1000 words (6 x 150 word pieces and a 100-200 word reflection)
Exercise 1: Writing from Life
Think of something:
• Uncomfortable - Trying to review the position that I find myself in this space, culturally, physically and emotionally what is my role here and how is it that I can provide meaningful contributions to the environment that I currently inhabit in Melbourne. What is the role of my work and what work should I build my practice around. Does this need to be set and established in how I present myself or can I take a more abstract approach in how I deliver the work. Should I be pushed out of areas or are those the realms that I should be investigating more as it is one where my opinion or viewpoint may differ from the norm which means the additional voice may be beneficial for the discussion as a whole in spite of some levels of opposition.
• Upsetting - What is upsetting to me that I haven’t already rationalised and compartmentalised? Discrimination of communities.
• Uplifting - Not much these days.
• That irritates you - People’s inability to review problems objectively and analytically. Taking a step back and looking through the bigger picture from other peoples perspectives can lead to vastly different outcomes and positions for people than if they just latch onto the first point of view that they can either defend or oppose. The lack of foundation for viewpoints and the scapegoating of things for the interest of someone’s viewpoint.
Which do you feel most strongly about?
•
Write a page in the first person about why you feel that way (use ‘I’)
Think of something uncomfortable (write it down)
Think of something upsetting (write it down)
Think of something uplifting (write it down)
Think of something that irritates you (write it down)
Which did you feel most strongly about? Start there. Write a page in the first person (writing from ‘I’) about why you feel that way.
Try to visualise a possible story from what you’ve just written. What would a reader be interested in? Is there something attention-worthy / newsworthy / unusual here that could make a story? Is it more than a subject?
Now, write for your reader. You can do this now (in class), or later. Write the first 150 words of a feature article on this idea. Use at least one of the elements of style/content/structure we identified in Garner or Murphy’s articles.
Exercise 2: From Reading to Idea
Identify a publication in which you would like to see your feature writing published.
Read the latest issue of your target publication. You may read multiple back-issues, if you like. Get a sense of the kinds of feature articles they publish.
Think of ten story ideas that are relevant to this publication.
For this task, you must submit your ten story ideas, each one explained briefly in around 15 words. Please also include the title of your target publication.
Exercise 3: Be a flanêur
Part 1:
Go to a place where people congregate - where people are talking (a café, in a pub, in a market, in front of the State Library, etc.). This exercise is about listening and observing people and places. What are people talking about? Take notes. Take quotes. Capture what they are saying and doing. What can you see? Take notes. What can you hear? Smell?
This exercise is about ‘slow journalism’ – being patient and waiting for something to happen or in this case waiting for that conversation or image has a story behind it. It is also about ‘editing’ your found material, as you will have to decide: ‘this is the best I found, the rest is not good, I won’t use it.’
Part 2:
Write a 150-word piece presenting your observations. This can be in any style or form you choose.
This 150-word piece will be submitted as part of your portfolio assignment.
Exercise 4: Documentary evidence
Documentary evidence is what gives your story clout (depth). Nothing produces more documentary evidence than bureaucracy and government departments. They have vast quantities of evidence available publicly. Your local council has meetings and provides ‘minutes’.
1. Find the minutes of your local council’s last few meetings online.
2. Examine these minutes carefully.
3. Write the first 150 words of a feature story (any kind) based on what you find there. The council minutes will be the only source for this short piece (you are not required to find other sources). Submit this 150-word piece as part of your portfolio assignment.
Exercise 5: Interviewing
Interview one person who is accessible to you (friends, parents, brother, sister, partner etc.)
• Ask your source one question using “What.”
• Ask your source one question using “When.”
• Ask your source one question using “Who.”
• Ask your source one question using “Where.”
• Ask your source one question using “Why.”
• Ask your source one question using “How.”
Think up offbeat questions such as: “If you weren't a musician, what would you rather be?” Or “What talents don't you possess that you wish you had?”. Either of those answers you can follow up with “why?”. While interviewing, try to visualise a possible story. Collect quotes and info. You can record the interview if you like (and your source consents to being recorded).
Take photo of your 'subject' (be creative) to accompany your mini-profile.
Write first 150 words of a profile piece, to be published in The Weekend Australian. Submit this 150-word piece in your assignment 2 portfolio.
Questions needed for a profile feature:
- Start with Who, What, When, Where, Why, How
- Omniscient POV
- P1: Description/Anecdote
- P2: Description/Anecdote
- P3: Quote/Fact (why am I reading this)
- P4: Quote/Fact
Exercise 6: Writing for Publication
Presented in week 7
Reflection
The six writing exercises will be accompanied by a 100-200 word reflection upon what you've learned through the activities and how you have developed your writing voice so far this semester.
Style: Narrative style
Structure: Fact, Quote, Anecdote, Description (interpretation) - Mix up tell a story
Convey emotion + atmosphere
Form follows function
Talk about what perspective you used in your writing (prefers Omniscience)
