Journalism
“First name Drill and last name Sergeant you will address me by my full name” Drill Sergeant C had a distinctive voice due to a road side bomb that ripped through his chest on his 2nd tour in Iraq. The troop (76 soliders) sounded off with “Yes Drill Sergeant”
“I hate everyone of you individuals equally because you are not solideres you are garbage, hot civilian garbage. You will hate me and the more you hate me the more you will learn. I assure you privates I will weed out those who I believe who will not kill down range, I will weed out those who will quit down range, I will even weed out the ones who..” The drill sergeant saw the guy next to me moving his hands while at the position of attention. He quickly got in my face and asked me
“Why the F*** are you letting your battle buddy do that?”
I quickly replied “no excuse!” with an assertive voice something that my recruiter told me to always use when talking to a drill sergeant
“NO EXCUSE??? I BET YOUR SORRY TOO??”
“Yes I am sorry Drill sergeant”
The drill sergeant got within an inch of my face and told me that since I called him a sorry drill sergeant he was going to make me a sorry Private.
Situations such as this one occurred very frequently throughout basic combat training during the summer of 2009 at Fort Knox Kentucky. No matter what you said or what you did the Drill Sergeant would yell or make you do a lot of PT (physical training). Due to the fact that the Army was transforming civilians into soldiers, and preparing them for combat.
It is hard to think to think that four years of high school followed by another four years of college you can now have a dead end job making anywhere from 35 to 50 K a year but all you need is nine long weeks of BCT (basic combat training) to be mentally, physically and emotionally prepared for war. Before going to BCT you may be entering for college or to make your family proud but when you’re there the only reason why you are there is to prepare for war.
The United States has been at war for over 9 years now. Captain Forney the commander of hotel troop 1/81 armor said “All of my Drill Sergeants have a deployment under their belt. Most have two or three and that’s for soldiers in training benefit.” Captain Forney himself is an Afgan war veteran who lost his leg during his deployment. Through the experiences of his own as the commander of a basic training site and his Drill Sergeants he would be able to give the best training possible to the soldiers.
I had tough training while I was in basic but the correlation of being smoked (Army term for muscle failure work outs) and falling asleep during a class or on guard duty was very apparent. Drill Sergeants would share a story about how a scout sniper team look out fell asleep during a mission in Bagdad Iraq, and then the scout team was killed and there rifle was taken and used to kill Americans for three years. The importance of not falling asleep came from their expeierences otherwise it would just be information read from a book.
I needed to know. After all the hard work and the horror stories did it pay off. Were people that went through basic training properly prepared for war. I asked Private Donald Duncan. We had gone through basic training together except I left afterwards and he went to 7 more weeks of training for cavalry scout. I had to the opportunity to speak to him on facebook chat. He is currently serving in Mosul Iraq with the 3rd infantry division. It was the first time we spoke since August 2009. He said “hey” then an explicit word just like we always talked to each other at basic. I asked how he was and what it was like over there? and he said it hotter than hell and even though things are a lot better in Iraq than ever you still have to be ready for anything to go down at any given minute.
We reminaced about basic for a while then we got down to business. Did the training prepare you for war? Instantly he replied lol. “Yeah now that I’m here it all makes sense man. From the clean weapon, to the will power to stay awake. I cant believe I ever complained about letters too”
That made sense. The way training was structured was to make things run smoothly over seas. Clean weapon, keep your head on straight under a lot of stress but did it prepare you for the horrors of war? I had to talk to someone who has expeierenced it.
I grew up in a townhouse in Apple Valley Minnesota. Across the yard lived Sean Burnett. Growing up he loved the military and he knew he was going to enlist. He did. Infact became part of the first designated route clearance team in Iraq . Interview was reshedualed twice due to him being called up for random training will finish tonight.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Basic training from the 70's to the present
1. What was the emphasis of basic training in the 1970's?
2. Did you have the benifit of having DS's as veterns?
3. What is a DS to you?
4. What was the toughest part of basic?
5. Were there people who didnt make it?
Sgt Blauter
2. Did you have the benifit of having DS's as veterns?
3. What is a DS to you?
4. What was the toughest part of basic?
5. Were there people who didnt make it?
Sgt Blauter
Monday, March 8, 2010
Final News story
Minnesota Army National Guard raises its ASVAB requirement score to 50. Making the Minnesota Army National Guard have the highest requirement on the ASVAB, among the US armed forces for high school graduates.
