WritingWriting
Uncover the AngleOrganize your post-it notes
Categorize by verbal & visual options
Determine your approachAddress readers’ wants & needs
Introduce angle in headline & lead Avoid repetition of information
Develop in single story presentation or collective alternative stories
Reporting Focus // Identify Verbal/Visual Options
Float
Buildin
g
Class
YellsSpiritCaptain
Hat Dance
Parent
Pep
Talks
Skit
PracticeDress-up
DaysSkit
Practices
Cheer
Squad Team
SupportCharity
Money Band &
Drill Team
Pre-Write DraftHighlight high interest material in different colors
for easy recognitionHeadline content
Lead & conclusion details
Informational facts
Important figures
Insightful feelings (quotes)
Story pre-writing // Highlighting
Write Rough DraftCombine facts, figures & feelings into main, cohesive story
Lead
Quote/Transitions
Conclusion
Storytelling // News Feature
L
Q
T
Q
T
Q
C
Avoid the ObviousDon’t begin with a, an or the
Don’t use ‘this year’ or the school name, initials or mascot
Don’t incorporate editorialized adjectives or adverbs
Don’t use label leads
Don’t begin with names
Content-focused leadsOne word: single, key word introductionContrast: two extremes or oppositesAstonisher: exclamatory statement that catches readers off-guardPunch: dramatic or action-packed statementQuotation: an unusually insightful direct quoteQuestion: query that compels readers to want moreSequential: events in the order they happenedSights & sounds: an image appealing to one or more of the five senses
Grammatical leadsPrepositional phrase: shows aspect of the story that deserves attention Participial & gerund phrases: features action, manner in which action
is accomplished or unusual circumstancesInfinitive phrase: features purpose, dramatic action or creates
a minor note of suspenseCausal clause: begins with because, since or because ofConditional clause: begins with if, unless or provided
Consider Lead Options
Storywriting // Headline & Lead
First & 10Spirit peaks as varsity football teamcaptures premier state championship
A feverish pitch resonated throughout the commons
and infused the crowd as senior captain Jason
Chastain nervously waited to make his debut center
stage to “perform” the traditional hat dance at the state
championship game pep rally November 11.
Quality QuotesQuotes are intimate enough when only the person quoted could tell that specific story
Partial or quickie quotes
Story quotes
Anecdotes
Storytelling // Quality Quotes
Good“It was fun being captain one week and getting to do the hat dance. We played to win each and every game.”
Great“I barely remember shoving my way through the crowd to where my mom was waiting at the ‘W’ for me. I just remember thinking that I couldn’t look at her or I would start crying. She danced the dance with me—that moment I will never forget.”
Smooth TransitionsTransitions work effectively when they link together two paragraphs with informational & insightful facts & figures
Between lead & first quote
Between quotes
Between quote & conclusion
Storytelling // Smooth Transition
GoodMany students attended the pep rallies to support the varsity team.
GreatAn average of 925 out of 1050 students attended 16 pep rallies including a full five days of homecoming spirit week celebrations ranging from dress-up days to a record-setting 23-float parade.
In ConclusionConclusions make the most impact when they bring the story full circle
Reference the angle of the lead
Add new information & insights
Logically wrap up the story
Storytelling // Conclusion
GoodCongratulations to the football team, cheerleaders and band for winning state championships this year.
GreatOn a chilly November Friday night, three state champions bonded mid-field to celebrate the thrill of victory—football players screamed ‘We’re number one” while cheerleaders cried tears of joy and the marching band played on.
Story Packages
Quick reads combine to tell the storyFacts
Figures
Feelings
Appeal to selective readers
Open up reader-friendly design options
Just the FactsFactoids/infographs
Listings
Question & answers
Interactive tests & quizzes
Maps & diagrams
Definitions, index & glossaries
Statistic boxes
Storywriting // Fact Packages
Go FigurePie charts, bar & line graphs
Numerical tables & charts
Schedules
Calendars
Timelines
Scoreboards
Storywriting // Figure Packages
Get the FeelingPartial quickie quotes
Story, featured quotes
Anecdotes
Advice & how-to’s
Personality sketches
Storywriting // Feeling Packages
Writing ChecklistFresh, lively anglesInformational & insightful
Little-known, fascinating facts & figures
One-of-a-kind, quotable quotes
Attention to the five sensesUnquestionable accuracyRefined style & design
Editing & rewritingRevision considerations
Content
Accuracy
Style
Design
Common ProblemsBoring nouns
Student, members, players
Weak verbs/passive voiceAppears, seemsIs, are, was, were, be, being, been
Long paragraphsWord overuse
School name, initials, mascot, “this year” or the year
EditorializingBusy, diligent, successful, hard-working
Use of second personLabels & names
Common CourtesyEditing suggestions
Focus onImproving word choiceAdding/deleting contentConforming to style
Show consideration byEncouraging self-editingWriting in margins & not in redBalancing positive/negativeReturning personally
& explaining expectations
WritingWriting