Interviewing and Feature Writing

Transcript

1. Telling stories
   people want
   to read
   Interviewing and
   feature writing
   in community
   journalism
   Tommy Thomason
   

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6. In addition to hard news,
   readers want…
   features
   follows
   profiles
   

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7. And…
   

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11. And the issue is always…
    

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13. A plan of action
    

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14. A plan of action
    o Adopting a coaching approach
    

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15. Are you a
    coach or an
    editor?
    Editors:
    Work
    with the
    writing
    Coaches:
    Work
    with the
    writer
    

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16. What will this mean at your
    newspaper?
     More brainstorming
    

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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
    

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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
    

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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
    

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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
    

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21. A sign on the door of a writing coach
    

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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
    

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25. The ‘root system’ of the feature story
    

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26. Finding story ideas
    The ‘root system’ of the feature story
    

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27. Finding the story in the topic
    Finding story ideas
    The ‘root system’ of the feature story
    

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28. Reporting and interviewing
    Finding the story in the topic
    Finding story ideas
    The ‘root system’ of the feature story
    

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29. Reporting and interviewing
    Finding the story in the topic
    Finding story ideas
    The ‘root system’ of the feature story
    

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30. Writing
    Reporting and interviewing
    Finding the story in the topic
    Finding story ideas
    The ‘root system’ of the feature story
    

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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
    

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33. Preparation
    

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34. Preparation
    Background
    Asking for the
    interview
    

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35. Preparation
    Rapport
    

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36. Preparation
    Rapport
    Questions
    

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37. conversation
    

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38. conversation
    openers
    

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39. conversation openers
    questions
    

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40. How and why
    

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41. How and why
    Find the focus
    

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42. How and why
    Find the focus
    Prospect for
    anecdotes
    

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43. conversation openers
    questions
    tough
    questions
    

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44. conversation openers
    questions
    tough
    questions
    close
    

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45. And then…
    

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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
    

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48.  Lead reflects the focus
    

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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.
    

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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.
    

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51.  Lead reflects the focus
     Using only the best
    quotes
    

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52.  Lead reflects the focus
     Using only the best
    quotes
     Varying quotes and
    paraphrases
    

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53. What do your
    readers want to
    read about?
    

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