Assignment: Profile

Reporting and News Writing, Georgetown School of Continuing Studies

Creative Commons-licensed photo by Alan Turkus

Whether they are a beat sweetener or just a good read, profiles are a staple of journalism. By zeroing in on a single person, reporters learn how to craft a relatable narrative that can inform and entertain readers. The key to good profile writing is to keep at it. Whatever beat you’re on, always look for people with interesting stories to tell. As you learn how to write a good profile, you’ll develop habits that improve all of your writing. Your goal for this assignment is to find someone with a good story, interview them (if you didn’t already for the previous assignment), talk to their friends and peers about what makes them tick, find those key turning points in their life and frame a compelling story about them. You must not rely only on interviews with the profile subject for your reporting.

Due date: Oct. 3. Rewrite due Oct. 10.


Write as much as you can.
As fast as you can.
Finish your shit.
Hit your deadlines.
Try very hard not to suck.

)
Ryan Teague Beckwith

Written by

A politics reporter in Bloomberg’s D.C. Bureau. Part-time journalism teacher at Georgetown’s School of Continuing Studies. Luke 8:17.

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