Читать книгу Field Guide to Covering Sports - Joe Gisondi - Страница 31

On deadline, sports writers rarely have time to develop a longer theme-based story. Instead, they address key plays, trends, and stats, while recording who won and lost. Later versions of the story, something Associated Press calls “write-thrus,” may include a feature approach, telling the story behind the final outcome. That’s always a good idea. Readers can get the basic information from many sources, so look for stories that reveal something more about the game. Matt Daniels, at the time a senior at Eastern Illinois University, wrote the following story for The Daily Eastern News after a football game.

But, first, let’s review some elements in all stories—characters, setting, plot, and point of view, all driven by conflict. In sports, the larger conflict is clear—one team wants to defeat another. But what about those smaller conflicts? The rookie offensive guard matched up against the all-conference defensive end. The quarterback playing against the team that once cut him, thinking he was too old. The volleyball libero diving for kill shots with a broken left wrist. The golfer with a degenerative leg ailment struggling to play during the final holes. Or in the story below, a rookie running back forced to play after the star runner gets injured in a key conference game. The stories are endless if you do the research and cover a beat diligently.

HEADLINE: Adeniji Gives Warrior Effort

BYLINE: Matt Daniels, Eastern Illinois University