Nov. 24 Class Notes

Assignments
1. Newspaper clipping – A news-feature story with a soft lede (anecdotal, descriptive, focus-on-a-person). Describe the type of lede and identify the nut graph.
2. Provide at least two paragraphs of background info for your final story.


Ch. 15 – Interviews

Two types
1. news
2. profile

Principles of good interviews
1. Preparation
2. Establish relationship
3. Ask relevant questions
4. Listen and watch attentively
5. “Rules of Interviewing” – p. 302
6. Listening and hearing
· Be open to new ideas
· Keep on point
· Keep questions short
· Note the source’s appearance, demeanor

Profiles
1. See the person – physical appearance
2. Hear the person -- QUOTES
3. Watch the person
4. Know the person – background, hobbies, interests, successes, failures

Interviews by e-mail
1. Difficult to ask follow-up questions.
2. Cannot see the source’s reaction
3. Responses lack spontaneity
4. Cannot be sure the source actually provided the information.
5. Sometimes the only way to reach the source
6. Should specify in the story.