writing obits. what’s an obit? it’s a news story about a death. it’s also about the life of a...
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Writing Obits
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What’s an obit?
It’s a news story about a death. It’s also about the LIFE of a person. Usually, the person is of some
importance – community, state, nation or world.
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Importance of obits
Name printed in paper twice – when born and when die
Stories saved for decades
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Importance of accuracy
Must get names right Talk to grieving relatives, friends and
co-workers Double check info from funeral home
and elsewhere
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Timeliness of obit
Must write quickly Must get story in day after someone
dies
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No Saints
About people, not gods Humans are flawed OK to point out those flaws Examples
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Types of obits
News obit Feature obit, i.e. Johnny Carson Commoner
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Focus of obit
On person and person’s “claim to fame”
“Claim to fame” – how most people know the person
“Claim to fame” – reason you write the obit
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Obit structure
Tell readers early in story – lede - who died
How the person died Include achievements in body of story Include high and low points End story with list of survivors, burial
and funeral arrangements