Spots, Features...

Here are some examples of the types of reporting we'll be doing this year...from the most basic, to the most complex. These stories are all centered around the basic broadcast writing rules of brief, but descriptive. The first piece is what we call a "spot." It's a short news story, with a lead paragraph written for the host, or "anchor" to read. It contains short "sound bites" or "actualities" within it. Heres' the script - click on the link to hear the story.

The State Legislature has gathered for a special session to enact criminal justice reform.
WNPR's Lucy Nalpathanchil reports.

State Legislature debates criminal justice reform spurred by Cheshire home invasion
The State Legislature has gathered for a special session to enact criminal justice reform.
Speaking on WNPR's Where We Live program, House Speaker James Amann says the Democratic majority and Governor Jodi Rell have reached a consensus on most issues in the reform proposal. Two sticking points remain, including disagreement between the Democrats and Republicans over a so-called, 3 strikes law that would send repeat violent offenders to prison for life. Amann says the problem with a 3 strikes law is that it would take away judicial discretion. But House Minority leader, Larry Cafero says the Republicans disagree with the need for flexibility when sentencing repeat violent offenders. He says the Governor has an idea that may help the Legislature reach a compromise.

Cafero: "That after 30 years that sentence should be reviewed, that is a compromise, a hybrid if you will as I've called it. And I think our caucus would certainly be willing to go along with that as well."

The special session was prompted by the deadly home invasion this past summer in Cheshire that killed 3 members of the Petit family. Two men have been charged with the crimes.
House Speaker Amann says the reform package includes investing money to improve technology and info-sharing between law enforcement agencies. Amann says this kind of investment could have prevented the Cheshire tragedy.

Amann: "The problem wasn't 3-strikes. The problem was information sharing, lack of sharing important data and information to Parole that probably would have kept these 2 individuals in jail."

The legislators are also trying to reach a compromise on how to label certain crimes so they fall under the definition of a violent offense. If the reform package is approved, the state could be spending up to an additional $25 million dollars in the next 2 years. For WNPR News, I'm Lucy Nalpathanchil.

You see the way Lucy wrote into those soundbites, making the story flow from her voice into that of the speaker. The whole piece is very short, only about two minutes, but still much longer than much of what you'll hear on commercial radio.

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Now, here's a story that's different, and one that uses natural sound, or "ambience" to really put you IN a place. The reporter sets "scenes" that introduce you to the different speakers, and actively describe the place where they're talking. It's called "Many British Muslim Women Embrace Political Islam" by National Public Radio's Sylvia Poggioli. Go to this link to hear the story, and read along with the script they've provided. For the web, it's in "print form." Listen for the ways in which the broadcast version is different.