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Profiles and Obits
Prepare
• Know as much as possible about the person
first.
• Prepare questions in advance.
Focus
• Profile still needs a nut graph.
• Why is this person worth reading about? Why
are you doing this profile now? The nut graph
should answer that question – for you and for
the reader
Theme
• Different from nut graph
• Theme is an idea that ties things together.
• It helps decide which quotes, facts and
anecdotes to use and which to leave out.
• It can be very subtle. Ask yourself: What about
this person really struck me?
Background
• Don't write a profile in chronological order
• Some background may come before the nut
graph, as part of a longer lead.
• Be selective in your use of background:
Include essential facts plus selected details.
Other points of view
• What do other people say about the subject
of this profile?
• Get quotes and comments from other sources
• Sometimes, it helps to talk to other sources
first, to help you prepare for the interview.
Get the facts right
• Go back and check every spelling of every
proper noun.
• Some news outlets had a tradition of CQ -
means you double-checked. You wrote a CQ
over every proper name to indicate you had
double-checked it.
Show, don't tell
• Observe. Describe. And then show the subject
in action.
• Example: Don’t say a subject is “kind.” Show a
kind act and let the reader conclude that.
• Use details that are revealing and related to
your theme.
In-depth profiles
• Require planning. Who will you talk to? What
information do you need?
• Require organization. How will you tell the
story? Think through an outline or structure
rather than rambling.
• Require transitions. Watch that you don’t
jump from topic to topic abruptly.
Short "snapshot" profiles
• Each paragraph makes a point
• Must pack a lot of information into a small
space.
Obits
• Obits are stories about someone's life (not
their death)
Obits require:
• Full name. If there is a widely used nickname,
put it in quotes. Gerald “Lefty” Smith.
• Identification – a phrase that defines person,
generally by city or profession or key fact.
• Age
• Date and place of death
• Cause of death. Special treatment possible for
AIDs and suicide.
Background
• Specific accomplishments
• Organizations
• Education
• Other highlights
Other requirements
• Survivors: Use names of immediate family.
Grandchildren are listed by number, usually
not name.
• Services and burial
Style tips
• In obits, media outlets generally use Mr., Mrs.,
Ms. Miss
• Do not assume a woman uses Mrs. or Miss.
Ask.
Accuracy
• Always think: Should I fact-check that?
• Relatives may not have accurate information.
You are still responsible for finding the truth.
Writing profiles and obits
Writing profiles and obits
Writing profiles and obits

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Writing profiles and obits

  • 2. Prepare • Know as much as possible about the person first. • Prepare questions in advance.
  • 3. Focus • Profile still needs a nut graph. • Why is this person worth reading about? Why are you doing this profile now? The nut graph should answer that question – for you and for the reader
  • 4. Theme • Different from nut graph • Theme is an idea that ties things together. • It helps decide which quotes, facts and anecdotes to use and which to leave out. • It can be very subtle. Ask yourself: What about this person really struck me?
  • 5. Background • Don't write a profile in chronological order • Some background may come before the nut graph, as part of a longer lead. • Be selective in your use of background: Include essential facts plus selected details.
  • 6. Other points of view • What do other people say about the subject of this profile? • Get quotes and comments from other sources • Sometimes, it helps to talk to other sources first, to help you prepare for the interview.
  • 7. Get the facts right • Go back and check every spelling of every proper noun. • Some news outlets had a tradition of CQ - means you double-checked. You wrote a CQ over every proper name to indicate you had double-checked it.
  • 8. Show, don't tell • Observe. Describe. And then show the subject in action. • Example: Don’t say a subject is “kind.” Show a kind act and let the reader conclude that. • Use details that are revealing and related to your theme.
  • 9. In-depth profiles • Require planning. Who will you talk to? What information do you need? • Require organization. How will you tell the story? Think through an outline or structure rather than rambling. • Require transitions. Watch that you don’t jump from topic to topic abruptly.
  • 10. Short "snapshot" profiles • Each paragraph makes a point • Must pack a lot of information into a small space.
  • 11. Obits • Obits are stories about someone's life (not their death)
  • 12. Obits require: • Full name. If there is a widely used nickname, put it in quotes. Gerald “Lefty” Smith. • Identification – a phrase that defines person, generally by city or profession or key fact. • Age • Date and place of death • Cause of death. Special treatment possible for AIDs and suicide.
  • 13. Background • Specific accomplishments • Organizations • Education • Other highlights
  • 14. Other requirements • Survivors: Use names of immediate family. Grandchildren are listed by number, usually not name. • Services and burial
  • 15. Style tips • In obits, media outlets generally use Mr., Mrs., Ms. Miss • Do not assume a woman uses Mrs. or Miss. Ask.
  • 16. Accuracy • Always think: Should I fact-check that? • Relatives may not have accurate information. You are still responsible for finding the truth.