Wall Street Journal Formula

The Wall Street Journal Formula(WSJ) is the most commonly used method of writing feature stories. This method consists of four components:

• The story opens with an anecdotal, descriptive, or narrative lead
• The nut graf follows the lead and explains what the lead is about
• The body of the story is supporting information (quotes and facts)
• The ending includes another anecdotal or description of the person featured in the story
  
  

The story "Driver texting now an issue in backseat" from the New York Times is a good example of the use of the Wall Street Journal Formula of writing a feature story.
The story opens with a strong anecdotal lede about a couple who's marital problems surround the issue of text messaging, "After decades of marriage, Terry and Debbie Buchen learned to work through various marital issues. Then something new came between them — his
cellphone."
The nut graf goes on to explain why his cellphone is causing such an issue, "Mr. Buchen, 62, couldn’t put it down while driving. The first time he sent e-mail messages from behind the wheel, he drove his BMW S.U.V. into a ditch on a deserted stretch of road..."
The body of this story starting with the statement "For all the conversations about distracted driving playing out in statehouses and on talk shows, the most heated discussions, and the ones with the most lasting impact, may be happening between family members and friends," goes on to explain how texting becomes such an impact on others when they aren't necessarily doing the texting.
The ending of the story goes on to conclude with another short anecdote about Grace Andrews, a mother who is causing the issue by texting whilst behind the wheel. Concluding that, "I could never imagine that we would get to this stage — that this is the stuff we would fight about,” she said."

I believe this article does serve as a perfect example of the Wall Street Journal Formula for feature stories.

Summary ledes vs. Feature ledes

In journalism, there are many different ways to start a story depending on what kind of information you want the reader to get out of it and what the story is about.

Summary ledes focus on the who, what, when, where, why and how of a story. Summary ledes are best used in cases of whats called "hard news" --the story is not supposed to "tip toe" around an issue, rather it gets to the point right away.

Feature ledes, however, are different in that they are used in the case of "soft news". This type of lede allows the story to unfold slower and are used to make the reader want to continue reading the story the writer wrote.

Some examples of Feature ledes are:

Story by Baltimore Sun writer Liz F. Kay "Smelly water floods Towson basement"

The problem: Smelly runoff from a nearby gas station floods a Towson home.
The back story: When it rains in Towson, it floods at Jerry Cornett's house.

Another example can be seen in another Baltimore Sun article by Arin Gencer "McDonogh School's garden yields 1st harvest"

With grunts and groans, the four kindergartners hefted the plump pumpkin, at times faltering under its weight.

mcom 258

So after a summer living in the woods; my blog is making its return.

For those who don't know me I am starting my junior year here at Towson and I'm a Long Island native. A bit klutzy and I've have an addiction to iced chai tea from Starbucks. But all around a person who loves to take pictures and write stories and is just looking for a bit of adventure.

I'm looking forward to my junior year and taking more classes for my major. I'm hoping that I'll be able to perfect my grammar skills and take my writing to a more professional level in MCOM 258!


Cross your fingers for me!

pictures without edit from our walk =]

towson men's rugby



hanging out with doc




alissa and being artsy

tip sheet

Tip Sheet on Writing Ledes, Writing Stories, and Covering Events

Writing the perfect Lede:
-Keep it to 30 words or less
-Remember past tense, but active voice
-Don't back into it
-Remember to keep it blind
-Answer the 5 W's and the 1 H
-SVO not OVS
-Where: Who did what when, source said.

Writing the perfect Story:
-Use a direct lede unless you are writing a feature story; then use a delayed lede.
-Format your story using the Inverted pyramid: Most important facts first, then get to the details
-Check your facts over and over again!
-Make sure your quotes add to the story, and make sure they're correct too!
-If you are writing a day two story, make sure you summarize the first days story and then add updated details, remember its not a rewrite but an entirely new story.

Covering an Event:
-Get as much information you can before the event takes place
-Have some starter questions ready, so you can go off of them later
-Listen carefully and take as many notes as you can
-Have a contact at the event so you can check details or have someone answer your questions

chapter 5 questions

1.What is the inverted pyramid?
-The inverted pyramid is a guide to writing; the most important facts at the start of the article; details and the extra information to follow-- this ensures readers get all the facts they need.

2.Whats a delayed lede? What other name does it go by?
-A way to draw in the reader; by placing interesting facts first readers will be intrigued to continue reading. They are also referred to as soft or feature ledes.

3.Whats a nut graf? Where does it come in the story?
-All delayed are followed by a nut graf which helps the reader understand the importance of the story. It provides an opportunity to add more pertinent information the the lede can hold. Essentially, it tells the reader what the story is all about, and helps them to understand why the story matters at all.

4. Where does the 'when' element come in?
-Unless using a delayed lede, the when always is found in the lede of the story. The right order being " who did what when, source said".

5.Whats a summary/chronology story?
-Stories are best told chronologically (in the order they happened). Chronological accounts typically follow a summary lede, and often a nut graf.

6.What special handling does a crime story require when it comes to naming suspects?
-Until a person is formally charged with a crime, its best not to report their name.

7. What is a multiple element story?
-A story that has more than one distinct idea is a multiple element story. In this type of story, the writer features each element in the lede, then elaborates on each in the order listed in the lede.

8.What is a second day story?
-Require total updates from the original story but differ from the original story in two ways. The lede first reflects the change from the initial event and secondly, the story must provide new details and summarize the original.

9.What is the difference between correlation and causation? What special handling does this require in story writing?
-Correlation is events that are happing at the same time which is not to be confused with causation which is when one event causes another. Journalists need to be careful when making assumptions about causation.

10.What kinds of facts should be double checked?
-Names, Dates, Places, Corporate names, Titles, Numbers and Graphics

11. What are the rules when working with quotes?
-Make sure the quote adds to the story.
Make sure the quoted words are the person's exact words.
Paraphrase when necessary.
Don't put words in a speaker's mouth.
Avoid inverted attribution.
Make sure it's clear who is speaking.
Choose verbs carefully.

Rockland News Story

Rockland--A game between two sisters ended in one trapped inside a washing machine.
At the Glen Rock Laundry and Dry Cleaner, 3 year old Jennifer Childs and Sister Elizabeth 7, were playing when Jennifer climbed into the washer and Elizabeth closed the door behind her. When the washer started filling with water Elizabeth ran for their Aunt Janice who was unable to help due to the automatic locks on the washing machines.
Paul Heckler had been shopping when he heard screams from the Laundromat; he quickly took a hammer to the washing machine and pulled Jennifer out. She is listed in good condition.