lcome to the world of
urnalism, where
porters have been
gging dirt, raking muck,
king headlines and
adlines for centuries
w. It’s a history full of
bloid trash, of slimy
nsationalists, of
runkards, deadbeats and
mmers” (as a Harvard
iversity president once
scribed reporters).
But it’s a history full of
roes, too: men and
men risking their lives
tell stories of war and
agedy, risking
prisonment to defend
ee speech. And as you
n see here, reports have
come beloved characters
p culture, too, turning up
movies, comics and TV
ows as if guided by an
cult McGraw-Hill
hand.
Every culture seeks
constantly evolving,
dramatically. The typi
effective ways to spread
reflecting and shaping its
newspaper of 1800 wa
new information and gossip. culture.
undisciplined mishma
In ancient times, news was
Others see it as an
legislative proceeding
written on clay tablets. In
inspiring quest for free
long-winded essays a
Caesar’s age, Romans read
speech, an endless power
secondhand gossip. B
newsletters compiled by
struggle between Authority 1900, a new breed of
correspondents and
(trying to control
tor had emerged. Jour
handwritten by slaves.
information) and the People had become big busin
Wandering minstrels spread (trying to learn the truth).
Reporting was becom
news (and the plague) in the Which brings to mind the
disciplined craft. And
Middle Ages. Them
cameHarrower
words of A.J. Liefling:
newspapers were bec
Tim
ink on paper. Voices on
“Freedom of the press is
more entertaining and
airwaves. Newsreels, Web
guaranteed only to htose
essential than ever, w
sites, And 24-hour cable
who own one.”
most of the features w
news networks.
In the pages ahead, we’ll expect today: Snappy
Thus when scholars
take a quick tour of 600
headlines, Ads, Comic
analyze the rich history of
years of journalism history, Sports pages. And an
journalism, some view it in from hieroglyphics to
“inverted pyramid” sty
terms of technological
hypertext: the media, the
writing that made stori
progress—for example, the message and the politics.
tighter and newsier.
dramatic impact of bigger,
Technical advances and
Radio and television
faster printing presses.
brilliant ideas forged a new brought an end to
Others see journalism as
style of journalism. It was a newspapers’ media
a specialized form literary
century of change, and
monopoly. Why? Well
expression, one that’s
newspapers changed
did yo
© 2007 The McGraw-Hill
Companies, Inc. yourself:
All rightsWhich
reserved.
Inside Reporting
6
Beyond breaking news
Slide 2
The world of features
Personalizing the
news with stories
 News stories focus
on timely, public
events.
 Features are more
personal.
• Include topics,
treatments, styles
not found in news.
McGraw-Hill
Features explore a
variety of topics
• Lifestyles
• Health
• Science and
technology
• Entertainment
• Food
• Homes and gardens
© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Slide 3
The world of features
10Popular feature stories
 Personality profile
 Reaction piece
 Human-interest
story
 Flashback
 Color story
 Backgrounder
 Trend story
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 How-to
 Consumer guide
 Personal narrative
© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Slide 4
Generating story ideas
“Hard” news, “soft” news
 Relative terms that
describe topic and
treatment of story.
• Expect serious, timely
events to be written in
inverted-pyramid style.
• Items that are less urgent
or somber make up “soft”
news.
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© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Slide 5
Generating story ideas
Great stories are waiting discovery
 Publication’s archives
 Competitors
 TV, magazines,
newspapers, Web sites
 News releases
 Reader suggestions
 Brainstorming
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© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Slide 6
Generating story ideas
Is it a good one?
 Where did it come
from?
 Is it original?
 Did it surprise
you?
 Does the idea
have movement?
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 Is there a STORY
there?
 Is there tension?
 Is it true?
 Do you like the
story?
© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Slide 7
Generating story ideas
Turn your idea into a story






See if it’s been done.
Focus your angle.
Talk to your editor.
Do your research.
Plan the package.
Write the story.
McGraw-Hill
© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Slide 8
Feature style
Some stories require a livelier,
looser, more literary voice
 Tom Wolfe dubbed it
“New Journalism.”
• Realistic dialogue.
• Vivid reconstruction
of scenes.
McGraw-Hill
• Viewed through the
eyes of the
characters.
• Recording everyday
details.
© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Slide 9
Feature style
Successful feature writers rely on
literary techniques