The ASVAB stands for Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery. This test has been taken by every serviceman currently serving in the US armed forces. This test measures a possible serviceman’s math, english, science and mechanical skills. The test is used to gauge what jobs the possible serviceman can do if he or she does choose to join the military. Every job has required scores to secure them. The Army National Guard recruiters secure a job for the recruit days before they go up to take the test. Every branch has some form of job security for new recruits but Army National Guard is the only one that gives 100 percent job security.
The test is administered at over 14,000 high schools as well as every processing station for the armed services in the country.
Interviewing the #2 recruiter in the nation who is also an Iraq War veteran Staff Sergeant Blauert with the Minnesota Army National Guard when asked why is the Minnesota Army National Guard raising its ASVAB requirement the answered was “The Minnesota Army National Guard is 140 percent full which is great but we can only be 200 percent full during war time so the guard has become more and more picky when it comes time to choose who can serve in the guard. One of the ways they‘re doing this is by raising the ASVAB to 50 also by not allowing some physical waivers to go through.”
However this test does not stop people who want to join.
The military has made a pretest for the ASVAB that is usually accurate within five points enabling a recruiter to gauge whether or not a possible serviceman is ready to take the test. If the test taker is not ready the recruiter refers him or her to an ASVAB or dummies book or the countless ASVAB study guides that are online.
Robert who is a senior at high school never had the motivation to learn until he had to pass this test. He struggled through high school and now wants to serve.“I just want to join the military to serve my country and turn my life around!”
In order to pass the test Robert has started study sessions with eight other individuals who wish to join the military but need to pass the test. In meeting the teacher who teaches these individuals the questions was asked “What is holding back these people from joining the military?” his answer was a simple one. “The test has the math section of the exam heavily weighed because there are two math sections on the test. On the ASVAB basic math skills are tested without the use of the calculator. Skills that many high school seniors have forgotten or require them to brush up on before the test.”
A possible serviceman may take the test as many times as he or she would like but if the test score is not the minimum requirement he or she will have to wait 30 days. If there is another fail after that he or she will have to wait 6 months to retest.
The Army National Guard offers many incentives to join which include steady paycheck and free college. Many recruits that join the National Guard train for a job that will directly transfer to civilian jobs. Robert wants to be a diesel mechanic which he hopes to then find a civilian job by using the training received.
The ASVAB stands for Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery. This test has been taken by every serviceman currently serving in the US armed forces. This test measures a possible serviceman’s math, english, science and mechanical skills. The test is used to gauge what jobs the possible serviceman can do if he or she does choose to join the military. Every job has required scores to secure them. The Army National Guard recruiters secure a job for the recruit days before they go up to take the test. Every branch has some form of job security for new recruits but Army National Guard is the only one that gives 100 percent job security.
The test is administered at over 14,000 high schools as well as every processing station for the armed services in the country.
Interviewing the #2 recruiter in the nation who is also an Iraq War veteran Staff Sergeant Blauert with the Minnesota Army National Guard when asked why is the Minnesota Army National Guard raising its ASVAB requirement the answered was “The Minnesota Army National Guard is 140 percent full which is great but we can only be 200 percent full during war time so the guard has become more and more picky when it comes time to choose who can serve in the guard. One of the ways they‘re doing this is by raising the ASVAB to 50 also by not allowing some physical waivers to go through.”
However this test does not stop people who want to join.
The military has made a pretest for the ASVAB that is usually accurate within five points enabling a recruiter to gauge whether or not a possible serviceman is ready to take the test. If the test taker is not ready the recruiter refers him or her to an ASVAB or dummies book or the countless ASVAB study guides that are online.
Robert who is a senior at high school never had the motivation to learn until he had to pass this test. He struggled through high school and now wants to serve.“I just want to join the military to serve my country and turn my life around!”
In order to pass the test Robert has started study sessions with eight other individuals who wish to join the military but need to pass the test. In meeting the teacher who teaches these individuals the questions was asked “What is holding back these people from joining the military?” his answer was a simple one. “The test has the math section of the exam heavily weighed because there are two math sections on the test. On the ASVAB basic math skills are tested without the use of the calculator. Skills that many high school seniors have forgotten or require them to brush up on before the test.”
