Week 5: Journalism 2001Week 5: Journalism 2001October 12, 2009October 12, 2009

Find the misspellings……Find the misspellings……

1.1. BayfeildBayfeild

2.2. StrawberrysStrawberrys

3.3. Both!Both!

More extra credit More extra credit opportunitiesopportunities

Volunteer at either WDIO-TV or KBJR-Volunteer at either WDIO-TV or KBJR-TV on election night, November 3TV on election night, November 3

Earn 10 extra credit points by Earn 10 extra credit points by emailing a BRIEF description of what emailing a BRIEF description of what you learned to me by November 10you learned to me by November 10

If you volunteered at WDIO for the If you volunteered at WDIO for the primary, OK to volunteer at KBJR – primary, OK to volunteer at KBJR – interesting to see the station interesting to see the station differencesdifferences

News-Tribune in the newsNews-Tribune in the news

Letter from the editor: How a Letter from the editor: How a serious rivalry gave us a fun serious rivalry gave us a fun projectproject– http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/

event/article/id/148783/event/article/id/148783/

NBC News: NBC News: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30326http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/vp/33184422#3318442219/vp/33184422#33184422

Words Matter!Words Matter!

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 robberyAttempted robbery– Were let out of school: classes dismissedWere let out of school: classes dismissed

Style errorsStyle errors– Spelling!Spelling!– DatelinesDatelines– Numerals: When starting sentence, spell outNumerals: When starting sentence, spell out– 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.

VINELAND, N.J. – A 24-year-old male is in VINELAND, N.J. – A 24-year-old male is in stable condition at Bridgeton Hospital after stable condition at Bridgeton Hospital after being shot while a man attempted to rob him being shot while a man attempted to rob him around 1 a.m. at his disc jockey job at WKQV-around 1 a.m. at his disc jockey job at WKQV-FM.FM.

VINELAND, N.J. – A college student working as VINELAND, N.J. – A college student working as a disk jockey is in stable condition at the a disk jockey is in stable condition at the Bridgetown Hospital after he was shot in the Bridgetown Hospital after he was shot in the arm early today outside of a small radio arm early today outside of a small radio station during a failed robbery attempt.station during a failed robbery attempt.

VINELAND, N.J. – A student at Stockton State VINELAND, N.J. – A student at Stockton State College was shot today after an attempted College was shot today after an attempted robbery at his work, the radio station WKQV-robbery at his work, the radio station WKQV-FM, and is now in stable condition at FM, and is now in stable condition at Bridgeton Hospital. Bridgeton Hospital.

CHICAGO, Ill. – A gang related scuffle at CHICAGO, Ill. – A gang related scuffle at Farragut Career Academy High School Farragut Career Academy High School resulted in student arrests, injuries and an resulted in student arrests, injuries and an early release from school on Friday.early release from school on Friday.

CHICAGO – 20 students were arrested and CHICAGO – 20 students were arrested and charged with disorderly conduct at Farragut charged with disorderly conduct at Farragut Career Academy High School after gang-Career Academy High School after gang-related fist fights broke out early on Friday.related fist fights broke out early on Friday.

Gang-related fighting broke out on Friday Gang-related fighting broke out on Friday afternoon at Farragut Career Academy High afternoon at Farragut Career Academy High School after several students caused a School after several students caused a commotion in the school’s lunchroom commotion in the school’s lunchroom eventually leading to the arrest of 20 eventually leading to the arrest of 20 students.students.

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

Statesman Guide to WritingStatesman Guide to Writing

Hard News 1 Story: Due Hard News 1 Story: Due Thursday!Thursday!

