News story

Assignment: Write a four-paragraph news story from the following facts using the correct AP style. You are writing for the Wednesday morning edition of your newspaper.

Facts: Station 19 firefighters received a call at 10:55 p.m. Tuesday about a house on fire. Firefighters responded to the scene and arrive at 11:04 p.m. After a short, intensive battle, firefighters managed to extinguish the blaze at 11:30 p.m.
Fire Chief Bill Malone learned that the cause of the fire was carelessness on the part of the home's owner Henry Smith, 29, who fell asleep while smoking in bed. Malone estimated the damage to the house at 1705 W. Haven Street to be approximately $2,500 dollars.
Upon further investigation, you learn that this was the eighth fire this year caused by smoking in bed. There were only four fires all of last year caused by smoking in bed. Smith was not injured in the fire and Malone said no charges will be filed against Smith.
You call Smith and he said he was grateful the damage was not worse but he was critical of what he called the “slow” response time of the fire department. “If the firemen had done their job the way they should have then my home could have been saved faster. They're trying to put the blame on me by saying that I was smoking in bed.”

Test Study Guide — Online Reporting, Public Relations

Chapter 8

What are the differences between presenting the news online from printing traditional stories in a newspaper?

How are reporters and newspapers adapting to new technologies?

How do readers navigate through online news sites?

Know what media convergence is and the impact it's having on the news industry.

Know the impact the blogs and bloggers are having on the industry.

Be familiar with the textbook's five tips for creating readable, user-friendly news stories for the web.

Chapter 10

Know the differences between presenting information for newspapers and public relations clients.

How is public relations defined?

Be familiar with the differences in the goals of a reporter and a public relations practionner.

Understand the differences between public relations and advertising.

What are the steps involved in planning a public relations strategy?

Know the 10 tips in the textbook for writing a better news release.

What steps should be followed in writing a news release?

Be familiar with the differences in distortion, spinning, doublespeak and lying.

Libel Essay Questions

Keeping the laws of libel in mind what would you do in the following situations and why?

1. A professor abruptly quits amid rumors that he sexually harassed a student. Can you report that the rumors exist?

2. A local doctor who specializes in nutrition says that food served in your school cafeteria is unfit for human consumption and that school cooks are unqualified to know the difference between healthy and unhealthy food. Can you print her comments?

3. A football coach tells you that he's benching the school's star quarterback because “he's been lazy and stupid. His head's not in the game — he's too busy partying and getting laid.” Can you print the quote?

Write an well organized essay answering the following question: How would you handle the situation if you were the editor of The New Republic magazine and your reporter Stephen Glass did the things that we saw him do in the movie Shattered Glass? (Do not answer this question by saying you would do the same things that the editor did in the movie). What would you say to your readers to explain why this situation happened? What punishment would you give to Glass and what would you do to get the magazine staff to support your decision?

Color feature assignment

Assignment: Write a color feature on one of these two upcoming events at EVC: the Cinco de Mayo celebration on campus from noon to 2 p.m. Thursday in the turn-around area near the campus library building or the Student Health and Fitness Fair on Wednesday May 11 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Gullo II building.

Specifics: Imagine you are a reporter for the campus newspaper and your editor assigns you to write a color feature on the event capturing the flavor, mood and atmosphere of the event. Be descriptive in your feature describing the scene with colorful details for your readers. Quote at least three people who attended the event or participated in the event. Include important information about the event such as where it was held, when it was held, activities at the event, etc. (BE SPECIFIC).

Preparation: Read some newspaper features on the internet that capture color at a big event such as the recent Royal Wedding to give you some ideas of how reporters handle these assignments.

More Info: You only have to choose one of the two events for the feature. The hard-copy feature deadline is Monday May 16. (Minimum: 400 words) Print your stories before you arrive in class. DO NOT print stories in class. We will not have class on Wednesday May 11 so that students can attend the fitness clinic if they want to cover that event for their feature story.