Sources
How to find sources.
a.) BSU Web site
b.) BSU Catalog
c.) Press releases from editors
d.) Other Web pages
e.) Phone book
f.) Professional Directories and journals
g.) Ayers Crisscross Directory
h.) Department heads
i.) Bulletin boards
Verify their names. Say verify. Check spelling and titles. Also verify numbers, titles of organizations and numbers. Make sure numbers add up correctly.
You can do interviews by phone or e-mail as well as in person.
Multi-task. If you can’t get your first source, try your second choice. Leave your cell or phone number and e-mail address. While waiting for sources for one aspect of your story to respond, be contacting sources for other aspects of your stories.
Suggest ideas for illustrating stories and bring back facts to pull out as fact boxes.
Get direct quotes. Beginning reporters, for briefs: Read back name and title and relevant facts. Maybe read back their quote. Don’t do that as you move up from junior reporter.
Use a tape or digital recorder. Coordinate your notes with it so you don’t have to listen to the whole tape or read your whole notebook. Use “quote yes” or stars in left margin, along with digital counter number for key facts and quotes. Use the recording function of our phone system, but don’t store things in their long-term. Pull it off into a tape or digital recorder later.
Be thinking how to incorporate video, audio and reference to other Web sites for our online edition. * * *
We should be a 24/7 daily online. Don’t hold stories for the print edition. Get something online as soon as we verify information about it. Build on that story for the print edition.
Don’t write more than it’s worth. Use the inverted pyramid formula.
We can use calendars. For upcoming events, like concerts, do telephone interviews.
Longer stories will be profiles or establish context. They will break out of inverted pyramid and be story-telling. They should be planned a little more ahead of time. The designers should have time to showcase them in packages. These will be your best clips.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Week 7 - Lecture Notes
Title: Checklist
* * * please copy for your toolbox * * *
Instructions: Use the questions below as a profile checklist.
Questions and Answers
Answer the following questions in the fields below.
Question 1: What did you consider when choosing your subject? You may want to think through some of the questions here: Why is this person newsworthy? What will be your focus of the profile? What has this person done that would be of interest to readers of your college newspaper, Web site or local publication? Does this person contribute to your college or university behind the scenes - i.e. head of maintenance? Has this person received an award, written a book, started a new course or program? Is this person new in his or her job? Is this person retiring after a long stay at your college or university? If it is a student, is he or she head of an organization, an athlete, or achieved an unusual accomplishment?
Question 2: Have you done background research? Check the Internet. Ask for a resume or vita. Ask co-workers, students or other people about the person (before the interview) to get tips on questions to ask. (You also could interview these people after the interview.) Check everything you can about the person's background before the interview.
Question 3: Did you schedule the interview well in advance?
Question 4: Can you get a photo?
Question 5: What questions have you prepared? Here are some options: a. Turning points - Were there any incidents or people who influenced you to choose this career or job? b. Goals - what are your goals in this job c. Achievements - What are your major achievements (books, research, awards)? d. Obstacles - What are some of the obstacles you have faced or currently face? e. Logistics - Don't forget to get the basics; when or how long in this position, age if relevant, check the full name and spelling, formal title. f. Background - Double check items on the resume (college, degrees, home town), other positions held. g. Personal - Married, single, children - if relevant.
Question 6: Can you locate other sources? Check other people who work with this person, relatives if relevant, students if interviewing a professor or administrator.
* * * please copy for your toolbox * * *
Instructions: Use the questions below as a profile checklist.
Questions and Answers
Answer the following questions in the fields below.
Question 1: What did you consider when choosing your subject? You may want to think through some of the questions here: Why is this person newsworthy? What will be your focus of the profile? What has this person done that would be of interest to readers of your college newspaper, Web site or local publication? Does this person contribute to your college or university behind the scenes - i.e. head of maintenance? Has this person received an award, written a book, started a new course or program? Is this person new in his or her job? Is this person retiring after a long stay at your college or university? If it is a student, is he or she head of an organization, an athlete, or achieved an unusual accomplishment?
Question 2: Have you done background research? Check the Internet. Ask for a resume or vita. Ask co-workers, students or other people about the person (before the interview) to get tips on questions to ask. (You also could interview these people after the interview.) Check everything you can about the person's background before the interview.
Question 3: Did you schedule the interview well in advance?
Question 4: Can you get a photo?
