After your lead The rest of the story will unfold naturally as
you weave details and background information between quotations
using the quote-transition- quote-transition format. Generally,
yearbook stories will be organized chronologically, but stories
that lack a clear timeline will follow a logical system of
organization determined by the writer.
Slide 3
Work just as hard on your ending as you did on the lead. Every
story must come to a complete and satisfying end. The story
shouldnt just stop, it should give the reader the impression that
the end has been reached. Options for conclusions 1.Return to the
scene introduced in the lead to bring the story to a close.
2.Describe the reaction of people in the story to the end of the
event the dance, the game, the play. Or show what people did at the
end. 3.Find a quote that provides a natural conclusion to the
story. The best endings leave the reader with something that
resonates, something to remember.
Slide 4
Use active not passive voice throughout. Avoid any sentence
that begins with There are, There was, or There were, etc. In a
sentence written in the active voice, the subject of the sentence
performs the action. In a sentence written in passive voice the
subject receives the action.
Slide 5
Slide 6
Write tight without compromising content To accomplish this,
you should work to remove redundancy.
Slide 7
Slide 8
Show, not tell This is not an easy skill to learn. Its easier
to describe the football player as tough, a teacher as fascinating
or the homecoming queens gown as beautiful, but dont. Observe
carefully and accurately. Provide just enough detail to paint the
picture and let the reader react rather than telling him/her your
interpretation. Use fewer adjectives and strong, interesting verbs.
Be careful that the adjectives you choose do not unwittingly signal
the writers bias.
Slide 9
Think cinematically Use the techniques of a cinematographer.
Think about your favorite movie and the way the camera presents a
variety of angles to tell the story. These same techniques can be
used in good writing. Present the overview picture show where the
story is taking place. Move in closer show people and how they
interact. Go for the close-up provide small details that others may
not have noticed but that add depth to the story. Create slow
motion by showing action or layering detail in short, choppy
sentences. Create the sense of fast forward by presenting action in
longer sentences that utilize verb or gerund phrases.
Slide 10
Provide pertinent details, but use only those details that add
insight or meaning. Readers want to know the name of the dog, the
type of car, and the type of clothing. Her crystal-studded Miss Me
jeans paints an entirely different picture from her skin-tight
Mossimo leggings. o He walked across the stage to shake hands with
the principal. o He limped across the stage o He galloped across
the stage All three show a person walking across the stage, but the
latter two quickly paint a picture.
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Slide 15
A clich is an overused and worn-out expression used to convey a
popular thought or idea. For example The ball is in your court
Think outside the box As useful as a lead balloon Every cloud has a
silver lining
Slide 16
Proverbs A short, well-known saying which sates a general truth
or a piece of advice For example A bird in the hand is worth two in
the bush A leopard cannot change its spot A chain is only as strong
as its weakest link Actions speak louder than words
Slide 17
Idioms A commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate
to the literal meaning of the word For example I am over the moon
Ill take any port in a storm This will be a piece of cake That will
cost an arm an a leg
Slide 18
Catchphrases A well-known term, especially one that is
associated with a particular famous person For example Come on
down! (The Price is Right) Yabba dabba doo! (Fred Flintstone) Youre
fired! (Donald Trumpt) Thats what she said (Michael Scott)
Slide 19
Similes and Metaphors Similes compare one thing with another to
create an analogy. Metaphors state one thing is another to create
an anaology. For example He drinks like a fish She is cute as a
button That will put the final nail in the coffin I am banging my
head against a brick wall here
Slide 20
Libel is a published false statement that is damaging to a
persons reputation. (words, photos, symbols, etc.) Slander is the
action of making a false spoken statement damaging to a persons
reputation
Slide 21
According to Walsworth, sound journalism includes practicing
noble ethics, checking for accuracy and knowing libel law. Ex: a
student from a school in Arizona received a $4,500 settlement after
he was identified as a quitter in a yearbook photo of the
wresteling team. Ex: in a yearbook from a school in California,
someone faintly printed the word gay on the soccer photo of a
freshman boy. The mother filed lawsuit claiming negligence and
libel against the school and a former teacher. According to the
lawsuit, the student suffered a loss of reputation, shame, and hurt
feelings and was made vulnerable to hate, contempt and
ridicule.
Slide 22
Sobe careful and scrutinize everything you print. Even if what
was printed is unintentional and with out malice, negligence is
grounds to file a law suit.
Slide 23
It may seem obvious that you cant lie about people or hurt
reputations, but it may not be instinctive for you to second-guess
what you intend to print. Questions to consider: 1.Are you hinting
at an idea, even if you are not saying it directly? 2.Are you
giving an opinion that you assume someone has? 3.Are you just
kidding on a subject matter that others may not understand? 4.Are
you negatively portraying an individual or institution?
Slide 24
The Associated Press Stylebook provides guidelines for news
writing. Newspapers, magazines, and PR offices use AP style, but
some publications have developed their own style guides. Ex: New
York Times Principles of AP Style include: consistency, clarity,
accuracy, and brevity