Paragraph Profile
The shortest of profiles aren't really profiles at all but single paragraphs within larger stories. A paragraph profile transforms a fairly flat story into one with real characters. It helps your readers move through the story because names are no longer merely names. The paragraph profile reveals something about a person's character that is germane to the broader story.
While writing the most mundane beat stories, paragraph profiles allow you to push yourself to do the kind of reporting required for narrative writing. They force you to dig deeper and focus on what is truly relevant about the subject.
In class assignment: Look back over an article we've read in class (scan my blog for links if you need to) and find examples of paragraph profiles. HOMEWORK assignment: Write a paragraph profile of one of the people you've interviewed for your feature. If you need to, call or e-mail them with follow up questions. This is not for your blog; type it on paper.
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