Slice of Life Writing Process: Tips and Challenges

When I wrote an article on a classmate,  I conducted a heavy amount of interviewing, researching, and communicating. For my slice of life assignment, I wrote about Veronica's study abroad experience with sports marketing in the United Kingdom. As I researched and wrote, I had to utilize interview techniques, grammar, spelling, and punctuation rules, and other tips from COMM231: News Writing and Reporting for Public Relations.

A Comparison of Interview Techniques:

Veronica and I first met in person for the interview. I prepared a list of interview questions, but our interview flowed more like a conversation. I still tried to touch on all of my questions, but I preferred this conversational style of interviewing because I was able to get better stories and details from Veronica. I did not record the interview because I felt that it would interfere with the natural flow of our conversation. However, that meant I had to rapidly take notes, and it was inevitable that I would miss some information. Consequently, after we met in person, we used Facebook and text messages to ask follow up questions, such as:

• How have you used what you learned abroad at home?
• Why do you think study abroad experience is important?
• How did you balance the academic and social aspects of the trip?
• What's your favorite color, your favorite book, the best advice you've ever received, your hero, and your career aspirations? (Used for the facts box)

Using social media and technology was a convenient way to communicate because we didn't have to meet in person to get additional information. I confirmed the accuracy of my primary source in two ways: first, I called Hilda, Veronica's mother and second, I looked through Veronica's photo album of her trip.

Veronica used the same techniques as I did, and we both were successful in conducting quality interviews.

Style Challenges

• I checked for spelling errrs in our When Words Collide text.
• I referred to the AP Stylebook and The Diamondback style guide for general grammar, spelling, and punctuation rules.
• I went over the sample assignments on Blackboard for formatting my own assignment.

 Writing Tools

• WrTl#3: I used strong verbs to evoke a sense of action and excitement.
• WrTl#13: I chose some unusual but generally understood vocabulary to keep my story energized.
• WrTl#10: My first draft of the story was 380 words, and then I cut out all of the unnecessary vocabulary and phrases to make my writing more concise. 
• WrTl#23: I read the first draft of my story to two of my friends, who told me that it sounded clunky and to change the ending.

Mapping the Writing Process 

First, I reviewed my notes from the NewsU Councilwoman lab and prepared a list of open-ended questions to ask Veronica. As I interviewed Veronica, I used several interview techniques I learned from the exercise to conduct a quality interview. I contacted Hildy and looked at Veronica's photo albums on Facebook to confirm the accuracy of information. One of the photos I came across is to the right. I then used my notes from the interview to pick out main ideas and followed up on sparse topics. Using all of my notes, I found a focus to begin my story. I picked out quotes from my notes that would support the main point. I referred to my notes from the NewsU Lead Lab Jumper exercise to write my lead. I organized my story in a way I thought to be most effective: with a descriptive lead, elaboration on the trip, and then a circle/future-action kicker. I wrote my first draft and read it to my friends. I then revised and clarified by deleting unnecessary language and ideas.

Tips

PowerPoint: I referred back to lecture slides to refresh myself on leads, endings, and interview techniques.

When Words Collide: I used the chapter on clarity, conciseness and cohesiveness to make sure my story followed the three C's.

Rich text: I reread chapters about news values, story organization, and leads and nut grafs before I wrote my own for my story.

NewsU: I utilized the skills I learned in the Lead Lab and Councilwoman Interview exercise to write my story.