The Write Way

1
The Write Way

• Kathryn Vampola
• State Reporter
• 2008 Nebraska FBLA Fall Leadership Conference

2
Reporters Duties

• As chapter reporter, public relations are key.
• Keep your community and others well informed on
  your FBLA chapters major activities and share
  information on the organization.
• You want everyone to know as much as possible
  about FBLA.
• Remember it is your job to give the best possible
  image of FBLA!

3
Reporters Duties

• Publicize important events and dates.
• Write articles for local newspaper and send
  information to larger newspapers around the area.
• Submit information to the Pledge.
• Apply for Outstanding Local Reporter.
• Take pictures for newspaper articles.
• Contact Federal Legislators.
• (Dont put off! These tasks are easy things to
  do, if they are done on time.)

4
What Kind of Reporter are You?

• Your best friend has just told you a very
  embarrassing secret about another friend. You
  promised not to tell anyone, but the story is too
  good to keep to yourself. Later, when tempted to
  tell a different friend, you
• a. You made a promise, so youll keep the secret.
  
• b. Make this friend promise not to tell and tell
  the story.
• c. Verify the facts first you will decide what
  to do after that.
• Theres a car accident on the highway. As you
  drive by you
• a. Just keep going. Those poor people dont need
  you in the way.
• b. Traffic is slow so you can see what you want
  from your car.
• c. You pull over and pose as a government
  investigator.

• You find an odd bottle while in your friends
  bathroom. You
• a. Respect your friends privacy and do not even
  touch the bottle.
• b. Read the label as well as the everything else
  that was left out. If your friend didnt want it
  read, they should have put it away.
• c. Stick your tongue out at what is obviously a
  two-way mirror. Your friend was obviously just
  testing your loyalty.

5
If you answered mostly...

• As You are very ethical. You are a loyal
  friend and avoid hurting others feelings. You
  would make an excellent columnist, sharing
  stories from your personal experience.
• Bs You are always challenging the standards
  without necessarily breaking them. You get things
  done without drawing attention to yourself. You
  would make an excellent investigative reporter.
• Cs Although slightly paranoid, you are ready
  for anything. You are willing to take the steps
  to get the juicy story. You might considering
  sharing that story with the tabloids.

6
Writing the Story

• When using the inverted pyramid style, you start
  with the most attention grabbing information and
  work your way down.
• Putting the less newsworthy information at the
  end of the story.

7
What is Newsworthy?

• Impact affects the lives of many
• Timeliness happened recently
• Prominence the subject is well-known
• Proximity an occurrence was nearby
• Conflict some kind of disagreement
• Weirdness unusual or strange
• Currency about a current hot topic

8
A Few Writing Tips

• Have a hook. Pull the reader into the story.
• Answer the questions who, what, when, where, why,
  and how.
• Remember readers are unfamiliar with the topic.
• Quote sources directly.
• Be objective.
• Avoid your opinions.
• Check facts.
• Be clear and to the point.
• Use clear, simple words.

9
Photography

• Always focus on peoples eyes.
• Stick to your subject.
• Pick a variety of pictures for publication.
• Get action and still photographs.
• Backgrounds are important when taking pictures.
• Be sure to focus properly.

10
Newsletters

• Newsletters help keep the members connected to
  the organization and the school aware of
  activities.
• The reporter has a huge responsibility to share
  this data. It is a great way to increase member
  involvement.
• If more people know about whats going on, more
  people get involved.
• Members also love having this information easily
  available to them.

• A couple pointers are
• Include old and new business.
• Advertise dates, times and places of upcoming
  events.
• Use careful grammar and spelling.
• Have your adviser proofread.
• Use guest editorials.
• Include pictures.
• Use bullets.
• Add short, clear captions.
• Have fun making an interesting layout.

11
Writing Practice

• Write a creative, attention-grabbing lead to
  encourage people to participate and want to learn
  more about the fundraiser.
• Information
• Your FBLA chapter is holding a fundraiser.
• The fundraiser is for the charity March of Dimes.
• The March of Dimes is working to prevent
  premature birth.
• The fundraiser is (give example from your
  school).
• Money will go to help prevent premature birth.
• It will be held Thursday, October 16th, 2008.
• Hint Be as unique as you can!

12
The Pledge

• The Pledge is Nebraska FBLAs statewide
  newsletter. A different issue is published each
  August, December, and March. As local reporter it
  is one of your officer duties to submit
  information to the Pledge.
• New this year the Pledge will be available ONLY
  online at the Nebraska FBLA website.
• Pledge Activity
• Fill out the questions and submit the correct
  answers with your name and school. Get your whole
  chapter involved and the chapter with the most
  correct answers submitted will be recognized on
  the website. Answers can be found throughout the
  Pledge.

13
The Pledge

• A Cut Above A Cut Above is the outstanding
  members in our chapters. One or two short
  sentences can be used to describe why this person
  is such an important asset to your chapter.
• Keeping It Sharp Keeping it Sharp is a way for
  chapters to share successful ideas with each
  other. The August issue included ideas on
  recruitment strategies. The December issue will
  focus on community service ideas and the March
  issue will address chapter meeting strategies.
• Success Stories Success Stories is a method of
  letting everyone know different successful
  activities our chapters have performed. These
  should be three or four paragraphs long.
• Terrific Advisers Terrific Advisers is a section
  devoted to recognizing your advisers at the state
  level. Write one or two sentences explaining how
  your adviser is an inspiration to you.

14
The Pledge

• Deadlines
• The deadline for the December issue is October
  31.
• The deadline for the March issue is February 2.
• Please email information to me as an attached
  Word document, the form can be found on the
  website under Pledge Newsletters link.
• My address is reporter_at_nebraskafbla.org. Or send
  the information by to mail to
• Kathryn Vampola
• 740 North 8th St.
• Arlington, NE 68002

15
Questions?
16
Information

• On the back of your index card please print
• Your name
• Your school
• Your email address
• GOOD LUCK THIS YEAR AND HAVE FUN!!!