A possible serviceman may take the test as many times as he or she would like but if the test score is not the minimum requirement he or she will have to wait 30 days. If there is another fail after that he or she will have to wait 6 months to retest.
The Army National Guard offers many incentives to join which include steady paycheck and free college. Many recruits that join the National Guard train for a job that will directly transfer to civilian jobs. Robert wants to be a diesel mechanic which he hopes to then find a civilian job by using the training received.
Minnesota Army National Guard Rasies Requirments
Minnesota Army National Guard raises its ASVAB requirement score to 50. Making the Minnesota Army National Guard have the highest requirement on the ASVAB among the US armed forces for high school graduates.
The ASVAB stands for Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery. This test has been taken by every serviceman currently serving in the US armed forces. This test measures a possible serviceman’s math, english, science and mechanical skills. The test is used to gauge what jobs the possible serviceman can do if he or she does choose to join the military. Every job has required scores to secure them. The Army National Guard recruiters secure a job for the recruit days before they go up to take the test. Every branch has some form of job security for new recruits but Army National Guard is the ony
The test is administered at over 14,000 high schools as well as every processing station for the armed services in the country.
Interviewing the #2 recruiter in the nation who is also an Iraq War veteran Staff Sergeant Blauert with the Minnesota Army National Guard when asked why is the Minnesota Army National Guard raising its ASVAB requirement the answer was “The Minnesota Army National Guard is 140 percent full which is great but we can only be 200 percent full during war time so the guard has become more and more picky when it comes time to choose who can serve in the guard. One of the ways they ‘re doing this is by raising the ASVAB to 50 also by not allowing some physical waivers to go through.”
However this test does not stop people who want to join.
The military has made a pretest for the ASVAB that is usually accurate within five points enabling a recruiter to gauge whether or not a possible serviceman is ready to take the test. If the test taker is not ready the recruiter refers him or her to an ASVAB or dummies book or the countless ASVAB study guides that are online.
Robert who is a senior at high school never had the motivation to learn until he had to pass this test. He struggled through high school and now wants to serve.“I just want to join the military to serve my country and turn my life around!”
In order to pass the test Robert has started study sessions with eight other individuals who wish to join the military but need to pass the test. In meeting the teacher who teaches these individuals the questions was asked “What is holding back these people from joining the military?” his answer was a simple one. “The test has the math section of the exam heavily weighed because there are two math sections on the test. On the ASVAB basic math skills are tested without the use of the calculator. Skills that many high school seniors have forgotten or require them to brush up on before the test.”
A possible serviceman may take the test as many times as he or she would like but if the test score is not the minimum requirement he or she will have to wait 30 days. If there is another fail after that he or she will have to wait 6 months to retest.
The Army National Guard offers many incentives to join which include steady paycheck and free college. Many recruits that join the National Guard train for a job that will directly transfer to civilian jobs. Robert wants to be a diesel mechanic which he hopes to then find a civilian job by using the training received.
The ASVAB stands for Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery. This test has been taken by every serviceman currently serving in the US armed forces. This test measures a possible serviceman’s math, english, science and mechanical skills. The test is used to gauge what jobs the possible serviceman can do if he or she does choose to join the military. Every job has required scores to secure them. The Army National Guard recruiters secure a job for the recruit days before they go up to take the test. Every branch has some form of job security for new recruits but Army National Guard is the ony
The test is administered at over 14,000 high schools as well as every processing station for the armed services in the country.
Interviewing the #2 recruiter in the nation who is also an Iraq War veteran Staff Sergeant Blauert with the Minnesota Army National Guard when asked why is the Minnesota Army National Guard raising its ASVAB requirement the answer was “The Minnesota Army National Guard is 140 percent full which is great but we can only be 200 percent full during war time so the guard has become more and more picky when it comes time to choose who can serve in the guard. One of the ways they ‘re doing this is by raising the ASVAB to 50 also by not allowing some physical waivers to go through.”
However this test does not stop people who want to join.
The military has made a pretest for the ASVAB that is usually accurate within five points enabling a recruiter to gauge whether or not a possible serviceman is ready to take the test. If the test taker is not ready the recruiter refers him or her to an ASVAB or dummies book or the countless ASVAB study guides that are online.
