How To Write a Story

1. What can I write about? What is news?
defining news is a simple task. News is an account of what is happening around us. It may involve current events, new initiatives or ongoing projects or issues. But a newspaper does not only print news of the day. It also prints background analysis, opinions, and human interest stories.

Stories are normally selected because of their importance, emotion, impact, timeliness and interest.

2. Identify what kind of a story it is
Hard news (+/- 600 words): This is how journalists refer to news of the day. It is a chronicle of current events/incidents and is the most common news style on the front page of your typical newspaper.

It starts with a summary lead. What happened? Where? When? To/by whom?. It must be kept brief and simple, because the purpose of the rest of the story will be to elaborate on this lead.

Keep the writing clean and uncluttered. Most important, give the readers the information they need. If the federal government announced a new major youth initiative yesterday, that's today's hard news.

Soft news (+/-600 words): This is a term for all the news that isn't time-sensitive. Soft news includes profiles of people, programs or organizations. As we discussed earlier, the "lead" is more literary. Most of YPP's news content is soft news.

Feature (+/-1500 words): A news feature takes one step back from the headlines. It explores an issue. News features are less time-sensitive than hard news but no less newsworthy. They can be an effective way to write about complex issues too large for the terse style of a hard news item. Street kids are a perfect example. The stories of their individual lives are full of complexities which can be reflected in a longer piece.

Features are journalism's shopping center. They're full of interesting people, ideas, color, lights, action and energy. Storytelling at its height! A good feature is about the people in your community and their struggles, victories and defeats. A feature takes a certain angle (i.e. Black youth returning to church) and explores it by interviewing the people involved and drawing conclusions from that information. The writer takes an important issue of the day and explains it to the reader through comments from people involved in the story.


Editorial: The editorial expresses an opinion. The editorial page of the newspaper lets the writer comment on issues in the news. All editorials are personal but the topics must still be relevant to the reader.


3. Structure for your article

The structure of a news story is simple: a lead and the body.

The lead
One of the most important elements of news writing is the opening paragraph or two of the story. Journalists refer to this as the "lead," and its function is to summarize the story and/or to draw the reader in (depending on whether it is a "hard" or "soft" news story - See below for the difference between these two genres of news stories).

In a hard news story, the lead should be a full summary of what is to follow. It should incorporate as many of the 5 "W's" of journalism (who, what, where, when and why) as possible. (e.g. "Homeless youth marched down Yonge St. in downtown Toronto Wednesday afternoon demanding the municipal government provide emergency shelter during the winter months." - Can you identify the 5 W's in this lead?)

In a soft news story, the lead should present the subject of the story by allusion. This type of opening is somewhat literary. Like a novelist, the role of the writer is to grab the attention of the reader. (e.g. "Until four years ago, Jason W. slept in alleyways...") Once the reader is drawn in, the 5 "W's" should be incorporated into the body of the story, but not necessarily at the very top.

The body
The body of the story involves combining the opinions of the people you interview, some factual data, and a narrative which helps the story flow. A word of caution, however. In this style of writing, you are not allowed to "editorialize" (state your own opinion) in any way.


Further tips for news writing

Finding story ideas

Keep your eyes and ears open; listen to what your friends are talking about.


Read everything you can get your hands on; get story ideas from other newspapers and magazines.


Think of a youth angle to a current news story.


Research a subject that interests you ask yourself what you would like to know more about.


Talk to people in a specific field to find out what is important to them.
Newsgathering

Begin collecting articles on your subject.


Talk to friends and associates about the subject.


Contact any agencies or associations with interest or professional knowledge in the area.


Create a list of people you want to interview; cover both sides of the story by interviewing people on both sides of the issue.


Collect government statistics and reports on the subject get old press releases or reports to use as background.
Interviewing do's and don'ts

Be polite.


Explain the ground rules of the interview to people unfamiliar with how the media works - this means that you tell them the information they give you can and will be published. If they do not want any part of what they say published, they need to tell you it is "off the record."


Tape the interview (so if anyone comes back at you, you have the proof of what was said).


Build a relationship with the person being interviewed.


Start with easy questions; end with difficult questions.


Read the body language of the person you're interviewing and if they get defensive, back away from the question you are asking and return later.


Don't attack the source.


Keep control of the interview; don't let the subject ramble or stray from the subject.


On the other hand, don't let your "opinion" of what the story should be colour the interview. Always remember that the person you are talking with knows more about the subject than you do.
Organizing the information

Gather your notes, interviews and research into a file.


Review your notes.


Look for a common theme.


Search your notes for good quotes or interesting facts.


Develop a focus.


Write the focus of the article down in two or three sentences.
Writing and editing

Remember you are the narrator, the story teller.


Don't be afraid to rewrite.


Be as clear and concise in the writing as possible.


Avoid run-on sentences.


Be direct.


Tell a good story.


Tell the reader what you think they want to know.


Always ask yourself what the story is about.


Read the story out loud; listen carefully.



1. Find a Topic

2. Find an Angle

3. Collect Data/Information

4. Conduct Interviews

5. Organize and Write

6. Revise and Edit

Law and Ethics Notes

5 Rights of the First Amendment
1. Speech
2. Assembly
3. Press
4. Religion
5. Petition


The Tinker Standard

Student speech cannot be censored as long as it does not "materially disrupt class work or involve substantial disorder or invasion of the rights of others."


The Fraser Standard

Because school officials have an interest in teaching students the boundaries of socially appropriate behavior, they can censor student speech that is vulgar or indecent even if it does not cause a material or substantial disruption.



