JOURNALISM
54 - SPRING 2002
ADVANCED
MAGAZINE WRITING
Spring
2002
Hours: T, Th 12:45 - 2:10 p.m.
122 Dempster Hall
Carol
Fletcher
Office Hours: M, W 9:00 - 11:00
Or by appointment
Office: 313 Dempster Hall
Phone: (516) 463-6464
Fax: (516) 625-3897
E-mail: Carol.t.fletcher@hofstra.edu
Addendum
A: Minimum Requirements for a Completed Feature
Reporting:
-A search on Nexus to find out what else has been written on the topic.
-A search on the Internet.
-Interviewing at least five live sources, usually more. These should
include experts as well as the person or people closest to the story.
Writing:
-The lead should not be a question. It should not use "you"
or "I." It should not use the word "normal" or "average"
as in "He may seem like your average college student but…"
If you use an anecdotal lead, the person must be real, identified by
first and last name, and not a composite. If you believe your article
should be an exception to one of these rules, please discuss this with
the copy editor, editor, and me in advance.
-The article should have a billboard or nut graph, usually within the
first three graphs.
-All experts should be identified by first and last name, title, affiliation,
and location of institution. People close to the story should be identified
by first and last name, profession, age and location.
-Do not begin sentences with "Well,…" or "Which
is why…"
-Do not move the story along with questions (e.g.: "And what is
the cause of this deficit?")
-No abutting quotes.
-All facts that are not common knowledge should be attributed.
-Keep your opinions out.
-Use "said" not "stated." Do not use "feels"
for "believes." Do not use "like" for "such
as." Learn the difference between "its and it's."
-Always put the comma insidethe quote.
-Keep subjects next to verbs.
-Avoid redundancy. Tighten and rewrite. Take pride in your writing!
-Features: 1250-1500 words on average. Departments: 1000 words, on average.
Check managing editor for budget.
-Articles must be reported and written on your own time, not in class.
-Articles must be 100% accurate.
Submission:
-Articles must be submitted by deadline. This means completed article
must be on HU1 Shared before the start of class.
-Articles must be in IBM Word Perfect format. You can use PCs in our
class or in Calkins.
-Put the article in the appropriate folder - in the current issue, under
Text. (Anyone who edits the file will then add his or her initials to
title of file).
-Include a head and dek.
-On the day the article is due, submit all photos for article to photo
editor, with captions and credit lines written on the back. See guidelines
for photos. -Article is not considered complete without photos.
-Back up your article on a floppy disk and save this!
-Save your notes. Bring them to class each day until the article closes,
in case the copyeditor has questions.
USE
THIS CHECKLIST. CONSULT BEFORE HANDING IN ARTICLES!
Addendum
B: Photographs
-Obtain
at least one action-packed photo for 500 words of your article.
-Black-and-white photos are best. We can use color photos, or slides,
if absolutely necessary.
-If you can obtain interesting, professionally-shot photos from your
sources, these usually print better than ones we shoot ourselves. Sports
information, public relations, and the cultural affairs office can sometimes
help, as can, for example, the publicity offices of record labels.
-Avoid headshots.
-If you are shooting your own photos, use Tri-Ex black-and-white film,
make sure there is plenty of light, get close to your subject, and keep
the background as simple as possible. Make sure the subject is doing
something interesting, not just sitting at a desk. Take a lot of photos.
If you know someone who has a manually focussing camera and is a good
photographer, ask for help!
-Remember that, if you are not developing photos yourself, it takes
almost a week for most places to develop black-and-white photos. If
you are running late and must depend on 1 hour processing, you must
shoot in color.
-Submit your developed photographs to the photo editor on the day your
article is due. Write the captions and photo credits on the back.
-If you must use clip art, make sure you are using high-resolution,
royalty free photos. Some are available on the Internet. I have some
as well.
-Note to photo editor: After scanning at 300 DBI and converting to gray
scale, nearly all photos must be lightened, the contrasts heightened,
and the mask unsharpened. Many photos are better silhouetted. Please
ask the professor if you don't know how to do these things.