Question 5: What questions have you prepared? Here are some options: a. Turning points - Were there any incidents or people who influenced you to choose this career or job? b. Goals - what are your goals in this job c. Achievements - What are your major achievements (books, research, awards)? d. Obstacles - What are some of the obstacles you have faced or currently face? e. Logistics - Don't forget to get the basics; when or how long in this position, age if relevant, check the full name and spelling, formal title. f. Background - Double check items on the resume (college, degrees, home town), other positions held. g. Personal - Married, single, children - if relevant.
Question 6: Can you locate other sources? Check other people who work with this person, relatives if relevant, students if interviewing a professor or administrator.
Week 7 - Reading Homework
Harvard: Part IV Ethics
Harrower: Chapter 6, Beyond Breaking News (review)
Journalism Ethics and Law (in Chapter 6)
* * * because of heavy work load this week the reading has been truncated * * *
Harrower: Chapter 6, Beyond Breaking News (review)
Journalism Ethics and Law (in Chapter 6)
* * * because of heavy work load this week the reading has been truncated * * *
Week 7 - Journalism Resume, Cover, and Clips
Please make sure your journalism resume, cover letter, and clips are in good order. Please ask questions if you are unsure after class.
Week 7 - Story Assignment: Editorial on Boise Trolley
Story Assignment: Editorial (Tip - Reference the Harrower text on editorials)
400 Words, TNR, 12 PF, 1" M
Headline
(no deck)
Byline
(no dateline)
Tag
* * * Must reference two (2) sources (research) * * *
Assignment: Write an editorial on the Boise Trolley (proposed downtown rail loop)- take a position for or against and argue passionately. Do your research (examples below) - and write with conviction.
http://www.newwest.net/city/article/boise_trolley_faqs_our_future_as_americas_most_livable_city/C108/L108/
http://www.compassidaho.org/documents/comm/articles/streetcar.pdf
DUE DATE: WEEK 8, March 11th, by 11:59 P.M., e-mail, and post.
400 Words, TNR, 12 PF, 1" M
Headline
(no deck)
Byline
(no dateline)
Tag
* * * Must reference two (2) sources (research) * * *
Assignment: Write an editorial on the Boise Trolley (proposed downtown rail loop)- take a position for or against and argue passionately. Do your research (examples below) - and write with conviction.
http://www.newwest.net/city/article/boise_trolley_faqs_our_future_as_americas_most_livable_city/C108/L108/
http://www.compassidaho.org/documents/comm/articles/streetcar.pdf
DUE DATE: WEEK 8, March 11th, by 11:59 P.M., e-mail, and post.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
Week 5 - Structure & Narrative (Homework #1) (Harvard)
Week 5: Homework #1 (Harvard)
1.) According to Nora Ephron, what is the difference between narrative and screenwriting (page 98)?
2.) What are the four critical questions according to Nora narrative writers must ask?
3.) According to Deneen Brown, what is "the hardest part about beginning a story"?
4.) What is narrative distance?
5.) What makes the best "quotes" according to Kelley Benham?
6.) According to Jon Franklin, what is "story structure"?
7.) List the nine (9) differences between summary narrative and dramatic narrative according to Jack Hart.
8.) List the four (4) good endings according to Bruce Desilva (page 117).
1.) According to Nora Ephron, what is the difference between narrative and screenwriting (page 98)?
2.) What are the four critical questions according to Nora narrative writers must ask?
3.) According to Deneen Brown, what is "the hardest part about beginning a story"?
4.) What is narrative distance?
5.) What makes the best "quotes" according to Kelley Benham?
6.) According to Jon Franklin, what is "story structure"?
7.) List the nine (9) differences between summary narrative and dramatic narrative according to Jack Hart.
8.) List the four (4) good endings according to Bruce Desilva (page 117).
Week 5 - Harrower (Homework #2)
Week 5: Homework #2
1.) According to Harrower, besides the inverted pyramid, what other two types of story structures can we use?
* * * Make sure to review Chapter 4 Harrower (very important)
2.) What does "on the record" and "off the record" really mean (isn't everything, "on the record").
* * * Please read Chapter 5 Harrower by next week
3.) List the eight (8) tips for covering meetings (according to Harrower).
1.) According to Harrower, besides the inverted pyramid, what other two types of story structures can we use?