Interview a member of the Duluth Interview a member of the Duluth area media to learn more about what area media to learn more about what it’s like to work as a journalistit’s like to work as a journalist

Story due: Thursday, October 15Story due: Thursday, October 15 Stories will be posted on class Web Stories will be posted on class Web

site:site:– Fall Jour 2001 Web siteFall Jour 2001 Web site

Sports Story Pitch Due:Sports Story Pitch Due:Wednesday, October 7Wednesday, October 7

Select a UMD or prep sporting event Select a UMD or prep sporting event to coverto cover

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

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

Complete article due: November 12Complete article due: November 12

Covering sportsCovering sports

Compiling, crunching sport statsCompiling, crunching sport stats– Conduct solid Conduct solid

research.research.– Take careful notes.Take careful notes.– Use stats selectively.Use stats selectively.– Add charts, graphs or Add charts, graphs or

sidebars, if needed.sidebars, if needed.

Three most common story types

1.1. Game storiesGame stories

2.2. Feature storiesFeature stories AnalysisAnalysis Profiles Profiles

3.3. ColumnsColumns

Game story checklist

Final scoreFinal scoreTeams’ namesTeams’ namesWhen and whereWhen and whereKey players and Key players and

key playskey playsQuotesQuotesStrategiesStrategies

Key statisticsKey statistics InjuriesInjuries Both teams’ Both teams’

recordsrecords What the game What the game

meansmeans Other relevant Other relevant

factorsfactors

Sophomore guard Kalin Lucas, the 2009 Big Ten Player of the Sophomore guard Kalin Lucas, the 2009 Big Ten Player of the Year, stops to sign autographs before practice at the Year, stops to sign autographs before practice at the Metrodome in Minneapolis on March 19. Michigan State has Metrodome in Minneapolis on March 19. Michigan State has since advanced to the Final Four and will play the University of since advanced to the Final Four and will play the University of Connecticut on April 4. Connecticut on April 4.

Covering sportsCovering sports

Advance sporting event checklistAdvance sporting event checklist Significance of Significance of

gamegame HistoryHistory Key playersKey players Records and recent Records and recent

performancesperformances QuotesQuotes

StrategiesStrategies InjuriesInjuries Other factorsOther factors Who’s favoredWho’s favored Time, place and Time, place and

ticket informationticket information

Freshmen quarterback Jon Lynch led the Bulldogs' offense at Freshmen quarterback Jon Lynch led the Bulldogs' offense at spring practice Thursday afternoon at Malosky Stadium.spring practice Thursday afternoon at Malosky Stadium.

Sports style

– Team name Team name usually plural.usually plural.

– High school High school athletes are girls athletes are girls and boys.and boys.

– Abbreviate league Abbreviate league names.names.

– Use figures for Use figures for measurements.measurements.

– Use numerals for Use numerals for scores and time.scores and time.

Tim Crisp of Fitchburg, WI finishes the last few feet of the Tim Crisp of Fitchburg, WI finishes the last few feet of the 2009 American Birkebeiner in Hayward, WI this Saturday.2009 American Birkebeiner in Hayward, WI this Saturday.

High School Sports High School Sports CoverageCoverage

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

Stringers: College students covering Stringers: College students covering high school sportshigh school sports

Quotes from losing, Quotes from losing, winning coaches & playerswinning coaches & players

Reporting SportsReporting Sports

Working with statisticsWorking with statistics– Box scoresBox scores– Team statisticsTeam statistics– Individual statisticsIndividual statistics– Beware of becoming Beware of becoming

“statistic junkie”“statistic junkie”– Review statistics for Review statistics for

trends: play-by-play 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 to ‘emAvoid cliches: cliffhangers, take it to ‘em 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

What are typical reporting What are typical reporting beats?beats?

1.1. Police & firePolice & fire

2.2. CourtsCourts

3.3. EducationEducation

4.4. GovernmentGovernment

5.5. All of the aboveAll of the above

Covering a beatCovering a beat

– New beatNew beat Do research.Do research. Talk to your Talk to your

predecessor.predecessor. Achieve a mind-Achieve a mind-

meld with editors.meld with editors. Meet people.Meet people.

Beat reporters focus on Beat reporters focus on specific topics or institutionsspecific topics or institutions

Make listsMake lists Key sourcesKey sources Upcoming meetings Upcoming meetings

and eventsand events Story ideasStory ideas

Working a beat: Do’s and Working a beat: Do’s and don’tsdon’ts

– Familiarize Familiarize yourself.yourself.

