Advanced Reporting and Writing Workshop

1
Advanced Reporting and Writing Workshop

• Gene Mustain
• Doreen Weisenhaus

2
Beyond the News

• Here are four common types of stories that go
  beyond the straightforward news story. Stories
  often contain elements of each type, but they
  often also can be categorized as one of these
• News Feature
• News Analysis
• Feature
• Profile

3
Beyond the News

• Again, though they often overlap, here are ways
  to think about them
• News Feature A reporter-generated story that
  discusses and examines some event or issue
  recently in the news. It is timely.
• News Analysis Similar to a news feature, except
  that reporters are granted more freedom to
  express insights and draw conclusions based on
  their reporting or demonstrated expertise.

4
Beyond the News

• Feature A reporter-generated story that seeks to
  engage and educate readers about an interesting
  topic or idea. It is timeless.
• Profile Similar to a feature, but focused on an
  individual or place of interest. It can be timely
  or timeless.

5
Beyond the News

• What is common to all four types?
• They are reporter-generated. The reporter
  exercises more control over the story. The
  reporter is more responsible for determining the
  content and shape of the story.

6
Beyond the News

• What else is common to all four types?
• Their success depends on the quality of the
  reporters thinking and the reliability of
  his/her reporting.

7
Beyond the News

• What is quality thinking and reliable reporting?
• Quality thinking is bringing order to issues and
  events by asking yourself and others questions
  and analyzing the answers.
• Reliable reporting is finding the best
  documentation that you can.

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Beyond the News

• What makes some event or issue important and
  interesting to my particular readers?
• How can I show my readers how and why it is
  important and interesting?
• Where do I get the information I need to
  accomplish that?

9
Beyond the News

• What comes after the quality thinking and
  reliable reporting?
• Thats easyquality presentation!
• What is quality presentation? It is careful
  organizing of my material in a way that will
  interest and serve my readers.

10
Beyond the News

• Most of you are already familiar with one way
  the five-step. Its on the website, but here it
  is again, in summary
• 1) Lead or introduction
• 2) Nut or core of the story
• 3) Context and/or background
• 4) Discussion of storys issues
• 5) Kicker a strong finish

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Beyond the News

• Most of you know this one too, the four-step
  its where two of the steps are blended into one.
  
• 1) Lead or introduction
• 2) Nut, context and/or background
• 4) Discussion of storys issues
• 5) Kicker a strong finish

12
Beyond the News

• And here is another way, a way that has been used
  since people starting telling stories to one
  another
• 1) Beginning
• 2) Middle
• 3) End

13
Beyond the News

• Whichever way, remember that in all writing,
  every sentence and every paragraph serves a
  purpose. As the academics, Strunk and White, say
• A basic design underlines every kind of
  writing.The first principle of composition is to
  foresee the shape of what is to come.

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Beyond the News

• Other tips from a writer and a journalist
• Henry James Without form, there is no substance.
• Ambrose Bierce Good writing is clear thinking
  made visible.

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Beyond the News

• One other thought from a writer who also is
  journalist
• Thomas Boswell The most important thing is
  finding the central ideaonce you find that
  idea.anecdotes, illustrations and quotes are
  pearls that hang on this thread.

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Beyond the News

• And how do we locate the central idea of a story.
• Just ask yourself a quality question What is the
  reason I am writing this story?