Chapter 5 Questions

1. The inverted pyramid is a basic journalism story structure that begins with the most important information and flows into less important information as the story continues.
2. A delayed lede is one that does not include major facts. Rather it attempts to grab the reader’s attention is a more creative manner. It is also called a feature or soft lede.
3. A nut graf tells the reader what the story is about. It needs to appear within the first two or three paragraphs.
4. The when element should appear directly after the verb to avoid confusing readers. Though it is not very conversational, it is the only way to do it without confusing readers.
5. A summary/ chronology story relay information in the order in which the events happened. They often follow a summary lede and a nut graf.
6. When writing about crime, it is important not to name a person until he/she has been formally charged. It is important to distinguish between the actions of the person committing the crime and the person charged with the crime.
7. A multiple element story is when two or three distinctly different ideas compete for the spotlight.
8. A second day story is usually a complete rewrite of the original copy. What makes a second day story unique are ledes that reflect what has happened since the original report and it also must include new details and summarize what has happened for those that may have missed the original report.
9. Correlation involves events happening at the same time. Causation refers to one event causing another. In story writing, the author must not assume. Instead, the author needs to get important information so that he can make a correlation or identify causation appropriately.
10. Names, dates, places, corporate names, titles, numbers and graphics should all be double-checked.
11. The rules for working with quotes are:

-Make sure the quote adds to the story.

-Make sure the quoted words are the person’s exact words.

-Paraphrase when necessary.

Ledes 4 and 5

The rate of identity theft in Towson is more than double the national average but new state legislation would allow credit card holders to check if their numbers have been stolen.

The state Commission on Crime and Delinquency will award $1.2 million to the Towson school district’s Community Helping Hands program for at-risk youth.

Ledes 1, 2 and 3

1. Roger Datolli, husband of Mayor Sabrina Datolli, was injured in a three-vehicle accident Thursday afternoon at the intersection of Warren and Davidson avenues.

2. The city council proposed creating a local board to oversee changes within the downtown historic district at their monthly meeting yesterday.

3. A Senate plan to store nuclear waste material in the Nevada desert will provide a safe haven for more than 77,000 tons of radioactive waste, the Department of Energy said Monday.

Extra Credit

Rule 1

Use commas in compound sentences when clauses are separated by a conjunction such as “and,” “but,” “for,” “nor,” or “yet.”

• She managed the restaurant, but he did the cooking.
• He didn’t drive his car, nor did he ride his bike.

Rule 2

Use commas to separate elements in a series. Such elements usually are adjectives, verbs, or nouns.

• My socks were wet, smelly and covered in dirt.
• The tall, dark, handsome man hailed, lauded and applauded Ben, George, Maude and Rebecca.

Rule 3

Use commas when attributing from quoted material. Commas set off words of attribution form the words of a one-sentence quotation unless a question mark or exclamation mark is preferred.

• He said, “Hello.” “Good-bye,” she replied. “The fair has been canceled,” she said.
• "I did it for the guy who lost his mom," McNeal said, "It was the right thing to do."

Rule 4

Commas follow introductory matter, such as after an introductory adverbial clause.

• When the team was forced to kick, the coach sent in his best players.
• Of all the players, he has the most points.

Rule 5

Commas follow the salutation of a friendly letter and the complimentary close of any letter. Commas also follow capitalized elements, such as the complimentary close, and a colon follows the salutation of a business letter.

• Dear James,
• Sincerely, Mike Miller

Rule 6

Commas follow all items in a date or full address:

• I have lived in Cockeysville, Md., all my life.
• January 28, 1987, is my date of birth.

Rule 7

Commas surround nonessential words or phrases.

• Unfortunately, his name was not in the scorebook so that meant a technical foul and two free throws for the other team.
• Bob Brown, a team spokesman, said the season will begin on April 6.

Rule 8

Commas surround words of direct address.

• Mike, I need the remote.
• Obviously, Travis, you fail to see my point.

Rule 9

Commas indicate omitted verbs, usually expressed in another part of the sentence:

• Talent is often inherited; genius, never.
• Coach Smith has much to gain this season; his team, even more.

Rule 10

Semicolons connect two complete sentences if sentences have a related thought. Use of a semicolon usually creates a sense of drama.

• The brown-eyed, dark, and vivacious model, at age 25, seemed destined for quick success; on Dec. 11, 2001, her apparent destiny was altered.
• It’s a big event having Koji here; he’s one of many players to watch this season.

Rule 11

Semicolons are used in a list separating items that require significant internal punctuation.

• He lived six years in Richmond, Va.; four years in Raleigh, N.C.; one year in Greenville, S.C.; and six months in Baton Rouge, La.
• Present at the gala was Bob Smith, president; Mike Miller, vice president; and Teri Sampson, treasurer.