– Follow the money.Follow the money.– Call sources back.Call sources back.– Write for yourWrite for your

readers.readers.

DO

– Get too cozy.Get too cozy. What does that What does that

mean?mean?

– Get used.Get used.– Waste sources’ Waste sources’

time.time.– Simply mimic.Simply mimic.

DON’T

ObituariesObituaries

Writing obits: A fate worse than death?Writing obits: A fate worse than death?– Each paper has different policies on Each paper has different policies on

obituariesobituaries– Often front-page newsOften front-page news

Capturing the flavor of a lifeCapturing the flavor of a life– Prominent citizens/entertainersProminent citizens/entertainers

Michael JacksonMichael Jackson Patrick SwayzePatrick Swayze

Often published free of chargeOften published free of charge

Writing obituariesWriting obituaries

Death is newsDeath is news– Obituaries are Obituaries are

read more closely read more closely by more people by more people than any other than any other part of the paper.part of the paper. They tell stories.They tell stories. They touch hearts.They touch hearts. They honor and They honor and

inspire.inspire.

What’s the What’s the difference?difference?

Death notice — Death notice — brief announcement brief announcement with basic facts.with basic facts.

Obituary — longer Obituary — longer announcement and announcement and provides more provides more history and detail.history and detail.

Watch your language

Would you include these?Would you include these?– AddressesAddresses– Cause of deathCause of death– Past personal Past personal

problemsproblems– Flowery phrasesFlowery phrases

Other terminologyOther terminology Funerals are Funerals are scheduledscheduled.. Masses are Masses are celebratedcelebrated.. People die People die

unexpectedlyunexpectedly.. People die People die after after surgery.surgery. A man is A man is survivedsurvived by his by his

wife.wife.

Talking with families about the deceased

– Don’t be Don’t be squeamish.squeamish.

– If you’re not sure If you’re not sure what to say, use what to say, use a script.a script.

– Be supportive.Be supportive.

– Be willing to listen.Be willing to listen.– If it will be a long If it will be a long

obituary, gather obituary, gather as much detail as as much detail as possible.possible.

Typical content of obitsTypical content of obits Full nameFull name AddressAddress Date of deathDate of death Cause of deathCause of death

– How to handle suicides?How to handle suicides? AgeAge OccupationOccupation AccomplishmentsAccomplishments Time and date of services, visitation informationTime and date of services, visitation information Place of burial, memorial informationPlace of burial, memorial information Names of survivorsNames of survivors

In the newsIn the news

U.S. Supreme Court Ruling about U.S. Supreme Court Ruling about Wiccan symbols:Wiccan symbols:– http://www.startribune.com/484/story/http://www.startribune.com/484/story/

1138325.html1138325.html

Sources of informationSources of information

Funeral homesFuneral homes FamiliesFamilies Confirming informationConfirming information Avoiding hoaxesAvoiding hoaxes eHow: How to write an obituaryeHow: How to write an obituary

– http://www.ehow.com/how_3456_write-http://www.ehow.com/how_3456_write-obituary.htmlobituary.html

Let’s look at some Let’s look at some examples…examples…

Today’s Duluth News-Tribune news Today’s Duluth News-Tribune news alert:alert:– http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/

Cloquet Pine-Journal:Cloquet Pine-Journal:– http://www.pinejournal.com/event/http://www.pinejournal.com/event/

obituaries/group/Obituaries/obituaries/group/Obituaries/ New York Times:New York Times:

– http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/12/arts/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/12/arts/12murdock.html?12murdock.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=obituaries_r=1&scp=1&sq=obituaries%20today&st=cse%20today&st=cse

Ethics CaseEthics Case Killing news: Killing news: Responsible coverage of suicidesResponsible coverage of suicides

– http://journalism.indiana.edu/resources/ethics/http://journalism.indiana.edu/resources/ethics/sensitive-news-topics/killing-news-responsible-sensitive-news-topics/killing-news-responsible-coverage-of-suicides/coverage-of-suicides/