Robert who is a senior at high school never had the motivation to learn until he had to pass this test. He struggled through high school and now wants to serve.“I just want to join the military to serve my country and turn my life around!”
In order to pass the test Robert has started study sessions with eight other individuals who wish to join the military but need to pass the test. In meeting the teacher who teaches these individuals the questions was asked “What is holding back these people from joining the military?” his answer was a simple one. “The test has the math section of the exam heavily weighed because there are two math sections on the test. On the ASVAB basic math skills are tested without the use of the calculator. Skills that many high school seniors have forgotten or require them to brush up on before the test.”
A possible serviceman may take the test as many times as he or she would like but if the test score is not the minimum requirement he or she will have to wait 30 days. If there is another fail after that he or she will have to wait 6 months to retest.
The Army National Guard offers many incentives to join which include steady paycheck and free college. Many recruits that join the National Guard train for a job that will directly transfer to civilian jobs. Robert wants to be a diesel mechanic which he hopes to then find a civilian job by using the training received.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Staff Sergeant Blauert
What is the ASVAB?
What score on the asvab do you need to get to get in the minnesota army national guard?
How does the Minnesota army national guard ASVAB requirement meassure to other branches?
If someone can't achiece this score on a first time go can they study and get higher?
Is it the common for the Army National Guard to raise its scores?
Staff Sergeant Podritz
What do people generally say after taking the ASVAB?
Is anybody ever discouraged to join the guard from there test results?
What do you tell them?
Why are people unable to pass this test?
What is your role as a recruiter to get these people to pass their ASVABS?
Junior (person attempting to pass)
Why can't you pass the ASVAB?
Do you feel as though your school has not prepared you well enough for standarized tests such as this one?
Why are you studying for this test?
What learning tools are you going to for help on passing the ASVAB?
After having to study for the ASVAB does that make you want to join the army national guard more?
What is the ASVAB?
What score on the asvab do you need to get to get in the minnesota army national guard?
How does the Minnesota army national guard ASVAB requirement meassure to other branches?
If someone can't achiece this score on a first time go can they study and get higher?
Is it the common for the Army National Guard to raise its scores?
Staff Sergeant Podritz
What do people generally say after taking the ASVAB?
Is anybody ever discouraged to join the guard from there test results?
What do you tell them?
Why are people unable to pass this test?
What is your role as a recruiter to get these people to pass their ASVABS?
Junior (person attempting to pass)
Why can't you pass the ASVAB?
Do you feel as though your school has not prepared you well enough for standarized tests such as this one?
Why are you studying for this test?
What learning tools are you going to for help on passing the ASVAB?
After having to study for the ASVAB does that make you want to join the army national guard more?
Friday, February 26, 2010
Writing a News Story
1. What can I write about? What is news?
On the surface, defining news is a simple task. News is an account of what is happening around us. It may involve current events, new initiatives or ongoing projects or issues. But a newspaper does not only print news of the day. It also prints background analysis, opinions, and human interest stories.
Choosing what's news can be harder.
The reporter chooses stories from the flood of information and events happening in the world and in their community. Stories are normally selected because of their importance, emotion, impact, timeliness and interest. Note: all these factors do NOT have to coincide in each and every story!
2. Identify what kind of a story it is
Hard news (+/- 600 words): This is how journalists refer to news of the day. It is a chronicle of current events/incidents and is the most common news style on the front page of your typical newspaper.
It starts with a summary lead. What happened? Where? When? To/by whom? Why? (The journalist's 5 W's). It must be kept brief and simple, because the purpose of the rest of the story will be to elaborate on this lead.
Keep the writing clean and uncluttered. Most important, give the readers the information they need. If the federal government announced a new major youth initiative yesterday, that's today's hard news.
Soft news (+/-600 words): This is a term for all the news that isn't time-sensitive. Soft news includes profiles of people, programs or organizations. As we discussed earlier, the "lead" is more literary. Most of YPP's news content is soft news.
Feature (+/-1500 words): A news feature takes one step back from the headlines. It explores an issue. News features are less time-sensitive than hard news but no less newsworthy. They can be an effective way to write about complex issues too large for the terse style of a hard news item. Street kids are a perfect example. The stories of their individual lives are full of complexities which can be reflected in a longer piece.
