This document provides guidance for students conducting group interviews and writing news stories. It outlines the steps to take for the interview process, including forming groups, researching topics, developing questions, and conducting interviews. It also provides instruction on writing news stories, including structuring the lead paragraph, using an inverted pyramid structure, incorporating quotes, and following journalistic style conventions. Editing tips are offered such as checking for spelling and grammar errors and ensuring stories are in past tense and third person.

1. Group
Interview
Practice of questioning,
interviewing & writing
techniques

2. Basics
Steps to take
① You have been grouped.
② Find out who are interviewing
③ Fill out story proposal
④ Background research
⑤ Write 15 questions in order
⑥ Prepare to conduct interview
& take notes
Always Ask
 Name
Spelling
 Class
Standing
 Title /Position
 Contact
Information

3. Groups
Group 1 • Rm. 105
NAMM Show
Group 2 * Rm. 106
OR/CA differences
Sandy Kenny
Giancarlo Nicole
Brennen Kiera
Nick Teri
Jordyn Andrea
Dylan Bryanna
Jillian Greta
Haley Karrera
Yedith Ally
Eden Chloe
Joseph

4. Respondent List • Spring 2014
Name School Yea
r
Topic
Mick Hangland-Skill MAA 11 Trip to NAMM show in
California.
Tyler Wickord CHS 12 Similarities and
differences between
where he grew up in CA
and now OR

5. Developing Questions
Activity
 Gather background information
 Develop Questioning for your
group’s Interviewing Assignment:
Developing Purpose &
Questions
–Work to refine question
with group
–Add follow up questions
Order questions 1-15
–Rewrite questions in order
on handout.
Targets
Develop questions using correct
questioning technique.

6. Homework
 Conduct additional background research
as needed.
 Finish developing questioning strategy.
 Come to next class prepared to be
professional.
 Have writing utensils and paper/note pad
ready to go.
 Dress appropriately to interview.

7. Developing Questions
Activity
 Interview subject
 Take notes on what
respondent says
 Pay attention to the language
they use
 Place quotation marks
around direct quotes in your
notes
 Make sure direct quotes are
exactly what respondent said
 Ask clarifying questions
 If time permits
 Rewrite notes
 Start writing story
Targets
Conduct interview using question
technique developed.
Take notes including direct quotations
of your respondent.
Ask follow-up questions
Ask for clarification
Remember to double check spelling of
Name
Figures
Facts

8. Respondent List • Spring 2014
Name School Yea
r
Topic
Mick Hangland-Skill MAA 11 Spring Break trip to
NAMM show in
California.
Tyler Robert
Wickord
CHS 12 Similarities and
differences between
where he grew up in CA
and now OR

9. Respondents are looking for:
Name
Q
1
Q
2
Q
3
Q
4
Thoughtful
Question
Questionson
Topic
Questions
Open0ended
Polite&
Courteous
Participated
Respondent will note yes or no for each column.

10. Writing a News Story: Steps
1. Find the most important (key) thought (fact).
2. Number the order of thoughts from most important to least.
3. Keep the lead less than 30 (35) words.
4. Include the what and who into the lead.
5. Include any significant amounts into lead. Remember people
want to know about money.
6. Place the most important facts first while writing.
7. Paragraphs less than 100 words.
8. Use lots of quotes with transitions between.

11.  First paragraph
 Less than 30 words long
 Captures gist of story
 Sums up the story’s most important facts.
 Contains 5W's + H
 What & Who most important
 Leads should not contain quotations.
Lede (or Lead)

12. Newswriting
Inverted Pyramid Style
• The most important
information
is at the top (beginning
of article)
• The least important
information is at the
bottom (end of article).
• Has the ability to
undergo cutoff test
(removing last section(s)
of story to quickly shorten
story).

13. Typing Story
 Header
 Name
 Insert Page X of Y
 Slug
 Date
 Period
 Page 1
 Start ⅓ to ½ way down
page
 Page 2
 Start at top
 Write – 30 - at bottom
Name
Slug(assignment name)
Date
Period
Page1of 1
Start assignment/story here. Use Minion ProMedium size14 font. Besureto double
spacestory copy. Writeparagraphsin block from puttingan extrareturn between each
paragraph.
Remember to useshort and concisesentiments. Usecolorful quotes with proper
attributes. Don’t forget all attributionsarein past tense. Thevery best attribution term to
useistheword said. Attributionsshould comeafter information. Every opinion must be
attributed. When you introduceanew sourcechangeto anew p aragraph.
Writeclear transitions connectingquotesand addingto thestory flow. Think as
transitionsasroad signspointingtheway for readersto follow .
⅓

14. Handing in Typed Assignments
 Use Minion Pro Medium
14 pts. font.
 Must have header with
 Name
 Page number (insert X of Y)
 Slug (assignment name)
 Date
 Period & Computer
 Must be double spaced
 Must leave room at top of
first page for comments.
Name
Slug(assignment name)
Date
Period
Page1of 1
Start assignment/story here. Use Minion ProMedium size14 font. Besureto double
spacestory copy. Writeparagraphsin block from puttingan extrareturn between each
paragraph.
Remember to useshort and concisesentiments. Usecolorful quotes with proper
attributes. Don’t forget all attributionsarein past tense. Thevery best attribution term to
useistheword said. Attributionsshould comeafter information. Every opinion must be
attributed. When you introduceanew sourcechangeto anew p aragraph.
Writeclear transitions connectingquotesand addingto thestory flow. Think as
transitionsasroad signspointingtheway for readersto follow .
⅓

