The document provides guidance on writing feature stories. It explains that feature stories tell a story using a beginning, middle, and end with liberal use of quotes and vivid descriptions. It recommends using a lead to grab the reader's attention, a nut graph to summarize the story, and a transition/quote formula to move between facts and quotes. It also provides examples of different types of leads and emphasizes ending with a powerful quote or tying the ending back to the lead.
Specialized Language Mastery: Unlocking English for Specific Purposes (ESP)jgorpia
This module delves into the intricacies of English tailored to specific contexts, such as business, medicine, engineering, or academia. Through targeted lessons, practical exercises, and industry-specific vocabulary, learners will gain the linguistic expertise necessary to excel in their chosen field or domain. Whether you're a professional seeking to enhance communication skills or a student preparing for specialized studies, this module equips you with the language tools to navigate your particular area of expertise confidently.
Specialized Language Mastery: Unlocking English for Specific Purposes (ESP)jgorpia
This module delves into the intricacies of English tailored to specific contexts, such as business, medicine, engineering, or academia. Through targeted lessons, practical exercises, and industry-specific vocabulary, learners will gain the linguistic expertise necessary to excel in their chosen field or domain. Whether you're a professional seeking to enhance communication skills or a student preparing for specialized studies, this module equips you with the language tools to navigate your particular area of expertise confidently.
The French Revolution, which began in 1789, was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France. It marked the decline of absolute monarchies, the rise of secular and democratic republics, and the eventual rise of Napoleon Bonaparte. This revolutionary period is crucial in understanding the transition from feudalism to modernity in Europe.
For more information, visit-www.vavaclasses.com
Instructions for Submissions thorugh G- Classroom.pptxJheel Barad
This presentation provides a briefing on how to upload submissions and documents in Google Classroom. It was prepared as part of an orientation for new Sainik School in-service teacher trainees. As a training officer, my goal is to ensure that you are comfortable and proficient with this essential tool for managing assignments and fostering student engagement.
Operation “Blue Star” is the only event in the history of Independent India where the state went into war with its own people. Even after about 40 years it is not clear if it was culmination of states anger over people of the region, a political game of power or start of dictatorial chapter in the democratic setup.
The people of Punjab felt alienated from main stream due to denial of their just demands during a long democratic struggle since independence. As it happen all over the word, it led to militant struggle with great loss of lives of military, police and civilian personnel. Killing of Indira Gandhi and massacre of innocent Sikhs in Delhi and other India cities was also associated with this movement.
The Indian economy is classified into different sectors to simplify the analysis and understanding of economic activities. For Class 10, it's essential to grasp the sectors of the Indian economy, understand their characteristics, and recognize their importance. This guide will provide detailed notes on the Sectors of the Indian Economy Class 10, using specific long-tail keywords to enhance comprehension.
For more information, visit-www.vavaclasses.com
We all have good and bad thoughts from time to time and situation to situation. We are bombarded daily with spiraling thoughts(both negative and positive) creating all-consuming feel , making us difficult to manage with associated suffering. Good thoughts are like our Mob Signal (Positive thought) amidst noise(negative thought) in the atmosphere. Negative thoughts like noise outweigh positive thoughts. These thoughts often create unwanted confusion, trouble, stress and frustration in our mind as well as chaos in our physical world. Negative thoughts are also known as “distorted thinking”.
2024.06.01 Introducing a competency framework for languag learning materials ...Sandy Millin
http://sandymillin.wordpress.com/iateflwebinar2024
Published classroom materials form the basis of syllabuses, drive teacher professional development, and have a potentially huge influence on learners, teachers and education systems. All teachers also create their own materials, whether a few sentences on a blackboard, a highly-structured fully-realised online course, or anything in between. Despite this, the knowledge and skills needed to create effective language learning materials are rarely part of teacher training, and are mostly learnt by trial and error.
Knowledge and skills frameworks, generally called competency frameworks, for ELT teachers, trainers and managers have existed for a few years now. However, until I created one for my MA dissertation, there wasn’t one drawing together what we need to know and do to be able to effectively produce language learning materials.
This webinar will introduce you to my framework, highlighting the key competencies I identified from my research. It will also show how anybody involved in language teaching (any language, not just English!), teacher training, managing schools or developing language learning materials can benefit from using the framework.
The Roman Empire A Historical Colossus.pdfkaushalkr1407
The Roman Empire, a vast and enduring power, stands as one of history's most remarkable civilizations, leaving an indelible imprint on the world. It emerged from the Roman Republic, transitioning into an imperial powerhouse under the leadership of Augustus Caesar in 27 BCE. This transformation marked the beginning of an era defined by unprecedented territorial expansion, architectural marvels, and profound cultural influence.
