Week 10: Journalism 2001

1. Week 10: Journalism 2001 November 16, 2009

3. Review of last week’s news • Hard News: (murders, city council, government, etc.) • Major local stories • Major national/international stories • Major sports stories • Soft News: (retirements, school programs, human interest) • Local stories • National/international stories • Sports stories

4. Upcoming stories • Sports Reporting Assignment • Will review/edit stories tonight • Community Journalism reporting assignment • Final article due: November 24 • Feature Story Assignment • Story pitch due: November 18 • First draft due: November 30 • Final article due: December 14

5. No more late stories! • Deadlines firm for rest of stories • If ill or have other serious problem, need to contact me BEFORE the assignment is due • Either email me or call my office • 218-726-6176 • Journalist’s creed: old news is no news!

6. Egradebook • Doublecheck assignments correct in egradebook: • http://www.d.umn.edu/egradebook If grading tonight: 200 and above: A 175-199: B 150-174: C 125-149: D Less than 125: F

7. Community Journalism Reporting Assignment • Go out into an area of Duluth, report on a topic of interest in that area • Divide the city into zones: Each reporter picks a neighborhood to cover • Canal Park: Sage, Kendra • Central Hillside/Observation Hill: • Chester Park/UMD: Carli, Clayton, Rita, Kyle • Congdon Park: Alyssa, Lauren • Downtown/Central Business District: Zach, Jon, Amelia, Christian • Duluth Heights: Dana • East Hillside/Endion: Abi • Fond du Lac/Gary New Duluth: • Kenwood: Ben • Lakeside/Lester Park: Molly • Lincoln Park/West End: • Morgan Park/Smithville/Riverside: • Park Point: Kelly, Sam • Piedmont Heights: Chris • West Duluth: Spirit Valley, Denfeld, Norton Park: Howie • Woodland: Justin, Aaron • Entire city: Scott • Final story due: November 24

8. Let’s make sure that you’re ready for next week’s Community Journalism deadline… • Let’s do another Idea Map • Take out a piece of paper, and put your Community Journalism topic in the center • In the outer circles, list who you have/are scheduled to interview • Write out the 5Ws and H for your story

9. Let’s move on to Feature story ideas • Feature story pitch due this Wednesday

10. Even more ideas from last year! • Common jobs for students in the summer • Play review/analysis • Duluth resident reaction to Leatherheads • Nursing home resident • Chinese student adjustment • Bicycle riders on Munger Trail • Aquarium

11. Sample feature story pitches The feature story that I will be covering is drinking of college students on campus. Many college students drink on campus, many times to excess, and this has created problems for both students and administration alike. I will be interviewing students that are living in the dorms to see how much drinking is happening there and I will also be talking to campus police and housing administration to get a feel of the how administration looks at the topic in terms of handling these situations and how they control it.

12. For my feature story I will be focusing on how easy it is as a college student to "be green" so to speak and help their environment. I would focus on websites such as www.freecycle.org and show how easily it is to not only find furniture and things to furnish your apartment, but how to get rid of things you no longer have a use for, but feel like someone else could use. This site alone people are giving away furniture, clothing, basically anything they think someone else could need. It seems as though the whole "going green" thing has been a trend and quite often things are said to be green, which aren't often at all. It may impractical for those who can't afford flex-fuel cars and whatnot, but I would use this to show college-aged UMD students that they can make an impact too, even when they don't have a ton of cash to spare, no matter now big or small they may think it is.

13. The library is one of UMD’s biggest selling points because it boasts four floors packed with books, over a dozen study rooms, and many new computers. But the thing about the library that really makes it work: student employees. I will ask several student employees about the inner workings of the library, tips on the best place to study, and a sure way to get a study room, among other things. From this information, hopefully students will either go to the library more often, or understand how to use it more to their advantage.

14. Feature story ideas from last week! • Texas Roadhouse/Culvers/Buffalo Wild Wings construction • Veterans returning to UMD • Nontraditional students • Bentleyville • Dining Center needs improvement/policy • Overcrowding in the Dining Center • 300-foot rental rule in Duluth • On-campus alcohol policy – being in room • Reconstruction of ice rink on campus • Civil engineering program • H1N1 vaccine availability • Absentee from classes due to H1N1 • Parking problems • Cheating – academic dishonesty policy

15. Let’s brainstorm more feature ideas • Zinema • Uncle Louies Café • Bentleyville • Fantasy Football • Packers/Vikings • Underrepresentation • On campus vs. off campus employment • Spirit Mountain snowmaking • YMCA renovation • Climbing wall: Vertical endeavors • Civil Engineering Building/Environmental classroom • Bagpipes on campus • Dewitt Seitz/Green Mill/Subway • Fitness centers in Duluth

17. Chapter 6: Enterprise projects Enterprise stories explore Why, How, and What Happens Next • Finding the time • Work with your editors. • Make lists. • Prioritize. • Devote time each day. • Keep the project organized. • Don’t overwork.

