My feature story is going to be a "how to" piece for freshmen on how NOT to be a "dorm dummy."
I plan to talk to freshmen living in different dorms on campus and ask them what the main issues they're having with dorm life this year.
I'll probably pick two or three of the most brought up topics (ex. roommates, illegal things in rooms) and talk with RAs and dorm supervisors to get their input on how to live wisely on campus.
For my photo I'll ask to follow an RA on rounds and take pictures of them if they have to stop in rooms for violations, which happens pretty regularly in the Towers due to noise.
Monday, September 28, 2009
The Wall Street Journal Formula
In the extensive human interest story "Coming out in middle school," New York Times writer uses an anecdotal lead featuring Austin, a gay middle school student unsure of what to wear to his first gay dance.
About nine graphs down, after giving a second anecdote of another gay middle school student, the nut graph of the story explains "Though most adolescents who come out do so in high school, sex researchers and counselors say that middle-school students are increasingly coming out to friends or family or to an adult in school."
After the nut graph, the story goes on to explain why the reader should care. The issue of gay children in middle schools would be something parents should address to their own children in middle school, as the writer addresses the issues of bullying and harassment of openly gay children.
The story, though nine pages in length, ties back to Austin in the end, the typical conclusion of a Wall Street Journal story. Austin wanted to attend an event sponsored by PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), and he was allowed as long as he had one of his parents with him.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/27/magazine/27out-t.html?pagewanted=9&em
About nine graphs down, after giving a second anecdote of another gay middle school student, the nut graph of the story explains "Though most adolescents who come out do so in high school, sex researchers and counselors say that middle-school students are increasingly coming out to friends or family or to an adult in school."
After the nut graph, the story goes on to explain why the reader should care. The issue of gay children in middle schools would be something parents should address to their own children in middle school, as the writer addresses the issues of bullying and harassment of openly gay children.
The story, though nine pages in length, ties back to Austin in the end, the typical conclusion of a Wall Street Journal story. Austin wanted to attend an event sponsored by PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), and he was allowed as long as he had one of his parents with him.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/27/magazine/27out-t.html?pagewanted=9&em
Monday, September 21, 2009
Feature Story Ideas
I'm kicking around two major ideas for my multimedia feature story.
The first idea is a feature on how not to be a "dorm dummy" during your freshman year.
I would talk with RAs and dorm building representatives about the most common violations freshmen make, during what times of the year they happen, and how they get caught.
I would talk to freshmen who live on campus about the kinds of violations they witness, any misconceptions they might have about things they can "get away with," or not get in trouble for.
I would also interview students and RAs about dorm etiquette. Common troubles roommates have, how to make the best of living in the Towers vs. old side housing like Richmond or Newell, etc.
The second idea is about Towson's reputation as a "suitcase school."
A lot of students live close to campus and go home during the weekends despite the thriving on-campus activities that are provided weekly, many for free.
I would also mention the community and city life we have at our disposal in Towson, and about whether students take advantage of it, or even know it exsists.
I would also talk with students who always spend weekends away and students who always stay on campus on weekends. I would discuss with them the pros and cons to this, and how they use their time at school and away to make the most of their college experience.
The first idea is a feature on how not to be a "dorm dummy" during your freshman year.
I would talk with RAs and dorm building representatives about the most common violations freshmen make, during what times of the year they happen, and how they get caught.
I would talk to freshmen who live on campus about the kinds of violations they witness, any misconceptions they might have about things they can "get away with," or not get in trouble for.
I would also interview students and RAs about dorm etiquette. Common troubles roommates have, how to make the best of living in the Towers vs. old side housing like Richmond or Newell, etc.
The second idea is about Towson's reputation as a "suitcase school."
A lot of students live close to campus and go home during the weekends despite the thriving on-campus activities that are provided weekly, many for free.
I would also mention the community and city life we have at our disposal in Towson, and about whether students take advantage of it, or even know it exsists.
I would also talk with students who always spend weekends away and students who always stay on campus on weekends. I would discuss with them the pros and cons to this, and how they use their time at school and away to make the most of their college experience.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Summary vs. Feature Leads
While summary leads in hard news stories focus on getting the "who, what, where, when, why and how" to the reader as quickly as possible, feature leads focus on drawing the reader into a story that he or she might skim over regularly.
In this bright published by The Baltimore Sun, a short feature is started with a summary feature lead. Unlike a summary news lead, which includes the main information of the story, a summary feature lead gives the reader a preview of what the story is about.
"It's not the Black Pearl, but Johnny Depp's yacht has been spotted docked around the Chesapeake Bay this week."
http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/news/bal-johnny-depps-yacht-0918,0,7487498.story
In this feature about an intersex horse racing in the Tony Maurello Stakes this week, a narrative lead is used to present to the reader a specific character in the story, in this case, the horse.
"Martha Maxine might seem like an ill-fitting name for a 5-year-old male horse, but there is an explanation. He used to be a she."
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/19/sports/19racing.html?ref=sports
In this bright published by The Baltimore Sun, a short feature is started with a summary feature lead. Unlike a summary news lead, which includes the main information of the story, a summary feature lead gives the reader a preview of what the story is about.
"It's not the Black Pearl, but Johnny Depp's yacht has been spotted docked around the Chesapeake Bay this week."
http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/news/bal-johnny-depps-yacht-0918,0,7487498.story
In this feature about an intersex horse racing in the Tony Maurello Stakes this week, a narrative lead is used to present to the reader a specific character in the story, in this case, the horse.
"Martha Maxine might seem like an ill-fitting name for a 5-year-old male horse, but there is an explanation. He used to be a she."
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/19/sports/19racing.html?ref=sports
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