Sharing the community’s grief: Sharing the community’s grief: Little Rock Little Rock news coverage of 3 teenage suicidesnews coverage of 3 teenage suicides– http://journalism.indiana.edu/resources/ethics/http://journalism.indiana.edu/resources/ethics/

sensitive-news-topics/sharing-the-communitys-grief/sensitive-news-topics/sharing-the-communitys-grief/

Intruding on grief: Intruding on grief: Does the public really have Does the public really have a "need to know?“a "need to know?“– http://journalism.indiana.edu/resources/ethics/http://journalism.indiana.edu/resources/ethics/

invading-privacy/intruding-on-griefinvading-privacy/intruding-on-grief//

Readings from the textbookReadings from the textbook

A passion for raising rabbitsA passion for raising rabbits: p. 224: p. 224 BGSU professor a talented sculptorBGSU professor a talented sculptor: p. : p.

225225 Church bus crash on turnpike kills 3Church bus crash on turnpike kills 3: p. : p.

226226 For those cut off, a life primevalFor those cut off, a life primeval: p. 227: p. 227 ““This one’s for real”This one’s for real”: p. 230: p. 230 Family loses all in house fireFamily loses all in house fire: p. 232: p. 232 Into the flamesInto the flames: p. 234: p. 234

Covering police, fire beatsCovering police, fire beats

Making the rounds: develop sourcesMaking the rounds: develop sources– Each city, county differentEach city, county different– Billings, Sheridan examplesBillings, Sheridan examples

Departmental recordsDepartmental records– Police log, reportsPolice log, reports– Fire reportsFire reports

Duluth area public serviceDuluth area public service

Organizational structuresOrganizational structures– Duluth Police DepartmentDuluth Police Department– St. Louis County Sheriff’s DepartmentSt. Louis County Sheriff’s Department– Duluth Fire DepartmentDuluth Fire Department

Covering accidents and Covering accidents and disastersdisasters

Most editors maintain standardsMost editors maintain standards– What is the severity?What is the severity?– How many people How many people

are affected?are affected?– Is it local?Is it local?

• Photographs from last Photographs from last spring’sspring’s

News Photography classNews Photography class

Writing stories on traffic accidents

– Usually lead with Usually lead with WHATWHAT or or WHO.WHO.

– Start with a delayed-identification Start with a delayed-identification lead.lead. Delay naming victims until 2Delay naming victims until 2ndnd

or 3or 3rdrd paragraph. paragraph. Distribute key facts logically Distribute key facts logically

through first few paragraphs.through first few paragraphs. Generally no need to identify Generally no need to identify

police by name.police by name.

Covering accidents and Covering accidents and disastersdisasters

Traffic accident checklistTraffic accident checklist VictimsVictims Extent of Extent of

injuries/cause of injuries/cause of deathdeath

Cause of accident Cause of accident according to according to policepolice

LocationLocation

TimeTimeVehiclesVehiclesArrests or citationsArrests or citationsCommentsCommentsActs of heroismActs of heroismRelevant factsRelevant facts

A tree came crashing down in front of a house on Brainerd A tree came crashing down in front of a house on Brainerd Avenue in Duluth on March 23 due to excess weight on its Avenue in Duluth on March 23 due to excess weight on its branches during an ice rain storm.branches during an ice rain storm.

Covering accidents and Covering accidents and disastersdisasters

When disaster strikesWhen disaster strikes– Arriving on the sceneArriving on the scene

Go where the Go where the action is.action is.

Question Question authorities.authorities.

Talk to victims Talk to victims and and eyewitnesses.eyewitnesses.

Record details that Record details that capture the scene.capture the scene.

Check in often with Check in often with your editors.your editors.

Collaborate.Collaborate.

Covering accidents and Covering accidents and disastersdisasters

When disaster strikesWhen disaster strikes– Dealing with victims of a tragedyDealing with victims of a tragedy

Ask permission.Ask permission. Go slow.Go slow. Empathize—but Empathize—but

watch what you watch what you say.say.