18. Enterprise projects Doing the reporting • Keep a running list of questions and things to do. • Talk to your editor every day. • Cooperate with photographers, designers, graphics staff.

19. Enterprise projects Writing the story • Write after each interview. • Don’t be afraid to edit • Enjoy the process! • Rewrite each time. • Plan your ending. • Save often, print frequently.

20. Investigative reporting Proud tradition may be in decline • Investigation is the work of the reporter. • Subject involves something of importance to readers. • Others are attempting to hide these matters from public. Digging up dirt • Be skeptical… • …but remain objective. • Focus tightly. • Cast a wide net. • Keep your nose clean. • Work the Web.

21. Package planning Using the package-planning form • Photocopy page 131. • Summarize story idea in 25 words or less. • Answer questions readers will ask. • Specify photos or illustrations. • Write headline/deck. • Set staff, deadlines, lengths. • Create rough layout.

22. Short-form alternatives To reach readers, condense the data • Fast-facts box • Bio box • Checklist • List • Step-by-step guide • Quiz • Factual index • Diagram • Quote collection • Timeline

23. Writing editorials and columns Editorials and columns provide personality and passion to a paper • Editorial – usually from 300 to 500 words; comments on current events; appears to express the opinion of the paper • Editorial cartoon – combines art and commentary of current events • Column – signed opinion

24. Writing editorials and columns Columns: The options are endless • Topical commentary • Reaction to events • Personal meditations • Personal life • Slice of life • Storyteller

25. Advice for columnists • Develop a distinctive voice. • Do your own reporting. • Choose worthy topics. • Avoid jumping on bandwagons. • Always have a backup.

26. Writing editorials and columns How do readers recognize this story is an opinion column? • Column logos • Different headline font • Initial cap

27. Let’s look at recent editorials • UMD hockey fans • Ambulance task force • Professor John Hatcher editorial • Out of class assignment for next week

28. Writing reviews Readers depend on critics for advice • Criticism – study, evaluation and interpretation of the arts • For reader-friendly reviews, create a fact box.

29. Writing reviews How to write criticisms • Structure your reviews. • Balance reporting and opinion. • Know your stuff. • Be aware of biases. • Don’t be pompous. • Don’t be cruel.

30. Writing reviews How to write criticisms • Other Don'ts • Don’t reveal plot twists or story endings. • Don’t add unnecessary phrases. • Avoid vague adjectives. • Don’t be negative of amateur or children’s plays. • Don’t get personal. • Don’t take it personal.

32. Journalism Ethics • “But I thought you were . . .” • When a source doesn't know you are a reporter • http://journalism.indiana.edu/resources/ethics/handling-sources/but-i-thought-you-were/

35. Out-of-Class Assignments • Due today: Feature Story Exercise • Due November 23: Editorial Assignment

36. Sports story review • More impressive stories! • Easier when have exciting game/match to cover • Remember that the score is the “what happened” for a sports story • Quotes strongest high in story • Background information helpful • Watch agreement/tenses • Team: its or their? • Style errors: • Time element • Numerals • NOTE: For rewrite, use date event took place

37. The homecoming celebration started early this year as the University of Minnesota Duluth women’s volleyball team defeated Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference foe University of Mary 3-1 (25-18, 25-22, 19-25, 25-12) in a nail-biting match Friday night in Romano Gymnasium. The pressure was on Friday night when the University of Minnesota Duluth girls’ hockey team managed to come back after a rocky start against North Dakota with a final score of 4-1. The volleyball match between the University of Minnesota Duluth and the University of Mary ended with the Bulldogs trouncing the Marauders 3-1 (25-16, 25-22, 19-25, 25-12) Oct. 16 in the Romano Gymnasium before 342 spectators. The UMD Bulldogs hosted the SCSU Huskies for their Homecoming game and blew past them with a score of 31-7 in front of one of the largest crowds Malosky stadium has seen.

38. In-Class Assignment • Editing classmate story • Make changes, give to reporter • Worth 5 points • Rewrite sports stories • Using all of the editing suggestions, rewrite/edit your story • Email final copy to: lkragnes@d.umn.edu • Deadline: TUESDAY, November 17 • Worth 5 points • Stories will be posted on class Web site

39. Portfolio • Store academic information on your Electronic Portfolio. Each student has 100 mb of storage. • Access Electronic Portfolio at: https://portfolio.umn.edu/portfolio/index.jsp