ENTERPRISE PROJECT

You will work on this story as the semester unfolds.It is in addition to your other weekly assignments. Start early. Use time wisely. The story should:

·        Deal with a social problem -- such as education, housing, subways, police performance.

·        Offer some fresh reporting, not just a repackaging of what is already known.

·        Display some “edge” (namely, reveal shortcomings or wrongdoing) or provide

deeper “insight” (namely, sort out or clarify a significant issue or controversy for

readers).

·        Rely at least in part on documents or records.

·        Draw upon at least a dozen interviews.

·        Try to point toward some solutions.

·        Length:1,500 - 2,500 words.

In a sense, this will be a mini-master’s project. In fact, it might feed into your master’s project, providing a piece of a larger whole.

FIRST DEADLINE: Oct. 1

The first step is a memo due Oct. 1 at 9 a.m. that lists three story ideas. The memo should have three parts:

1.Briefly describe each idea.Don’t just name a topic. Strive for a specific story idea.

2.Offer a plan for executing each idea. How would you tackle it?

3.List major sources -- individuals, groups, documents.

Carla and I will confer promptly with you on the idea to be pursued.

As a guide for your memo, I will give you a copy of a memo submitted by Kate Grossman, an RW1 reporter.It was well done, though yours need not be this long.She worked on her first story idea – on housing – and it later was published in the Village Voice (you received a copy for the Bronx bus tour).

SECOND DEADLINE: Oct. 22

A progress report on your enterprise project will be due Monday, Oct. 22, at 9 a.m.

Your report should be no more than two pages single-spaced and contain these elements:

1. The project's working title. Keep it under a dozen words. Try to include a verb.

2. A one paragraph summary of your story idea ("This is a story about...).Within that summary, explain the project'sEDGE (that is, what problem or shortcoming or breakdown you are investigating and why this in important) OR the project’sINSIGHT (that is, what controversial issue you are sorting out for readers and why this is important).

            TIP: To sharpen your idea, ask yourself:If I were the reader, why should I       care about this story?

3. A summary of your major sources. Briefly list who you have talked with and what you have found.Also note who you will talk to next and why.

4. Finally, a summary of your progress to date and an outline of your plan for completing the project.

THIRD DEADLINE: Nov. 28

An 800-word draft of your enterprise story is due Wednesday, Nov. 28, at 9 a.m.This is will be the “top” of your story – its lede, its nut graph, its angle of pursuit.

FINAL DEADLINE: Dec. 3

You final draft is due Monday, Dec. 3, at 9 a.m.The story should meet all the standards for the enterprise project.Since we have some extra time at the end of this semester, we will permit a further revision – or polishing – of the story, which will be due Monday, Dec. 17 at 9 a.m.We will discuss this “bonus” class later in the semester.