Transcript Online journalism

Online journalism
Qualities
Immediacy
of online news:
– As soon as news breaks, it should be posted on the
Web
Interactivity
– Journalists aren't the only ones who provide news
anymore. Websites feature blogs and messages posted by
subscribers. Interactive graphics, databases, etc.
Online journalism
Qualities
Multimedia
Innovation
of online news:
– Standard on many print and broadcast websites.
– Inverted pyramid, but also other forms. Think long and
short or mini-profiles; question/answer instead of texts; lists, blogs,
quizzes and games.
Linear vs. nonlinear
The
interactive nature of the Web makes it nonlinear, meaning users
may access information in any order they choose.
Conversely, print
and broadcast stories are written from beginning to
end, as in a straight line, offering readers no choice expect to stop
reading.
Web
readers have nonlinear choices by accessing related elements
linked to the story or site.
Story planning
Time
lines – does the story lends itself to background created as a
timeline?
FAQ
– Would a question/answer format be a good way to present
the story?
Interactivity
Lists
– Will the story feature a discussion, question, poll,
quiz, or searchable database?
of data for full coverage – Will the story be accompanied by a
complete list of winners or school test scores?
Story planning
Mini
profiles – Does a story about a candidate or long feature series
need short biographies of the sources?
Multimedia
Related
– Will the story include any video? Do you need to tape an
interview for sound bites?
links – Add related links to a story. It shows you've written (or
at least a colleague) has written about the subject before.
Story planning
Email
addresses of reporters – It's a good idea to add to your byline.
Anatomy of a news story
•
•
Announce the news as soon as possible.
Update in increments. Update readers/viewers that more
information is coming shortly.
Writing techniques
• Write
short
• Write
for readers who scan websites instead of reading
thoroughly.
• Write
•
•
to the point. Avoid fluff.
Use common language, not made-up terms.
State the most important information in the first two
paragraphs.
Writing techniques
• Write
a clear headline and subhead summarizing the main idea
of the story. This is especially critical for stories distributed to
mobile media. Twitter is a good way to practice writing good
headlines because it forces you to be brief.
• Write
a clear focus statement or nut graph high in the story,
especially if you use an anecdotal lead.
Writing techniques
• Write
short, simple sentences.
•
Use bulleted lists to help readers scan text when the story lends
itself to itemized information.
•
Limit each paragraph to one idea.
• Write
whom.
in active voice. Who did what rather than what was done to
Writing techniques
•
Avoid the last name only on second reference in subsequent
screens or Web pages unless the source is well-known. Apply
blocking technique of restricting each source's quotes to one block in
the story.
•
Keep paragraphs short.
•
Use conversational writing style.
HEADLINES
Write
brief headlines – Fewer than six to 10 words creates better
links than headlines that span two or three lines.
Study: Kids
are solicited online
Or
Kids
are solicited online, study says
HEADLINES
Use
strong verbs – Some headlines may be written without verbs.
Lose
10 pounds in five weeks
Or
(No
verb) Top 10 diet tips
HEADLINES
Put
the most important words first
Cookie
Avoid
Web
Use
Monster assaulted, police say
articles – Don't use A or AN at the start of a headline
makes cheating easy NOT The Web makes cheating easy
question headlines if the subject is interesting enough to
entice readers
BLURBS
The
majority of news sites just repeat the story lead for the blurb
under the headline. That's fine if it's a summary lead. But if the lead
doesn't give the main point of the story, write a clear summary or use
the nut graph as the blurb.
CHECKING
LAKELAND
IT OUT FOR THEMSELVES
– With a customer and brand base on its side, Publix is
going after and online home-delivery market in a venture where
other who tried it have seen their businesses marked down or
shelved.
BLURBS
The
next headline is somewhat catchy, but it too depends on the
summary blurb for clarification.
WOMAN
A
SEEKS DIVORCE OVER MYNAH INDISCRETIONS
Chinese woman launches divorce proceedings after the family's
pet mynah bird blabs about the husband's affair. The bird began
repeating the words, “I love you” and “divorce” from the husband's