The empire's roots lie in the city of Rome, founded, according to legend, by Romulus in 753 BCE. Over centuries, Rome evolved from a small settlement to a formidable republic, characterized by a complex political system with elected officials and checks on power. However, internal strife, class conflicts, and military ambitions paved the way for the end of the Republic. Julius Caesar’s dictatorship and subsequent assassination in 44 BCE created a power vacuum, leading to a civil war. Octavian, later Augustus, emerged victorious, heralding the Roman Empire’s birth.
Under Augustus, the empire experienced the Pax Romana, a 200-year period of relative peace and stability. Augustus reformed the military, established efficient administrative systems, and initiated grand construction projects. The empire's borders expanded, encompassing territories from Britain to Egypt and from Spain to the Euphrates. Roman legions, renowned for their discipline and engineering prowess, secured and maintained these vast territories, building roads, fortifications, and cities that facilitated control and integration.
The Roman Empire’s society was hierarchical, with a rigid class system. At the top were the patricians, wealthy elites who held significant political power. Below them were the plebeians, free citizens with limited political influence, and the vast numbers of slaves who formed the backbone of the economy. The family unit was central, governed by the paterfamilias, the male head who held absolute authority.
Culturally, the Romans were eclectic, absorbing and adapting elements from the civilizations they encountered, particularly the Greeks. Roman art, literature, and philosophy reflected this synthesis, creating a rich cultural tapestry. Latin, the Roman language, became the lingua franca of the Western world, influencing numerous modern languages.
Roman architecture and engineering achievements were monumental. They perfected the arch, vault, and dome, constructing enduring structures like the Colosseum, Pantheon, and aqueducts. These engineering marvels not only showcased Roman ingenuity but also served practical purposes, from public entertainment to water supply.
Students, digital devices and success - Andreas Schleicher - 27 May 2024..pptxEduSkills OECD
Andreas Schleicher presents at the OECD webinar ‘Digital devices in schools: detrimental distraction or secret to success?’ on 27 May 2024. The presentation was based on findings from PISA 2022 results and the webinar helped launch the PISA in Focus ‘Managing screen time: How to protect and equip students against distraction’ https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/education/managing-screen-time_7c225af4-en and the OECD Education Policy Perspective ‘Students, digital devices and success’ can be found here - https://oe.cd/il/5yV
How to Create Map Views in the Odoo 17 ERPCeline George
The map views are useful for providing a geographical representation of data. They allow users to visualize and analyze the data in a more intuitive manner.
2024 State of Marketing Report – by HubspotMarius Sescu
https://www.hubspot.com/state-of-marketing
· Scaling relationships and proving ROI
· Social media is the place for search, sales, and service
· Authentic influencer partnerships fuel brand growth
· The strongest connections happen via call, click, chat, and camera.
· Time saved with AI leads to more creative work
· Seeking: A single source of truth
· TLDR; Get on social, try AI, and align your systems.
· More human marketing, powered by robots
ChatGPT is a revolutionary addition to the world since its introduction in 2022. A big shift in the sector of information gathering and processing happened because of this chatbot. What is the story of ChatGPT? How is the bot responding to prompts and generating contents? Swipe through these slides prepared by Expeed Software, a web development company regarding the development and technical intricacies of ChatGPT!
The French Revolution, which began in 1789, was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France. It marked the decline of absolute monarchies, the rise of secular and democratic republics, and the eventual rise of Napoleon Bonaparte. This revolutionary period is crucial in understanding the transition from feudalism to modernity in Europe.
For more information, visit-www.vavaclasses.com
Instructions for Submissions thorugh G- Classroom.pptxJheel Barad
This presentation provides a briefing on how to upload submissions and documents in Google Classroom. It was prepared as part of an orientation for new Sainik School in-service teacher trainees. As a training officer, my goal is to ensure that you are comfortable and proficient with this essential tool for managing assignments and fostering student engagement.
Operation “Blue Star” is the only event in the history of Independent India where the state went into war with its own people. Even after about 40 years it is not clear if it was culmination of states anger over people of the region, a political game of power or start of dictatorial chapter in the democratic setup.
The people of Punjab felt alienated from main stream due to denial of their just demands during a long democratic struggle since independence. As it happen all over the word, it led to militant struggle with great loss of lives of military, police and civilian personnel. Killing of Indira Gandhi and massacre of innocent Sikhs in Delhi and other India cities was also associated with this movement.
The Indian economy is classified into different sectors to simplify the analysis and understanding of economic activities. For Class 10, it's essential to grasp the sectors of the Indian economy, understand their characteristics, and recognize their importance. This guide will provide detailed notes on the Sectors of the Indian Economy Class 10, using specific long-tail keywords to enhance comprehension.
