Campus Journalism: Sports Writing (Types, Examples, Tips)

Summary

In this video, aspiring journalists learn about sports writing, a creative nonfiction category focused on athletes, games, and sports-related topics. Teacher Geo outlines the key elements of sports articles, including game highlights, team names, scores, and venue details. The script covers five types of sports stories: Straight Lead, Feature Game Story, Profile Story, Season Preview/Wrap-up, and Column Stories. Each type is explained with examples, providing viewers with a comprehensive understanding of how to craft compelling sports narratives that capture both the drama of competition and the human element behind the game.

Takeaways

• 😀 Sports writing is a form of creative nonfiction that focuses on athletes, teams, and sports events, blending storytelling with factual reporting.
• 😀 A sports writer aims to create an immersive experience, taking readers from one place to another and providing a human element to the story.
• 😀 Key elements of a sports article include highlights of the game, team names, type of sport, final score, and when and where the game took place.
• 😀 A strong sports article emphasizes individual athlete experiences, showing how competition drama unfolds and impacts the players.
• 😀 The Straight Lead Game Story follows an inverted pyramid structure and focuses on summarizing the key points of a game, including the outcome, key plays, and notable players.
• 😀 Feature Game Stories provide deeper insights, focusing on perspectives and events that are not immediately visible during a game broadcast.
• 😀 Profile Stories highlight a specific person (player, coach, etc.) and delve into their background, challenges, and contributions to the sport.
• 😀 Season Preview and Wrap-up Stories offer an overview of a team's expectations before a season begins or summarize the season's journey after it ends.
• 😀 Column Stories allow sports writers to express opinions, critiques, or analysis, providing a platform for personal perspectives on sports topics.
• 😀 In sports writing, active verbs, sports-specific jargon, and direct or indirect quotes are essential to engage readers and make the narrative dynamic.
• 😀 Understanding the different types of sports stories—straight lead, feature, profile, season preview/wrap-up, and column—is crucial for any aspiring sports writer.

Q & A

What is the main focus of sports writing?

Sports writing is a category of journalism that focuses on creative nonfiction, specifically about sports, athletes, or related topics. It aims to provide an immersive experience for the reader, often highlighting personal or dramatic aspects of the game or athlete.

What are the essential elements that should be included in a sports article?

The essential elements of a sports article include the game highlights, names of the teams involved, the type of sport, the final score or outcome, and when and where the game took place.

Why is it important to focus on individual athletes in sports writing?

Focusing on individual athletes adds a human element to the story, making it more relatable and engaging for the reader. It helps to highlight the personal journey and emotions behind the competition.

What distinguishes a Straight Lead Game Story from other types of sports writing?

A Straight Lead Game Story follows the inverted pyramid structure, providing a summary of the game, including the final score, key plays, and significant players. It is factual and focuses on the overall results, rather than deeper insights into the game or players.

How does a Feature Game Story differ from a Straight Lead Game Story?

A Feature Game Story provides a deeper, more personal perspective beyond the highlights. It focuses on behind-the-scenes details, emotional aspects, or unique insights about the players or the game, which are not immediately evident from the game footage or summaries.

What is the purpose of a Profile Story in sports writing?

A Profile Story focuses on a specific athlete or coach, providing an in-depth look at their background, challenges, and accomplishments. It gives readers a more personal connection to the person being profiled, often highlighting their personal journey and unique experiences.

What should a Season Preview or Wrap-Up Story include?

A Season Preview Story discusses expectations for the upcoming season, including key players and coaching strategies. A Season Wrap-Up Story summarizes the entire season, reflecting on victories, losses, and the overall performance of the team, often including the perspectives of players and coaches.

What is the role of a Column Story in sports writing?

A Column Story in sports writing expresses the writer's opinions or critiques about specific events, players, coaches, or controversies. It often includes personal reflections, rants, or praise, and may discuss issues like performance, rules, or management decisions.

Can you explain the importance of the SVO format in sports headlines?

The SVO format (Subject-Verb-Object) is essential in sports headlines for clarity and structure. It ensures that the headline is straightforward, with the verb always in the present tense and active form, making it concise and impactful.

What should sports writers focus on when writing about a game, besides the score?

Besides the score, sports writers should focus on key moments during the game, notable plays, player performances, and the overall atmosphere. Highlighting individual athletes' contributions and emotional responses adds depth and relatability to the story.