The Hazelwood Standard

Censorship of school sponsored student expression is permissible when school officials can show that it is reasonably related to legitimate pedagogical concerns.

The Fredrick Standards

January 2002. olympic torch travels through town. Principal cancels school. Senior Frederick unveils banner on the street which reads "Bong Hits 4 Jesus". Suspended for 10 days.

Libel: Written Lies

- A Defamatory statement
- Has to be published.
- A FALSE statement of fact

Slander: Spoken Lies

- A Defamatory statement
- Has to be spoken
- A FALSE statement of fact

Super Bowl Commercials

What is the company?
-Playstation
Who is the target audience:
-Video Game players and football fans
What persuasive method used (humor, action, celebrity, human interest, etc.)?
-humor
How were camera shots and editing used to enhance the message?
-They showed each guys face seperatly and the whole tackle
What is the slogan/message for the company?
-Live in your world Play in ours
Was the message effective? Why or why not?
-Yes,it was funny and i would play that game

What is the company?
-Budweiser
Who is the target audience:
-Beer drinkers
What persuasive method used (humor, action, celebrity, human interest, etc.)?
-humor
How were camera shots and editing used to enhance the message?
-They showed the replay
What is the slogan/message for the company?
-none
Was the message effective? Why or why not?
-Yes, it was funny and relates to football fans

What is the company?
-Chrysler
Who is the target audience:
-Car Drivers, sports car fans
What persuasive method used (humor, action, celebrity, human interest, etc.)?
-Celebrity
How were camera shots and editing used to enhance the message?
-Showed every detail of the car
What is the slogan/message for the company?
-Drive & Love
Was the message effective? Why or why not?
-No, it was kinda boring

What is the company?
-Pepsi
Who is the target audience:
-Soda Drinkers, and ozzy fans
What persuasive method used (humor, action, celebrity, human interest, etc.)?
- Humor, Celebrity
How were camera shots and editing used to enhance the message?
- Used the unziping effect
What is the slogan/message for the company?
-Twist on a Great thing
Was the message effective? Why or why not?
- No, It wasn't that funny

What is the company?
-Fed Ex
Who is the target audience:
- Cast Away Movie Fans
What persuasive method used (humor, action, celebrity, human interest, etc.)?
- Humor, Famous Movie
How were camera shots and editing used to enhance the message?
-none
What is the slogan/message for the company?
-none
Was the message effective? Why or why not?
-Yes, It was Funny

What is the company?
-Dodge
Who is the target audience:
- Male Truck Drivers
What persuasive method used (humor, action, celebrity, human interest, etc.)?
- Humor, Action
How were camera shots and editing used to enhance the message?
- Showed the Details of the Truck
What is the slogan/message for the company?
-Grab Life by the Horns
Was the message effective? Why or why not?
-Yea, It was kinda funny

What is the company?
-Gatorade
Who is the target audience:
-Basketball players and Athletes
What persuasive method used (humor, action, celebrity, human interest, etc.)?
-Celebrity
How were camera shots and editing used to enhance the message?
-The Gatorade sweat effect
What is the slogan/message for the company?
- Is It In You?
Was the message effective? Why or why not?
-No, it wasnt that funny and doesnt make a clear message

What is the company?
-ESPN ,SportsCenter
Who is the target audience:
- Sport Watchers
What persuasive method used (humor, action, celebrity, human interest, etc.)?
-Celebrity, Humor
How were camera shots and editing used to enhance the message?
-none
What is the slogan/message for the company?
-This Is SportsCenter
Was the message effective? Why or why not?
-Yes, It was pretty funny

What is the company?
-H&R Block
Who is the target audience:
- Tax Payers
What persuasive method used (humor, action, celebrity, human interest, etc.)?
-Humor, Celebrity
How were camera shots and editing used to enhance the message?
-None
What is the slogan/message for the company?
-Double Check Your Taxes
Was the message effective? Why or why not?
-Yes, it was funny and based off real life situation

What is the company?
-Bud Light
Who is the target audience:
-Beer Drinkers
What persuasive method used (humor, action, celebrity, human interest, etc.)?
-Humor
How were camera shots and editing used to enhance the message?
-Showed the beer up close alot
What is the slogan/message for the company?
-Make it a Bud Light
Was the message effective? Why or why not?
- Yea, it was funny but the set up didnt make much sense

What is the company?
-Visa
Who is the target audience:
-People who use checks
What persuasive method used (humor, action, celebrity, human interest, etc.)?
-Humor, Celebrity
How were camera shots and editing used to enhance the message?
- High and low camera angles
What is the slogan/message for the company?
-It's Everywhere you want to be
Was the message effective? Why or why not?
-Yes, it was funny and relates to sports fans

Definition:
Define “Journalism” in 1-3 sentences.

Writing or Broadcasting important news worthy events by using newspapers, television, radio,magazines, and the Internet.

List and describe the six criteria of newsworthiness.

TITLE DESCRIPTION EXAMPLE
1.Significance- How many people it impacts

2.Timeliness- Things that are happening now

3.Unusualness- Things out of the ordinary

4.Proximity- Local news

5.Prominence- Celebrities

6.Human Interest- fell good story




What are the advantages of print journalism?
1.You don't have to wait for the news to come on the T.V.

2.Having your own newspaper and bring it anywhere.

3.Choose what you get to read and it is more descriptive.


What are the advantages of broadcast journalism?

1.You can watch video and hear it.

2.Current News and the ability to be live and give live updates.

3.Reaching everyone in your broadcast area.


Why has online journalism (convergent media) become so popular?

It allows you to put video and print stories on the website and you can access it anywhere.