Rule 12

Colons precede formal lists, illustrations, multi-sentence quotes, and enumerations:

• The following students received scholarships: Jim Johnson, Juanita Jones, Martha Taylor, Tiffany Eldridge, and Teri Sampson.
• He answered her with a parable: “A man once had six sons. Five of them…”

The Five Most Common Grammar Problems

Problem 1: Punctuation

Do not punctuate unless you know a rule. Don’t punctuate excessively as less punctuation leads to clearer, more readable copy.

Example - Instead of “She managed the restaurant. He did the cooking,” use a semicolon: “She managed the restaurant; he did the cooking.”

Problem 2: Subject and Verb Agreement

Most problems occur with collective subjects, fractions or percentages and compound subjects in which two or more nouns function as the subject of a sentence.

Example – The following sentences use fractions and percentages correctly as a singular subject:

Three-quarters of the pie is gone.

Sixty-seven percent of the voters is needed to withhold a veto.

Problem 3: Correct Use of Pronouns

Pronouns are little words that stand for proper nouns. They help avoid needless repetition in language by doing the work of the larger nouns, called antecedents.

Example – Marianne said she (Marianne) would never color her (Marianne’s) hair.

Problem 4: Sentence Structure

Aside from fragments and run-on sentences, the two other categories that cause most adults problems with sentence structure are faulty parallelism and modifier placement.

Example – In regard to parallel structure, instead of “He enjoys reading and to go skiing,” use the parallel form, saying, “He enjoys reading and fishing.”

Problem 5: Word Usage

Be careful when using words like “affect” and “effect.” Though they sound quite similar, both are used in drastically different situations.

Other examples of confused words include: less vs. fewer; lie vs. lay; sit vs. set

Chapter 14 Question

• Objectivity is the idea that journalists should avoid injecting their opinions into news reports. (Don’t take sides, use multiple sources, avoid conflicts of interest)

• Thoroughness involves looking into every aspect of a story (Interview multiple people, understand the topic that is being covered, proof-read more than once)

• Accuracy is making sure a story offers correct information. (Fact-check and fact-check again, keep direct quotes in context, don’t hesitate to ask for a follow-up interview)

• Fairness involves listening to different viewpoints. (Don’t frame stories in a way that makes them convenient for you – the reporter, keep your opinion out, give all parties opportunities for input)

• Transparency relates to disclosure from the journalist what biases they have (Blogging allows journalists to be colorful and engaging in a way that traditional print does not, name sources, encourage readers to comment on web-posted material)

Me, Me, Me

Hi, my name is Mike. But you already know that if you’re reading this blog. I’m a 22-year-old Journalism major in my second semester here at Towson. I was born and raised in nearby Cockeysville, MD and much to the dismay of some of my friends, I wouldn't mind spending the rest of my life in the Baltimore area either.

Outside of school, I work full-time during baseball season as a beat writer covering the Bowie Baysox – class “AA” affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles – for the website Orioles Hangout.com. Needless to say I’m a huge baseball fan but I also can’t get enough NHL hockey and, more specifically, the Washington Capitals.

Aside from sports, however, I like to brew my own beer, play guitar and I dabble in stand-up comedy. And no, that’s not a real mustache. Nor is that my cat.

Summary Lede

A summary lede is the opening sentence or two of most news stories that is designed to summarize the story quickly. Its main characteristics include a time element, that it is written in past tense and that it includes specific information that serve to set up the rest of the story.

Examples:

• From the Baltimore Sun: Michael Phelps, the Rodgers Forge native who has won more gold medals than anyone in Olympic history, acknowledged yesterday that he had engaged in "regrettable" behavior and shown "bad judgment" after a photo of him smoking what appears to be marijuana from a glass bong was published in a British tabloid over the weekend.

I like this lede because it is robust, full of information and gives me a good sense of what is to follow in the story. I felt this was a good example because it was full of info.

• From the Baltimore Sun: An off-duty Prince George's County firefighter rescued a disabled man who fell off a pier into the South River in Edgewater early yesterday, Anne Arundel County fire officials said.

What I like about this lede is the way that the author was able to compile the detail that the man who fell off the pier was disabled. Had that piece of information been neglected, this lede would be much weaker. I felt this was a good example because it was quick and to-the-point.

• From the Baltimore Sun: Infielder Oscar Salazar has cleared waivers and been outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk, the Orioles announced in a news release.

I like this lede because it is short and sweet. Short in that it is one, quick sentence. Sweet because I covered Oscar Salazar for a full-season in 2007 while working the Bowie Baysox beat and it's nice to see that he will be staying with the Orioles' organization. Salazar, though limited in his English, is a fun-loving guy who treated me well in my first season covering the team. I felt this was a good example because at the end of the sentence, the reporter cites where the information came from.