Watch Warhol and Basquiat here.
And Warhol on Pop Art here. (Or why you should never ask a yes/no question)
And again, here.
And here.
And here.http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Additional Profile Writing Tips
Mary Yerkes, a writer for Suite 101, has these additional tips for great profile writing:
Tell a Good Story
Profiles require excellent storytelling skills. Follow such fiction techniques as establishing setting, creating visual images in the reader's mind, and including revealing dialogue (quotes) to move your story forward. When interviewing your subject, jot down details about the environment, his or her dress, mood, and facial expressions. Include details in your article that evoke the reader's five senses. Help readers to see, hear, smell, and feel the story as if they were in the room with you and the subject.
Conduct Thorough Interviews
Interviews are the backbone of well-written profiles. In-person interviews, instead of phone meetings, are critical to writing a compelling personality profile. To get the full story, interview not only the subject, but also his friends, family, professional colleagues, and, if appropriate, his critics. Conflict lies at the heart of all good storytelling, so ask questions that reveal areas of struggle. For example:
• Your early years were hard. How did you overcome the obstacles you faced?
• What is your greatest struggle?
• Your critics say. . . . How do you respond?
• You've just won. . . . What do you see as your next big challenge?
• Any regrets?
• To conclude the interview, ask, "Is there anything else you would like to add?"
Use Direct Quotes
Direct quotes breathe life into a personality profile, so always keep a recorder, notebook, and pen handy. They may never be modified, changed, or used out of context to make a point, and to do so constitutes unethical behavior. Instead, use direct quotes judiciously to authenticate your points and to give readers insight into the qualities and attitudes of the subject.
Use the Flashback Technique
Personality profiles, more than any other type of magazine article, use the flashback technique. They present many pitfalls, but when used correctly, they can provide an emotional element to a well-written profile that is hard to match.
To start, grab the reader's interest with an interesting anecdote, a moving scene, or a quote that occurred in the past that hooks readers at the outset. Then, go back to the beginning and tell your story, focusing particularly on scenes that capture the essence of your subject.
Look for Contrasts
People's lives are chock full of incongruities. Listen for contrasts during the interview process, and then use them to grab the reader's imagination. For example, Arthritis Today ran a profile on Tina Wesson of Survivor fame who lives with rheumatoid arthritis, a disease characterized by pain, inflammation, and limited mobility. How did a woman with limited mobility end up on a show like Survivor? More important, how did she win Survivor: The Australian Outback without receiving one vote against her?
Tell a Good Story
Profiles require excellent storytelling skills. Follow such fiction techniques as establishing setting, creating visual images in the reader's mind, and including revealing dialogue (quotes) to move your story forward. When interviewing your subject, jot down details about the environment, his or her dress, mood, and facial expressions. Include details in your article that evoke the reader's five senses. Help readers to see, hear, smell, and feel the story as if they were in the room with you and the subject.
Conduct Thorough Interviews
Interviews are the backbone of well-written profiles. In-person interviews, instead of phone meetings, are critical to writing a compelling personality profile. To get the full story, interview not only the subject, but also his friends, family, professional colleagues, and, if appropriate, his critics. Conflict lies at the heart of all good storytelling, so ask questions that reveal areas of struggle. For example:
• Your early years were hard. How did you overcome the obstacles you faced?
• What is your greatest struggle?
• Your critics say. . . . How do you respond?
• You've just won. . . . What do you see as your next big challenge?
• Any regrets?
• To conclude the interview, ask, "Is there anything else you would like to add?"
Use Direct Quotes
Direct quotes breathe life into a personality profile, so always keep a recorder, notebook, and pen handy. They may never be modified, changed, or used out of context to make a point, and to do so constitutes unethical behavior. Instead, use direct quotes judiciously to authenticate your points and to give readers insight into the qualities and attitudes of the subject.
Use the Flashback Technique
Personality profiles, more than any other type of magazine article, use the flashback technique. They present many pitfalls, but when used correctly, they can provide an emotional element to a well-written profile that is hard to match.
