sports coverage: you don’t have to be able to score touchdowns in order to coach football

© Media Management © Media Management CenterCenter

Sports Coverage:Sports Coverage: You don’t have to be able to score You don’t have to be able to score

touchdowns in order to coach touchdowns in order to coach

footballfootballIdeas and approachesIdeas and approaches

Michael P. SmithMichael P. Smith

ASNE High School Journalism InstituteBall State University

July 10, 2003


What do you want to make What do you want to make sure that we cover in this sure that we cover in this

session?session?• (List your ideas here)(List your ideas here)– – –


1. Tell a story that has 1. Tell a story that has appeal even after the appeal even after the

eventevent


Time continuum in Time continuum in journalismjournalism

PASTPAST FUTUREFUTURETODAYTODAY

WHAT WHAT HAPPENED?HAPPENED?

What brought us to this point?

What steps should we

expect?


2. Find ways to be a 2. Find ways to be a complete record of complete record of

eventsevents


3. Diversify: Include a 3. Diversify: Include a variety of voices in the variety of voices in the

sports coverage sports coverage


4. Avoid vague language, 4. Avoid vague language, clutter in writing and clutter in writing and clichés like the plague clichés like the plague


How good are you at How good are you at clichés?clichés?

• Fill in the blank:Fill in the blank:– What a difference a ________________makesWhat a difference a ________________makes

– Every _______________'s nightmareEvery _______________'s nightmare

– ___________________ could be the next_________________________________ could be the next______________

– Everything you always wanted to know about _______________Everything you always wanted to know about _______________

– To play the ________________ cardTo play the ________________ card

– ____________ is not your common everyday__________________________ is not your common everyday______________

– A wave of ____________ stormed the ______________ yesterdayA wave of ____________ stormed the ______________ yesterday

– That speaks volumes of ______________ That speaks volumes of ______________

– Yes,_____________ ; there is a ______________Yes,_____________ ; there is a ______________

– The ____ wordThe ____ word


How good are you at How good are you at clichés?clichés?

• Fill in the blank:Fill in the blank:– The ______________ factorThe ______________ factor

– ______________‑plagued______________‑plagued

– Live by the _______________ ; die by the ________________Live by the _______________ ; die by the ________________

– __________________ gave new meaning to the term ______________________________ gave new meaning to the term ____________

– Is this a great ______________ ? Or what?Is this a great ______________ ? Or what?

– Look up _____________ in the dictionary, and you'll find __________Look up _____________ in the dictionary, and you'll find __________

– The _______________‑night massacreThe _______________‑night massacre

– ________________‑aholic________________‑aholic

– ________________‑gate________________‑gate

– ________________‑scam________________‑scam


6. To high school sports 6. To high school sports writers: The sports writers: The sports

column isn’t about you column isn’t about you


May I help?May I help?• I would be glad to answer your questions or help in I would be glad to answer your questions or help in

any way that time (and my travel schedule) permitsany way that time (and my travel schedule) permits


Here’s where you can find Here’s where you can find me:me:Michael P. SmithMichael P. Smith

Managing DirectorManaging DirectorMedia Management CenterMedia Management Center1845 Sheridan Road1845 Sheridan RoadEvanston, IL 60208-2110Evanston, IL 60208-2110Phone: (847) 467-2065Phone: (847) 467-2065e-mail:e-mail: [email protected]@northwestern.eduwww.MediaManagementCenter.orgwww.MediaManagementCenter.org

sports coverage: you don’t have to be able to score touchdowns in order to coach football

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