phone calls to his lover.
BLURBS
Blurb Tips:
Write
a clear summary – If the lead is creative, choose the nut graph
as the summary blurb.
(headline)
(blurb)
COOKIE MONSTER ASSAULTED
Maryland dad charged with attacking Sesame Place. Police
say the father was upset that the giant Cookie Monster would not
pose for a picture with his 3-year-old daughter.
BLURBS
Avoid
(headline)
(blurb)
writing summaries that repeat the headline
IS WORK A PAIN IN THE NECK...OR HANDS?
Has work become a real pain? If so, the problem might not be
your job but your workstation. Judy Gibson, manager of the Physical
Therapy department at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital, says proper
ergonomics is essential to preventing problems.
BLURBS
Address
(headline)
the reader when appropriate – Use the “you” voice
GET FREE CASH FOR COLLEGE
(blurb) You
can collect thousands of dollars in scholarship money
just by filling out a form.
Briefs
Blurbs
are usually a few sentences. A brief can be a few
paragraphs. A brief can stand alone in place of a story, while a blurb
is meant to entice readers to read more. Sometimes, there is not
much difference between a brief and a blurb.
Briefs
(headline)
MISSING PET PIG TURNS UP AS MEAL
(blurb)
A woman who went looking for her family's missing pet
pig says she found it – as the main course at a neighborhood
barbecue.
(brief)
A woman who went looking for her family's missing pet pig
says she found it – as the main course at a neighborhood barbecue.
Sadie
Emerson said she and her 3-year-old son drove up and
down their neighborhood streets, looking for the Vietnamese potbellied pig, Tiny Boo.
Briefs
Summary
highlights – Another tool that serves as a quick summary
for Web readers who are scanners is the highlight box on top of the
stories.
Story structure
Inverted
pyramid – Favored form on the Web because the main idea
is in the lead or the first few paragraphs. The inverted pyramid form
places the main point at the top of the story with the rest of the
information in descending order of importance.
Inverted pyramid with summary lead
(Headline)
(Blurb)
SCHOOL OFFICIAL CUFFED, LED AWAY BY COUPLE
Deputies arrest pair, who were unhappy with materials
given students
(Lead)
LUCERNE VALLEY, Calif. – Two parents barged into a
school superintendent's office, handcuffed him, announced he was
under citizen's arrest and drove him away in their vehicle,
authorities said.
Sheriff's
deputies pulled them over 10 miles away, freed the
school's official and arrested the couple, who said they were taking
the superintendent to the district attorney's office.
List format
(Headline)
SOMETHING UNSPOKEN
(Blurb) What
not to say in an interview
If
you're a smart job candidate, you've thought about the points you want to make to sell yourself in an
interview. Maybe you've even practiced you're spiel. That's good, but know too that career experts
caution that saying too much in an interview can hurt your prospects.
You
already know to avoid mentioning the office-supplies pilfering complaint filed against you at your
last job – and that reprimand for arriving late on 18 days in one month. But here are some less obvious
things you should avoid saying at a job interview.
• Don't address your interviewer by his or her first name, unless and until it's clearly established
that the session is on a first-name basis. Here, the rule is to let the interviewer speak first.


• Don't use the wrong name. First or last.

• Don't say anything that conveys you're desperate for the job. Even if you are.
Storytelling
Narrative
writing can also be compelling on the Web, especially if it is
split into several pages with cliffhanger endings that entice readers to
continue.
Take
•
risks.
Be flexible – Different stories call for different approaches.
•
Be smart – For some stories, you may have the luxury of time and
creative people to do something innovative. For other stories, you have to
shovel text online to get the story out quickly.
•
Be daring – Enjoy the creative freedom the Web offers to do great
journalism. Remember the thrill of telling a great story an telling it well.
Tips from a Pulitzer Prize Winner
•
Focus hard on the point of the story.
•
Resist the temptation to tell everything you've learned; much of it
doesn't matter.
•
Pounce on every sentence and get rid of every word that doesn't
clearly and simply say what needs to be said.
•
Avoid the jargon sources use; translating it adds clarity and keeps
you from getting woozy.
• Remember that you're writing for actual people.