English/news writing

In this assignment you will write one complete news story culling from the facts presented in the Week 3 Assignment Lead, Nut Graf, Story 

Context

While the lead answers the 5 Ws and sometimes the how, the second paragraph of a news story, called the nut graf is also important. As Christopher Scanlon explains in his journalism textbook, Reporting and Writing: Basics for the 21at Century, its called the nut graf because, like a nut, it contains the kernel or essential theme, of the story.

Scanlon notes that the nut graf has several purposes:

1. It justifies the story by telling readers why they should care.

2. It provides a transition from the lead and explains the lead and its connection to the rest of the story.

3. It often tells readers why the story is timely.

4. It often includes supporting material that helps readers see why the story is important.

Examples

Here is one example from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution of a soft lead (descriptive) followed by a strong nut graf.

BLACKSBURG, Va. High on a mountain overlook, construction crews blast through solid rock on a 20-hour-a-day- rush schedule to build the first two miles of an expressway that, for the next few years, will lead only to a turn-around.

But for promoters in this Appalachian university town, thats of little concern. Dubbed the Smart Road and designed to double as a high-technology research site, this federal-state project shows how a little pork tucked into a federal transportation bill can buy a whole hot for a community.

Heres a second example, also from Scanlons textbook, that demonstrates the use of an effective nut graf in a feature story.

Worried about her weight, Sarah swore off dessert and cut back on meal portions. Eventually, she began skipping breakfast and was just nibbling at lunch and dinner. Within six months, she dropped 13 pounds.

A weight-loss success story? Not at all. Sarah is only 10 years old. Her diet cost her 20 percent of her weight.

Your Turn

Now you try your hand at writing a lead, a nut graf, and a complete news story from the following notes. DO NOT write your story chronologically, write in order of importance. Similar to the above examples, this is more of a human-interest story, even if it is breaking news. So be creative in your lead and nut graf, and be sure to keep yourself out of the story. Unlike the notes below, you must compose your story in COMPLETE sentences and utilizing AP style.

Its 2 p.m. You hear on the police scanner that there is a jumper on the roof of the local police station. You race to the scene with your photographer and observe the following. The jumper is a man sitting alone on the cornice overlooking Fountain Street. Hes holding a pistol in his hand. The building is five stories high.

Three police officers have made their way to the roof from an inside stairway but are keeping their distance from the jumper.

On the ground below, Lte. Charles Charlie Lawton, a police officer stands by a green metal ladder leading to the roof. A second officer is nearby with a can of Coke in his hand. Officer Lawton takes the soda can and climbs the ladder to the roof.

When he gets to the top, he rolls the can to the jumper. It stops several feet away. Jumper stands up to get it, puts barrel of pistol against his temple and holds it there until he gets the soda in his hand and returns to edge of roof.

Lawton is talking in a hushed voice to the jumper. Approximately one hour later, the jumper slides the gun at Lawton, puts his head into his hands and cries, his shoulders heaving with emotion. The three cops on the roof leap at him and lead him away from edge of the roof. He is unsteady on his feet so they hold him by his waistband and back him down the steps, disappearing through the roof door.

Lawton is alone on roof. The empty Coke can on gravel. Picks up the jumpers pistol. Shakes bullets out into his palm. Walks to edge of roof and climbs down ladder.

You later learn that the jumper is a rookie cop, age 30, who was placed on probation just yesterday for coming to work inebriated after having learned his wife was filing for divorce.

Submission Instructions

Write your story in a Word document. Upload the Word Doc to the submission link.