week 4: journalism 2001 october 4, 2010. its, its or its. which is correct? 1. its 2. its 3. its

Week 4: Journalism 2001October 4, 2010

Its, it’s or its’. Which is correct?

1. Its2. It’s3. Its’

Review of last week’s news

Review 9/27 summary lead assignment

Overall continued progress! Best to use one-sentence summary lead Style errors:

– Datelines– State abbreviations– Addresses

Grammar– Spelling– Run-on sentences– In-complete sentences– Agreement– That/which

Editing marks

Let’s review editing marks in Stylebook:– page 459

A neighbor of a house on Lawler Avenue reported a fire caused by a smoldering cigarette on a mattress on Friday at 7 p.m., where firefighters had to break into the empty house to extinguish it.

Skokie Fire Department was called to a house located on Lawler Avenue because a fire had broken out on Friday night, caused by a cigarette left on a mattress and pillow.

A neighbor tipped firefighters to a burning house at Lawler Avenue on Friday where the fire was discovered to be caused by forgotten cigarette left on mattress and pillow with damages estimated at around $50,000.

Winter storm brought snow, hail, torrential rains and left behind icy roads and frigid temperatures in Northern California Thursday morning causing hundreds of fender-bender accidents.

Residents look forward to Friday’s sunny forecast after a winter storm swept northern California Thursday morning causing icy roads, frigid temperatures, snow, hail, and even torrential rainfall that officials say could lead to dangerous mudslides.

Thursday’s winter storm in Northern California of snow, ice, hail, and torrential rains caused hundreds of car accidents and a danger of mudslides however Friday is expected to be dry and sunny.

Review: Writing a summary lead

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

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

Review: Lucy Kragness interview

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

Use spellchecker (how to spell Kragness?), AP Stylebook

Use past tense, third person Common style errors:

– Titles– Years– Numerals– State names– Degrees: master’s, bachelor’s– Freelance

Use last name on second reference Avoid restating question Watch editorializing Verify facts Paragraph length: 2-3 sentences max Grammar

– Agreement– Run-on sentences– When to use hyphens

Attribution: she said strongest “Quote here,” she said. Wordiness Don’t be afraid to use quotes!

As Lucy Kragness talked about her experiences as a journalist and instructor, her love of journalism wasn’t only obvious in what she said, but also in the way she said it.

Lucy Kragness’ career came full circle when she recently returned to teaching at the University of Minnesota Duluth where she teaches students about the exciting world of journalism, a world that she knows very well.

After years of being a journalist and assistant to the chancellor, Lucy Kragness has returned to teaching because the journalism minor has once again become available for students at UMD.

Hard News 1 Story Assignment

How are interviews going? Work in teams to interview Duluth citizens

about the gubernatorial election Each reporter writes own story Interview 8-10 Duluth residents

– Might not use all sources in story– List all sources, with contact info, at end of

story Groups of 1 to 2 Stories will be posted on class website:

– Fall Jour 2001 Website

Let’s make sure that we are covering Duluth

Amy: Plaza Super One Klaus: West End Luke: Highland Village Apartments Jarred: Miller Hill Mall Emily: Canal Park Ann/Julie: UMD/Food Court Danielle/Brooke: Central High School Teachers Lizzy: Cub Annelyse: WalMart

Madiha: Mount Royal Olivia/Kaylie: Caribou Coffee Reegan: Student Athletes Stephanie: Lester Park Haley: Starbucks Princess/Jillian: CSS/UMD Library Holly: Target Tony: LSH/Griggs Fond du Luth Casino Nick: Electric Fetus Anne: Pizza Luce

What are you finding are the key issues for the governor’s

race? Work in teams at each table Come up with four issues in 5

minutes Post questions on class website at:

– http://blog.lib.umn.edu/lkragnes/jour2001fall2010/

Let’s grade Chapter 5 Quiz

Sports Story Pitch Due:Monday, October 4

Select a UMD or prep sporting event to cover

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

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

Complete article due: November 8

Sample sports story pitch

The sporting event that I am going to cover is a upcoming high school prep football game between the varsity squads of Duluth Denfeld and Hibbing high school. The game is scheduled for Friday, October 13th at 5:15 PM.

I am expecting a large home crowd, and some theatrics from fans considering this is the end of Duluth Denfeld's homecoming week.

Let’s look up sporting events

UMD Athletics

Next week

Practice City Council meeting– Tape of a previous meeting

October 25

We will attend City Council meeting.

Assignment: Due 10/11

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

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

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

Happy interviewing!

Assignment due tonight

Summary lead exercises– Steps to help you:

Identify the five Ws and H What’s the focal point?

– Determine what’s the most important to include

– Reminder: Summary lead contains no more than 35 words

Another its, its’ or it’s?

1. It’s2. Its’3. Its

Bottom line on it’s or its

Use it’s: when mean it is, it has All other uses: its

No such word as its’

