October 13 Writing Assignment

Here, once again, is the writing assignment for Monday, October 13:


Writing Assignment for Monday, October 13 (due at beginning of class period)

You’re to write a personality feature article suitable for publication in either:
a. a campus newspaper
b. the local newspaper (Warsaw Times-Union)
c. a hometown newspaper (such as the hometown paper of your subject)

Minimum 700 words, maximum 1,000

Use news style, but because it’s a personality feature story, you can loosen up a bit on issues like the inverted pyramid and the style of lead. Still no personal opinion, and use multiple sources (single-interview stories are thin).

If you are able to shoot several photos of the subject while interviewing them, please do so. If we get some stories I feel are worthy of it, I’ll suggest submitting them for publication.

Who on campus or in the local community would make a good profile subject? Here are some suggestions from the author of your text:

 A star athlete, especially what the person does off the field or court
 The college/university president
 An urban student coming to a rural university (or vice versa)
 Students who work and attend school
 Students who are married or have children
 Skydivers or students who partake in unusual hobbies
 People you don’t see or pay too much attention to (cafeteria cooks, groundskeepers, custodians, etc.)
 A security officer
 An average freshman
 A coach
 A student with a disability or the person who cares for that student

Our guest in class on October 13 will be Gary Gerard, the editor of the Warsaw Times-Union. As you read the text assignment for this coming week (pp. 102-110), please be thinking of questions to ask Mr. Gerard about how the local newspaper covers beats, police stories, obituaries, fires/disasters and local features.