The Daily Worker Newspaper, July 19, 1924, Page 7

| - |GATHERING AND WRITING NEWS Editor’s Note—This is the second of a series of three articles written for the purpose of telling the DAILY WORKER staff of’ volunteer reporters how to make their contri- butions most valuable to their pa- per. This article gives some sug- gestions on securing an interview, and analyzes the “lead” of the story. The third article will mention. a few common types of DAILY WORKER stories. **¢ ¢ By KARL REEVE. HE most important part of the newspaper story is considered the “lead,” or beginning of the story. The lead is the first sentence or paragraph of the story, which summarizes briefly the most important features of the en- tire story. The newspaper story may be lik- ened to an inverted pyramid, or trian- gle with one corner pointing down- ward. The most important, signifi- cant and interesting facts are put into the first sentence. If the story is a long one, with several angles to it, the lead may cover several paragraphs. Each paragraph is a. separate unit, with the facts in it able to stand alone, The books on journalism tell us that the lead must answer the questions, “when, What, who, where and how.” After the lead has given the essential facts of the story, the details can fol- low, a paragraph or two being devot- ed to each phase of the story. The most important facts come first, so that if the last few paragraphs are cut off, the essentials of the story still re- main. : Facts, Not Opinions. The best written news story is that which is most definite and most con- cise. Brevity demands that facts take the place of personal opinions and edi- torial comment. An obscure fact or an involved situation must be inter- preted and explained, but. unnecessary comment clutters up the story and wastes space. The most common fault of the stories sent to the DAILY WORKER is that little real news plus bages of editorial comment and opin- ions make up the story. It should be just the opposite. Definite facts, written from the angle of the working class, but unhampered by opinions, make the best news story. Indefinite, hazy writing is another common fault of the news stories sent in. First names should always be se- cured. Time after time stories are brought into the DAILY WORKER of. fice and when they are typewritten out the contributor cannot give the spelling of the names of those in- volved nor the addresses of the places mentioned, Be Definite and Brief. At the time the news is gathered, haziness about the dates of occur- rences and correct names and ad- dresses can easily be eliminated. Aft- er the news is brought into the office it is often impossible to complete the story. A definite plan of attacking the gathering of the news and preparation before securing an interview gains a better story. Interviewing is the main part of news gathering. Before inter- viewing a person, the reporter famil- iarizes himself with the man’s past ac- tivities and fully understands his re- cent connection with the story sought. A good reporter asks numerous questions: .Before interviewing a per- son, he writes down on a card or slip of paper all the questions he can think of which bear on on the story he seeks. After asking as many of these questions he remembers, he can take the card out of his pocket and see if he has asked all the questions. The man interviewed talks more readily if the reporter is entirely at his ease, in a pleasant, receptive mood, listening attentively and trans. ferring confidence to the person inter- viewed. It is a good plan at an early stage in the interview to express an opinion ‘on the subject being dis- cussed, thus showing capability of writing an inteligent, accurate story. A Lingering Farewell. « Every question asked and every jopinon expressed furnishes a stimulus of which the response is added ma- terial for the story. When the person interviewed gets started, however, on a long statement or detailed story of himself, it is best to let him talk him- self out before interrupting with a question, Stick to him as long as you have any questions to ask or as long as he will talk. If he is reluctant to talk, take a lingering farewell, ~ pop- ping questions at him one after an- other while he is showing you out. Immediately after leaving, write down every word you can remember which the person interviewed has ut- tered, It is best to take no notes in front of him, as this is disconcerting and stops his flow of thought, unless he is accustomed to being interviewed. If it is absolutely necessary to take a note or two of statistics or very im- portant