Newspaper Writing Newspaper Writing A quick exercise to teach A quick exercise to teach newswriting basicsnewswriting basics

Skim the storySkim the storyCount: How many sentences Count: How many sentences in each paragraph?in each paragraph?

• Five-sentence grafs?Five-sentence grafs?• Four-sentence grafs?Four-sentence grafs?• Three?Three?• Two?Two?• One?One?

Conclusion No. 1 Conclusion No. 1 Newspaper paragraphs are SHORT – Newspaper paragraphs are SHORT – often one or two sentences, often one or two sentences, sometimes three … rarely more.sometimes three … rarely more.

Sources need Sources need attributionattributionWhat’s the “indicator” that a What’s the “indicator” that a source is speaking in the source is speaking in the story?story?

Conclusion No. 2Conclusion No. 2““Said” is a perfectly lovely wordSaid” is a perfectly lovely word

• ““says”? Sparingly, in feature stories, says”? Sparingly, in feature stories, but be consistentbut be consistent

• AVOID SYNONYMS for said. If you find AVOID SYNONYMS for said. If you find the English teacher who created the the English teacher who created the list “100 words you can use instead of list “100 words you can use instead of ‘said,’ ” please offer an eye-roll on my ‘said,’ ” please offer an eye-roll on my behalfbehalf

Types of QuotesTypes of QuotesFind examples:Find examples:

• DQs (direct quotes)DQs (direct quotes)• PQs (partial quotes)PQs (partial quotes)• IQs (indirect quotes – also IQs (indirect quotes – also

called paraphrase quotes)called paraphrase quotes)

Conclusion No. 3Conclusion No. 3• Most journalistic stories need the Most journalistic stories need the

liberal use of quotesliberal use of quotes• Beginners should have quotes run as Beginners should have quotes run as

a separate paragrapha separate paragraph• Put attribution in multi-sentence Put attribution in multi-sentence

quotes at the end of the first quotes at the end of the first sentencesentence

• Generally, attribute quotes with Generally, attribute quotes with subject-verb construction (Grubaugh subject-verb construction (Grubaugh said) not verb-subject (said said) not verb-subject (said Grubaugh)Grubaugh)

Gazette Reporting Gazette Reporting and Writing and Writing GuidelinesGuidelines1.1. Be a REPORTER FIRST. Be a REPORTER FIRST.

2.2. No one-quote wonders … a No one-quote wonders … a minimum of THREE minimum of THREE different sources who are different sources who are quoted in stories.quoted in stories.

3.3. News stories should use a News stories should use a minimum of FIVE quotes. minimum of FIVE quotes. Sports and feature stories Sports and feature stories should use MORE.should use MORE.

Guidelines, cont. Guidelines, cont. 4. Use ACTIVE, not PASSIVE voice. 4. Use ACTIVE, not PASSIVE voice.

5. Say something IMPORTANT in the 5. Say something IMPORTANT in the lead, and keep it SHORT – NO lead, and keep it SHORT – NO MORE than 25 words.MORE than 25 words.

6. Newspaper paragraphs are SHORT 6. Newspaper paragraphs are SHORT – usually one or two sentences, – usually one or two sentences, rarely more than three.rarely more than three.

Guidelines, cont.Guidelines, cont.7. Attribute quotes correctly: 7. Attribute quotes correctly:

““This is a great class,” Grubaugh said. This is a great class,” Grubaugh said. CORRECTCORRECT

““This is a great class,” said Grubaugh, This is a great class,” said Grubaugh, who has been the Gazette adviser for who has been the Gazette adviser for more than a decade. CORRECTmore than a decade. CORRECT

8. “Said” is usually the right attribution 8. “Said” is usually the right attribution wordword

9. Keep it simple – no Speech and 9. Keep it simple – no Speech and Debate disease, please.Debate disease, please.

•Rubrics – lots of models online (and a couple on the disk you’ll get)•Check-off sheets

What else works for you?

Rubrics, Rubrics, check-offs, check-offs, etc. etc.

Staff Writer’s Name: __________________________ __________________________

Section: News / Opinion / Features / Sports / Green Screen Page Editor’s Name: ____________________________

Step 1: THINK SHEET TO Page Editor (ABOVE THE LINE ONLY) Step 2: SELF-EDITING CHECK-OFFS – Journalism Style and Mechanics

_______AP Style used throughout – REFER TO THE ONE-PAGE STYLE GUIDE!!!! _______Spelling and grammar checked (especially check the spelling of ALL NAMES!) _______ NO OXFORD COMMAS.