Covering firesCovering fires

Reporting and writing fire storiesReporting and writing fire stories– Identify yourself.Identify yourself.– Find the Find the

command post.command post.– Introduce Introduce

yourself to yourself to command.command.

– Get as close as you Get as close as you can.can.

– Wear boots.Wear boots.

Firefighters responded to a fire on the 300 block of 58th Ave Firefighters responded to a fire on the 300 block of 58th Ave West on March 3rd. A man in the home was remodeling when West on March 3rd. A man in the home was remodeling when his painting equipment caught on fire. The man suffered no his painting equipment caught on fire. The man suffered no injuries, but his friend was taken to the hospital. injuries, but his friend was taken to the hospital.

Covering firesCovering fires

Organizing stories on fireOrganizing stories on fire– Death or injury usually the lead.Death or injury usually the lead.– Focus on the most compelling aspect.Focus on the most compelling aspect.– Cover the aftermath.Cover the aftermath.– May offer opportunity to use narrative May offer opportunity to use narrative

storytelling.storytelling.

Duluth firefighters take down a ladder after extinguishing a Duluth firefighters take down a ladder after extinguishing a fire at Duluth Upholstery on the corner of E. 9th Street and fire at Duluth Upholstery on the corner of E. 9th Street and 12th Avenue at about 10 p.m. on Tuesday night. 12th Avenue at about 10 p.m. on Tuesday night.

More readings from the More readings from the textbook!textbook!

Four crime briefsFour crime briefs: p. 236: p. 236 Check-writer sets off clerk’s internal alarmCheck-writer sets off clerk’s internal alarm: :

p. 237p. 237 Murderer caught in Texas 15 years after Murderer caught in Texas 15 years after

escapeescape: p. 238: p. 238 Rampaging rooster attacks girlRampaging rooster attacks girl: p. 240: p. 240 The Michael Jackson VerdictThe Michael Jackson Verdict: p. 242: p. 242 Amazing finish in relay winds gold, saves Amazing finish in relay winds gold, saves

PhelpsPhelps: p. 250: p. 250 Verr-ific!Verr-ific!: p. 252: p. 252 Give me the signGive me the sign: p. 254: p. 254 Vermeil senses it was go timeVermeil senses it was go time: p. 256: p. 256

Another wayward sign!Another wayward sign!

What’s misspelled?What’s misspelled?

1.1. AdditionalAdditional

2.2. AvailibleAvailible

3.3. RestroomsRestrooms

Out-of-Class Assignment:Out-of-Class Assignment:Due 10/19Due 10/19

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

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

Tonight’s assignmentTonight’s assignment

City Council Candidate Forum:City Council Candidate Forum:– http://fox21online.com/news/forumhttp://fox21online.com/news/forum– We’re going to watch part of last week’s We’re going to watch part of last week’s

forum for at-large City Council candidatesforum for at-large City Council candidates– Complete an inverted pyramid story of no Complete an inverted pyramid story of no

more than 400 words in class:more than 400 words in class: email by end of class to lkragnes@d.umn.eduemail by end of class to lkragnes@d.umn.edu

– OK to use computer to take notesOK to use computer to take notes– Relax! All will receive 10 pointsRelax! All will receive 10 points

EXCEPT: Style errors will be deducted!EXCEPT: Style errors will be deducted!

Assignment: Due tonightAssignment: Due tonight

Enroll in the News University course, “The Enroll in the News University course, “The Interview.” Access the course at: Interview.” Access the course at: http://http://www.newsu.orgwww.newsu.org

When you finish the course, send me a When you finish the course, send me a Course Report, which is the last item on Course Report, which is the last item on the left hand column when you are in the the left hand column when you are in the course. Send the report to: course. Send the report to: lkragnes@d.umn.edulkragnes@d.umn.edu

You must complete the course by Monday, You must complete the course by Monday, October 12 at 11:59 p.m.October 12 at 11:59 p.m.

Happy interviewing!Happy interviewing!

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