JMC 3023: Human interest assignment

Goal

Describe a real adventure, experience, project, crisis or quest involving people.

Key dates

• Monday, Oct. 19: Launch + be familiar with reading list
• Wednesday, Oct. 21: Individual story-selection and pre-reporting conferences
• Monday, Nov. 2: Draft posted to Google Drive; peer-review day
• Wednesday, Nov. 4: Individual mid-point story conferences
• Wednesday, Nov. 11: Final version turned in

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.

• Nikole Hannah-Jones on Longform Podcast #197
• A teacher, a student and a 39-year-long lesson in forgiveness by Tom Hallman, The Oregonian
• Bob Stoops experiences host of firsts in retirement by George Stoia, The OU Daily
• On the table, the brain appeared normal by John Branch, The New York Times
• Madison Elementary’s uncertain future by Kayla Branch, The OU Daily

The assignment

A human-interest piece, in the words of a previous instructor of this course, describes a real adventure, experience, project, crisis or quest involving people. For our purposes, narrow your focus to a central character or small group of people working together. Also, consider using a narrative story-telling format grounded in a specific time and place and proceeding chronologically.

You will

• Write a 1,000-word (digital) or 4-minute package (broadcast) piece that…
• Appeals to an audience on an emotional and/or dramatic level…
• Is fully-developed in examining the subject in depth via research and at least three sources (more may be necessary to be successful)…
• And is relatable to a clearly defined audience.

Rubric (250 points total)

• Topic | 50 percent
  • Clearly appeals to an audience on an emotional and/or dramatic level
  • Is explored in significant depth via research and at least three sources (more may be necessary to be successful)
  • Is relatable to a broad audience
• Writing | 50 percent
  • Meets the word-count or script-length minimum
  • Uses clear, conversational language
  • Fully examines the subject
• Deductions
  • Fact errors: -50 percent
  • Spelling: -10 points
  • Grammar, punctuation, AP style: -1 point each