statements, take them in such a way as to keep the person inter- viewed at his ease, without flourishes. Just before leaving ,ask for any liter- ature which the organization or person you have interviewed can give you. This often adds to the story when quoted. Direct Quotations. * The notes taken of the interview, the literature gathered, and the ma- terial about the same subject in other papers and magazines, are he material the reporter has before him as he sits down to compose his news story. Make direct quotations wherever possible in writing up the story. Do not state what you. asked the person interviewed but construct his answers into a smooth running story. The an- 8wers do not have to be given in their order providing the meaning is not changed, Bob Minor’s Story. Robert Minor’s story of the socialist convention, in the July 9 issue of the DAILY WORKER, is an example of the best kind of reporting, In the first paragraph he gives the most impor- tant news—that the socialists indorsed LaFolleite and voted against running their own presidential candidate. In the. second and third paragraphs he mentioned the two most important speeches of the day—that of Abe Cahan and Morris Hillquit and points out the battle between these two men, giving their most significant state- ments. In the fourth paragraph Minor tells of the effect of Eugene Debs’ telegram on the convention. Not until, in these first four paragraphs, he had given a brief summary of the most important news of the convention does Minor go back and report the speeches of the leading figures of the convention in detail. Take your DAILY WORKER and study this story of Minor. Types of Stories. The news stories mentioned above are by far the large majority of those which the volunteer reporters will send to the DAILY WORKER. In ad- dition, there is the narrative method of writing up a story, where the sum- mary is not put into the lead. “John Smith walked into a bird store to buy his wife some canary bird seed yester- day evening, and suddenly found him- self confronted by a roaring lion just inside the entrance,” is a lead for a narrative story. Written up in the regulation news story, the lead might run, “A circus lion broke loose on Main street last night, scaring many home-bound pedestrians, but was cap- tured in a bird store before anyone was injured.” There is also the feature story which emphasizes incidents appealing to the emotions and to “human in- terest” rather than giving the bare factas. Feature stories may also be written as semi-editorials giving the paper’s policy. For the DAILY WORK- ER, however, the regular news story style used by our correspondents is most valuable, In the next article I will mention a few common types of news séories and how they should be handled for the DAILY WORKER, and will give some further suggestions on the ac- tual writing of the story after the news is gathered. ON A HOSPITAL COT - (eo) ssomrzassen O, I have reached another stage. Long rows of cots occupied by in- valids. A crucifix on the wall. And at the entrance stands a vessel con- taining holy water. Nuns wearing large white bonnets and the priest who calls daily to administer the last rites to those that may need them. The bells are tolling. Itisdawn. The deep darkness grad- ually dissolves in the first blush of morn. The cots cast penetrating lengthened shadows across the gloom. From afar comes the harsh ringing of a bell. Two shafts of light from as many lamps quiver thru the corridor. The ringing becomes insufferable. An invalid on the adjoining cot speaks: “Someone is dying. ... .” Two youthful ministers enter with lamps and bells in their hands; a third one holds a crucifix aloft. The priest is attired in ritual vest- ments: a white blouse, richly brocaded with lace. The boy, lying on a nearby cot, grumbles: “Why do they bother me? I want to live.” The bell in the corridor stops ring- ing. sighs, “It’s quite a fortune, if you don’t happen to have it,” adding, “and I haven't it.” Jakie Rosenberg is his name. He has nothing in common with the crucifix on yonder wall. He was brought from some East Side death trap. It is six months now since he has been spitting blood. I often wonder where he gets so much blood. But Jakie Rosenberg is giving the Grim Reaper a heroic tussle. “Tl bet it would be wonderful out in California. They have nothing but \coherently. He sputtered, not so much because of his cough as in conse- ‘quence of the flood of tears which fill his eyes. But he goes on bravely: “The children were all taken out of school. Now they’re all working to give me