To start, grab the reader's interest with an interesting anecdote, a moving scene, or a quote that occurred in the past that hooks readers at the outset. Then, go back to the beginning and tell your story, focusing particularly on scenes that capture the essence of your subject.
Look for Contrasts
People's lives are chock full of incongruities. Listen for contrasts during the interview process, and then use them to grab the reader's imagination. For example, Arthritis Today ran a profile on Tina Wesson of Survivor fame who lives with rheumatoid arthritis, a disease characterized by pain, inflammation, and limited mobility. How did a woman with limited mobility end up on a show like Survivor? More important, how did she win Survivor: The Australian Outback without receiving one vote against her?
Your Next Assignment: The Profile Piece (Due Tuesday, Oct. 18)
Profile Pieces/Field Work
Guidelines
1. Backgrounding
Use a variety of sources to find out as much as possible about your subject, preferably before you do the interview. Useful sources vary according to subject, but some possibilities include Internet research (Google, etc.) on both your subject and his/her area of expertise, media sources (newspaper articles, newsletters, etc.), resumes/curriculum vita (may be available from your source prior to your interview), work samples, talking with people who are close to your subject, talking to professionals in your subject’s field, and more.
2. The Interview
Remember to map out key questions in advance. Write your questions down, then read through them. How can you shape your questions to avoid yes/no answers? Are any of your questions obviously biased? If so, how can you make them more open? Do any of your questions lead your source to tell you something you already know? If so, how can you shape questions that might give more surprising answers? Also remember that even though mapping out questions in advance is important, the best interview is still a conversation. During the interview, don’t be afraid to stray from your original questions. Listen to what your source is saying. Be open to letting your story develop out of the interview.
Think about the logistics of the interview, too. Will you tape as well as take notes? Where will you conduct the interview and why? Try to do your interviews in person, preferably in a location that is meaningful to your subject. If you must do an e-mail interview, follow up with a phone call and/or an in-person meeting. Remember that unless you’re interviewing a writer, an e-mail interview is likely to lack human spark. Take notes during your phone/in-person follow up and see if you can get better quotes/information that way.
3. Color/Luminous Details
Description is important. Try to use all senses when you observe your subject and your surroundings. Look for small details that offer insight into the personality/character of your subject. Don’t just rely on visual detail. Sound, smell, touch, and taste can be important, too. For instance, if you’re interviewing a sushi chef, the sound of a knife on a cutting board, the smell of fish, the feel of a rough pair of chopsticks in your hand, the kick of wasabi on your tongue … all of these can be part of your story. Observe your subject. What does he/she look like, move like, sound like? What does his/her clothing say about who he/she is? What do you notice about your subject’s hands? Your subject’s eyes? What does the interview space look like? What does it smell like? Sound like? What small luminous things can you notice there? Recreate all of this on the page. Your job is to make your readers feel as if they’re in the room with you. The only way to do this is through vivid, precise description.
4. News Peg
Why is your subject newsworthy now? What is he/she doing now? Why should your readers care about this person now? Be sure you can answer all of these questions, and be sure the answers are clear to your readers very early in your piece.
5. Secondary Sources
Your profile piece should include at least one other source (other than your subject, that is). Who your secondary source will be varies from subject to subject. Just make sure your source is relevant and credible. Be sure the source provides meaningful insights and deepens your story.
6. Follow Basic AP and News Style
Get the 5 Ws/1H. Use your Stylebook if you’re not sure about what to do with things like titles, dates, numbers, locations, etc. Whenever you’re in doubt, open your Stylebook. The answers are there. Also, don’t forget the importance of all-around precision. Grammar counts. Spelling counts.
7. Write a Piece You’d Want to Read
If you’re bored with your piece, your reader will be bored, too. No subject is boring. Not one. If you’re bored, assume it’s your fault, not your source’s/subject’s fault. Be sure your questions are engaging, that you choose the best quotes, and that you are – truly – fascinated by your subject. Curiosity is the hallmark of a good journalist. Be curious. Be attentive.
