SPORTSWRITINGSPORTSWRITINGHow to write like Phil MusickHow to write like Phil Musick

Who? Who?

Or

Qualities of sports writing. orQualities of sports writing. or How to break most of the rules How to break most of the rules

you’ve just learned.you’ve just learned.►Be objective, but….root for the home Be objective, but….root for the home

team.team.►Be descriptive. Use colorful language.Be descriptive. Use colorful language.►Be very aware of everything. Or it’s Be very aware of everything. Or it’s

really not important who wins the really not important who wins the game. game.

►Be opinionated. They really want to Be opinionated. They really want to know.know.

Do’s and Don’ts of SlanguageDo’s and Don’ts of Slanguage► Do use Do use original,original, colorful words and phrases. colorful words and phrases.► Do distinguish between legitimate slang and Do distinguish between legitimate slang and

jargon (birdie, eagle, strike out) and sports jargon (birdie, eagle, strike out) and sports clichés. (split the uprights, local gridiron)clichés. (split the uprights, local gridiron)

► Do use the actual explanatory word or phrase Do use the actual explanatory word or phrase as much as possible: Homerun, not cleared as much as possible: Homerun, not cleared the bases; wrestlers, not grapplers. the bases; wrestlers, not grapplers.

► Don’t use forty different verbs for lost or won. Don’t use forty different verbs for lost or won.

Know your stuff!Know your stuff!Immerse yourself in the sport• Go to the games• Watch TV coverage• Listen to radio play by play • Talk sports with friends

Sports coverageSports coverageCover every sportCover every sport►Girls’ sports as well as boys’Girls’ sports as well as boys’►Lacrosse as well as footballLacrosse as well as football►Losing teams as well as winning Losing teams as well as winning

teams.teams.► In-house sports as well as WPIAL.In-house sports as well as WPIAL.►Recreational sports as well as school Recreational sports as well as school

sportssports

So many sports; so little space!So many sports; so little space!OrOr

How to cover it all.How to cover it all.►Sports shorts---brief articles that Sports shorts---brief articles that

capture relevant information; provide capture relevant information; provide record of events.record of events.

►Boxes: report scoring records (wins Boxes: report scoring records (wins and losses)and losses)

►Highlights onlyHighlights only

Understanding SportsUnderstanding Sports►Learn the rulesLearn the rules►Learn the strategies Learn the strategies ► Learn the reasons behind the rules Learn the reasons behind the rules

and the strategies.and the strategies.►Get to know coaches and players.Get to know coaches and players.► inside informationinside information► interviews interviews

Sports featuresSports featuresArticles that highlight the personal side of Articles that highlight the personal side of

sports (personality profiles, human interest,sports (personality profiles, human interest,► Examples: Bowler who grew up in the Examples: Bowler who grew up in the

“allies”“allies”► Son of basketball coach—pressures, perksSon of basketball coach—pressures, perks► Girl playing footballGirl playing football► Trainer-types of injuries, most serious etc.Trainer-types of injuries, most serious etc.► Oldest alumni football, baseball starOldest alumni football, baseball star► Coach who played for the schoolCoach who played for the school► What is lacrosse, rugby, ultimate frisbee?What is lacrosse, rugby, ultimate frisbee?► What What

Sportswriting: The goodSportswriting: The good

Can be more partisan (for the hometeam)Can interpret more than news reportersCan explain the tension, color, excitementCan include writer’s perspectiveCan use more colorful language

Sportswriting: The BadSportswriting: The Bad

►Must avoid slanguage (jargon, cliches Must avoid slanguage (jargon, cliches specific to sports) P. 285specific to sports) P. 285

►Must know and understand the sportMust know and understand the sport

►Must cover all teamsMust cover all teams►Must cover all recordsMust cover all records

Pregame StoriesPregame Stories

►Gather information on opposing teamsGather information on opposing teams►What was last year’s score?What was last year’s score?►What is the condition of the athletes?What is the condition of the athletes?►Who are the key athletes/who is on Who are the key athletes/who is on

starting lineup?starting lineup?►Comments on style of playComments on style of play► Importance of event to the schoolImportance of event to the school

Game StoryGame Story

►

Take detailed, accurate notesTake detailed, accurate notes► Watch for turning pointsWatch for turning points► Develop easy to read note taking systemDevelop easy to read note taking system► Analyze the storyAnalyze the story► May write in a partisan or biased fashion; May write in a partisan or biased fashion;

cannot be cheerleader.cannot be cheerleader.► May be less more specific in details of game; May be less more specific in details of game;

must include important details (score)must include important details (score)

Post Game storiesPost Game stories►Also called sideline storyAlso called sideline story►Offers chance to untangle confusing Offers chance to untangle confusing

events—call by ref; what happened to events—call by ref; what happened to a player; any injuriesa player; any injuries

►Tone and lead—more feature, can Tone and lead—more feature, can start with a story or a quotestart with a story or a quote

►Should be colorful and vivid like pre-Should be colorful and vivid like pre-game and game storiesgame and game stories

What about quotations?What about quotations?►Should be pertinent to the game or Should be pertinent to the game or

contestcontest►Should not highlight only star playersShould not highlight only star players►Must have quote from coachMust have quote from coach

How to gather information for How to gather information for sports articlessports articles

►Scores: Scores: http://www.msasportsnetwork.com/►Letters sent to coaches of opposing teams Letters sent to coaches of opposing teams

or editors of opposing school’s newspapersor editors of opposing school’s newspapers►Ask : how many returning varsity playersAsk : how many returning varsity players► how many starters lost from teamhow many starters lost from team► size, weight, position and year in size, weight, position and year in

school of playersschool of players► strengths and weaknessesstrengths and weaknesses

PhotosPhotos

►Action, action we want Action, action we want

ActionAction