For more information, visit-www.vavaclasses.com
We all have good and bad thoughts from time to time and situation to situation. We are bombarded daily with spiraling thoughts(both negative and positive) creating all-consuming feel , making us difficult to manage with associated suffering. Good thoughts are like our Mob Signal (Positive thought) amidst noise(negative thought) in the atmosphere. Negative thoughts like noise outweigh positive thoughts. These thoughts often create unwanted confusion, trouble, stress and frustration in our mind as well as chaos in our physical world. Negative thoughts are also known as “distorted thinking”.
2024.06.01 Introducing a competency framework for languag learning materials ...Sandy Millin
http://sandymillin.wordpress.com/iateflwebinar2024
Published classroom materials form the basis of syllabuses, drive teacher professional development, and have a potentially huge influence on learners, teachers and education systems. All teachers also create their own materials, whether a few sentences on a blackboard, a highly-structured fully-realised online course, or anything in between. Despite this, the knowledge and skills needed to create effective language learning materials are rarely part of teacher training, and are mostly learnt by trial and error.
Knowledge and skills frameworks, generally called competency frameworks, for ELT teachers, trainers and managers have existed for a few years now. However, until I created one for my MA dissertation, there wasn’t one drawing together what we need to know and do to be able to effectively produce language learning materials.
This webinar will introduce you to my framework, highlighting the key competencies I identified from my research. It will also show how anybody involved in language teaching (any language, not just English!), teacher training, managing schools or developing language learning materials can benefit from using the framework.
The Roman Empire A Historical Colossus.pdfkaushalkr1407
The Roman Empire, a vast and enduring power, stands as one of history's most remarkable civilizations, leaving an indelible imprint on the world. It emerged from the Roman Republic, transitioning into an imperial powerhouse under the leadership of Augustus Caesar in 27 BCE. This transformation marked the beginning of an era defined by unprecedented territorial expansion, architectural marvels, and profound cultural influence.
The empire's roots lie in the city of Rome, founded, according to legend, by Romulus in 753 BCE. Over centuries, Rome evolved from a small settlement to a formidable republic, characterized by a complex political system with elected officials and checks on power. However, internal strife, class conflicts, and military ambitions paved the way for the end of the Republic. Julius Caesar’s dictatorship and subsequent assassination in 44 BCE created a power vacuum, leading to a civil war. Octavian, later Augustus, emerged victorious, heralding the Roman Empire’s birth.
Under Augustus, the empire experienced the Pax Romana, a 200-year period of relative peace and stability. Augustus reformed the military, established efficient administrative systems, and initiated grand construction projects. The empire's borders expanded, encompassing territories from Britain to Egypt and from Spain to the Euphrates. Roman legions, renowned for their discipline and engineering prowess, secured and maintained these vast territories, building roads, fortifications, and cities that facilitated control and integration.
The Roman Empire’s society was hierarchical, with a rigid class system. At the top were the patricians, wealthy elites who held significant political power. Below them were the plebeians, free citizens with limited political influence, and the vast numbers of slaves who formed the backbone of the economy. The family unit was central, governed by the paterfamilias, the male head who held absolute authority.
Culturally, the Romans were eclectic, absorbing and adapting elements from the civilizations they encountered, particularly the Greeks. Roman art, literature, and philosophy reflected this synthesis, creating a rich cultural tapestry. Latin, the Roman language, became the lingua franca of the Western world, influencing numerous modern languages.
Roman architecture and engineering achievements were monumental. They perfected the arch, vault, and dome, constructing enduring structures like the Colosseum, Pantheon, and aqueducts. These engineering marvels not only showcased Roman ingenuity but also served practical purposes, from public entertainment to water supply.
Students, digital devices and success - Andreas Schleicher - 27 May 2024..pptxEduSkills OECD
Andreas Schleicher presents at the OECD webinar ‘Digital devices in schools: detrimental distraction or secret to success?’ on 27 May 2024. The presentation was based on findings from PISA 2022 results and the webinar helped launch the PISA in Focus ‘Managing screen time: How to protect and equip students against distraction’ https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/education/managing-screen-time_7c225af4-en and the OECD Education Policy Perspective ‘Students, digital devices and success’ can be found here - https://oe.cd/il/5yV
How to Create Map Views in the Odoo 17 ERPCeline George
The map views are useful for providing a geographical representation of data. They allow users to visualize and analyze the data in a more intuitive manner.
2024 State of Marketing Report – by HubspotMarius Sescu
https://www.hubspot.com/state-of-marketing
· Scaling relationships and proving ROI
· Social media is the place for search, sales, and service
· Authentic influencer partnerships fuel brand growth
· The strongest connections happen via call, click, chat, and camera.
· Time saved with AI leads to more creative work
· Seeking: A single source of truth
· TLDR; Get on social, try AI, and align your systems.
