| Writing strong leads: How to hook the reader(What follows is an excerpt from material presented in the Journalism for Freelance Writers class.)
Do you read every article in a newspaper or magazine you happen to pick up? Probably not. If you’re like most readers, you focus on the articles that hook you and pull you in. In journalism, the term “lead” refers to the opening of an article. Also called the “hook,” or “grabber,” the lead is in many ways the most important part of an article. It also can be the most difficult to write because it requires the reporter to summarize the content of the article in a way that conveys its tone while enticing the reader. Leads come in various types, including anecdotal leads, which include a story to illustrate a point, and delayed-suspense leads, which withhold information until later. Whatever the type, effective leads have three traits in common: brevity, clarity and relevancy. Finding the lead can be the most difficult and time-consuming aspect of writing an article but once nailed down it makes writing the article simpler. In that sense, the lead functions like an outline. Once you determine the opening, the article falls into place. — Journalism for Freelance Writers Dates: Saturdays, Sept. 27-Dec. 6, 2014. No class Nov. 29. Time: 2-4 p.m. Cost: $200/10 weeks Limited to 5 students Location: Hollywood district of Northeast Portland, Oregon. Exact location provided upon registration. Learn the skills professional reporters use to write features, human-interest articles and small-business profiles. Become the freelance writer every editor wants to work with. Learn the dos and don’ts of the publishing world. By the end of the class you’ll have completed one feature article that is 650-800 words in length. Along the way, you’ll learn how to:
To register: Mail payment to Nancy Woods, P.O. Box 18032, Portland, OR 97218. To pay by credit card call (503) 288-2469.For more information: wordpics@aracnet.com or (503) 288-2469. |
Tag: journalism class for freelance writers
2 new writing classes
I’m offering two new writing classes. Here’s the info:
NEW (Online) Kickstart Your Writing
Dates: June 20-Aug. 29, 2014. No class July 4 or Aug. 8.
Cost: $180/9 weeks
Limited to 5 students
This online version of the Kickstart Your Writing class can be taken from the comfort of your home and worked on when your schedule allows. All you need is e-mail (no Skype or chat rooms). Students will set weekly goals, post their writing online at designated times, and receive feedback from the instructor and other students.
Whether you’re working on a novel or interested in short stories, memoir, essays, articles or other forms of fiction or nonfiction, Kickstart Your Writing offers a supportive environment in which you can work on specific writing projects.
To register: Mail payment to Nancy Woods, P.O. Box 18032, Portland, OR 97218. To pay by credit card call (503) 288-2469. For more information: wordpics@aracnet.com or (503) 288-2469.
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NEW Journalism for Freelance Writers
Dates: Saturdays, June 21-Aug. 30, 2014. No class July 5 or Aug. 9.
Time: 2-4 p.m.
Cost: $180/9 weeks
Limited to 5 students
Location: Hollywood district of Northeast Portland, Oregon. Exact location provided upon registration.
Learn the skills professional reporters use to write features, human-interest articles and small-business profiles. Become the freelance writer every editor wants to work with. Learn the dos and don’ts of the publishing world. By the end of the class you’ll have completed one feature article that is 650-800 words in length. Along the way, you’ll learn how to:
- Find article ideas
- Carry out research
- Prepare for and conduct interviews
- Write leads
- Organize, draft, revise and polish articles
- Handle quotes and attributions
- Meet deadlines and word counts
- Copy edit and fact check
- Write headlines, captions and photo credits
- Apply AP and Chicago style
- Take photos
- Work with editors
- Follow journalist ethics and values
- Fulfill journalistic responsibilities
To register: Mail payment to Nancy Woods, P.O. Box 18032, Portland, OR 97218. To pay by credit card call (503) 288-2469.For more information: wordpics@aracnet.com or (503) 288-2469.
Nancy Woods 