1. Grades
2. Common issues with Hard News stories
3. Soft News Feature Updates
4. Best Feature Writing and Art of Observation
5. Guest Speaker – Jim Baumbach, award-winning sports reporter turned investigative journalist.
GRADES?
Grades – How I Graded Story 1:
Is it “Hard News”?
Newsiness: Does it inform the reader in a crisp, concise, easily-read manner?
Does it follow AP Style, and other basic grammar and punctuation?
Is it correctly attributed?
Strong headline?
Strong lede?
5 W’s (who, what, when, where, why)?
Is there original reporting (an original interview with a stranger)?
Inverted pyramid (most important information at the top)?
Writing informative and journalistic?
Notable common issues:
Not attributing information someone else reported.
Missing an original interview and original reporting.
Weak headlines and ledes.
Need to tighten sentences — too meandering. Get to the point.
The most common issue: opinion sentences and finding the journalistic voice. Remember, analysis is not News.
Some samples from your work —
What do you see that can be improved?
Even though it is a difficult situation, people need to figure out a way to express their emotions without gun violence because eventually it will hurt the perpetrator and obviously, the victim.
Too much opinion… Nix the whole statement
LEDE: Even though we are in the 21st century, it seems to be that Arizona has traveled back in time to the 19th century.
Despite decades of progress for women’s rights, some feel Arizona has traveled back to the 19th century.
(That way we’re putting the opinion on others, and not having the thought come from the voice of the author).
After speaking to Gabrielle Symone who lives in New York City, a makeup artist and advocate for Puerto Rico and the islanders rights I learned more about Fiona’s movement upon Puerto Rico. She had some personal insights to share on her angle of what is currently happening in Puerto Rico.
NYC resident Gabriell Symone, who is an advocate for Puerto Rico, explained.
LEDE: This Sunday, citizens of one of the largest nations in the world will be on the edge of their seats, definitely in anticipation, and probably with angst.
This Sunday, Brazil will hold presidential elections, and citizens of the tropical nation are on edge.
HEADLINE: Hurricane Fiona; the Effect on Those in Puerto Rico
Hurricane Fiona devastates Puerto Rico
Or
Countrywide Blackout as Hurricane Fiona Devastates Puerto Rico
HOW IS YOUR SOFT NEWS STORY GOING?
HOW TO MAKE A WINNING SOFT NEWS FEATURE:
Seriously, Read Pages 116 to 123…
TENSE: News stories are written in the past tense – but feature stories are sometimes written in present (not required though – depends on the situation and vibe).
SYNTAX AND PHRASING: News stories shouldn’t be jazzed up with extraneous poetry or flashy writing. Certainly no opinion sentences in Hard Newswriting. BUT, in Features, you have much more freedom to play with language.
DETAIL AND DESCRIPTION: Use observations from the field, interesting sensory descriptions that bring us, the reader, to the space or people you are writing about.
Which brings us to …
Observe (and report).
LEDE: Even though we are in the 21st century, it seems to be that Arizona has traveled back in time to the 19th century.
Pg. 74-75.
AND NOW OUR GUEST…
Jim Baumbach!