Week 7: Journalism 2001Week 7: Journalism 2001March 10, 2008March 10, 2008

AnnouncementsAnnouncements

Spring break next week!Spring break next week!– Any big plans?Any big plans?

Review of last week’s newsReview of last week’s news

Hard News:Hard News:(murders, city council, government, etc.)(murders, city council, government, etc.)– Major local storiesMajor local stories– Major national/international storiesMajor national/international stories– Major sports storiesMajor sports stories

Soft News:Soft News:(retirements, school programs, human interest)(retirements, school programs, human interest)– Local storiesLocal stories– National/international storiesNational/international stories– Sports storiesSports stories

Duluth News Tribune Duluth News Tribune LayoffsLayoffs

Editor Rob Karwath Column:Editor Rob Karwath Column:– In tough times, we must be strong In tough times, we must be strong

leaders leaders

Oops!Oops!

Hard News 1 StoriesHard News 1 Stories Interesting stories!Interesting stories! A lot of red marks: Next story will be easier…A lot of red marks: Next story will be easier…

– Hopefully constructive criticism that will help Hopefully constructive criticism that will help you write your next storyyou write your next story

Watch style errorsWatch style errors– Dates, titles, numerals, spelling of namesDates, titles, numerals, spelling of names

Many used quotes effectivelyMany used quotes effectively– High up in story, direct and indirectHigh up in story, direct and indirect

Need full names of sources, source list!Need full names of sources, source list! One sentence summary lead the strongestOne sentence summary lead the strongest Need attribution or reads as fact/opinionNeed attribution or reads as fact/opinion Punctuation inside quote marksPunctuation inside quote marks

– ““Blah blah blah,” she said.Blah blah blah,” she said.

The shortfall of funding for the The shortfall of funding for the benefit packages of retired city benefit packages of retired city workers is the most important issue workers is the most important issue facing newly elected Mayor Don Ness facing newly elected Mayor Don Ness and all of Duluth, according to many and all of Duluth, according to many citizens of the city.citizens of the city.

After multiple interviews of students After multiple interviews of students from the UMD food court on the from the UMD food court on the mayor’s performance since election, mayor’s performance since election, Mayor Don Ness appears to be Mayor Don Ness appears to be making little to no impression upon making little to no impression upon young student voters at UMD.young student voters at UMD.

What’s missing in these What’s missing in these leads?leads?

Don Ness has been the focus of conversation Don Ness has been the focus of conversation around Duluth since last fall’s mayoral election, around Duluth since last fall’s mayoral election, and Duluth residents are confident that he will and Duluth residents are confident that he will bring new ideas and significant change from the bring new ideas and significant change from the previous Bergson administration.previous Bergson administration.

Canal Park citizens look to new mayor, Don Ness Canal Park citizens look to new mayor, Don Ness to focus on creating more opportunities for both to focus on creating more opportunities for both locals and tourists while in office.locals and tourists while in office.

With a new mayor in town some local college With a new mayor in town some local college students are hoping to see changes, while others students are hoping to see changes, while others haven’t even noticed the new faces in office.haven’t even noticed the new faces in office.

We’ll rewrite the stories later We’ll rewrite the stories later tonight!tonight!

Hard News 2 Story:Hard News 2 Story:Due Friday, March 14Due Friday, March 14

Any problems?Any problems? What meetings covered?What meetings covered?

Community Journalism Reporting Community Journalism Reporting AssignmentAssignment

Story Pitch Due: Wednesday, March 12Story Pitch Due: Wednesday, March 12– No more than three paragraphs, 200 wordsNo more than three paragraphs, 200 words– Include 5Ws and HInclude 5Ws and H– Email to: lkragnes@d.umn.eduEmail to: lkragnes@d.umn.edu

Go out into an area of Duluth, report on a topic of interest in that Go out into an area of Duluth, report on a topic of interest in that areaarea– Divide the city into zones: Each reporter picks a neighborhood to coverDivide the city into zones: Each reporter picks a neighborhood to cover

