Folks—a few of you have been talking about having trouble “framing the story.” This is a key skill in storytelling: What is the “framework,” or approach to the material. Please plan to post this week something about your finding a frame/ having trouble framing/ an example of framing/ an example of lack of framing, etc. I will find some “well-framed” stories to post so we can talk about. See ya at Starbucks...
So I’ve run into a major roadblock in my junior paper reporting project. I had planned to write about the domestic development of microfinance programs, but the organizations won’t allow me to interview/access any of their “clients” (the low-income families in the US receiving the loans). The best people I’m getting access to are the director of communications at these organizations.
Would it be unethical to contact the businesses without informing the public relations people (I think it would be ... ). Without these interviews though the reporting aspect of the junior paper/thesis would be strictly a research paper for the most part, which I’m not that interested in doing and I’m not sure how to “frame” this and/or how to pursue the subject anymore ... (Maybe it’s time to move to another topic?)
Tas—it would not be “unethical,” per se, to get in touch with them without going through PR ... but NOT going through PR, you run the risk of alienating the people in the PR office, whom you need to have on your side to help you grease the wheelse. If there is a way that you can find direct sources without alienating, then go ahead—do it. Remember (as I am sure you know) the PR people are there for two reasons—to help you, but also to shield their people/the company they prepresent from harm or bad press. Thus, the unquiet relationship between us and the PR folks. Good to have them on your side. Bad to have them stonewall you. Tell us what happens....
Also—the story you asked about, re a “model” for how to write this, is the Akron Beakon Puylitzer Prize piece on Goodyear takeover. I am looking for it as we speak on the Pulitzer site. It is a business story—with a lot of deep back-room dealins, but it is written as a narrative, and very accessible and dramatic. Great model for the piece you are talking about!
Dear Folks—attached are two stories for you to read and soak up and comment on:
“Where’s Auntie” is a wonderfully framed—it’s done as a list!—story about a Haitian detainee. The other—Library—is a profile of a library, which, to my mind, represents the best kind of “typical” writing we can do: ie, let’s write about the new library./.. let’s write about a store opening… let’s write about a teacher who got anaward, etc… the “yawner” stories that can either make us crazy, or can be a writing challenge: How can I make this small story beautiful, memorable.
Please read and comment before the week is up. Some of you are sleeping out there!!!!!
Thanks for the helpful posts, Mary Ann. Both stories you posted were great examples.
I just finished a news feature about an initiative to encourage students with learning disabilities to pursue degrees and careers in the STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).
I was able to frame it by talking to a 42-year-old student who has dyslexia. He has an incredible story. I’ll post it as soon as the Chronicle publishes it. This is the story I’m most proud to have written during my internship.
This is why I love journalism. Telling people’s stories never gets old.
I will log again tomorrow to over the paper work in more detail--my eyes are worn out from looking at a screen all day. But here are three links to stories I am particularly proud of. I am proud of the pieces I’ve written under Charlie because they have pushed me in various ways. (1) Before Charlie I use to wing interviews, now I try really hard to do a lot of background (2) Charlie has a tendency to ask for very detailed-oriented questions so I think outside the box when I interview to make sure I keep the boss happy and lastly, (3) I feel my writing has improved significantly since I started working for the link.
Nevertheless, these three stories are examples as to how much I’ve stretched. I’m bilingual, but I always felt more comfortable writing in English so when it came time to write these stories I had to push my Spanish to the limit. I am proud of the result.
ASHLEY—this is such great news. Frame City. I will keep posting good “framing examples,” as examples of good story conception/ strong writing is the best way to learn, at least I think. Please post when done! Can’t wait....
OTHERs- WHERE ARE YOU??? This is not good to not get the benefit of this coaching space. Hope to “see you” soon…
Nevertheless, these three stories are examples as to how much I’ve stretched. I’m bilingual, but I always felt more comfortable writing in English so when it came time to write these stories I had to push my Spanish to the limit. I am proud of the result.
