Inverted pyramid format.
- Emphasizes the most important info at the top of the story, wrapping up with less-important information by the conclusion of the story.
- Lead-Summarizes the story
- lets the reader get information quickly and efficiently and assists in the story editin
summary lead
- Summary Lead: First paragraph of story, single sentence, 25-35 words max, addressing the 5 Ws/H and include attribution.
-
Immediate identification lead
- Summary Lead
- used for a well known celebrity/politician etc.
- Ex: "Ariana Grande bought a new puppy this week
Delayed identification lead
- Summary Lead
- used for lesser known people. Named later in the story.
- Ex: "The owner of the National Happy Home for Parrots has stepped down this week.
Multiple element
- links a single news topic to multiple elements. Topics will be covered point by point in story.
- Ex: "Fallout from the recent nuclear explosion has dramatically affected California, meanwhile more attacks are expected in Wyoming and Idaho.
Alternative leads
- Buried/ delayed
- Multiparagraph
- Quotation
- Question
- Direst address
- Shocker
Buried/ Delayed lead
often starts with an anecdote that sets the story's tone
Multiparagraph lead
Follow the essence of summary style but take a couple of paragraphs to build the info.
Quotation lead
Uses a direct quote as the lead. However, use this sparingly.
Question lead
Poses a question to the reader. Also, use sparingly.
Direct address lead
writer sets the scenario for the reader
Shocker lead
leads that provide some sort of twist.
5 Ws and H.
- Who- does the story involve and what are the sources?
- What-is the story about?
- When-did the story happen? When are the dates/times, past/present/future?
- Where-is the story taking place?
- Why-did the events happen the way they did?
- How-did this
Quote approval before publication.
Journalists should not seek quote approval from sources. It's not an acceptable practice.
Four levels of attribution
1.) On the record-anything the source says can be used in the story. Default attribution. Should be assumed when talking to reporter.
2.) On background- Source's info can be used but no name. Only general description of source.
(Ex: A White House official
Interviewing techniques and tips.
- It's OK to ask a source to clarify info and you should when necessary
- Ask the source to repeat what they said if it's especially interesting or noteworthy.
- When asking to record, phrase your request in interest of accuracy.
- Your goal should be acc
Use of profanity in quotes.
- Some news organizations block profanity entirely or only use it sparingly depending on the context of quote and story.
- Some allow profanity in quotes no matter what, especially in alternative media.
- ULTIMATELY, sources decide based on who their read
Attribution/citing sources in stories.
- Attribution (the citing of sources, person or document) is necessary for credibility and clarity.
- In journalism, citation occurs when attribution is placed somewhere in sentence of the fact or quote being cited.
- You MUST attribute: facts that are no
Minimum number of sources in a story.
3
Advance Stories
a story that covers what is scheduled to be discussed at an upcoming meeting or event, published prior to the event or meeting, with sources' input on what the issues are and background context.
Follow Story
the story that runs after the meeting or event that covers what ended up happening, with sources' discussion and feedback.
Meeting agendas.
- For public meetings, state law requires that agendas be posted ahead of the meeting. Make sure to get this agenda and review the material before the meeting.
- If it's a last-minute meeting, get to the venue early and get the agenda on-site and look thr
Documentary Sources (Law Enforcement) in public affairs reporting:
- Blotter: Record of all calls received for assistance
- Incident reports: More complete descriptions of crimes
- Accident reports: Like incident reports, complete descriptions of accidents
- Arrest reports: Describes names, circumstances, etc., of arrest
People sources (Law Enforcement) in public affairs reporting:
- Law enforcement personnel
- Public information officers
- The public (community observers, witnesses, suspects, etc.)
Documentary Sources (Governance) in public affairs reporting
- Meeting agendas and minutes
- Bids and bid specifications
- Contracts
- Licenses
- Inspection reports
- Zoning
- Expense records
- Telephone records
- Campaign contributions
- Resumes ? And more
People Sources (Governance) in public affairs reporting:
Elected leaders
Bureaucratic leadership
Middle management
Office workers
Conversational style in broadcast writing
Talking naturally
One-to-one
Alternative story structures
- chronology: chronological order
- hourglass: combines the inverted pyramid and chronology format
- focus: follows on individual who is representative of a larger group
Story Tree
- Helps journalists organize their information gathering for story packages
- Trunk: central point
- Main branches: written story, the video images, the audio elements and the still photograph, links to info
- Smaller branches: specific items you would ne
Name and briefly describe the three types of quotations
- Direct quote: Presents a source's exact words, enclosed in quotation marks, with attribution.
- Partial quote: A portion of a source's exact words, enclosed in quotation marks, inserted into a complete sentence written by the reporter.
- Indirect quote:
Name and briefly describe the four levels of attribution
1. On the record
Anything the source says can be used in the story: default attribution
2. Off the record
Nothing the source says can be used in the story.
3. On background
The source's info can be used, but no name. Only a general description of the sour