Central HillsideCentral Hillside Chester Park/UMD: Michelle, Mandee, Cheri, CaraChester Park/UMD: Michelle, Mandee, Cheri, Cara Congdon ParkCongdon Park Downtown/Central Business District: Becca, JamesDowntown/Central Business District: Becca, James Duluth Heights: KaylaDuluth Heights: Kayla East Hillside/Endion: JennaEast Hillside/Endion: Jenna Kenwood: Alex, Cory K., RossKenwood: Alex, Cory K., Ross Lakeside/Lester Park: JakeLakeside/Lester Park: Jake Lincoln Park/West EndLincoln Park/West End Park Point: Chelsea, AmberPark Point: Chelsea, Amber Piedmont HeightsPiedmont Heights West Duluth: Matt, Cory B.West Duluth: Matt, Cory B. Woodland: Nichole, JoshWoodland: Nichole, Josh

Final story due: April 14Final story due: April 14

Chapter 16: Broadcast Chapter 16: Broadcast WritingWriting

Radio Station Organizational ChartRadio Station Organizational Chart

Television station organizational Television station organizational chartchart

National television networksNational television networks

CNN:CNN:– http://www.cnn.com/http://www.cnn.com/

CBS:CBS:– http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/home/main100.shtmlhttp://www.cbsnews.com/sections/home/main100.shtml

ABC:ABC:– http://abcnews.go.com/http://abcnews.go.com/

MSNBC:MSNBC:– http://www.msnbc.msn.com/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/

Fox:Fox:– http://www.foxnews.com/http://www.foxnews.com/

Local television stationsLocal television stations

KBJR/KDLHKBJR/KDLH– http://www.kbjr.com/http://www.kbjr.com/

Joel Runck storyJoel Runck story

WDIOWDIO– http://www.wdio.com/http://www.wdio.com/

Successful alumni/studentsSuccessful alumni/students

- Amy Rutledge- Amy Rutledge

WDIO-TV TourWDIO-TV Tour

Dan RatherDan Rather

Dan Rather stepped down as anchor and Dan Rather stepped down as anchor and managing editor of the CBS Evening News managing editor of the CBS Evening News March 2005, 24 years after his first March 2005, 24 years after his first broadcast in that position. broadcast in that position.

His last broadcast as anchor was March 9, His last broadcast as anchor was March 9, 2005, the 24th anniversary of when he 2005, the 24th anniversary of when he assumed the position from Walter assumed the position from Walter Cronkite. Cronkite.

Rather’s impact on television Rather’s impact on television newsnews

Who replaced Dan Rather as Who replaced Dan Rather as the permanent CBS anchor?the permanent CBS anchor?

Peter

Jen

nings

Katie

Couric

Sam D

onald

son

33% 33%33%1.1. Peter JenningsPeter Jennings

2.2. Katie CouricKatie Couric

3.3. Sam Sam DonaldsonDonaldson

Broadcast StyleBroadcast Style

NumbersNumbers– Simplify complicated numbers: Simplify complicated numbers:

approximately, more than, about, almostapproximately, more than, about, almost– Vary wording to help announcer, listenerVary wording to help announcer, listener– Spell out numbers under 12Spell out numbers under 12– Use a hyphenated combination of numerals Use a hyphenated combination of numerals

and words to express thousandsand words to express thousands– Use round numbers:Use round numbers:

$2,001,894.46: slightly more than two million $2,001,894.46: slightly more than two million dollarsdollars

Broadcast writing websitesBroadcast writing websites

Newswriting for Radio:Newswriting for Radio:– http://www.newscript.com/http://www.newscript.com/

Writing for Broadcast:Writing for Broadcast:– http://www.udel.edu/UDWI/other/http://www.udel.edu/UDWI/other/

writing_for_broadcast.htmlwriting_for_broadcast.html National Association of BroadcastersNational Association of Broadcasters