Bad= GBHS teacher Karl Grubaugh is good at telling jokes, inspiring youngsters, and being an all-around boss. Good= The best things about being in journalism are writing awesome-possum articles, working with neato-mosquito people and eating Chipotle.

_______Correct integration of quotes, using correct attribution. Ex. “It’s really difficult staying bright orange all year long,” GBHS junior Suzy “Snooki” McSly said.

Other _______At least four different sources, including quotes from at least three different sources, INCLUDING

EXPERTS. _______Meets or exceeds two-column minimum, with 10-point font size and 2.1 column width. DO NOT CHEAT

THESE SPECIFICATIONS. _______Facts and quotes are accurate. _______All perspectives are presented. _______Story is balanced; there is no obvious or subtle writer bias. _______Story has a clear theme or angle

PLEASE NOTE: Stories that don’t meet minimum expectations WILL NOT BE PUBLISHED, and grades will be reduced.

Step 3: BRING FIRST DRAFT (HARD COPY) TO PAGE EDITOR BEFORE WEDNESDAY OF DEADLINE WEEK. _______________________________________________

Signature of page editor (sign when editing conference is complete)

Step 4: MAKE CHANGES TO DRAFT AND SAVE IN THE FINAL DRAFT FOLDER. ______________________________________________ Signature of page editor (sign when conference is complete)

Step 5: ON MONDAY/TUESDAY AFTER DEADLINE NIGHT, READ THROUGH THE PDF PRINTOUTS. __________________________________________ Signature of Writer (sign when entire step is complete

Look for any errors, in spelling, grammar, photo credits and bylines. Initial story when corrected.

After the final PDF deadline, RETRIEVE ALL STORY PACKETS so you can include them in your required self-evaluation.

WRITING, REPORTING and EDITING CHECK-OFF SHEET

Newspaper Basics: Newspaper Basics: Interviewing 101Interviewing 101A few tips on how to conduct A few tips on how to conduct journalistic interviewsjournalistic interviews

1. Be prepared!1. Be prepared!

Do background researchDo background research Have some information in your headHave some information in your head

2. Have questions 2. Have questions readyready

•They help you be organizedThey help you be organized•Sources wonSources won’’t necessarily t necessarily volunteer informationvolunteer information

3. Make an 3. Make an appointment!appointment! People are busy – you canPeople are busy – you can’’t just show up!t just show up! Be on time!Be on time!

4. Dress 4. Dress appropriatelyappropriately•Not necessarily a suit and tie, Not necessarily a suit and tie, but avoid the trendy hip-hop wear but avoid the trendy hip-hop wear and the massive holes in the and the massive holes in the jeansjeans

5. Take three things on 5. Take three things on every interviewevery interview Pencil/penPencil/pen Paper/notebookPaper/notebook A grain of salt – donA grain of salt – don’’t believe everything yout believe everything you’’re toldre told

6. Recorders?6. Recorders?•Notes vs. recordersNotes vs. recorders•Transcribing vs. shorthandTranscribing vs. shorthand•Digital vs. tapeDigital vs. tape•If you record, use a number If you record, use a number system!system!

7. The Interview7. The Interview

IntroductionIntroduction Get spelling of name, and confirmGet spelling of name, and confirm Double check dates and spellings of any other namesDouble check dates and spellings of any other names Easy questions first! Be sociable!Easy questions first! Be sociable! Open-ended, not yes-noOpen-ended, not yes-no Prime the interview (research!)Prime the interview (research!) DonDon’’t argue – but check later!t argue – but check later! Arrange for possible second interviewArrange for possible second interview Find anecdotes – ask for examples!Find anecdotes – ask for examples! Watch the source – body language, setting, etc.Watch the source – body language, setting, etc. Watch the environment – use for descriptionWatch the environment – use for description Save the tough questions (which might cut off the Save the tough questions (which might cut off the

interview) for the endinterview) for the end Fact check! Fact check!

Thanks for coming!Thanks for coming!

Karl GrubaughKarl Grubaugh916-786-8676, x5811916-786-8676, x5811kgrubaugh@rjuhsd.us