· More human marketing, powered by robots
ChatGPT is a revolutionary addition to the world since its introduction in 2022. A big shift in the sector of information gathering and processing happened because of this chatbot. What is the story of ChatGPT? How is the bot responding to prompts and generating contents? Swipe through these slides prepared by Expeed Software, a web development company regarding the development and technical intricacies of ChatGPT!
Product Design Trends in 2024 | Teenage EngineeringsPixeldarts
The realm of product design is a constantly changing environment where technology and style intersect. Every year introduces fresh challenges and exciting trends that mold the future of this captivating art form. In this piece, we delve into the significant trends set to influence the look and functionality of product design in the year 2024.
How Race, Age and Gender Shape Attitudes Towards Mental HealthThinkNow
Mental health has been in the news quite a bit lately. Dozens of U.S. states are currently suing Meta for contributing to the youth mental health crisis by inserting addictive features into their products, while the U.S. Surgeon General is touring the nation to bring awareness to the growing epidemic of loneliness and isolation. The country has endured periods of low national morale, such as in the 1970s when high inflation and the energy crisis worsened public sentiment following the Vietnam War. The current mood, however, feels different. Gallup recently reported that national mental health is at an all-time low, with few bright spots to lift spirits.
To better understand how Americans are feeling and their attitudes towards mental health in general, ThinkNow conducted a nationally representative quantitative survey of 1,500 respondents and found some interesting differences among ethnic, age and gender groups.
Technology
For example, 52% agree that technology and social media have a negative impact on mental health, but when broken out by race, 61% of Whites felt technology had a negative effect, and only 48% of Hispanics thought it did.
While technology has helped us keep in touch with friends and family in faraway places, it appears to have degraded our ability to connect in person. Staying connected online is a double-edged sword since the same news feed that brings us pictures of the grandkids and fluffy kittens also feeds us news about the wars in Israel and Ukraine, the dysfunction in Washington, the latest mass shooting and the climate crisis.
Hispanics may have a built-in defense against the isolation technology breeds, owing to their large, multigenerational households, strong social support systems, and tendency to use social media to stay connected with relatives abroad.
Age and Gender
When asked how individuals rate their mental health, men rate it higher than women by 11 percentage points, and Baby Boomers rank it highest at 83%, saying it’s good or excellent vs. 57% of Gen Z saying the same.
Gen Z spends the most amount of time on social media, so the notion that social media negatively affects mental health appears to be correlated. Unfortunately, Gen Z is also the generation that’s least comfortable discussing mental health concerns with healthcare professionals. Only 40% of them state they’re comfortable discussing their issues with a professional compared to 60% of Millennials and 65% of Boomers.
Race Affects Attitudes
As seen in previous research conducted by ThinkNow, Asian Americans lag other groups when it comes to awareness of mental health issues. Twenty-four percent of Asian Americans believe that having a mental health issue is a sign of weakness compared to the 16% average for all groups. Asians are also considerably less likely to be aware of mental health services in their communities (42% vs. 55%) and most likely to seek out information on social media (51% vs. 35%).
AI Trends in Creative Operations 2024 by Artwork Flow.pdfmarketingartwork
This article is all about what AI trends will emerge in the field of creative operations in 2024. All the marketers and brand builders should be aware of these trends for their further use and save themselves some time!
A report by thenetworkone and Kurio.
The contributing experts and agencies are (in an alphabetical order): Sylwia Rytel, Social Media Supervisor, 180heartbeats + JUNG v MATT (PL), Sharlene Jenner, Vice President - Director of Engagement Strategy, Abelson Taylor (USA), Alex Casanovas, Digital Director, Atrevia (ES), Dora Beilin, Senior Social Strategist, Barrett Hoffher (USA), Min Seo, Campaign Director, Brand New Agency (KR), Deshé M. Gully, Associate Strategist, Day One Agency (USA), Francesca Trevisan, Strategist, Different (IT), Trevor Crossman, CX and Digital Transformation Director; Olivia Hussey, Strategic Planner; Simi Srinarula, Social Media Manager, The Hallway (AUS), James Hebbert, Managing Director, Hylink (CN / UK), Mundy Álvarez, Planning Director; Pedro Rojas, Social Media Manager; Pancho González, CCO, Inbrax (CH), Oana Oprea, Head of Digital Planning, Jam Session Agency (RO), Amy Bottrill, Social Account Director, Launch (UK), Gaby Arriaga, Founder, Leonardo1452 (MX), Shantesh S Row, Creative Director, Liwa (UAE), Rajesh Mehta, Chief Strategy Officer; Dhruv Gaur, Digital Planning Lead; Leonie Mergulhao, Account Supervisor - Social Media & PR, Medulla (IN), Aurelija Plioplytė, Head of Digital & Social, Not Perfect (LI), Daiana Khaidargaliyeva, Account Manager, Osaka Labs (UK / USA), Stefanie Söhnchen, Vice President Digital, PIABO Communications (DE), Elisabeth Winiartati, Managing Consultant, Head of Global Integrated Communications; Lydia Aprina, Account Manager, Integrated Marketing and Communications; Nita Prabowo, Account Manager, Integrated Marketing and Communications; Okhi, Web Developer, PNTR Group (ID), Kei Obusan, Insights Director; Daffi Ranandi, Insights Manager, Radarr (SG), Gautam Reghunath, Co-founder & CEO, Talented (IN), Donagh Humphreys, Head of Social and Digital Innovation, THINKHOUSE (IRE), Sarah Yim, Strategy Director, Zulu Alpha Kilo (CA).
