Parents, children looking ahead to summer camp
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/baltimore_county/bal-md.camps23feb23,0,1132848.story
This article follows the Wall Street Journal formula as it begins with an anecdotal lead about Dori Zvili. The nutgraph comes either the third or fifth paragraph down and is the main point of the story. Why the Zvili family matters is answered in the nut graph. The article then builds the story with facts and quotes. At the end the story is circled back to the Zvili family members.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Summary Lead
Summary leads often include the 5 W's and an H. When introducing a feature story they focus on what is coming next. It can include details, but it's goal is to tempt the reader to read more. A summary lead might add description to try to set a scene for the reader. The summary lead is usually the first choice for feature writers.
Feature Lead
An alternative to the summary lead is the feature lead. It comes in a wide range of styles. For instance, the anecdotal lead starts with a specific example. The author needs to find the major point in the story to hightlight the article with an anechdote in the beginning. The narrative lead is similar to this but typically runs longer with dialogue or quotes to set up the scene. Descriptive leads include details that support the main point of the story. Question leads are used to pose a question of widespread interest or one that completely catches readers off guard.
Example of a Descriptive Lead
"Isla Fisher plays Rebecca Bloomwood, the title character in Confessions of a Shopaholic, as a woman whose hand-eye coordination works at top speed only when she's grabbing for a sale item. The funny idea behind her performance is that she's so distracted by hot dreams of buying stylish goods for bargain prices that she can't keep brain and body working together."
Example of an Anecdoctal Lead
"Fox has a new and improved dream girl for the Friday-night fantasies of teenage boys, and she arrives tonight wearing a hey-look-me-over, super-short dress - the perfect model of female allure and submission."
Summary leads often include the 5 W's and an H. When introducing a feature story they focus on what is coming next. It can include details, but it's goal is to tempt the reader to read more. A summary lead might add description to try to set a scene for the reader. The summary lead is usually the first choice for feature writers.
Feature Lead
An alternative to the summary lead is the feature lead. It comes in a wide range of styles. For instance, the anecdotal lead starts with a specific example. The author needs to find the major point in the story to hightlight the article with an anechdote in the beginning. The narrative lead is similar to this but typically runs longer with dialogue or quotes to set up the scene. Descriptive leads include details that support the main point of the story. Question leads are used to pose a question of widespread interest or one that completely catches readers off guard.
Example of a Descriptive Lead
"Isla Fisher plays Rebecca Bloomwood, the title character in Confessions of a Shopaholic, as a woman whose hand-eye coordination works at top speed only when she's grabbing for a sale item. The funny idea behind her performance is that she's so distracted by hot dreams of buying stylish goods for bargain prices that she can't keep brain and body working together."
Example of an Anecdoctal Lead
"Fox has a new and improved dream girl for the Friday-night fantasies of teenage boys, and she arrives tonight wearing a hey-look-me-over, super-short dress - the perfect model of female allure and submission."
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Fools & Horses
A Washington Times article highlights the local band, Fools & Horses, as they gain success. The band members call Maryland home, but they are often asked why they haven't moved to New York City."We have family here. It's so close to everything, and we've been fortunate enough to break reasonably well into the D.C. scene, too," lead vocalist Matt Hutchinson said.
The band formed in 2002 and had a big break opening up for Bon Jovi in 2006 at the Verizon Center. They recently recorded their third album.
Fools & Horses's next big step is traveling to Japan to perform for the troops. Before this, they could be seen regularly at the Iota Cafe in Arlington, the Recher Theatre in Towson and the Red House Tavern in Baltimore.
I first saw this band last year at Paws at TU. It's not often that in a set you like every song, but every song they performed sounded like a hit. My roommate and I came back and looked them up online right away. The band can be seen in a send off show on March 6th at the Recher. You won't want to miss it!
Andrew Leahey reported for the Washington Times. He mentioned the lead vocalist and guitarist, but left out the other two members of the band. The exact time of the band's trip to Japan wasn't included in the article, and there was no mention of the send off show. I would have asked the band for their inspirations and reported on how they came together. This is an article for them to hold on to so they can look back when they really make it big.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Undecided Beat
One of my tentative beat ideas is what a college student might want to catch on TV... when he or she isn't studying of course! Just call me Caitlin 'TV Guide' Fultz!
I will give my picks for shows to look out for and provide reviews of what you might have missed! Killing two birds with one stone perhaps? Watching TV becomes part of my homework!
Another tentative beat idea is following local bands and musicians on their way to success. I can chronical bands and give an overview of their shows and music. It would be an interesting story to tell of a band trying to make it!
I will give my picks for shows to look out for and provide reviews of what you might have missed! Killing two birds with one stone perhaps? Watching TV becomes part of my homework!
Another tentative beat idea is following local bands and musicians on their way to success. I can chronical bands and give an overview of their shows and music. It would be an interesting story to tell of a band trying to make it!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)