Writing Assignments #7 and #8: NATO Yolu Accident Kills 1 / News-Worthy News

IN CLASS--Tuesday, 27 October 09:

1. Take the quiz on chapter 6 of Introduction to Journalism.

2. Read about the "INVERTED PYRAMID." (click the words)

3. Rewrite the following story, using the inverted pyramid style. (This story is similar to what Dr. Blake presented in the above article.) It desperately needs to be cleaned up and pared down! It's just not concise or clear! Write your article on your blog as post #6.

An accident occurred. It happened yesterday. Today is Thursday. The accident was a bus and car crash. It happened on Nato Yolu in Çengelköy, Istanbul. One person was killed and one person was injured. The person who died was Ozan Alparslan. Alparslan was 19 years old and lived in Çengelköy. He was driving a white 2005 Renault Broadway. The accident happened at about 11 p.m. He lost control of the car. It was raining, and the road was slick. He was also driving about 20 kph over the speed limit. He was on the wrong side of the median. He had been drinking. He was being inducted into the military and this was his last night "on the town." He was the only one in the car. The car smashed into the front of an IETT bus on its way to the Ümraniye bus barn. The impact crushed the whole front of the car and also the front of the bus. The bus driver, Cem Bayır, was also injured. Alparslan was thrown into the car's windshield. He wasn't wearing a seat belt. He was killed instantly. Bayır was taken to Medicana Hospital and treated for a broken arm. He was released. Bayır said, "I saw him coming and tried to avoid the accident by switching to the left lane. Unfortunately, the Renault driver also changed lanes and drove straight into me."

P.S. I made up these story facts so that you would have a "local news" story with which to work.

4. Due--Monday, 2 November 09:

On your blog, write your own news story, following the same inverted pyramid style. Label it as post #7. It can be school news or local news, but it should be TRUE. Keep your sentences short and crisp. Write no more than 300 words. Remember: Your news story should be newsworthy and have news value. Click the link to remind yourself what "news value" means!

5. Also for Monday: Read Marino Mission chapter 12.