Find out what games are playing and when, based on where you are on mt-tamjeong.com. The guide is tailored to your cable or satellite provider.
A straight-lead is a summary of the main points in a game. It often includes quotes by players and coaches. A feature story focuses on a particular team or player.
Articles
Many aspiring writers and even seasoned journalist start their careers by writing about sports. Whether you’re covering the latest high school basketball game or the upcoming World Series, a sports article is a chance for you to transport readers to that place where they are gripping the bat, toeing the service line, or just screaming at the TV. The most basic sports article is a straight-forward game story. It includes a simple headline that tells readers who, what, when, where and why an event occurred, as well any notable occurrences, quotes from players or coaching staff.
Don’t forget to let your passion for the team shine through. A good headline should grab the reader’s attention, and make them want to keep reading. For example, you could tell the reader why you are so passionate about the football team of your alma-mater or how a player is able to hit a ball that bounces so hard off the roof.
Profiles
Profile stories are not just about the person’s accomplishments. They can be written about coaches or athletes, as well as other people involved in sports. They also tell the story of a person’s personality, background and history. These are difficult to master, but they can help you stand out as a writer.
Recruiting coaches will look at an athlete’s profile to get a sense of their athletic and academic achievements, but more importantly their work ethic and commitment to the game. A strong profile can make a difference in whether a coach notices an athlete and offers them a college scholarship.
The experience section of a sports journalist’s LinkedIn profile is key to establishing credibility and standing out to editors and hiring managers scouting for top-notch writing talent. Use the space available to highlight the impact and reach your work has. Include details on your reporting methods including any exclusive interviews and investigative pieces to give potential employers an accurate picture of your abilities.
Write about the best players and coaches of the sport, from those who have achieved success on the big stage to the ones who have made the most of their career in minor leagues. Include links to their home websites and other professional and academic accomplishments, as well as any awards and accolades they’ve received.
A strong profile is a must for any athlete serious about their college search. A strong profile will impress coaches and help you narrow down the list of schools that best fit your athletic and academic goals. A well-written profile can save time and effort during your college search. It will make it easier for you to find the best fit.
Soft Stories
Students of journalism quickly learn to distinguish between hard and softer news. Hard news relies on factual information and timeliness. Soft news articles can be either editorial or non-editorial.
Soft news pieces are a great way to reach readers with key messages from sports organizations. A feature story on a wheelchair rugby player, for example, can show how sport can inspire and motivate. When writing a soft news article, be sure to use lots of quotes and make your subject the star of the piece.
Season Previews & Wrap-ups
Generally, sportswriters have to have a few season preview or wrap-up stories in their arsenal. These are done any time teams and coaches are preparing for an upcoming season or when the season just ended – in glory or in infamy. These stories give a bird’s-eye view of the entire season and the expectations and attitudes that players and coaches have about their team.
Straight-Lede Game Story
The straight-lede game story is a staple in any sports section. Readers are aware of the outcome of the game but want to know what it means for them. A good story about a game will give context to the result, such as the weather that day or that the winning team capitalized on the mistake that the losing team made.
Adding a little opinion to the game story may also make it more interesting. A reporter could, for example, interview the number tens to get their opinions. The writer gains instant credibility by using the player’s words. The downside to this approach is that an opinion can easily overshadow accomplishments of the player.
