The News Project

Choosing a Story 

Everyone has a story.

http://www.freep.com/legacy/jobspage/academy/NWWcarter.htm

Writing from the heart --- Leonard Pitts

http://www.freep.com/legacy/jobspage/academy/pitts.htm

 Vocabulary

http://www.newspapersineducation.ca/eng/level_7to9/glossary_eng.html

http://www.freep.com/legacy/jobspage/high/jargon.htm

How do I chose a story?

Click here.

GAP

Inverted Pyramid -- Writing a news story or news brief:

Note: Use these sections for the GAP assignment.

News story writing style is different from an essay. It's like an inverted pyramid: all the main facts are first.

Lesson 

GAP

Lead; Lead Examples and Rules

Lead Rules in Brief:

1. In the first thirty (30) words tell "what," "when," and "where."  --- first sentence
2. In the first seven (7) words tell what happened (verb).
3. Make what happened-the verb- an action verb.
4. If there is a "who," --
   1. tell the who with a description if no one would recognize the name (no name)
   2. tell the name of the who if the name is recognizable by the readers
      1. who -- an elderly Bismarck man
      2. who is famous/recognized -- basketball star Michael Jordan
5. Include "how" and "why" if short; otherwise tell it later in the story.
6. If the facts are facts -- write them.  If the facts are disputable or questionable, cite the source.
   1. Ann Hat, spokesperson for Michael Jordan, said...

GAP

Tips on Writing the News Story:

• Never use “I” or “we” in a hard news story.
• Keep sentences short.
• Write each paragraph as a single thought. A paragraph may be one sentence long.
• Try not to start every sentence with the word The.
• Be sure of your facts, the rule of thumb is when in doubt, leave it out.
• Check the spellings of names and places.
• Always use a person’s full name (Joe Smith) the first time you mention him or her. On the second reference you can write Mr. Smith or just Smith.
• Use quotes in the story.
• Be fair and don’t just tell one side of a story. Make an effort to present other views. ^[1]

Lessons

Rubric

How do I interview?

http://www.freep.com/legacy/jobspage/academy/interv.htm