Trends In Paid Search: Navigating The Digital Landscape In 2024Search Engine Journal
The search marketing landscape is evolving rapidly with new technologies, and professionals, like you, rely on innovative paid search strategies to meet changing demands.
It’s important that you’re ready to implement new strategies in 2024.
Check this out and learn the top trends in paid search advertising that are expected to gain traction, so you can drive higher ROI more efficiently in 2024.
You’ll learn:
- The latest trends in AI and automation, and what this means for an evolving paid search ecosystem.
- New developments in privacy and data regulation.
- Emerging ad formats that are expected to make an impact next year.
Watch Sreekant Lanka from iQuanti and Irina Klein from OneMain Financial as they dive into the future of paid search and explore the trends, strategies, and technologies that will shape the search marketing landscape.
If you’re looking to assess your paid search strategy and design an industry-aligned plan for 2024, then this webinar is for you.
5 Public speaking tips from TED - Visualized summarySpeakerHub
From their humble beginnings in 1984, TED has grown into the world’s most powerful amplifier for speakers and thought-leaders to share their ideas. They have over 2,400 filmed talks (not including the 30,000+ TEDx videos) freely available online, and have hosted over 17,500 events around the world.
With over one billion views in a year, it’s no wonder that so many speakers are looking to TED for ideas on how to share their message more effectively.
The article “5 Public-Speaking Tips TED Gives Its Speakers”, by Carmine Gallo for Forbes, gives speakers five practical ways to connect with their audience, and effectively share their ideas on stage.
Whether you are gearing up to get on a TED stage yourself, or just want to master the skills that so many of their speakers possess, these tips and quotes from Chris Anderson, the TED Talks Curator, will encourage you to make the most impactful impression on your audience.
See the full article and more summaries like this on SpeakerHub here: https://speakerhub.com/blog/5-presentation-tips-ted-gives-its-speakers
See the original article on Forbes here:
http://www.forbes.com/forbes/welcome/?toURL=http://www.forbes.com/sites/carminegallo/2016/05/06/5-public-speaking-tips-ted-gives-its-speakers/&refURL=&referrer=#5c07a8221d9b
ChatGPT and the Future of Work - Clark Boyd Clark Boyd
Everyone is in agreement that ChatGPT (and other generative AI tools) will shape the future of work. Yet there is little consensus on exactly how, when, and to what extent this technology will change our world.
Businesses that extract maximum value from ChatGPT will use it as a collaborative tool for everything from brainstorming to technical maintenance.
For individuals, now is the time to pinpoint the skills the future professional will need to thrive in the AI age.
Check out this presentation to understand what ChatGPT is, how it will shape the future of work, and how you can prepare to take advantage.
A brief introduction to DataScience with explaining of the concepts, algorithms, machine learning, supervised and unsupervised learning, clustering, statistics, data preprocessing, real-world applications etc.
It's part of a Data Science Corner Campaign where I will be discussing the fundamentals of DataScience, AIML, Statistics etc.
Time Management & Productivity - Best PracticesVit Horky
Here's my presentation on by proven best practices how to manage your work time effectively and how to improve your productivity. It includes practical tips and how to use tools such as Slack, Google Apps, Hubspot, Google Calendar, Gmail and others.
The six step guide to practical project managementMindGenius
The six step guide to practical project management
If you think managing projects is too difficult, think again.
We’ve stripped back project management processes to the
basics – to make it quicker and easier, without sacrificing
the vital ingredients for success.
“If you’re looking for some real-world guidance, then The Six Step Guide to Practical Project Management will help.”
Dr Andrew Makar, Tactical Project Management
2. Feature Writing …
tells the reader a story. It has a
beginning (lead), middle and end.
It uses quotes liberally and allows
the reader to see the story through
detailed description and vivid
writing.
3. Transition/Quote
Formula
Lead: Most interesting information.
Something that will grab the reader's attention
and drag them into the story.
Nut Graph: A summary of what the story
is going to be about. Why the story is
important.
Direct Quote: Connects to the nut graph.
