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Chapter 11

Chapter 11. Writing Sports Stories. 1. Reputation – sports writing is either the best or worst writing. Bad writing: Overuse of slang language such as “knockout, bomb, split the uprights” --Fans think they know just as much as sports writers.

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Chapter 11

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  1. Chapter 11 Writing Sports Stories

  2. 1. Reputation – sports writing is either the best or worst writing. • Bad writing: Overuse of slang language such as “knockout, bomb, split the uprights”--Fans think they know just as much as sports writers. • Best writing: Can use more colorful language, more subjective, always for the “home team”--Offer something else that the fans have not seen, many went to the game. Usually interviews, details.

  3. 2. Tips for starting your sports story • - know all the rules • -various strategies, reasons behind them • -know coaches/players • -watch sport on tv, attend games, participate in sport

  4. 3. Three types of sports stories • Pre-game or pre-season • -student newspapers focus b/c timeliness • -contact opposing coach as well as own coach • -get returning letterwinners, starters, seniors • -last year’s record • -strengths/weaknesses • -cover spirit rallies • -all sports (girls and boys, JV & varsity, band)

  5. 3. Three types of sports stories • Game • -”true test” of sport writers- must keep detailed accurate notes of event • -note-taking system, statistics, play-by-play • -watch for turning points in game (fumble sets up winning touchdown, top scorer) • -analyze the game (weather was a factor) • -SPORTS REPORTERS CANNOT BE CHEERLEADERS! –they’re busy during the game, look at spectators, officials, sidelines, • -Stray away from featurizing game stories

  6. 3. Three types of sports stories • Post-game or post season • -includes interviews of players after the games, desc. of spectators, wrap ups, • -opportunity to untangle confusing events • -opportunity to use feature style lead

  7. Style and Word Choice in Sportswriting • 1. Shy away from the following leads: • -rivalry leads • -weather leads • -senior night leads • -homecoming leads • -holiday leads ** if you don’t follow this, every big crosstown rivalry game will have a rivalry lead, every football game on a rainy night will have a weather lead.**

  8. Style and Word Choice in Sportswriting • 2. Numbers: • - In general, 10 and higher are numerals; nine and below are spelled out. This applies even if someone averages 14 points and seven rebounds. • -Scores and records are always numbers! The highest number comes first (except in the case of tennis and volleyball scores) Examples – OSU won 58-54. It has a 7-4 record in the Big 10.

  9. Style and Word Choice in Sportswriting • 3. Verb-usage • -No 1 RULE IN SPORTSWRITING: Team is an It. • RIGHT: Chicago won its fifth straight game. (Chicago is singular) • WRONG: Green Bay lost their first game.

  10. Style and Word Choice in Sportswriting • 4. One word: • -pregame • -postgame • -preseason • -postseason • -layup • -matchup • -lineup • -ballclub • -ballpark • -ballgame • -ballplayer

  11. Style and Word Choice in Sportswriting • 5. Redundancies: • -Game-winning (what else are you trying to win) • -Game-tying • -Quarterback sack • -Slam-dunk • -Grand slam home run • -New record

  12. Style and Word Choice in Sportswriting • 6. War references are a no-no: • -Avoid using war analogies like “weapons” and “bombs.”

  13. Style and Word Choice in Sportswriting • 7. Injuries: • -Find out WHAT is injured and find out WHICH ONE is injured. • -It is unacceptable to write: He injured an ankle. What’s the injury? Which ankle? What’s the prognosis?

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