Reminders about Immersion Pieces/Guidelines

Your proposals for your immersion pieces should be very specific, very thorough, very thought-out.

Remember: An immersion piece requires you to go into a new environment, observe and report from that place, and then write about the experience.

If you're not clear about this from discussions we've had in class, please review the Jacobi text, particularly the sections on information gathering and reportage. They're very helpful.

Don't try to reinvent the format -- simply pick a subject you're interested in, pick a place that will allow you to report on that subject, and pick something and someone (source) that will allow you a great deal of access.

Your final immersion piece will be somewhat similar to what Lillian Ross does with Hemingway. She followed him for a few days, then wrote about him. You'll do the same thing with the subject you identify.

Please look closely at Portrait of Hemingway and notice Ross' technique. Then think about what kind of subject you might choose that would allow for a similar kind of reportage. You won't necessarily end up writing an extended profile piece, but your method of reportage will be the same.

Your proposals should include the following things:

* The subject you'd like to immerse yourself in (literally immersing -- meaning you'll be present and reporting from a specific place on a specific topic)and why it might be of interest to your target audience

* The audience you envision for the piece (target audience/target magazine/s)

* The approach you'll take (hands-on, fly-on-the-wall, traditional reportage with interviews, etc.)

* The sources -- with names and contact information -- you'll use in the story. You should have at least two sources, but more is better. Not all of them need to end up in the piece, though. Some can provide background, context.

* Degree of access you'll have to your subject (permission for hands-on participation, permission to observe, permission for extended interviews, etc.)

Format your proposal by using the above requirements as subheads, then insert your specific information.