Useful websites

Grammar, writing– Purdue’s OWL (Online Writing Lab)– Guide to Grammar and Writing, Capital Commu

nity College Foundation– Guide to Grammar and Style, Jack Lynch

Journalism– Beginning Reporter Resources– Power Reporting

Let’s review…

Interviewing– How to gather information

Quotes– Direct, paraphrase, partial

Taking notes

– Tape recorder

Pros and cons

DisadvantagesReplaying and transcribing takes time

Machine can fail

If you don’t save tapes, not lasting record

AdvantagesHighest accuracy

Actual proof of what was said

Can post interview on paper’s Web site

Taking notes

– Notebook

Pros and cons

DisadvantagesPeople talk faster than you can write

Standing still to write restricts movement

Won’t be able to read all your own handwriting

AdvantagesNothing to break, no batteries

Easy to access and transcribe

Becomes permanent record

Taking notes

– Typing

Pros and cons

DisadvantagesPeople talk fast; quotes may be inaccurate

Computers can destroy or delete files

Stuck sitting in one place staring at a screen

AdvantagesFastest way to go from notes to story

Most efficient way to get data on deadline

Can conduct interview using chat or e-mail

Interviewing

– Phone interviews

Interview pros and cons

DisadvantagesImpersonal

Difficult (and sometimes illegal) to record

More likely to mishear or misquote someone

AdvantagesFast and efficient

Less intimidating

Cell phones allow interviews to take place anywhere at any time

Interviewing

– E-mail interviews

Interview pros and cons

DisadvantagesNo personal interaction

Lagtime between questions and answers

Takes longer; are you sure the person is who he/she claims to be?

AdvantagesGives interviewees time to construct responses

Offers the most flexibility

Typed responses easy to copy and paste; provide record of what was said

Interviewing

– In-person interviews

Interview pros and cons

DisadvantagesWastes time traveling and waiting

Distractions can interrupt interview

If you are uncomfortable, it becomes obvious

AdvantagesBest way to build rapport

Physical surroundings can provide useful data

People take you more seriously when you are in front of them

Closed-ended questions– Asked to get precise answer– Useful when already know the answer, need

confirmation– Used when source is comfortable– Don’t be hostile!

Open-ended questions– Useful when have more time– Often learn unexpected information– Gets source’s opinions, feelings– Anything else to add? Anything I’m forgetting?

Use objective verbs of attribution

Straight news stories– Use neutral verbs: said, added

“Said” isn’t boring – readers expect it No need to be creative

– Avoid asserted, bellowed, contended, cried, declared, demanded, emphasized, harangued, hinted, maintained, opined, stammered, stated, stressed

Placement of attributions

Usually follows the quotation Normally follows first sentence in

multiple sentence quote When sources change, new

attribution needed Use attribution once in a quotation Use attribution between complete,

partial quotes

What are typical reporting beats?

1. Police & fire2. Courts3. Education4. Government5. All of the above

Covering a beat

– News beat Do research. Talk to your

predecessor. Achieve a mind-

meld with editors. Meet people.

Beat reporters focus on specific topics or institutions

Make lists Key sources Upcoming meetings

and events Story ideas

Working a beat: Do’s and don’ts

– Familiarize yourself.

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

readers.

DO

– Get too cozy. What does that

mean?– Get used.– Waste sources’

time.– Simply mimic.

DON’T

Obituaries

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

obituaries– Often front-page news

Capturing the flavor of a life– Prominent citizens/entertainers

Michael Jackson Patrick Swayze

Often published free of charge

Writing obituaries

Death is news– Obituaries are

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

inspire.

What’s the difference?

Death notice — brief announcement with basic facts.

Obituary — longer announcement and provides more history and detail.

Watch your language

Would you include these?– Addresses– Cause of death– Past personal

problems– Flowery phrases

Other terminology Funerals are scheduled. Masses are celebrated. People die

unexpectedly. People die after surgery. A man is survived by his

wife.

Talking with families about the deceased

– Don’t be squeamish.

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

– Be supportive.

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

obituary, gather as much detail as possible.

Typical content of obits Full name Address Date of death Cause of death

– How to handle suicides? Age Occupation Accomplishments Time and date of services, visitation information Place of burial, memorial information Names of survivors

In the news

U.S. Supreme Court Ruling about Wiccan symbols:– http://www.startribune.com/484/story/11

38325.html

Sources of information

Funeral homes Families Confirming information Avoiding hoaxes eHow: How to write an obituary

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

Let’s look at some examples…

Duluth News-Tribune:– http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/

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

ries/group/Obituaries/ New York Times:

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

Ethics Case Killing news: Responsible coverage of

suicides– http://journalism.indiana.edu/resources/ethics/sen

sitive-news-topics/killing-news-responsible-coverage-of-suicides/

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

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

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

ading-privacy/intruding-on-grief/

Readings from the textbook

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

p. 225 Church bus crash on turnpike kills 3:

p. 226 For those cut off, a life primeval: p.

227 “This one’s for real”: p. 230 Family loses all in house fire: p. 232 Into the flames: p. 234

Covering police, fire beats

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

Departmental records– Police log, reports– Fire reports

Duluth area public service

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

Covering accidents and disasters

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

are affected?– Is it local?

• Photographs from• News Photography class

Writing stories on traffic accidents

– Usually lead with WHAT or WHO.– Start with a delayed-identification

lead. Delay naming victims until 2nd

or 3rd paragraph. Distribute key facts logically

through first few paragraphs. Generally no need to identify

police by name.

Covering accidents and disasters

Traffic accident checklistVictimsExtent of

injuries/cause of death

Cause of accident according to police

Location

TimeVehiclesArrests or citationsCommentsActs of heroismRelevant facts

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

Covering accidents and disasters

When disaster strikes– Arriving on the scene

Go where the action is.

Question authorities.

Talk to victims and eyewitnesses.

Record details that capture the scene.

Check in often with your editors.

Collaborate.

Covering accidents and disasters

When disaster strikes– Dealing with victims of a tragedy

Ask permission. Go slow. Empathize—but

watch what you say.

Covering fires

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

command post.– Introduce

yourself to command.

– Get as close as you can.

– Wear boots.

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

Covering fires

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

storytelling.

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

Tonight’s in-class assignment

AP Stylebook Quiz!

Egradebook

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

Portfolio

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

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