Writing an Obituary

Your first journalistic writing opportunity is here. [Insert appropriate reaction here.]

“There is nothing morbid about a good obituary because a good obit is about life, not death.”

-- a New York Times editor

OPTION ONE – Write your own fictional obituary.

1. Imagine the life you hope to lead as an adult.
2. Extend it to old age and determine all of the activities and accomplishments you want to have in adulthood.
3. Write an imagined obituary that pays tribute to the person you plan to become, celebrating the life you plan to lead.
4. Have fun with it and use it as a visualization exercise.

OPTION TWO – Write an obituary for a deceased family member.

1. The person need not have died recently.
2. Interview family members to learn the necessary biographical details but more importantly to recover stories that convey the person’s legacy and character.
3. Write the obituary in either standard of feature form.
4. This could be a great way to preserve the history of an important family member.

ASSIGNMENT WEIGHT: Major Grade

DUE DATE:  Friday, Jan. 29

For pointers, please review the class discussion on obituaries by clicking the links below.

I have posted the lecture notes in PowerPoint and PDF format.

(If you a doing option two and need a second weekend to conduct interview, I will give you until Feb. 2. Just let me know.)