Newsy Feature Story — first draft due Friday 2/21 @ 11:59 PM (tips)

Reminder that the first draft of your 500- to 700-word newsy feature is due on Friday, end of day or earlier. Put it in this folder. Shelby and I will read and comment as fast as possible, so you have time to revise the stories for a grade.

Here’s what we’ll be looking for:

1. Proper grammar. This means get rid of passive voice. And use active verbs rather than relying on the “to be” verb (is, are, were etc.). Avoid repetition of words. Here’s a reminder post about grammar rules.
2. You must have a story lede. Think about the airbnb assignment and start with an anecdotal, not a news, lede.
3. Correct format. Headline-anecdotal lede-transition-nut graph-body-kicker. You can download the feature story structure ppt from this post.
4. Attribute quotes. Present tense (says, not said). And state the quote first, followed by the attribution: “I hate strawberries,” says Linda Villarosa. “I don’t like fruit with little seeds.”
5. Include three sources — at least one expert among them.