Features are journalism's shopping center. They're full of interesting people, ideas, color, lights, action and energy. Storytelling at its height! A good feature is about the people in your community and their struggles, victories and defeats. A feature takes a certain angle (i.e. Black youth returning to church) and explores it by interviewing the people involved and drawing conclusions from that information. The writer takes an important issue of the day and explains it to the reader through comments from people involved in the story.
Hint: Remember to "balance" your story. Present the opinions of people on both sides of an issue and let the readers make their own decision on who to believe. No personal opinions are allowed. The quotes from the people you interview make up the story. You are the narrator.
Editorial: The editorial expresses an opinion. The editorial page of the newspaper lets the writer comment on issues in the news. All editorials are personal but the topics must still be relevant to the reader.
Young People's Press publishes two types of editorials:
Youthbeat (+/- 700 words): Youthbeat's are YPP's editorial bread and butter. It's your story, from your point of view. Tell it like it is. Youthbeats usually (but not always) combine personal experience(s) with opinion/analysis. Essentially, you establish your credibility by speaking from experience.
My Word! (+/-600 words): An opinion piece. Short, sweet and to the point. Not as likely to be a personal narrative. Christmas "spirit" bugs you? Say why. Had an encounter with a cop that left you sour? Same deal. Be strong. If you don't like something, don't beat around the bush. This is a space for you to rant and roll with as much emotive power as possible.
3. Structure for your article
The structure of a news story (hard & soft news & features) is simple: a lead and the body.
The lead
One of the most important elements of news writing is the opening paragraph or two of the story. Journalists refer to this as the "lead," and its function is to summarize the story and/or to draw the reader in (depending on whether it is a "hard" or "soft" news story - See below for the difference between these two genres of news stories).
In a hard news story, the lead should be a full summary of what is to follow. It should incorporate as many of the 5 "W's" of journalism (who, what, where, when and why) as possible. (e.g. "Homeless youth marched down Yonge St. in downtown Toronto Wednesday afternoon demanding the municipal government provide emergency shelter during the winter months." - Can you identify the 5 W's in this lead?)
In a soft news story, the lead should present the subject of the story by allusion. This type of opening is somewhat literary. Like a novelist, the role of the writer is to grab the attention of the reader. (e.g. "Until four years ago, Jason W. slept in alleyways...") Once the reader is drawn in, the 5 "W's" should be incorporated into the body of the story, but not necessarily at the very top.
The body
The body of the story involves combining the opinions of the people you interview, some factual data, and a narrative which helps the story flow. A word of caution, however. In this style of writing, you are not allowed to "editorialize" (state your own opinion) in any way.
Remember:
The role of a reporter is to find out what people are thinking of an issue and to report the opinions of different stakeholders of an issue. These comments make up the bulk of the story. The narrative helps to weave the comments into a coherent whole. Hint: Stick to one particular theme throughout the story. You can put in different details but they all have to relate to the original idea of the piece. (e.g. If your story is about black youth and their relationship with the police you DO NOT want to go into details about the life of any one particular youth).
As a reporter, you are the eyes and ears for the readers. You should try to provide some visual details to bring the story to life (this is difficult if you have conducted only phone interviews, which is why face-to-face is best). You should also try to get a feel for the story. Having a feel means getting some understanding of the emotional background of the piece and the people involved in it. Try to get a sense of the characters involved and why they feel the way they do.
Okay, got it? Let's look at two examples as a way of summarizing the essentials:
Youth are banding together to start an organization. You want to show why are they doing that and the changes are they trying to make in the world. You want to say who they are and the strategies they are using.
An artist is having her first show. Why? What is it that she believes about her art? Is her artistic process rational or from the soul? What does the work look like?
4. Further tips for news writing
Finding story ideas
Keep your eyes and ears open; listen to what your friends are talking about.
Read everything you can get your hands on; get story ideas from other newspapers and magazines.
Think of a youth angle to a current news story.
Research a subject that interests you ask yourself what you would like to know more about.
Talk to people in a specific field to find out what is important to them.
Newsgathering
Begin collecting articles on your subject.
Talk to friends and associates about the subject.
Contact any agencies or associations with interest or professional knowledge in the area.
Create a list of people you want to interview; cover both sides of the story by interviewing people on both sides of the issue.
Collect government statistics and reports on the subject get old press releases or reports to use as background.
