Writing Profile Articles

1
Writing Profile Articles

• Holly Harrison
• Jessica Fogarty
• John Ransone
• Saundra Thomas
• William Thompson

2
Interviewing

• Before you go- do a google search- find out as
  much as you can about the person before you
  interview them.
• Prepare- by have questions you want to ask them
  ready
• Start with basics- history, age, hometown,
  parents, family, college, jobs, property owned.
  Be sure to check spelling of names, etc.
• Be observant- what do they wear? What surrounds
  this person? Office pictures, personal
  appearance. Paint a picture of the room and the
  person.
• Search for success- what draws you to this
  person? What obstacles have they overcome?
• Dig for details- What are their dreams? Find
  obscure and interesting facts about them.
• Look for insights-How do they relax? What do they
  read or watch on TV?

3
Question Ideas

• History
• -How has the past shaped this person?
• -Childhood? Education? Mentors? Tragedies and
  triumphs? Obstacles?
• -More formative experiences?
• Qualities
• -What actions and behaviors of theirs exhibit
  these qualities?
• -How have qualities affected subjects fortunes
  and life?
• Values and Standards
• -Strongest beliefs? How have their shaped
  actions? Include lifestyle and spiritual goals?
• -How are they similar or different from others?
  To what extent?
• -Where did he/she acquire standards, values, and
  goals?
• Impact
• -How does subject affect people around him/her?
  Pos/neg? Incidents to show this.
• -Who is affected? Directly? Indirectly?
• -How is subjected affected by circumstances that
  have come up in their life?
• -What is saddest/happiest thing that has ever
  happened to them?

4
More Question Ideas

• Countermoves
• -How are others responding to your subject and
  his/her attitudes? Show in specific indcidents?
• Future
• -What does subject think future looks like?
• -What do others think it looks like?
• -What would he/she like to be doing in 5,10, or
  20 years?
• -What are their dreams, fears?
• -Do they consider themselves optimistic or
  pessimistic?

5
Different ways to ask questions

• Keep your questions short.
• Ask only one question at a time. An example to
  avoid "Why did you do it, and what do you think
  is going to happen next?" That gives the person
  the option of answering neither or either. If
  they're any good at all at avoiding questions, by
  the time they've finished their answer, you've
  forgotten the other question.
• Quotes are very handy things to pull out during
  an interview. "You said something interesting on
  that subject in your book, and here it is."
• Another good question when people start talking
  in the abstract, is "Give me a for instance."
• Be yourself, be truly curious and open to letting
  the story take you where it wants to take you.
• Prepare your professor - Send an advance copy of
  your questions or the points/ideas you want to
  cover.

6
Writing the Article

• The Lede
• -Entice the reader.
• -What is the story about? Keep it focused. Why
  should someone read your story?
• -Maybe use what surprised you in reporting your
  story is the lede.
• -Tell someone your story and ask them what is the
  most interesting to them- see if its the same
  fact that interested you.
• -Simplify your lede- minimize the punctuation,
  dates, attribution- these can go in the second
  graph.
• The Title/Headline
• -Boil the story down to three words a noun, an
  active verb, and an object.
• For example The story of the Pied Piper would be
  Rats Overrun City, City Hires Ratman, Ratman
  Kills Rats, or Ratman Steals Children.

7
Think before you write.

• Avoid adverbs and adjectives.
• Avoid pompous words utilize vs. use
• Say what it is, not what it isnt.
• No ands or buts for transitions.
• Avoid redundant words Ex Currently or Now isnt
  needed with present tense. Formerly not needed
  with past tense. Read aloud.
• Check each sentence.
• Stamp out there is usages
• Minimize it is usages
• Challenge to be verbs- use strong, active
  verbs.
• Eliminate imprecise words.
• Show, dont tell.

8
Examine your first drafts.

• Read aloud.
• Check each sentence.
• Stamp out there is usages
• Minimize it is usages
• Challenge to be verbs- use strong, active
  verbs.
• Eliminate imprecise words.
• Show, dont tell.
• What is your tone? How are you setting that tone?
• What is the profile about?
• What is the focus?
• Any patterns in the persons life? Any turning
  points?
• Why should the reader care?

9
A few examples of good profile articles

• A good lede
• When you first meet Charles Goslin you cant help
  but think courteous Bostonian gentleman. It
  could be his demeanorquick-witted, yet mindful
  and attentive to your words. His brown tweed
  jacket, button down shirt, and English shoes help
  the equation. In fact, Goslin is from nearby
  Attleboro, Massachusetts.
• (full article at http//www.worksight.com/prattgal
  lery_goslin_art.html)

10
An overall good profile article

• At 71, Physics Professor Is a Web Star, by Sara
  Rimer
• http//www.nytimes.com/2007/12/19/education/19phys
  ics.html?_r2hporefsloginorefslogin

11
Bad profile articles- things to avoid

• Stating the obvious
• Confusing language
• Too technical jargon
• Clichés
• Boring chronological
• Choppy sentences and run-ons
• AP Style errors