* * * Make sure to review Chapter 4 Harrower (very important)
2.) What does "on the record" and "off the record" really mean (isn't everything, "on the record").
* * * Please read Chapter 5 Harrower by next week
3.) List the eight (8) tips for covering meetings (according to Harrower).
Week 5 - Story Assignment: Food Review
Week 5 - 2nd Story Assignment
FOOD REVIEW
500 Words
TNR, DS, 1" M
Headline, deck
Byline
Dateline
Lead
Bridge
Body
Tag line
* * *
Text Box w/ name and location, w/ phone number
> Be creative - this is your personal review (note smells, environment, surroundings, etc.).
> Be as descriptive as possible!
DUE DATE: END OF WEEK 6, 12:59 P.M. Friday, via e-mail, and post.
FOOD REVIEW
500 Words
TNR, DS, 1" M
Headline, deck
Byline
Dateline
Lead
Bridge
Body
Tag line
* * *
Text Box w/ name and location, w/ phone number
> Be creative - this is your personal review (note smells, environment, surroundings, etc.).
> Be as descriptive as possible!
DUE DATE: END OF WEEK 6, 12:59 P.M. Friday, via e-mail, and post.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Week 4/5 - Lab Project (Public Records Request)
During lab, we will make a public records request (what you request is your choice but not overly broad) from Boise State University.
This is a clinical project - do not actually send in the public record request to the university.
Please note the following:
Must be in the form of a letter (turn in the assignment as a word doc per my e-mail at the end of lab).
Must contain: 1.) date, 2.) address (your address and the address of the agency 3.) specific mention of the applicable Idaho codes 4.) delivery 5.) review 6.) specifics of the request (can't be overly broad) 7.) conclusion
Tip: check to see if the agency has a form for your public record request. If they do, enclose it as an attachment to your public record request letter. For the purposes of the lab, you need to write the letter even if a form exists to understand the semantics of the exercise (in the event a public agency does not have a form in your professional practice you will need to understand how to write the request letter).
* * *
This is a clinical project - do not actually send in the public record request to the university.
Please note the following:
Must be in the form of a letter (turn in the assignment as a word doc per my e-mail at the end of lab).
Must contain: 1.) date, 2.) address (your address and the address of the agency 3.) specific mention of the applicable Idaho codes 4.) delivery 5.) review 6.) specifics of the request (can't be overly broad) 7.) conclusion
Tip: check to see if the agency has a form for your public record request. If they do, enclose it as an attachment to your public record request letter. For the purposes of the lab, you need to write the letter even if a form exists to understand the semantics of the exercise (in the event a public agency does not have a form in your professional practice you will need to understand how to write the request letter).
* * *
Week 4 - Public Records Exercise
Please download the following Idaho Public Records Manuel from the Idaho Attorney General's Office, and store it in your reporter tool box (with the Idaho Judicial Repository, Ada County Assessor, et al):
http://www2.state.id.us/ag/manuals/publicrecords.pdf
Please also note the following reference for public record requests (Idaho):
http://idahoptv.org/dialogue/openidaho/recordsfaq.cfm
http://www2.state.id.us/ag/manuals/publicrecords.pdf
Please also note the following reference for public record requests (Idaho):
http://idahoptv.org/dialogue/openidaho/recordsfaq.cfm
Week 4 - SPJ, Idaho Press Club
SPJ, Idaho Press Club
Please visit the following web pages:
http://www.spj.org/
http://www.idahopressclub.org/
1.) Who are the board members of the Idaho Press Club (please post here).
2.) List seven (7) tools found in the SPJ Journalist's Tool Box (please post here).
Please visit the following web pages:
http://www.spj.org/
http://www.idahopressclub.org/
1.) Who are the board members of the Idaho Press Club (please post here).
2.) List seven (7) tools found in the SPJ Journalist's Tool Box (please post here).
Week 4 - Reading Homework (Harvard)
Read Harvard Chapter 4 by week 5.
Answer the following questions and post:
1.) Define the three (3) profiles according to Banaszynski?
(hint: page 68)
2.) List the four (4) "epic profile" approaches according to Tizon.
3.) According to Brown (page 81) what is "first person singular"?
Answer the following questions and post:
1.) Define the three (3) profiles according to Banaszynski?
(hint: page 68)
2.) List the four (4) "epic profile" approaches according to Tizon.
3.) According to Brown (page 81) what is "first person singular"?
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