Class Notes -- 9/8/08

Journalism 175
Class 1 – 9/8/2008

1. Introduce myself
a) 33 years professional experience, 25 at The Philadelphia Inquirer
b) travel editor; reporter, news editor, copy editor, wire editor, assistant city editor, feature editor
c) BA in Journalism – St. Bonaventure University
d) wife (public relations, Inquirer reporter and copy editor); children 26, 20, 16
e) why journalist: want to be in the know, like to tell people something they don’t know
2. Basics of the class
a) How to write a news story – journalistic style is different than English composition.
b) How to think like a journalist (lawyer)
c) How to gather information -- sources of information.

3. Syllabus, grading guidelines on http://billsj-page.blogspot.com; class schedule and all assignments will be there this week.
4. E-mail address: reedw@bucks.edu; GET STUDENTS’ E-MAIL ADDRESS, CELL PHONE.
5. Centurion Editor: Laura Irwin
6. BREAK
7. Hard news leads – 5 Ws and H: Who, What, Where, When, Why, How
8. Exercise:

There was a fire yesterday at a pizza restaurant. It is located at 2035 Main St. Two firefighters were injured when the roof fell in. They were treated at St. Luke’s Medical Center for minor injuries. The fire started in the basement of the building. The cause is under investigation. The roof collapsed, and the inside of the restaurant was destroyed. Damages are estimated at $100,000. The information comes from the Bristol Township Fire Department.

9. Assignments:
Read AP Stylebook, pages 3-90; Workbook Ch. 1; text Ch. 1, 5; clip one story with a HARD NEWS LEDE and provide 5 Ws and H.