Maria Burns Ortiz

Sept. 25: Ledes for print/Web (Part 1)

Reading: Writing and Reporting the News: Chapter 4

Assignment: Lede writing exercise. (Will be available online 9/25.)

Powerpoint: Hard News Ledes

Sept. 27: Ledes for print/Web (Part 2), Information selection

Reading: Writing and Reporting the News: Chapter 5, Chapter 8

Assignment:
Reporting assignment. Report on story tied to the fall TV premiere season, focusing on the return or debut of one popular/anticipated network shows OR on the overall return of new TV programming (as opposed to reruns).

Write four possible ledes: an anecdote, a scene-setter, a zinger and a straightforward lede. Bold the lede you feel is the best fit for this story. Give a 1-2 sentence explanation as to why you chose that lede.

What are the 5 Ws and H for this story?

Write up a nut graf for this story.

What are three other pieces of information you collected in your reporting that would include in your story? One sentence each or bullets.

What are five pieces of information you collected in your reporting that are unnecessary for the story? One sentence each or bullets.

As part of the reporting process, interview three people for this assignment. (You will use these interviews for Week 5’s first homework assignment.)

Powerpoint: Soft Ledes