a chance to go to California.” “How wonderful.” “Yes, indeed.” * *¢ # It is visiting time. Jakie’s eyes light up. Regina has come; also little Moe .... and all the others from the East Side. They all sit on and around the cot .... at the feet of the Lord, Jesus Christ. sunshine out there. Everybody that!They must have told Jakie some- goes there comes back cured .. . .it’s thing particularly fine, for his eyes a cinch that I'd get well, too.” glistened like glittering diamonds. I venture to ask: “Have you no one}And the whole family seems to bathe who could raise the hundred for you?” “A hundred dollars? That mightn’t be quite enough. Besides, we are not rich. We have a houseful of kids.” But suddenly his eyes grow bright. “Our relatives are nice people. whole family is together and, know, they held a pow-pow the day and decided to get up money to send me to California. Real- ly I hate to talk about it for fear that Half asleep, the boy murmurs: “I|it will never come to anything.” want to live.” the ward with their prayerful mur-| coughs. mur. = ** @ The morning drags its lumbering in the cloudless rays of true happi- ness. No particularly vivid imagina~’ tion is required to guess that the fate- ful sum had been gathered: the fare California. What is there for me, the senti- tal fool, to do but share the joy Regina, Moe and Jakie, and the rest of the youngsters lurking around the cot. Jakie’s father came also. He sizes the place; looks at the cross and s A deep sigh is followed by another|the holy water and the nouns. Once again the bell tolls mournful-Ifit of coughing. He sat up to relieve ly. It is morning. Nuns enter, filling it. It was one of those ominous dry “What are you looking at, pa?” “Ich kukmech im (I’m just look- It seems to call for every|ing around), my boy.” Then: “Regina ounce of strength; it fairly made my|loves you seher.” own lungs pant in agony. “Maybe you have talked too much|saying: The old man approaches my cot, “Have you been here very hulk onward. Amid spasms of cough-|already,” I caution him, fecalling that | long?” ing the patients talk of a brighter|only two weeks ago he spitted thick hereafter and the things denied them|streams of blood. in this life. The youngster nearest to.me an-|have it, about my nounces: “I'd need no $100.00 to go to California. I have anjis a blessed old soul. uncle there who'd look after me. Ajher chasene.. . hundred dollars isn’t such a lot of/ding. It was at money—is it?” “Not an awful lot,” says I; but he more than|Oh, yes. You know my “Two weeks.” “That all? You ain’t very sick “Oh, no. What was I saying? Ijeither.... My son (and his eyes grow + I means her so adladnd thos, tote decided to send me to California.” trip to California, | moist) .... he is going to California. sister Regina} We gottem all money now .. . Regina, he just had|you know, she... .” | HK, ae Visiting.time is over. Once more Jakie and I are alone. He is still By now he is scarcely able to speak|drunk with joy. “I’m going to California, after all,” he says jubilantly. “Think of it. . aie they’ve collected all the money. Now to get well a bit... then off I'll go. Oh, just watch me build up quick. Regina told me about a lucky cases -... Regina .... there’s a peach of a kid for you... . .” > + «* A physician cloaked in white makes one of his daily rounds. “Howdy?” he asks. And Jakie Rosenfeld feels “fine,” “I'm going to California,” he replies, “Won't that be ripping. You'll be on your feet in no time,” the doctor reassures him, passing on to the next cot. *- *+ The flickering glow of a night lamp fails to pierce the darkness. Brrr... what a black night it is. The clock ticks and strikes the passing hours monotonously. A quick, sharp rap draws my attention to the adjoining cot... Here, in this hospital of mercy, the electric bell is an unknown institution. It is young Rosenfeld rapping . . . calling for an ant... a stream of blood spurting from his mouth. The attendant, obviously unaccus- tomed to the sight of blood gushing in jets, rushes wildly to the cot... then to a locker for a bowl to receive Jakie’s oozing blood. The boy’s bulging eyes seem to want to say something, but he cannot. The bowl is filled to overflowing; he is clutching it convulsively. His eyes become blurred, furtively glaring in the air. They probably meet the eyes of Christ upon the wall. I wonder what isin his mind and in his heart? Very likely nothing. His blood is still gushing in ever stronger streams. His head slips back, The bowl crashes to the floor. Anoth-. er jet of blood spurts from a fast ebb- (Continued on page 6) LLL LLL tt