Syntax & phrasing
Voice & tense
Detail & description
Dramatic techniques
McGraw-Hill
© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Slide 10
Feature style
Successful feature writers…
 Helpful tips
• Write tightly.
• Stay objective.
• Vary sentence
structure.
• Learn shorthand or
use a tape recorder.
• Match treatment
to topic.
• Remember editors
have strong
opinions.
• Don’t overdo.
• Avoid
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1st
person.
• Read.
© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Slide 11
Feature story structures
Standard story structures
 How long should
this story be?
 What key points
do I need to
make?
 Think visually.
 Think package.
McGraw-Hill
© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Slide 12
Writing profiles
Good profiles reveal feelings,
attitudes, habits and mannerisms
 How to research and
write successful
profiles
• Solicit your subject’s
support.
• Interview and observe.
• Find your focus.
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• Follow up with
interviews and
research.
• Structure your
story.
© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Slide 13
Writing profiles
Sample story structures for profiles
 Anecdotal lead
 Scene #1
 Nut graf
 Chronology
• Engaging, revealing
small story to lure
readers in
• Summarizes why
this person matters
now
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• Observe subject in
action using dialog,
details, descriptions
• Recap of subject’s
past
© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Slide 14
Writing profiles
Sample story structures…
 Scene #2
• Another look at the
subject in action
 What lies ahead
• Plans, dreams, goals
and obstacles
 Closing quote
McGraw-Hill
© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Slide 15
Writing profiles
3Ways to paint a better portrait
1. Capture details.
2. Re-create scenes.
3. Add quotes and
dialogue.
McGraw-Hill
© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Slide 16
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.
McGraw-Hill
© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Slide 17
Enterprise projects
Doing the reporting
 Start with thesis.
 Do your research.
 Report. Report.
Report.
McGraw-Hill
 Control the
material.
 Look for universal
connections.
© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Slide 18
Enterprise projects
Doing the reporting
 Keep a running list
of questions and
things to do.
 Talk to your editor
every day.
McGraw-Hill
 Cooperate with
photographers,
designers, graphics
staff.
© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Slide 19
Enterprise projects
Writing the story
 Write from the
first.
 Write after each
interview.
McGraw-Hill
 Rewrite each time.
 Plan your ending.
 Save often, print
frequently.
© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Slide 20
Enterprise projects
Writing the story
 Don’t be afraid of
the edit.
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 Seek outside input.
 Enjoy the process.
© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Slide 21
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.
McGraw-Hill
Digging up dirt
• Be skeptical…
• …but remain
objective.
• Focus tightly.
• Cast a wide net.
• Keep your nose
clean.
• Work the Web.
© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Slide 22
Package planning
Using the package-planning form
 Photocopy page
127.
 Summarize story
idea in 25 words
or less.
 Answer questions
readers will ask.
McGraw-Hill
 Specify photos or
illustrations.
 Write
headline/deck.
 Set staff,
deadlines, lengths.
 Create rough
layout.
© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Slide 23
Short-form alternatives
To reach readers, condense the data





Fast-facts box
Bio box
Checklist
List
Step-by-step guide
McGraw-Hill





Quiz
Factual index
Diagram
Quote collection
Timeline
© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Slide 24
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
McGraw-Hill
 Editorial cartoon
– combines art
and commentary
of current events
 Column – signed
opinion
© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Slide 25
Writing editorials and columns
Columns: The options are endless
 Topical
commentary
• Reaction to
events
 Personal
meditations
• Personal life
 Slice of life
• Storyteller
McGraw-Hill
Advice for columnists
• Develop a distinctive
voice.
• Do your own reporting.
• Choose worthy topics.
• Avoid jumping on
bandwagons.
• Always have a backup.
© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Slide 26
Writing editorials and columns
How do readers recognize this
story is an opinion column?
 Column logos
 Different headline
font
 Initial cap
McGraw-Hill
© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Slide 27
Writing reviews
Readers depend on critics for advice
 Criticism – study,
evaluation and
interpretation of
the arts
• For reader-friendly
reviews, create a
fact box.
McGraw-Hill
© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Slide 28
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.
McGraw-Hill
© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Slide 29
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.
McGraw-Hill
• Don’t be negative
of amateur or
childrens plays.
• Don’t get personal.
• Don’t take it
personal.
© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Slide 30
Writing reviews
Graphic extras
 Get to the point.
 Add rating system.
 Create fast-fact
boxes for readers.
McGraw-Hill
© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.