– http://www.nab.org/http://www.nab.org/ Radio-Television News Directors Radio-Television News Directors

Association & FoundationAssociation & Foundation– http://www.rtndf.org/http://www.rtndf.org/

Checklist for broadcast Checklist for broadcast writerswriters

Write the way you talkWrite the way you talk Write simplyWrite simply Use short words and short sentencesUse short words and short sentences Use active verbs and sentencesUse active verbs and sentences When in doubt, leave it outWhen in doubt, leave it out Don’t raise questions you don’t Don’t raise questions you don’t

answeranswer Put attribution before quotePut attribution before quote

Writing for radioWriting for radio

““Wrap”Wrap”– Reporter wraps words or sentences around one Reporter wraps words or sentences around one

or more major soundbitesor more major soundbites– Also called a donut, with news story around the Also called a donut, with news story around the

“hole” where the story is placed“hole” where the story is placed Blind lead-inBlind lead-in

Introduces a taped excerpt from a news sourceIntroduces a taped excerpt from a news source Does not signal that a soundbite followsDoes not signal that a soundbite follows

Wrap-upWrap-up– Signals end of storySignals end of story

Broadcast journalism Broadcast journalism checklistchecklist

Understand technologyUnderstand technology Learn to performLearn to perform Keep soundbites short and frame them Keep soundbites short and frame them

appropriatelyappropriately Emphasize the last sentence of a storyEmphasize the last sentence of a story Approach television as a unique mediumApproach television as a unique medium

– Learn to think visuallyLearn to think visually– Make sure that the words match the picturesMake sure that the words match the pictures

Approach radio as a unique mediumApproach radio as a unique medium– Strong appeal to the imaginationStrong appeal to the imagination

Broadcast newswriting Broadcast newswriting characteristicscharacteristics

ImmediacyImmediacy– Use present tense as much as possibleUse present tense as much as possible– Avoid yesterday’s story; update yesterday’s Avoid yesterday’s story; update yesterday’s

storystory Conversational styleConversational style

– Write the way you talkWrite the way you talk Tight phrasingTight phrasing

– Conversational style without being wordyConversational style without being wordy ClarityClarity

– Write simply, OK to repeat wordsWrite simply, OK to repeat words

Radio websitesRadio websites

Live radio broadcasts from around Live radio broadcasts from around the worldthe world– http://www.broadcast-live.com/http://www.broadcast-live.com/

radionews.htmlradionews.html KDALKDAL

– http://www.kdal.am/http://www.kdal.am/

Ethics Case StudyEthics Case Study

Strange Bedfellows: Federal agents in Strange Bedfellows: Federal agents in a TV newsrooma TV newsroom– http://journalism.indiana.edu/http://journalism.indiana.edu/

resources/ethics/aiding-law-resources/ethics/aiding-law-enforcement/strange-bedfellows/enforcement/strange-bedfellows/

Would you let the federal Would you let the federal agents into the news editing agents into the news editing

room?room?

Yes No

50%50%

1.1. YesYes

2.2. NoNo

Chapter 8: Special LeadsChapter 8: Special Leads

Non-breaking news story or featureNon-breaking news story or feature– NarrativeNarrative– ContrastContrast– StaccatoStaccato– Direct-addressDirect-address– Question & quoteQuestion & quote– ““none of the above”none of the above”

Narrative LeadsNarrative Leads

Puts readers into the middle of the Puts readers into the middle of the actionaction

Lead block: Observation the key!Lead block: Observation the key!– 2 or more paragraphs leading to main 2 or more paragraphs leading to main

pointpoint Nut graphNut graph

– ““So what” paragraphSo what” paragraph Keep the story goingKeep the story going

Examples of narrative leadsExamples of narrative leads

http://www.d.umn.edu/~lkragnes/beargrease1.htmlhttp://www.d.umn.edu/~lkragnes/beargrease1.html

Contrast LeadsContrast Leads

Compares, contrastsCompares, contrasts– Old & newOld & new– Short & tallShort & tall– Yesterday & todayYesterday & today