Louis—¿Existe una traducción al Inglés a estos? We would like to see!
[size=4]Another wonderfully framed story… Frame that Story! Frame that story.... comments, pls [/size]
Despair amid allegations, inquiry
By THOMAS LAKE and JEFFREY S. SOLOCHEK
Published February 22, 2007
________________________________________
TRINITY - Seven Springs Middle School throbbed with rumors last Friday as the principal sent parents a list of vague reassurances.
Appropriate steps had been taken, he said in the letter. The sheriff was investigating a complaint of “inappropriate electronic communications” between an employee and a student. The employee had been placed on leave. No more information could be provided.
On the same day a few miles east, a science teacher named Stephan Brown left home in a green Ford Explorer. He sent text messages to his wife from the road, telling her not to look for him.
The last message said he wanted to be with his dog, referred to in a sheriff’s incident report as “his big buddy.”
The dog had been dead for some time.
* * *
Brown was 47, with a master’s degree from the University of South Florida, and he had taught in Pasco County since 1993. He lived in Land O’Lakes with his wife, Beth Brown, the principal of John Long Middle School in Wesley Chapel. He was known for excellence.
“Mr. Brown is a force in the science lab,” his principal, Chris Christoff, wrote in an evaluation two years ago. “He has the ability to inspire even the most withdrawn students to love the scientific process.”
It is not clear exactly what the allegations were, or who made them, but sheriff’s investigators called the school last week. They wanted a look at Brown’s computer.
Brown was placed on paid administrative leave during the investigation, district spokeswoman Tammy Rabon said. The Sheriff’s Office would not release the case documents. Spokesman Kevin Doll said they involved an allegation of child abuse, but it was not substantiated and the investigation was closed.
Doll said deputies have since begun another criminal investigation of Brown, separate from the first. He would not say what it was about, but he did say he had not seen any evidence to suggest children had been in danger.
Brown’s wife called the Sheriff’s Office on Sunday to report him missing. She said he was despondent over losing the job he loved.
* * *
A deputy found the green Explorer on Monday in the parking lot of the YMCA in Trinity, barely a mile from Seven Springs Middle School. An activities counselor and her students found Brown on the ropes course.
He wore a blue Old Navy sweatshirt and white New Balance sneakers. Around his neck was a yellow-green nylon rope.
Brown wrote on his job application that his greatest pleasure in teaching came from knowing he had a positive influence on a child’s life.
About six children saw his body hanging.
Thomas Lake can be reached at or 1-800-333-7505, ext. 6245.
The story itself is spooky especially since the headline doesn’t give it away - but definitely well framed and a really creative way to tell the story!
isn’t it a beaut??
Tasnim—the story I wanted to give you from the Pulitzers is not archived digitally on the Pulitzer site (pulitzer.org)—it was the Akron Beakon Journal’s piece on the takeover at Goodyear. Beautiful. A business story but reads like butter. It is in the Pulitzer books, tho’—think the year was 87 but might want to check. I am sure you have those books at your your library ... The Pulitzer Prizes, (by year)....
Also, good exercise for you to scroll thru the Pulitzers (Pulitzer.org) on EXPLANATORY journalism.... that will help you in your quest on how to turn your piece into something highly readable… miss u guys
Thanks Mary Ann! I’ll look into it. I’ve actually since changed my topic to immigration reform and writing about two non-residents facing deportation ... I didn’t feel comfortable going behind the P.R. person’s back to contact the businesses they had given micro-finance loans to. (Maybe I was being too much of a wimp?)
I’m sorry I missed your posting regarding my Spanish reports, but that’s just it. They are written in Spanish because they had to be without the room to be translated--I had never covered anything in Spanish.
I’m sorry I missed your posting regarding my Spanish reports, but that’s just it. They are written in Spanish because they had to be without the room to be translated--I had never covered anything in Spanish.
No prob—I wthink we should talk about making your “Objectivity Dilemma” a Chips Achievement Prize entry! —lets talk about it in Starbucks.
