To choose a beat for your local newspaper assignment, follow these steps:
1. **Identify a Beat:** Decide on a specific area of interest or coverage for your news story. It could be local politics, education, community events, sports, etc.
2. **Select a Story:** Choose a particular angle or topic within your beat that you find interesting and that you think would appeal to your readers. For example, if you choose local politics as your beat, you could focus on a recent city council decision.
3. **Assign Yourself a Story:** Develop a story idea within your chosen beat. Determine what the focus of your article will be, such as an interview with a prominent figure or coverage of a recent event.
4. **Acquire Quotes and Facts:** Reach out to at least two individuals related to your story for quotes and gather relevant facts to support your article. This could include interviews with key stakeholders or eyewitnesses.
5. **Craft a Good Lead:** Write a compelling opening paragraph that captures the essence of your story and draws the reader in. A good lead should be attention-grabbing and summarize the main point of your article.
6. **Create a Strong Kicker:** End your article with a strong closing that leaves a lasting impression on the reader. This could be a thought-provoking quote, a call to action, or a summary of the key takeaway from your story.
7. **Include an Accompanying Photograph:** Choose a relevant and high-quality photograph that complements your story. Ensure that the image adds value to the article and engages the reader visually.
8. **Review and Polish Your Work:** After drafting your news story, review it for accuracy, clarity, and coherence. Edit for grammar and spelling errors, and make sure your writing flows smoothly.
By following these steps, you can effectively choose a beat, assign yourself a story, gather quotes and facts, write a compelling lead and kicker, and produce a news story with an accompanying photograph for your local newspaper assignment. Remember to refer to the News Story Grading Rubric for evaluation criteria and aim to deliver a well-crafted and engaging article by the deadline.
