Omaha World-Herald– ““Kids playing kids’ games”Kids playing kids’ games”

Reporters must keep statsReporters must keep stats– No sports information directorsNo sports information directors

Not really covering, more documentingNot really covering, more documenting Stringers: College students covering high Stringers: College students covering high

school sportsschool sports Quotes from losing, winning coaches & Quotes from losing, winning coaches &

playersplayers

Reporting SportsReporting Sports

Working with statisticsWorking with statistics– Box scoresBox scores– Team statisticsTeam statistics– Individual statisticsIndividual statistics– Beware of becoming “statistic junkie”Beware of becoming “statistic junkie”– Review statistics for trends: play-by-play Review statistics for trends: play-by-play

chartscharts

Going beyond statisticsGoing beyond statistics– Watch coaches on sidelines, nervous Watch coaches on sidelines, nervous

parents in standsparents in stands– Policies for post-game interviewsPolicies for post-game interviews

Cool-down timeCool-down time

– Talk to coachesTalk to coaches– Talk to playersTalk to players– Talk to trainersTalk to trainers

A showcase for good writingA showcase for good writing Beyond the game – contracts, Beyond the game – contracts,

courtrooms, boardroomscourtrooms, boardrooms

Checklist for sportswritersChecklist for sportswriters Go with a summary lead if warranted, but Go with a summary lead if warranted, but

more room to be creative.more room to be creative. Avoid chronological approachesAvoid chronological approaches Blend facts, turning points, quotations, Blend facts, turning points, quotations,

statistics, analysisstatistics, analysis Avoid cliches: cliffhangers, take it toAvoid cliches: cliffhangers, take it to Avoid “ridiculous” direct quotations: we Avoid “ridiculous” direct quotations: we

whipped ‘em goodwhipped ‘em good Use vivid description when appropriateUse vivid description when appropriate Double-check spellingsDouble-check spellings Do your homeworkDo your homework

Online sports sourcesOnline sports sources

National Collegiate Athletic Association:National Collegiate Athletic Association:– www2.ncaa.orgwww2.ncaa.org

National Basketball Association: National Basketball Association: www.nba.comwww.nba.com

National Football League: National Football League: http://http://www.nfl.comwww.nfl.com

Major League Baseball: Major League Baseball: www.mlb.comwww.mlb.com ESPN: ESPN: www.espn.go.comwww.espn.go.com

Due 10/9: Sports Story Due 10/9: Sports Story Reporting Assignment PitchReporting Assignment Pitch

Length of story pitch: no more than Length of story pitch: no more than three paragraphs, or 200 wordsthree paragraphs, or 200 words

Include the 5Ws and H: what makes Include the 5Ws and H: what makes this story newsworthythis story newsworthy

UMD sports schedulesUMD sports schedules– Detailed information at:Detailed information at:

www.umdbulldogs.comwww.umdbulldogs.com

Assignment: Due 10/9Assignment: Due 10/9

From information provided from a From information provided from a Tempe Police Department activity log, Tempe Police Department activity log, write an inverted-pyramid news story write an inverted-pyramid news story based on all the information available.based on all the information available.

Write your story in Microsoft Word, and Write your story in Microsoft Word, and email a copy of the story as an email a copy of the story as an attachment to: lkragnesattachment to: lkragnes

Make sure to copy yourself on the emailMake sure to copy yourself on the email

Hard News I Assignment:Hard News I Assignment:Due 10/16Due 10/16

Any problems?Any problems? Tips:Tips:

– Just use said: he said, she saidJust use said: he said, she said– Keep paragraphs short: no more than two sentences, Keep paragraphs short: no more than two sentences,

three absolute maxthree absolute max– Story length: 8-10 paragraphs, 350-400 wordsStory length: 8-10 paragraphs, 350-400 words– Write strong summary lead of one sentence, no more Write strong summary lead of one sentence, no more

than 35 wordsthan 35 words– Need attribution from sourcesNeed attribution from sources– Review textReview text– Review class lecture notes at:Review class lecture notes at:

www.d.umn.edu/~lkragneswww.d.umn.edu/~lkragnes Write story in Microsoft Word, doublespaced, and Write story in Microsoft Word, doublespaced, and

email as an attachment to: lkragnes@d.umn.eduemail as an attachment to: lkragnes@d.umn.edu

Tonight’s assignmentTonight’s assignment

Sports editing worksheetSports editing worksheet Use the sports section in AP Use the sports section in AP

StylebookStylebook

EgradebookEgradebook

Doublecheck assignments correct in Doublecheck assignments correct in egradebook:egradebook:– http://www.d.umn.edu/egradebookhttp://www.d.umn.edu/egradebook

PortfolioPortfolio

Store academic information in your Store academic information in your Electronic Portfolio. Each student has Electronic Portfolio. Each student has 100 mb of storage.100 mb of storage.

Access Electronic Portfolio at: Access Electronic Portfolio at: https://https://portfolio.umn.edu/portfolio/index.jspportfolio.umn.edu/portfolio/index.jsp