Turn words:Turn words:– Now, today, yesterday, this year, butNow, today, yesterday, this year, but

Hard news or a featureHard news or a feature

Staccato LeadsStaccato Leads

Short bursts of phrasesShort bursts of phrases Meant to tease readersMeant to tease readers The Clash in LondonThe Clash in London

Direct-address leadDirect-address lead

Inserting “you” into the storyInserting “you” into the story Communicates with the readerCommunicates with the reader Rarely used in newspapersRarely used in newspapers Common in public relations, Common in public relations,

advertisingadvertising

Question LeadsQuestion Leads

Questions the audienceQuestions the audience Answer the question quickly – second Answer the question quickly – second

graphgraph Tease the audienceTease the audience Combine question leads with direct Combine question leads with direct

addressaddress Legislative roll call exampleLegislative roll call example

Quote LeadsQuote Leads

Literally open with a quote from a Literally open with a quote from a sourcesource

Rarely used in newspapersRarely used in newspapers Sports, broadcastingSports, broadcasting Don’t misrepresent in a quote leadDon’t misrepresent in a quote lead Beware of libel when using a quote Beware of libel when using a quote

leadlead

““None of the above” leadsNone of the above” leads

When is a lead “none of the above?”When is a lead “none of the above?” Combining several types of leadsCombining several types of leads

Creating Effective LeadsCreating Effective Leads

Use vivid verbs in leadsUse vivid verbs in leads– Enhance sentences, paint a pictureEnhance sentences, paint a picture

Choosing a lead: Which lead, and Choosing a lead: Which lead, and when?when?– Summary lead: breaking newsSummary lead: breaking news– Narrative lead: follow-up, featureNarrative lead: follow-up, feature– Staccato: feature, soft newsStaccato: feature, soft news– Question: soft news, featureQuestion: soft news, feature

How writers decide on a How writers decide on a leadlead

Being creative: different from othersBeing creative: different from others What their sources saidWhat their sources said Their own observationsTheir own observations TraditionTradition Their editorsTheir editors SpaceSpace

Dan Rather AssignmentDan Rather Assignment

Out of Class Assignment: Due March Out of Class Assignment: Due March 2424

You will be taking a look at Dan You will be taking a look at Dan Rather’s background, impact on Rather’s background, impact on television newstelevision news

EgradebookEgradebook

Doublecheck assignments correct in Doublecheck assignments correct in egradebook:egradebook:– http://www.d.umn.edu/egradebookhttp://www.d.umn.edu/egradebook

If grading today:If grading today:

115-130: A115-130: A

100-114: B100-114: B

85-99: C85-99: C

70-84: D70-84: D

<70: F<70: F

In-class Assignment: Due todayIn-class Assignment: Due today Editing classmate storyEditing classmate story

– Make changes, give to reporterMake changes, give to reporter– Editing form returned to me: Worth 5 pointsEditing form returned to me: Worth 5 points

Rewrite Hard News 2 mayoral storiesRewrite Hard News 2 mayoral stories– Using all of the editing suggestions, Using all of the editing suggestions,

rewrite/edit your storyrewrite/edit your story– Turn in corrected story with editing formTurn in corrected story with editing form– Email final copy to: lkragnes@d.umn.eduEmail final copy to: lkragnes@d.umn.edu

Worth 5 pointsWorth 5 points– Stories will be posted on class website:Stories will be posted on class website:

http://blog.lib.umn.edu/lkragnes/http://blog.lib.umn.edu/lkragnes/jour2001spring2008/jour2001spring2008/

PortfolioPortfolio

Store academic information on your Store academic information on your Electronic Portfolio. Each student has Electronic Portfolio. Each student has 100 mb of storage.100 mb of storage.

Access Electronic Portfolio at: Access Electronic Portfolio at: https://https://portfolio.umn.edu/portfolio/index.jspportfolio.umn.edu/portfolio/index.jsp