Interviewing do's and don'ts
Be polite.
Explain the ground rules of the interview to people unfamiliar with how the media works - this means that you tell them the information they give you can and will be published. If they do not want any part of what they say published, they need to tell you it is "off the record."
Tape the interview (so if anyone comes back at you, you have the proof of what was said).
Build a relationship with the person being interviewed.
Start with easy questions; end with difficult questions.
Read the body language of the person you're interviewing and if they get defensive, back away from the question you are asking and return later.
Don't attack the source.
Keep control of the interview; don't let the subject ramble or stray from the subject.
On the other hand, don't let your "opinion" of what the story should be colour the interview. Always remember that the person you are talking with knows more about the subject than you do.
Organizing the information
Gather your notes, interviews and research into a file.
Review your notes.
Look for a common theme.
Search your notes for good quotes or interesting facts.
Develop a focus.
Write the focus of the article down in two or three sentences.
Writing and editing
Remember you are the narrator, the story teller.
Don't be afraid to rewrite.
Be as clear and concise in the writing as possible.
Avoid run-on sentences.
Be direct.
Tell a good story.
Tell the reader what you think they want to know.
Always ask yourself what the story is about.
Read the story out loud; listen carefully.
1. Find a topic
2. Find a angle
3. Collect Data
4. Conduct interviews
5. Organize and write
6. Revise and Edit
1. What can I write about? What is news?
On the surface, defining news is a simple task. News is an account of what is happening around us. It may involve current events, new initiatives or ongoing projects or issues. But a newspaper does not only print news of the day. It also prints background analysis, opinions, and human interest stories.
Choosing what's news can be harder.
The reporter chooses stories from the flood of information and events happening in the world and in their community. Stories are normally selected because of their importance, emotion, impact, timeliness and interest. Note: all these factors do NOT have to coincide in each and every story!
2. Identify what kind of a story it is
Hard news (+/- 600 words): This is how journalists refer to news of the day. It is a chronicle of current events/incidents and is the most common news style on the front page of your typical newspaper.
It starts with a summary lead. What happened? Where? When? To/by whom? Why? (The journalist's 5 W's). It must be kept brief and simple, because the purpose of the rest of the story will be to elaborate on this lead.
Keep the writing clean and uncluttered. Most important, give the readers the information they need. If the federal government announced a new major youth initiative yesterday, that's today's hard news.
Soft news (+/-600 words): This is a term for all the news that isn't time-sensitive. Soft news includes profiles of people, programs or organizations. As we discussed earlier, the "lead" is more literary. Most of YPP's news content is soft news.
Feature (+/-1500 words): A news feature takes one step back from the headlines. It explores an issue. News features are less time-sensitive than hard news but no less newsworthy. They can be an effective way to write about complex issues too large for the terse style of a hard news item. Street kids are a perfect example. The stories of their individual lives are full of complexities which can be reflected in a longer piece.
Features are journalism's shopping center. They're full of interesting people, ideas, color, lights, action and energy. Storytelling at its height! A good feature is about the people in your community and their struggles, victories and defeats. A feature takes a certain angle (i.e. Black youth returning to church) and explores it by interviewing the people involved and drawing conclusions from that information. The writer takes an important issue of the day and explains it to the reader through comments from people involved in the story.
Hint: Remember to "balance" your story. Present the opinions of people on both sides of an issue and let the readers make their own decision on who to believe. No personal opinions are allowed. The quotes from the people you interview make up the story. You are the narrator.
Editorial: The editorial expresses an opinion. The editorial page of the newspaper lets the writer comment on issues in the news. All editorials are personal but the topics must still be relevant to the reader.
Young People's Press publishes two types of editorials:
Youthbeat (+/- 700 words): Youthbeat's are YPP's editorial bread and butter. It's your story, from your point of view. Tell it like it is. Youthbeats usually (but not always) combine personal experience(s) with opinion/analysis. Essentially, you establish your credibility by speaking from experience.
My Word! (+/-600 words): An opinion piece. Short, sweet and to the point. Not as likely to be a personal narrative. Christmas "spirit" bugs you? Say why. Had an encounter with a cop that left you sour? Same deal. Be strong. If you don't like something, don't beat around the bush. This is a space for you to rant and roll with as much emotive power as possible.
