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Writing in Various Genres

Writing in Various Genres. Steve Cox and Neil Probst. The Alpha ... An Overview. ● The news release ... where it all starts. ● Getting local coverage. ● Contribute feature articles to CAP Volunteer . ● Various types of feature stories ● Electronic media ● Social media.

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Writing in Various Genres

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  1. Writing in Various Genres Steve Cox and Neil Probst

  2. The Alpha ... An Overview ● The news release ... where it all starts. ● Getting local coverage. ● Contribute feature articles to CAP Volunteer. ● Various types of feature stories ● Electronic media ● Social media

  3. News releases • Your news release is the ideal starting point for your feature story. • It needs to contain many of the elements your feature will include: • Active voice • The main news • Additional facts • Additional details

  4. Questions?

  5. Types of Stories • Hard News Feature • A Feature Story Based on a News Event That Occurs

  6. Success stories • Every wing has them. • A cadet becomes a governor, then senator.

  7. Novel approaches • When a high-profile author includes CAP in his novel, that’s a great story. • In this instance, author Dale Brown included CAP cadets in his drama.

  8. Customer takes ride • Anytime the customer rides along, you’ve got a good story. • Here you add the added bonus of a really neat rare-bird tracking angle.

  9. Multi-state efforts • Anytime more than one wing is involved, you’ve got a story. • Yes, you won’t always have a famous aviator go missing, but part of the draw there as well was the many wings that teamed up.

  10. When Cadets Save Lives • The three cadets pictured saved the life of a Canadian woman involved in a motorcycle accident. • Keep in eye on the efforts of your cadets; there’s hardly more positive news than they provide.

  11. The story itself • Pre-reporting (get to know your interviewees before you speak to them) • Saves time • Avoid “stupid” questions • Make deadline

  12. Technology • Digital camera (Document the mission with photos of aircrew, customer, members in action) • Digital recorder (excellent for interviews)

  13. Multiple Sources • Accuracy • Fairness • Give a true reflection of how special people are. • Better, more comprehensive viewpoint • No feelings hurt, especially when more than one wing involved

  14. To Quote or Not to Quote • Careful not to overuse • Keep brief • Use for drama, not for stating facts.

  15. “Real” People • Media’s way of saying interview those on the front lines, not just wing commanders and other high-level players. • Often cadets are your best source for a fresh, positive voice.

  16. Be a Researcher • Additional sources for stories include online news media. • Add context, flavor to stories. • Details from news agencies show the larger picture of which CAP takes part.

  17. Keep Eyes on the Prize • After your news release and submission to CAP News Online and/or the Volunteer, focus extra attention on local and national media. • This is your best avenue for telling the CAP story to an audience that may not know us. • In the process you’ll likely build a connection with local media that will last for many years.

  18. The Harvest Montrose Daily Press carries full story on SAREX CAP plane in Denver Post that spotted lost hikers Steamboat Pilot & Today illustrates flooding story with CAP aerials

  19. Blog — The New Wave WHY BLOG?? • Relaxed format • Can pack oodles of copy and photos in. • Additional element to story; for instance, you could write a feature story on IACE and include a blog link for those who want to enjoy particular experiences of cadets in different countries. IACE takes cadets to Singapore. Their trip is documented at blog: http://iacesingapore.wordpress.com/

  20. Electronic Media NUMEROUS POSSIBILITIES • Wing web sites • Video productions • Multimedia and slide presentations

  21. Keep in touch • Reach Steve at scox@capnhq.gov. • Reach Neil at nprobst@capnhq.gov. • Thank you. We look forward to helping you in any way we can.

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