Use more than one sentence. Direct quotes
should show the emotion of the story.
Transition: Next important fact. Use
transition words to help the story flow. They
can be facts, indirect quotes or partial quotes.
Direct Quote: Connects to the first
transition. Do not repeat the transition in the
quote. DQ should elaborate on the transition.
Transition: Next important fact. Use
transition words to help the story flow. They
can be facts, indirect quotes or partial quotes.
Direct Quote: Connects to the second
transition. Do not repeat the transition in the
quote. DQ should elaborate on the transition.
Linked
Linked
Linked
And so on… until the story is complete
5. The opening sentence must grab and
hold the reader's attention by using
specific, interest-arousing words.
Leads
6. The lead must catch the spirit of the story
and create the proper tone: serious,
sarcastic, ironic, flippant, melancholy.
Leads
7. Leads
Can be and often are longer than one
sentence
Your chance to grab the reader's
attention
Should be specific to your story
Should not be filled with cliches
Should be in third person
Must fit the mood or tone of the story
8. A Few Types of Leads
Narrative - tells a story
Descriptive - describes a scene, person or
subject
Direct Quote – must be used with narrative
Startling statement
Contrast and Compare (then and now)
Twist
9. Narrative - tells a story
Justin Greer's 2,800 friends have never seen him cry.
His father has seen him cry only once — the day last
October when doctors told the 16-year-old football player
that what he thought was a bad case of the flu was actually
leukemia.
“He cried a bit then,” Mr. Greer said. “But then he
squared off and said, ‘Well, I’m not dead yet.’ And I
haven't seen him cry since, although he's told me that
sometimes he cries at night when he's all alone.”
10. Narrative - tells a story
On senior Alicia Brigg's two-hour trip with her
parents to church, she turned around and noticed that in
the back of the Suburban all her bags were packed.
“All of the sudden, I realized I wasn't going to
church; I was on my way to the airport,” she said. “I
started screaming, crying and swearing at my dad,
trying to figure out what was happening.”
That's when her dad told his 17-year-old daughter he
had put her up for adoption.
11. Descriptive - describes a scene/person
It is 7:30 Thursday night and the Presbyterian
Church of Utica is deserted except for its well-lit
cafeteria.
Slowly they straggle in, single or in pairs. They are a
friendly, yet haggard group, bearing the signs of a long
emotional struggle.
They are the parents of problem teenagers. There are
no straight-A-honor roll students here. No football
captains or cheerleaders. Only drug addicts, alcoholics
and runaways.
12. Descriptive
It's too disturbing to watch the big screen TV at his
cousin's house. Too soon. Too real.
Instead, using his index fingers, Joshua Joseph twiddles
a Dove soap box, the one he used to scribble telephone
numbers on when he was evacuating.
He flips the box around. There's his girlfriend's number.
Backward.
His best friend's digits.
Forward.
His coach's number.
This is Joseph's cell phone now. His real one is lost,
somewhere back in New Orleans along with most of his
clothes, his family's house and life as he knew it.
13. Descriptive - describes a scene or person
Standing in the lunch line, the boy turned to April Haler
and asked, “Will you be my girlfriend?”
Then he turned to his buddy and started laughing.
Just another cruel joke on the fat kid.
April, who once weighed almost 300 pounds, is used to
them. Since elementary school she has been teased and
taunted about her weight.
“I remember being called horrible names in elementary
school every time we went to the playground,” the
sophomore said.
But life is changing.
14. Descriptive - describes a scene or person
Sarah Clark knows what they think. The smirks. The laughs.
The way the other girls, all week long in cheerleading practice,
have been rolling their eyes.
They think she's a joke.
They think she's a big fat joke of an eighth grader with no
prayer of becoming a high school cheerleader.
Minutes before her tryout, Sarah paces the corridor. She
sweeps the waves of her long copper hair back over her
shoulder. She tugs up on her socks and down on her cheerleader
skirt, pressed the night before.
Then, with her eyes open and in the privacy of her mind, she
mutters a prayer.
Dear God, please …
By 8 p.m. she’ll have her answer.
15. Direct Quote - use sparingly. Must be very
powerful quote
“Don't be mad. I took some pills,” Karen Keaton
cried as she stooped over the toilet.
A few hours later, the 14-year-old freshman died
after a series of coronary arrests.
16. Direct Quote - use sparingly.
“Coach Hawkins!”
Brad Hawkins, the longtime Westlake athletic
trainer, recognized Coach Steven Ramsey's voice
over the noise of the spectators behind him. But he
had never heard Ramsey's voice like that.
Hawkins ran to Ramsey, who was crouched
over varsity player Matt Nader pleading with the
athlete.
“Hang in there.”
“Don't leave us.”
“Everything's going to be all right.”
