Week 4: Journalism 2001

1. Week 4: Journalism 2001 October 4, 2010

2. Its, it’s or its’. Which is correct? • Its • It’s • Its’

3. Review of last week’s news

4. Review 9/27 summary lead assignment • Overall continued progress! • Best to use one-sentence summary lead • Style errors: • Datelines • State abbreviations • Addresses • Grammar • Spelling • Run-on sentences • In-complete sentences • Agreement • That/which

5. Editing marks • Let’s review editing marks in Stylebook: • page 459

6. A neighbor of a house on Lawler Avenue reported a fire caused by a smoldering cigarette on a mattress on Friday at 7 p.m., where firefighters had to break into the empty house to extinguish it. Skokie Fire Department was called to a house located on Lawler Avenue because a fire had broken out on Friday night, caused by a cigarette left on a mattress and pillow. A neighbor tipped firefighters to a burning house at Lawler Avenue on Friday where the fire was discovered to be caused by forgotten cigarette left on mattress and pillow with damages estimated at around $50,000.

7. Winter storm brought snow, hail, torrential rains and left behind icy roads and frigid temperatures in Northern California Thursday morning causing hundreds of fender-bender accidents. Residents look forward to Friday’s sunny forecast after a winter storm swept northern California Thursday morning causing icy roads, frigid temperatures, snow, hail, and even torrential rainfall that officials say could lead to dangerous mudslides. Thursday’s winter storm in Northern California of snow, ice, hail, and torrential rains caused hundreds of car accidents and a danger of mudslides however Friday is expected to be dry and sunny.

8. Review: Writing a summary lead • Usually a single sentence • No more than 35 words • Bottom line: • Use a single sentence of no more than 35 words to summarize an event

9. Review: Lucy Kragness interview • Overall tough to condense all the info! • Some “untrue” facts! • Use spellchecker (how to spell Kragness?), AP Stylebook • Use past tense, third person • Common style errors: • Titles • Years • Numerals • State names • Degrees: master’s, bachelor’s • Freelance

10. Use last name on second reference • Avoid restating question • Watch editorializing • Verify facts • Paragraph length: 2-3 sentences max • Grammar • Agreement • Run-on sentences • When to use hyphens • Attribution: she said strongest • “Quote here,” she said. • Wordiness • Don’t be afraid to use quotes!

11. As Lucy Kragness talked about her experiences as a journalist and instructor, her love of journalism wasn’t only obvious in what she said, but also in the way she said it. Lucy Kragness’ career came full circle when she recently returned to teaching at the University of Minnesota Duluth where she teaches students about the exciting world of journalism, a world that she knows very well. After years of being a journalist and assistant to the chancellor, Lucy Kragness has returned to teaching because the journalism minor has once again become available for students at UMD.

12. Hard News 1 Story Assignment How are interviews going? Work in teams to interview Duluth citizens about the gubernatorial election Each reporter writes own story Interview 8-10 Duluth residents Might not use all sources in story List all sources, with contact info, at end of story Groups of 1 to 2 Stories will be posted on class website: Fall Jour 2001 Website

13. Let’s make sure that we are covering Duluth • Amy: Plaza Super One • Klaus: West End • Luke: Highland Village Apartments • Jarred: Miller Hill Mall • Emily: Canal Park • Ann/Julie: UMD/Food Court • Danielle/Brooke: Central High School Teachers • Lizzy: Cub • Annelyse: WalMart

14. Madiha: Mount Royal • Olivia/Kaylie: Caribou Coffee • Reegan: Student Athletes • Stephanie: Lester Park • Haley: Starbucks • Princess/Jillian: CSS/UMD Library • Holly: Target • Tony: LSH/Griggs • Fond du Luth Casino • Nick: Electric Fetus • Anne: Pizza Luce

15. What are you finding are the key issues for the governor’s race? • Work in teams at each table • Come up with four issues in 5 minutes • Post questions on class website at: • http://blog.lib.umn.edu/lkragnes/jour2001fall2010/

16. Let’s grade Chapter 5 Quiz

17. Sports Story Pitch Due:Monday, October 4 • Select a UMD or prep sporting event to cover • Length of story pitch: no more than three paragraphs, about 200 words • Include the 5 Ws and H: what makes this story newsworthy • Complete article due: November 8

18. Sample sports story pitch The sporting event that I am going to cover is a upcoming high school prep football game between the varsity squads of Duluth Denfeld and Hibbing high school. The game is scheduled for Friday, October 13th at 5:15 PM. I am expecting a large home crowd, and some theatrics from fans considering this is the end of Duluth Denfeld's homecoming week.

19. Let’s look up sporting events • UMD Athletics

20. Next week • Practice City Council meeting • Tape of a previous meeting October 25 • We will attend City Council meeting.

21. Assignment: Due 10/11 • Enroll in the News University course, “The Interview.” Access the course at: http://www.newsu.org • When you finish the course, send me a Course Report, which is the last item on the left hand column when you are in the course. Send the report to: lkragnes@d.umn.edu • You must complete the course by Monday, October 11 at 11:59 p.m. • Happy interviewing!

