This is one of four workshops I am doing for Northern Kentucky University.

1. Timeless skills
journalists always need
Steve Buttry
Northern Kentucky University
March 30, 2012
#nkujourn

2. Read more
• @stevebuttry
• stevebuttry.wordpress.com
• slideshare.net/stevebuttry
• stephenbuttry@gmail.com

3. Get the facts right
• Triple-check spellings of names
• Use an accuracy checklist
• Do the math
• Don’t accept he-said-she-said; find the
truth
• Ask “How do you know that?”

4. Write tight
• In print & broadcast, space & time are
precious; attention precious online
• Avoid “suitcase” lead; lead should be
brief, enticing
• If lead doesn’t fit in a tweet, it’s probably
too long for print

5. Answer the 5 W’s
• Who?
• What?
• When?
• Where?
• Why?
• How?

6. Develop story elements
• Who = Character
• What = Plot, Conflict
• When = Setting
• Where = Setting
• Why = Theme
• How = Resolution

7. Narrative arc
• Exposition
• Rising action
• Climax
• Denouement

8. Take time to rewrite
• Read aloud
• Challenge passive, weak verbs
• No editor to backstop blogging
• Rewriting a tweet takes a few seconds
• Find the right word

9. Read more
• @stevebuttry
• stevebuttry.wordpress.com
• slideshare.net/stevebuttry
• stephenbuttry@gmail.com