17. Startling Statement - creates
drama
She never knew she had it.
______________________________________
Junior Josh Duckworth has a fetish.
18. Startling Statement/Narrative/Descriptive
Zackary Jargowsky hates pronouns.
He hates the “she” that sometimes slips out
when he's playing Quidditch with his friends, and the
“it” he's been labeled by the ones who don't understand.
He hates the prolonged stares as people try to
figure out what is going on beneath his “Nightmare
Before Christmas” hoodie and plaid, vertical striped
shirts — the ones the stylist said would help.
19. Startling Statement - creates
drama
Melissa hates school.
It's not that she's dumb. It isn’t that she doesn’t
fit in socially. In fact, it isn’t that anything is
particularly wrong.
It's more of a matter of nothing being particularly
right.
20. A group of candystripers stand around the nursery, holding
incubator babies. It's “loving time.” Another young girl steps in with
her mother and picks up a baby, too. She is not in a uniform, but in a
hospital gown, for the baby she holds is her own — and it's her
“loving time.”
It's also time to say good-bye.
“I sat in that rocker and held him and rocked him and I cried
and cried and cried,” Amber, a senior, said. “I wanted that moment to
last forever so I could always hold him and always be there for him.”
“But I knew I couldn't. That's what hurt.”
Twist - sets reader up for one mood and then
twists it, surprises the reader
21. Twist
How many children do you have?
A simple question. Unassuming. Perfect for small talk.
But Jim and Julie Silcock stumble.
Dec. 29, 2002 flashes in front of them. And they don't know
what to do.
Haltingly, Julie responds. We have one son named James. He
is a junior at Princeton.
But the questions don’t end there. For the past six years, they
never have.
22. After tension-filled hours of last-minute
primping, the time had come for the contestants
to walk into the arena and strut their stuff in
front of the three judges and an appreciative
crowd.
Some walked briskly with an air of
confidence. Others, distracted by the lights and
cameras, shuffled along slowly. A few, overcome
by the pressure, foamed at the mouth and
mooed.
Another Twist
23. Even though Saturday's market steer
competition at the Austin-Travis County Livestock
Show and Rodeo was like many other beauty
pageants, there were some obvious differences.
The contestants — steers weighing more than
half a ton — were being judged on the type of T-
bones and rump roasts they would turn into
instead of their appearance in an evening gown or
bathing suit.
24. A few more good ones …
By his own admission, Adan Peña was a lousy
student. Lazy. Apathetic. A typical junior high slacker. He
was heading in the direction of dropping out of school and
into a life of who knows what — at best, working on a
dairy farm. At worst, jail.
25. A few more good ones …
Louis Staggers smiles all the time. Not often. All.
The. Time.
“Louis is that kid who walks the hallway with the
biggest smile on his face,” says John Osborn, head
basketball coach at Belton High School.
26. Writing devices for leads
Repetition (Melissa)
Short, punchy sentences. Fragments. (Joshua, Louis)
Using dialogue (adoption, Matt)
Mixing sentence length to set a rhythm (adopt, rodeo)
Breaking the rules … starting with “And”
27. The lead should open
with the specific,
then go to the general.
28. Rather than:
With America engaged in a war in Iraq, many
students know U.S. military men who have lost
their lives.
Leaguetown lost one of its own last month
when Nicolas Barrera was killed in Iraq.
29. Try this:
When Briana Barrera didn’t hear from her son,
Nicolas, for a week she knew something was
wrong. Maybe it was mother's intuition, but she
knew.
And when she saw two officers walking toward
her door, her worst fear was confirmed.
“The officers said they were sorry to deliver the
news, but Nicolas died with honor,” she said.
“Dying with honor? How does that help? My heart
was breaking. My boy was gone.”
30. • News or editorials leads. Avoid
first and second person.
• Stating the obvious.
• Using cliches.
• “Imagine this…” leads
Lead writing pitfalls:
31. Freshman Sarah Clark made the cheerleader
squad for the 2007-08 school year.
Congratulations to Sarah Clark for making the
cheerleading squad. We are proud of her.
No news or editorials leads.
Avoid first and second person
32. Every day, millions of people wake up, go to
work or go to school. But some days, they don't.
Millions of teenagers have jobs. They work
for many reasons: college, cars, just to have
some spending money in their pocket.
Don't state the obvious
33. Take one for the team.
Life is short.
And the winner is . . .
No cliches
34. Do not “Imagine this…”
Imagine what it would be like to sit through
a hurricane.
Dallas-resident Carly Patty doesn’t have to.
She was stranded in Galveston during
Hurricane Ike.
Imagine what it would be like to be on a boat
that is sinking in the middle of the ocean.
Daniel Palacios doesn’t have to imagine. He
was on his grandfather's boat over spring break
when it capsized.
