Learning How to Write a Feature Profile

Based on how Monday's class goes (Feb. 8), the plan is for us to do this activity in class on Wednesday (Feb. 10). If we get behind, I might have to make it a homework assignment.

Read journalism professor Joe Gisondi's very helpful expository piece on how to write a feature profile. Technically, he is talking about how to write a sports feature profile, but the advice applies to any type of profile story.

http://onsportz.blogspot.com/2007/10/writing-sports-profiles.html

After you finish reading Gisondi's piece, write a 100-word summary of the advice he gives. When you have completed the summary and have a good understanding of the feature profile, please read, Dave Hyde's feature profile, "Where's Jake Scott?"

After you finish reading it, write a 300-word response in which you illustrate how the story illustrates the excellent advice contained in Gisondi’s overview, “Writing Sports Profiles.”

http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2006-11-19/sports/sfl-spjakescott19nov19_1_noonday-breeze-defensive-lineman-manny-fernandez-front-porch

Here's the rubric I'm going to use to grade your posts. I think you'll like the story. It's one of my favorites.

Assessment: 

[       ] Cursory (75)   [       ]  Adequate (85)   [       ]  Complete (90)   [      ] Exemplary, thorough (100)