Goal
Capture a compelling conversation and storyline in lieu of a full-blown story.
Key dates
- Monday, Sept. 25: Launch + be familiar with reading list + interview Part I
- Wednesday, Sept. 27: Interview Part II
- Monday, Oct. 2: Final version posted to WordPress. (no peer review)
Reading list
For each style of feature I will ask you to complete I will provide some examples that we can discuss in class to help jog your creative muscles and that you can refer to for inspiration while you work on yours. Please read, listen or watch at least three of them — some by the pros, some by the students — before we launch each segment.
- Charlie Rose on the art of the interview by Alexandra Steigrad, WWD
- Charlie Rose with Jay-Z
- Nicki Minaj and Meek Mill by Mark Anthony Green, GQ
- Aaron Paul on playing bad on ‘Breaking Bad’ by Terry Gross, Fresh Air
- How Midway Bob transformed Midway Deli by Ali Stratton, JMC 3023
- Susan Orlean: ‘My method of reporting is just to be there’ by Nieman Storyboard
- DJ Khaled is extra careful around Beyonce by Ana Marie Cox, The New York Times Magazine
The assignment
Great features depend on great interviews, which are conversations with a purpose yet still open to unexpected possibilities. A well-done Q&A captures a compelling conversation and storyline with a person in lieu of a full-blown story.
You will
- Write a 500-word minimum Q&A that…
- Introduces the person as well as the subject of the conversation along with why that’s a compelling angle now…
- Lists at least eight question/answer exchanges that move readers through the conversation in an engaging way without regurgitating a transcript of the interview…
- And is relatable to a clearly defined audience.
You will not
- Regurgitate a transcript of the interview
Rubric (250 points total)
- Interview | 125 points (50 percent)
- Finds a compelling line or lines of conversation with the subject
- Is explored in significant depth to explain while also providing a sense of the person’s character and style
- Is relatable to a broad audience
- Writing | 125 (50 percent)
- Meets 500-word minimum
- Uses clear, open-ended questions
- Tells a story within the arc of conversation
- Does not regurgitate a transcript of the interview
- Deductions
- Fact errors: -50 percent
- Spelling: -10 points
- Grammar, punctuation, AP style: -1 point each