22. Assignment due tonight • Summary lead exercises • Steps to help you: • Identify the five Ws and H • What’s the focal point? • Determine what’s the most important to include • Reminder: Summary lead contains no more than 35 words

23. Another its, its’ or it’s? • It’s • Its’ • Its

24. Bottom line on it’s or its • Use it’s: when mean it is, it has • All other uses: its No such word as its’

25. Useful websites • Grammar, writing • Purdue’s OWL (Online Writing Lab) • Guide to Grammar and Writing, Capital Community College Foundation • Guide to Grammar and Style, Jack Lynch • Journalism • Beginning Reporter Resources • Power Reporting

27. Let’s review… • Interviewing • How to gather information • Quotes • Direct, paraphrase, partial

28. Advantages Disadvantages Highest accuracy Replaying and transcribing takes time Actual proof of what was said Machine can fail Can post interview on paper’s Web site If you don’t save tapes, not lasting record Taking notes Pros and cons • Tape recorder

29. Advantages Disadvantages Nothing to break, no batteries People talk faster than you can write Easy to access and transcribe Standing still to write restricts movement Becomes permanent record Won’t be able to read all your own handwriting Taking notes Pros and cons • Notebook

30. Advantages Disadvantages Fastest way to go from notes to story People talk fast; quotes may be inaccurate Most efficient way to get data on deadline Computers can destroy or delete files Can conduct interview using chat or e-mail Stuck sitting in one place staring at a screen Taking notes Pros and cons • Typing

31. Advantages Disadvantages Fast and efficient Impersonal Less intimidating Difficult (and sometimes illegal) to record Cell phones allow interviews to take place anywhere at any time More likely to mishear or misquote someone Interviewing Interview pros and cons • Phone interviews

32. Advantages Disadvantages Gives interviewees time to construct responses No personal interaction Offers the most flexibility Lagtime between questions and answers Typed responses easy to copy and paste; provide record of what was said Takes longer; are you sure the person is who he/she claims to be? Interviewing Interview pros and cons • E-mail interviews

33. Advantages Disadvantages Best way to build rapport Wastes time traveling and waiting Physical surroundings can provide useful data Distractions can interrupt interview People take you more seriously when you are in front of them If you are uncomfortable, it becomes obvious Interviewing Interview pros and cons • In-person interviews

34. Closed-ended questions • Asked to get precise answer • Useful when already know the answer, need confirmation • Used when source is comfortable • Don’t be hostile! • Open-ended questions • Useful when have more time • Often learn unexpected information • Gets source’s opinions, feelings • Anything else to add? Anything I’m forgetting?

35. Use objective verbs of attribution • Straight news stories • Use neutral verbs: said, added • “Said” isn’t boring – readers expect it • No need to be creative • Avoid asserted, bellowed, contended, cried, declared, demanded, emphasized, harangued, hinted, maintained, opined, stammered, stated, stressed

36. Placement of attributions • Usually follows the quotation • Normally follows first sentence in multiple sentence quote • When sources change, new attribution needed • Use attribution once in a quotation • Use attribution between complete, partial quotes

38. What are typical reporting beats? • Police & fire • Courts • Education • Government • All of the above

39. Covering a beat Beat reporters focus on specific topics or institutions • News beat • Do research. • Talk to your predecessor. • Achieve a mind-meld with editors. • Meet people. • Make lists • Key sources • Upcoming meetings and events • Story ideas

40. Working a beat: Do’s and don’ts • Familiarize yourself. • Follow the money. • Call sources back. • Write for yourreaders. DO DON’T • Get too cozy. • What does that mean? • Get used. • Waste sources’ time. • Simply mimic.

41. Obituaries • Writing obits: A fate worse than death? • Each paper has different policies on obituaries • Often front-page news • Capturing the flavor of a life • Prominent citizens/entertainers • Michael Jackson • Patrick Swayze • Often published free of charge

42. Writing obituaries Death is news • What’s the difference? • Death notice — brief announcement with basic facts. • Obituary — longer announcement and provides more history and detail. • Obituaries are read more closely by more people than any other part of the paper. • They tell stories. • They touch hearts. • They honor and inspire.

43. Watch your language Would you include these? • Addresses • Cause of death • Past personal problems • Flowery phrases • Other terminology • Funerals are scheduled. • Masses are celebrated. • People die unexpectedly. • People die after surgery. • A man is survived by his wife.

44. Talking with families about the deceased • Don’t be squeamish. • If you’re not sure what to say, use a script. • Be supportive. • Be willing to listen. • If it will be a long obituary, gather as much detail as possible.

45. Typical content of obits • Full name • Address • Date of death • Cause of death • How to handle suicides? • Age • Occupation • Accomplishments • Time and date of services, visitation information • Place of burial, memorial information • Names of survivors

46. In the news • U.S. Supreme Court Ruling about Wiccan symbols: • http://www.startribune.com/484/story/1138325.html

47. Sources of information • Funeral homes • Families • Confirming information • Avoiding hoaxes • eHow: How to write an obituary • http://www.ehow.com/how_3456_write-obituary.html

48. Let’s look at some examples… • Duluth News-Tribune: • http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/ • Cloquet Pine-Journal: • http://www.pinejournal.com/event/obituaries/group/Obituaries/ • New York Times: • http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/12/arts/12murdock.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=obituaries%20today&st=cse

49. Ethics Case • Killing news: Responsible coverage of suicides • http://journalism.indiana.edu/resources/ethics/sensitive-news-topics/killing-news-responsible-coverage-of-suicides/ • Sharing the community’s grief: Little Rock news coverage of 3 teenage suicides • http://journalism.indiana.edu/resources/ethics/sensitive-news-topics/sharing-the-communitys-grief/ • Intruding on grief: Does the public really have a "need to know?“ • http://journalism.indiana.edu/resources/ethics/invading-privacy/intruding-on-grief/

50. Readings from the textbook • A passion for raising rabbits: p. 224 • BGSU professor a talented sculptor: p. 225 • Church bus crash on turnpike kills 3: p. 226 • For those cut off, a life primeval: p. 227 • “This one’s for real”: p. 230 • Family loses all in house fire: p. 232 • Into the flames: p. 234