What’s due Friday 2/6 @ 11:59 PM: your final feature pitch, about 100 to 200 words. It should look like an abbreviated version of my HIV/AIDS in the South pitch, and be sure to add links to the news/evidence/data that grounds your pitch. Please put it in this google doc and make it shareable to Shelby and me so we can get back to you with comments and suggestions. Feel very free to post it before the deadline.

What to read for 2/10: “His wife was dying, his federal job crumbling. It tested his faith — in God and Trump,” The Washington Post. If you don’t subscribe to the Post (I’ve quit several times), try this link.

What’s due in class on 2/10: We will discuss story structure. In preparation, come with an outline/reporting plan for your article in digital form. It should have:

1. Headline for your story — you must write a headline, even just as a placeholder
2. Proposed story lede
3. Nut graph — you must write this nut graph (it should mirror your accepted pitch)
4. Body: list a few possible people to interview/sources of data and evidence.
5. Possible ending

1. Put your grammar corrected news event story in this google doc by the end of the day Wednesday 1/28 for Shelby and me to review and edit. See below reminders about what we’re looking for.
2. Fill out this form also by end of day Wednesday. I’ll nag you if I don’t receive it.
3. Read pitch for my story “America’s Hidden HIV Epidemic” and the final version of the article to discuss in class on 2/3.
4. Also, come prepared with three ideas for your first assignment — a feature story, based on news/trend of about 500 – 700 words. Be able to state how you came up each idea (why this story at this time?) You will choose one idea as your first assignment. It’s best to write down the pitches, but you don’t need to send them to me in advance.

Media Writing Reminders

Use spell check!

•Look carefully for repetition. 

•Read everything over. Even better, read it over out loud.

•Get rid of any passive voice. (It was written by zombies.)

•Replace “to be” with active or action verbs – especially “there is/there are.” (There are many grammar errors I don’t like.)