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Writing Profile Articles

Writing Profile Articles. Holly Harrison Jessica Fogarty John Ransone Saundra Thomas William Thompson. Interviewing. Before you go- do a google search- find out as much as you can about the person before you interview them. Prepare- by have questions you want to ask them ready

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Writing Profile Articles

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  1. Writing Profile Articles Holly Harrison Jessica Fogarty John Ransone Saundra Thomas William Thompson

  2. Interviewing • Before you go- do a google search- find out as much as you can about the person before you interview them. • Prepare- by have questions you want to ask them ready • Start with basics- history, age, hometown, parents, family, college, jobs, property owned. Be sure to check spelling of names, etc. • Be observant- what do they wear? What surrounds this person? Office pictures, personal appearance. Paint a picture of the room and the person. • Search for success- what draws you to this person? What obstacles have they overcome? • Dig for details- What are their dreams? Find obscure and interesting facts about them. • Look for insights-How do they relax? What do they read or watch on TV?

  3. Question Ideas • History -How has the past shaped this person? -Childhood? Education? Mentors? Tragedies and triumphs? Obstacles? -More formative experiences? • Qualities -What actions and behaviors of theirs exhibit these qualities? -How have qualities affected subject’s fortunes and life? • Values and Standards -Strongest beliefs? How have their shaped actions? Include lifestyle and spiritual goals? -How are they similar or different from others? To what extent? -Where did he/she acquire standards, values, and goals? • Impact -How does subject affect people around him/her? Pos/neg? Incidents to show this. -Who is affected? Directly? Indirectly? -How is subjected affected by circumstances that have come up in their life? -What is saddest/happiest thing that has ever happened to them?

  4. More Question Ideas… • Countermoves -How are others responding to your subject and his/her attitudes? Show in specific indcidents? • Future -What does subject think future looks like? -What do others think it looks like? -What would he/she like to be doing in 5,10, or 20 years? -What are their dreams, fears? -Do they consider themselves optimistic or pessimistic?

  5. Different ways to ask questions: • Keep your questions short. • Ask only one question at a time. An example to avoid: "Why did you do it, and what do you think is going to happen next?" That gives the person the option of answering neither or either. If they're any good at all at avoiding questions, by the time they've finished their answer, you've forgotten the other question. • Quotes are very handy things to pull out during an interview. "You said something interesting on that subject in your book, and here it is." • Another good question when people start talking in the abstract, is "Give me a for instance." • Be yourself, be truly curious and open to letting the story take you where it wants to take you. • Prepare your professor - Send an advance copy of your questions or the points/ideas you want to cover.

  6. Writing the Article • The Lede: -Entice the reader. -What is the story about? Keep it focused. Why should someone read your story? -Maybe use what surprised you in reporting your story is the lede. -Tell someone your story and ask them what is the most interesting to them- see if it’s the same fact that interested you. -Simplify your lede- minimize the punctuation, dates, attribution- these can go in the second graph. • The Title/Headline: -Boil the story down to three words: a noun, an active verb, and an object. For example: The story of the Pied Piper would be : Rats Overrun City, City Hires Ratman, Ratman Kills Rats, or Ratman Steals Children.

  7. Think before you write. • Avoid adverbs and adjectives. • Avoid pompous words: utilize vs. use • Say what it is, not what it isn’t. • No ands or buts for transitions. • Avoid redundant words: Ex: Currently or Now isn’t needed with present tense. Formerly not needed with past tense. Read aloud. • Check each sentence. • Stamp out “there is” usages • Minimize “it is” usages • Challenge “to be” verbs- use strong, active verbs. • Eliminate imprecise words. • Show, don’t tell.

  8. Examine your first drafts. • Read aloud. • Check each sentence. • Stamp out “there is” usages • Minimize “it is” usages • Challenge “to be” verbs- use strong, active verbs. • Eliminate imprecise words. • Show, don’t tell. • What is your tone? How are you setting that tone? • What is the profile about? • What is the focus? • Any patterns in the person’s life? Any turning points? • Why should the reader care?

  9. A few examples of good profile articles: • A good lede: • When you first meet Charles Goslin you can’t help but think: courteous Bostonian gentleman. It could be his demeanor—quick-witted, yet mindful and attentive to your words. His brown tweed jacket, button down shirt, and English shoes help the equation. In fact, Goslin is from nearby Attleboro, Massachusetts. • (full article at http://www.worksight.com/prattgallery_goslin_art.html)

  10. An overall good profile article • At 71, Physics Professor Is a Web Star, by Sara Rimer http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/19/education/19physics.html?_r=2&hp&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

  11. Bad profile articles- things to avoid: • Stating the obvious • Confusing language • Too technical jargon • Clichés • Boring chronological • Choppy sentences and run-ons • AP Style errors

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