3. Structure for your article
The structure of a news story (hard & soft news & features) is simple: a lead and the body.
The lead
One of the most important elements of news writing is the opening paragraph or two of the story. Journalists refer to this as the "lead," and its function is to summarize the story and/or to draw the reader in (depending on whether it is a "hard" or "soft" news story - See below for the difference between these two genres of news stories).
In a hard news story, the lead should be a full summary of what is to follow. It should incorporate as many of the 5 "W's" of journalism (who, what, where, when and why) as possible. (e.g. "Homeless youth marched down Yonge St. in downtown Toronto Wednesday afternoon demanding the municipal government provide emergency shelter during the winter months." - Can you identify the 5 W's in this lead?)
In a soft news story, the lead should present the subject of the story by allusion. This type of opening is somewhat literary. Like a novelist, the role of the writer is to grab the attention of the reader. (e.g. "Until four years ago, Jason W. slept in alleyways...") Once the reader is drawn in, the 5 "W's" should be incorporated into the body of the story, but not necessarily at the very top.
The body
The body of the story involves combining the opinions of the people you interview, some factual data, and a narrative which helps the story flow. A word of caution, however. In this style of writing, you are not allowed to "editorialize" (state your own opinion) in any way.
Remember:
The role of a reporter is to find out what people are thinking of an issue and to report the opinions of different stakeholders of an issue. These comments make up the bulk of the story. The narrative helps to weave the comments into a coherent whole. Hint: Stick to one particular theme throughout the story. You can put in different details but they all have to relate to the original idea of the piece. (e.g. If your story is about black youth and their relationship with the police you DO NOT want to go into details about the life of any one particular youth).
As a reporter, you are the eyes and ears for the readers. You should try to provide some visual details to bring the story to life (this is difficult if you have conducted only phone interviews, which is why face-to-face is best). You should also try to get a feel for the story. Having a feel means getting some understanding of the emotional background of the piece and the people involved in it. Try to get a sense of the characters involved and why they feel the way they do.
Okay, got it? Let's look at two examples as a way of summarizing the essentials:
Youth are banding together to start an organization. You want to show why are they doing that and the changes are they trying to make in the world. You want to say who they are and the strategies they are using.
An artist is having her first show. Why? What is it that she believes about her art? Is her artistic process rational or from the soul? What does the work look like?
4. Further tips for news writing
Finding story ideas
Keep your eyes and ears open; listen to what your friends are talking about.
Read everything you can get your hands on; get story ideas from other newspapers and magazines.
Think of a youth angle to a current news story.
Research a subject that interests you ask yourself what you would like to know more about.
Talk to people in a specific field to find out what is important to them.
Newsgathering
Begin collecting articles on your subject.
Talk to friends and associates about the subject.
Contact any agencies or associations with interest or professional knowledge in the area.
Create a list of people you want to interview; cover both sides of the story by interviewing people on both sides of the issue.
Collect government statistics and reports on the subject get old press releases or reports to use as background.
Interviewing do's and don'ts
Be polite.
Explain the ground rules of the interview to people unfamiliar with how the media works - this means that you tell them the information they give you can and will be published. If they do not want any part of what they say published, they need to tell you it is "off the record."
Tape the interview (so if anyone comes back at you, you have the proof of what was said).
Build a relationship with the person being interviewed.
Start with easy questions; end with difficult questions.
Read the body language of the person you're interviewing and if they get defensive, back away from the question you are asking and return later.
Don't attack the source.
Keep control of the interview; don't let the subject ramble or stray from the subject.
On the other hand, don't let your "opinion" of what the story should be colour the interview. Always remember that the person you are talking with knows more about the subject than you do.
Organizing the information
Gather your notes, interviews and research into a file.
Review your notes.
Look for a common theme.
Search your notes for good quotes or interesting facts.
Develop a focus.
Write the focus of the article down in two or three sentences.
Writing and editing
Remember you are the narrator, the story teller.
Don't be afraid to rewrite.
Be as clear and concise in the writing as possible.
Avoid run-on sentences.
Be direct.
Tell a good story.
Tell the reader what you think they want to know.
Always ask yourself what the story is about.
Read the story out loud; listen carefully.
1. Find a topic
2. Find a angle
3. Collect Data
4. Conduct interviews
5. Organize and write
6. Revise and Edit
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