35. Senior Daniel Palacios planned to spend
spring break on a relaxing fishing trip in Port
Aransas with his father, grandfather and two uncles.
Instead, he spent most of the week praying to stay
alive.
Try this instead…
38. What is a nut graph?
Basically, it is a summary of what
the story is going to be about. It's the
5 Ws and H that you didn’t answer
in the lead.
It's the thesis sentence of your
story.
39. Senior Daniel Palacios planned to spend spring
break on a relaxing fishing trip in Port Aransas with
his father, grandfather and two uncles. Instead, he
spent most of the week praying to stay alive.
On the second night of Daniel's family fishing trip,
his grandfather's boat filled with water and capsized.
For three days, Daniel sat on top of the capsized boat,
hoping he and his family would be rescued.
“I don’t know if I have ever prayed so much in my
life,” Daniel said. “I made a few bargains with God
during those three days.”
On the third day, after the Coast Guard called off
its search, a fishing boat found the men.
“It was a miracle,” Daniel said. “As soon as we
were rescued, we all got on our knees to pray and
thank God.”
The Nut
Graph
41. After a strong lead and an
informative nut graph…
Use the Transition/Quote
formula
42. Senior Daniel Palacios planned to spend spring break on a
relaxing fishing trip in Port Aransas with his father,
grandfather and two uncles. Instead, he spent most of the
week praying to stay alive.
On the second night of Daniel's family fishing trip, his
grandfather's boat filled with water and capsized. For three
days, Daniel sat on top of the capsized boat, hoping he and
his family would be rescued.
“I don’t know if I have ever prayed so much in my life,”
Daniel said. “I made a few bargains with God during those
three days.”
On the third day, after the Coast Guard called off its
search, a fishing boat found the men.
“It was a miracle,” Daniel said. “As soon as we were
rescued, we all got on our knees to pray and thank God.”
transition
direct quote
43. On April 2, Daniel will share his miracle story when he
and his family go on the “Today Show.”
“I am a little hesitant to go on the ‘Today Show,’” Daniel
said. “I am a pretty shy guy, and I don't relish the spotlight.
My grandparents love that show, though. My dad and I knew
it would be a highlight of my grandpa's life if he was on the
show.”
Daniel's “miracle” story began on March 11 when his
grandfather's boat started sinking.
“We tried to pump the water out, but the pumps wouldn’t
start,” he said. “It took about three hours for the boat to fill
and capsize. My grandfather fired off three flares, hoping a
nearby oil rig would see us, but no one came.”
As the boat filled with water, Daniel's father passed out
life jackets.
“He said the plan was to sit on top of the boat until we
were rescued,” he said. “My dad managed to get several
packages of crackers and candy bars into a bag just as the boat
was capsizing.”
transition
direct quote
transition
direct quote
direct quote
transition
45. End your story with …
- A powerful quote
Or
- Tie the ending back to the lead
46. For example:
(Lead) “Don't be mad. I took some pills,” Karen
Keaton cried as she stooped over the toilet.
A few hours later, the 14-year-old freshman
died after a series of coronary arrests.
(Ending) Since the death of her oldest daughter, the
Keatons have found themselves becoming more
protective. “I find myself watching for things,” Mrs.
Keaton said. “I’m not sure for what. I’m just
watching.”
47. For example:
(Lead) A group of candystripers stand around the
nursery, holding incubator babies. It's “loving time.”
Another young girls steps in with her mother and picks
up a baby, too. She is not in a uniform, but a in a
hospital gown, for the baby she holds is her own — and
it's her “loving time.”
It's also time to say good-bye.
“I sat in that rocker and held him and rocked
him and I cried and cried and cried,” Amber, a senior,
said. “I wanted that moment to last forever so I could
always hold him and always be there for him.”
“But I knew I couldn’t. That's what hurt.”
48. (Ending) This was evident as she stated the one word that
described the whole ordeal:
“Pain,” she said, tears streaming down her cheeks
and falling onto her sweater.
“True pain.”
49. For a Strong Feature Story
remember this …
GQ STUDD
51. Yes, you can …
Use the first name on the second
reference if the story is about a
student.
Add plausible description to flesh
out your lead
Have a lead longer than one
paragraph
52. Pitfalls to avoid in feature writing …
Using a news lead
Writing in the passive voice
Using too many adverbs and adjectives
instead of specific nouns and powerful
verbs
Messy handwriting
Story doesn’t flow – doesn’t use T/Q
formula
Lack of strong quotes
53. On contest day …
Read the entire prompt
Take a moment. Remember what
stands out to you. Try to use that for your
lead.
Reread the prompt and highlight or
underline powerful quotes.
Also, mark your nut graph (usually
the news peg) in the prompt.
Cross out any unnecessary quotes or
people.
Write.