15. Targets 1 • Rough Draft
 Write news style rough draft on computer
 Lede less than 30 words, capture story gist
 Inverted pyramid (important facts first)
 Paragraphs less than 100 words
 Use multiple styles of quotes
 Use correct attribution style
 “Quote,” Full Name, id, said.
 Think about content
 What was your purpose
 Use rich & thoughtful quotes

16. Targets 2 • Editing
Edit stories looking for the following:
 Lede less than 30 words, capture story gist
 Inverted pyramid (important facts first)
 Paragraphs less than 100 words
 Quotes
 Use multiple styles of quotes
 Use correct attribution style: “Quote,” Full Name, id, said.
 Written in past tense
 Written in third person
 Spelling & grammar errors
 Story matches purpose
 Use of rich & thoughtful quotes

17. Basic Copy
Editing Marks
 Use yellow sheet of
copy editing
symbols.

18. Stylebook
Use stylebook to develop journalistic copy style.
Use copy editing and proofing sheets to assist in editing copy into
journalistic style.
Use copy editing skills to edit worksheet.
1. Look at the table of contents for type of
error.
• Capitalization
• Abbreviations
• Identification of People
• Punctuation
• Numerals
• Miscellaneous
• Sports
2. Make corrections using proper copy
editing and proofing marks.
3. Remember to use past tense in attributions.
4. Be careful of
• D1, D4 (Titles & Identification)
• F2 (Numbers)
• G1 (opinion w/o attribution)
• G2 (Use of “that”)
• G# (not 3rd person)
Using the Stylebook

19. Targets 2 • Editing
Edit stories looking for the following:
 Lede less than 30 words, capture story gist
 Inverted pyramid (important facts first)
 Paragraphs less than 100 words
 Quotes
 Use multiple styles of quotes
 Use correct attribution style: “Quote,” Full Name, id, said.
 Written in past tense
 Written in third person
 Spelling & grammar errors
 Story matches purpose
 Use of rich & thoughtful quotes

20. In your group peer edit
 Journalism students use green pens.
1. Sit in circle and edit someone else’s story.
2. When done pass story to person on the
right for them to edit.
3. Repeat 1-3 until everyone has edited every
story.
 Time permitting, type changes to your story.

21. Targets 3 • Rewriting
Rewrite stories to include recommended edits.
Remember the following:
 Lede less than 30 words, capture story gist
 Inverted pyramid (important facts first)
 Paragraphs less than 100 words
 Quotes
 Use multiple styles of quotes
 Use correct attribution style: “Quote,” Full Name, id, said.
 Written in past tense
 Written in third person
 Spelling & grammar errors
 Story matches purpose
 Use of rich & thoughtful quotes

22. Targets 4 • Rewriting
Rewrite stories to include recommended edits.
Remember the following:
 Lede less than 30 words, capture story gist
 Inverted pyramid (important facts first)
 Paragraphs less than 100 words
 Quotes
 Use multiple styles of quotes
 Use correct attribution style: “Quote,” Full Name, id, said.
 Written in past tense
 Written in third person
 Spelling & grammar errors
 Story matches purpose
 Use of rich & thoughtful quotes

23. Group Interview Project
General Notes 1
9. Don’t reference interview, NEVER write
something like:
a.I am interviewing (insert name here)
b.I also asked (insert name here)...
c.I then asked…
d.My last question for (insert name here) was…
e.Is there anything you want to say to your …
f.When asked about…
g.When asked if…

24. Group Interview Project
General Notes 1
1. Don’t include all information; think about whether
or not the information is relative to story
2. Always use said, NEVER says
3. Always write in past tense when referencing
something which has happened by publication
4. Don’t use you or I, write in third person (G3)
5. Avoid the word “that” (G2)
6. Don’t include opinions without attribution (G1)
7. Use last name only on second reference (D4)
8. Don’t double identify (D1)

25. Group Interview Project
General Notes 3
10.Correct identity is dependent on story
topic
a.General stories: class standing
b.Sports: position played
c.Club: officer title
d.Teacher: school & class taught

26. Group Interview Project
General Notes 4
11. Our direct quote style is
a. “Quote words go here,” Full Name, id, said.
b.“I hope journalism students use correct direct quote
attribution style,” Lorraine Stratton, SSC journalism,
said.
c. “I hope yearbook students use correct direct quote
attribution style,” Lorraine Stratton, CHS yearbook,
said.
d.“Always do as Stratt says,” Natalie Folio, CHS
student, said.

27. Group Interview Project
General Notes 5
12. Varsity is not capitalized in a sentence
13. NEVER include a personal email in story
14. Always include a website link whenever
possible
15. No comma before a conjunction (E10)
16. Use paragraphs and keep them below
100 words.
17. Ledes should be < 30 words (no more
than 35)