Also, consider your audience. Most of you will be writing for a college-aged audience. If you’re writing for The Insider, for example, who are your readers? What are they most interested in? What should you highlight? What tone should you take? Write with a specific reader in mind. Write to be read.
Profile Pieces:
Length: Between 900-1000 words
Due: Tuesday, Oct. 18
Guidelines
1. Backgrounding
Use a variety of sources to find out as much as possible about your subject, preferably before you do the interview. Useful sources vary according to subject, but some possibilities include Internet research (Google, etc.) on both your subject and his/her area of expertise, media sources (newspaper articles, newsletters, etc.), resumes/curriculum vita (may be available from your source prior to your interview), work samples, talking with people who are close to your subject, talking to professionals in your subject’s field, and more.
2. The Interview
Remember to map out key questions in advance. Write your questions down, then read through them. How can you shape your questions to avoid yes/no answers? Are any of your questions obviously biased? If so, how can you make them more open? Do any of your questions lead your source to tell you something you already know? If so, how can you shape questions that might give more surprising answers? Also remember that even though mapping out questions in advance is important, the best interview is still a conversation. During the interview, don’t be afraid to stray from your original questions. Listen to what your source is saying. Be open to letting your story develop out of the interview.
Think about the logistics of the interview, too. Will you tape as well as take notes? Where will you conduct the interview and why? Try to do your interviews in person, preferably in a location that is meaningful to your subject. If you must do an e-mail interview, follow up with a phone call and/or an in-person meeting. Remember that unless you’re interviewing a writer, an e-mail interview is likely to lack human spark. Take notes during your phone/in-person follow up and see if you can get better quotes/information that way.
3. Color/Luminous Details
Description is important. Try to use all senses when you observe your subject and your surroundings. Look for small details that offer insight into the personality/character of your subject. Don’t just rely on visual detail. Sound, smell, touch, and taste can be important, too. For instance, if you’re interviewing a sushi chef, the sound of a knife on a cutting board, the smell of fish, the feel of a rough pair of chopsticks in your hand, the kick of wasabi on your tongue … all of these can be part of your story. Observe your subject. What does he/she look like, move like, sound like? What does his/her clothing say about who he/she is? What do you notice about your subject’s hands? Your subject’s eyes? What does the interview space look like? What does it smell like? Sound like? What small luminous things can you notice there? Recreate all of this on the page. Your job is to make your readers feel as if they’re in the room with you. The only way to do this is through vivid, precise description.
4. News Peg
Why is your subject newsworthy now? What is he/she doing now? Why should your readers care about this person now? Be sure you can answer all of these questions, and be sure the answers are clear to your readers very early in your piece.
5. Secondary Sources
Your profile piece should include at least one other source (other than your subject, that is). Who your secondary source will be varies from subject to subject. Just make sure your source is relevant and credible. Be sure the source provides meaningful insights and deepens your story.
6. Follow Basic AP and News Style
Get the 5 Ws/1H. Use your Stylebook if you’re not sure about what to do with things like titles, dates, numbers, locations, etc. Whenever you’re in doubt, open your Stylebook. The answers are there. Also, don’t forget the importance of all-around precision. Grammar counts. Spelling counts.
7. Write a Piece You’d Want to Read
If you’re bored with your piece, your reader will be bored, too. No subject is boring. Not one. If you’re bored, assume it’s your fault, not your source’s/subject’s fault. Be sure your questions are engaging, that you choose the best quotes, and that you are – truly – fascinated by your subject. Curiosity is the hallmark of a good journalist. Be curious. Be attentive.
Also, consider your audience. Most of you will be writing for a college-aged audience. If you’re writing for The Insider, for example, who are your readers? What are they most interested in? What should you highlight? What tone should you take? Write with a specific reader in mind. Write to be read.
Profile Pieces:
Length: Between 900-1000 words
Due: Tuesday, Oct. 18
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