Journalistic Writing Chapter 3

Qualities of Journalistic Writing

“Journalists cannot march in the parade. They can only stand on the curb and write about what goes past and why.”

~Roger Mudd, award-winning TV journalist

Qualities of Journalistic Writing

Journalism offers a wide variety of writing experiences.

Journalistic writing focuses on reporting the facts of a news story, which are… (5Ws +H)

Joseph Pulitzer, a reporter and publisher of the 1800s stressed one of the most important qualities of journalistic writing: “Accuracy, Accuracy, Accuracy!”

In addition to accuracy and objectivity, all journalistic writing should be clear, concise, and colorful.

As a reporter, you’re responsible for all the information printed in your story.

Writing Leads

The LEAD is the beginning of your story. It leads readers into a story.

A lead can be as short as one sentence or as long as four or five sentences.

Your lead must be well written, appropriate to your angle, and interesting.

The most traditional lead is the summary lead.

A summary lead is meant to give the reader a quick summary of the story in as few words as possible.

Summary leads often focus first on the who and what of the story and then follow closely with the when and where.

Writing Leads: Summary Leads

The how and why may be explained or suggested further into the story.

Summarize the most newsworthy fact within the first 10 words.

Begin with the subject of the most newsworthy fact (usually who or what).

Cite the source of any opinions.

Set the appropriate tone for the story—light or serious.

Writing Leads: Creative Leads

Leads for stories in a school newspaper generally require more creativity.

When you use a creative lead, it may not contain the most important facts or tell exactly what the story is about right up front.

The nut graph is the paragraph that contains the basic core—or nut—of the story.

Types of Leads: Creative Leads

A Scenic Lead begins with a description of the scene surrounding an event. This lead is typically used for stories in which the setting is prominent (dance, carnival, festive events).

A Storytelling Lead uses a narrative style and begins by introducing the main characters, the conflict, and setting. It can make readers feel the drama within a story.

An Opposite Lead first cites one point of view or observation and then follows with the opposite view.

A Punch Lead opens with an amazing fact or a startling statement that arouses reader interest.

A lead that begins with an interesting fact and leads the reader into the following paragraphs to get the specifics is called a Blind Lead.

Writing Leads

Never use a question lead as a conversational opener, such as “Have you ever wondered…?”

Avoid stating the obvious--for example, “Winter is here again.”

Don’t settle for the first lead you come up with. Try several before choosing the best one.

Types of Leads

Summary Lead ◦ Facts: Who, What, When, Where, Why, How

Creative Leads ◦ Scenic Lead

◦ Storytelling Lead

◦ Punch Lead

◦ Opposite Lead

◦ Blind Lead

Can you identify the Creative Lead?

KMS cooks serve nearly 500 pounds of pasta each week for lunch.

TV rots the brain, according to a report by child psychologist Julie Bower. Heidi Eliot, 8th-grade genius, says that just isn’t true

Leads: Group Work

In your table group (groups of 4), complete the activity that is being handed out

Handling Quotes

A quotation, or QUOTE, is the exact wording of a statement from a source. ◦ The statement may be a fact or an opinion.

Quotes make a story more believable. ◦ Readers are more likely to trust the truthfulness of information if they know it came from a source other than the reporter.

Types of Quotes

DIRECT QUOTES: quotes that are printed exactly, word for word, as spoken ◦ “I couldn’t have done it without the help of my director,” said Lauren Helm, 8th grade, who played Juliet.

◦ If you change one word, it can change the entire meaning

Types of Quotes

INDIRECT QUOTE: When you include information from a source without using the source’s exact words ◦ Paraphrase-a summary of the meaning of the direct quote, reworded by the reporter

When you want to express a fact stated by a source

When direct quote is too long, confusing, or dull

When you want to condense the ideas of several direct quotes

◦ “I need to go to the store,” said my wife.

◦ My wife said she needed to go to the store.

Types of Quotes

PARTIAL QUOTE: the key words or the most revealing phrases from a direct quote, which are then included as part of an indirect quote. ◦ The policeman said that the attack was “the most brutal” he'd seen in his 30 years on the police force.

Using Quotes

ATTRIBUTION: tells the source of the information given

MISQUOTING: When you change the words of the meaning of a quote ◦ Be careful not to misquote! Frequent misquotes will erode the good reputation of your newspaper and can lead to problems.

Attribution verbs

Attributions generally use verbs phrased in the past tense ◦ The word said is the most common and all-around best verb for attributions

You may be tempted to use synonyms for said. Resist the temptation. Other verbs are suitable only in specific situations.

◦ Use asked when the source asked a question

Using Quotes

Attribute all opinions

Don’t use quotes to repeat information already in the story

Never use the phrase “when asked” or “in response to a question about” to lead into a quote.

Organizing the story

In journalistic writing, the first step to writing an organized story is to organize your interview and research notes so they make sense to you.

Categorize the information into the 5Ws and H

Prioritize. Which facts are most newsworthy? You can number your facts in order of importance, or use inverted triangle graphic organizer

Inverted Triangle

Writing Headlines

HEADLINE: very brief description of the contents of a story printed in larger type, usually above the story

Include an active verb in every headline ◦ Student Shows in Local Gallery

Use an infinitive for future actions ◦ Bus drivers to strike for higher wages

Omit a, an, the

Avoid forms of the verb to be (is, are, will be)

Cutlines

Cutlines= captions

The information that accompanies a photograph

Don’t state the obvious

Use strong, active verbs

Don’t begin with “Pictured above…” or “Here…”

Identify individuals in a group photo by rows, front to back L to R

Vocabulary

Editorializing Misquoting

Transitions Indirect quote

Jargon Partial quote

Clichés Inverted pyramid

Lead Storytelling format

Summary lead Side bar

Nut graph Main bar

Quote Headline

Direct quotes Telegram method

Attribution Cutline (caption)