Interviewing and Feature Writing

Transcript

1. Telling stories people want to read Interviewing and feature writing in community journalism Tommy Thomason
6. In addition to hard news, readers want… features follows profiles
7. And…
11. And the issue is always…
13. A plan of action
14. A plan of action o Adopting a coaching approach
15. Are you a coach or an editor? Editors: Work with the writing Coaches: Work with the writer
16. What will this mean at your newspaper?  More brainstorming
17. What will this mean at your newspaper?  More brainstorming  More talk about writing before stories and during stories, not just after stories are written
18. What will this mean at your newspaper?  More brainstorming  More talk about writing before stories and during stories, not just after stories are written  More one-on-ones with writers after stories
19. What will this mean at your newspaper?  More brainstorming  More talk about writing before stories and during stories, not just after stories are written  More one-on-ones with writers after stories  More praise
20. What will this mean at your newspaper?  More brainstorming  More talk about writing before stories and during stories, not just after stories are written  More one-on-ones with writers after stories  More praise  More training
21. A sign on the door of a writing coach
22. A plan of action o Adopting a coaching approach o Using that coaching approach to improve story selection –help writers find the human interest stories all around them
25. The ‘root system’ of the feature story
26. Finding story ideas The ‘root system’ of the feature story
27. Finding the story in the topic Finding story ideas The ‘root system’ of the feature story
28. Reporting and interviewing Finding the story in the topic Finding story ideas The ‘root system’ of the feature story
29. Reporting and interviewing Finding the story in the topic Finding story ideas The ‘root system’ of the feature story
30. Writing Reporting and interviewing Finding the story in the topic Finding story ideas The ‘root system’ of the feature story
31. A plan of action o Adopting a coaching approach o Using that coaching approach to improve story selection –help writers find the human interest stories all around them o Work on interview techniques
33. Preparation
34. Preparation Background Asking for the interview
35. Preparation Rapport
36. Preparation Rapport Questions
37. conversation
38. conversation openers
39. conversation openers questions
40. How and why
41. How and why Find the focus
42. How and why Find the focus Prospect for anecdotes
43. conversation openers questions tough questions
44. conversation openers questions tough questions close
45. And then…
46. A plan of action o Adopting a coaching approach o Using that coaching approach to improve story selection –help writers find the human interest stories all around them o Work on interview techniques o Work on writing techniques
48.  Lead reflects the focus
49. Town & Country Fair kicks off Wednesday Classic fair staples sprung to life at the Napa Valley Expo on Monday afternoon, as food vendors, 4-H’ers, exhibitors and fair personnel prepared for the start of the annual Napa Town & Country Fair. Wednesday’s kickoff promises to bring the same hometown charm the long-running Napa fair is known for, with updated activities for kids and adults of all ages. The revamped fair will be held a full month earlier than years past, in an effort to reduce competition with the larger Sonoma County Fair, which begins four days after Napa’s ends. By midday Monday, the fair’s new carnival provider had set up several shiny, large rides — each of which appears to overshadow the smaller ride selection offered last year. Classics like the Ferris wheel and the Tornado line up near attractions like the Giant Wheel, which carnival operator Helm and Sons has billed as a 110-foot drop sure to take riders’ breath away. Food trucks lined the walkway through the center of the Expo Monday afternoon. Most sat empty and pristine prior to the fair, but all remained a constant reminder of the sticky, sweet, salty treats that await fairgoers.
50. Tioga County Fair to open on July 8 The Tioga County, New York fair is getting a major overhaul this year, the 155th year of the fair, making it the second oldest in New York State. Presented by the Tioga County Agricultural Society, the 2014 Tioga County Fair will feature events for young and old alike. Gates open at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, July 8 with free admission until 5 p.m. and when the midway rides open to the public. After that, fair admission is $8, with rides included. Grandstand fees are $3 and children three and under are free. Tuesday, July 8 is also Senior Recognition Day, with free admission for senior citizens all day. Early visitors to the fair will be able to browse numerous 4-H exhibits, fabric arts displays and many other attractions which will delight the entire family. Tuesday, July 8 also has two big events which will cement the fair's homecoming to its roots this year, with the return of the New York Sire Stakes, the state's premier harness racing program designed to promote the breeding, buying, and racing of Standardbred horses in New York State.
51.  Lead reflects the focus  Using only the best quotes
52.  Lead reflects the focus  Using only the best quotes  Varying quotes and paraphrases
53. What do your readers want to read about?