Ch. 7 Notes

Ch. 7 Notes

• paragraphs are 2 or 3 (max) sentences
• sentences are short and to the point
• after writing the lead, journalists asks self "if i were the reader, that would i want to know next"...a good lead creates questions in the readers mind to be answered in the second(+) paragraph(s)

How to transition in a story (to other facts or aspects)

• connectors- conjunctions like and, but, thus, however, therefore, meanwhile, on the other hand, likewise
• hooks- words or phrases repeated throughout the article to give the reader a sense of unity
• pronouns
• associations- using different words to repeat an idea within an article (subtle but highly effective transition when used correctly)
• chronology- words or phrases that refer to time
• enumeration- numbering items within writing (First, ....Second, ....)

Types of news stories

• meetings 
• speeches
• obituaries
• weather stories
• crime and courtroom stories
• periodicals and anniversary stories

The difference between feature stories and news stories is that feature stories assume that the reader has more time to read. Feature stories are a way of humanizing the news. Feature writer should write under the mindset that "every person is worth at least one good feature story". Feature stories vary from news stories in content and structure. Types of structure:

• anecdotal feature- begins with a story, follows with facts to support story
• suspended interest features- usually used for a short story with a punch line, writer leads reader through a series of paragraphs that raise questions that are resolved in the end in an unexpected way
• profiles- story centers on a single person
• question and answer- story begins with explanatory paragraph, interviewers questions followed by interviewees answer are then listed word for word