Out-Of-Class #1: A Good Tip Sheet Example

YOUR NAME: (redacted)

THE TIP SHEET DUE DATE: Oct. 1, xxxx

STORY SLUG: Alternative to party.

STORY TOPIC: I want this story to be about what students do on the weekends besides go to the bars or to a party. I feel like that is all students talk about on Mondays and I am wondering what the alternatives are.

NEWS VALUE: I am exploring the news angle of a student who is looking for different things to do besides party on the weekends, because going out is all they hear about. My story is interesting and relevant because most events are geared toward the college students that want to go out every weekend, but there are some students that don’t know what else is out there. Giving them options on MSU’s campus would be interesting, relevant and useful.

AUDIENCE ANALYSIS: College students, particularly on MSU’s campus.

STORY SOURCES:

·      Stephanie Bierlein, Assistant Manager for UAB, MSU Union, 517-884-2228, bierle22@msu.edu

·      Lindsay Baird, animal science sophomore, 5456 Antoinette Drive, Grand Blanc, MI 48439, 810-845-4279, bairdli1@msu.edu

·      Nick VanAcker, zoology sophomore, 2330 N. Canal Rd., Lansing, MI 48917, 517-974-4707, vanack22@msu.edu

·      Erik Altmann, Psychology Professor, 298A Psychology Building, 517-353-4406, ema@msu.edu

·      Talitha Easterly, Ph. D, Counseling Staff at Olin Health Center, Olin Health Center, 517-355-8270, easter15@msu.edu

DOCUMENTARY SOURCES:

·      https://colleges.niche.com/rankings/best-party-schools/ - Best party schools

·      MSU Party Stories Twitter account

·     http://www.nabca.org/News/Files/Drinking%20at%20college%20parties-%20Examining%20the%20influence%20of%20student%20host-status.pdf - Ohio State University study on party-location

SOURCE CREDIBILITY AND EXPERTISE: My human sources are good because I have a mix between students and experts. My experts have some concentration in psychology, social issues and/or alcohol abuse. My documentary sources can add to my human sources and give the readers more information to go off of.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: I have no conflicts of interest.

PUBLICATION POTENTIAL: The State News or any publication targeting MSU students would publish this. I think my chances of publication are high because my topic can reach the interests of many students; even the ones who do like to go out all of the time.

STORY ALTERNATIVES: If my story does not work out I might do just a general story of what students do on the weekends. I also have a complete fallback story, which is: What students tweet about and why.