Thursday, April 10, 2014

4/10 Notes - Emily Ambach

Broadcast Writing:
  • Write as if the anchor is reading. There are no video clips.
  • Write for the ear not the eye:

o   Satisfying: Use strong words, “paint pictures with words”
  • Use present tense:

o   Example: A Washington man is dead tonight after his car flipped on I-495.
  • Leads can be more flexible:

o   It’s ok not to say exactly what happened
  • Put the attribution before quotes:

o   Example: GOP leaders say the Craig scandal could cost Republicans the senate.
  • Use short, simple sentences:

o   Example: Thousands marched in peaceful protest against war. Police said there were no arrests.
  • Use active, not passive voice:

o   Example: Obama charges the Republicans with sabotaging the bill.
  • Avoid using numbers when possible and round them when you can.
  • Don’t use abbreviations
  • Writing should be brief
  • Print that is more in depth than broadcast


Presentations:
  •  New York Times, Fox News, and NPR story coverage


Homework:
  1. Pick any three print stories we’ve written this semester. Rewrite the lead, converting from print to broadcast. DUE: Saturday at 3 pm, email to Professor Piacente
  2. Read about the Exxon Valdez and imagine you were in charge of PR for Exxon at the time. Write three bullet points for your CEO to use in his first TV interview after the accident. DUE: Bring typed to next class (4/17)
  3. Read Chapter 13 Social Media in the book
  4. Pick a trending story on Twitter. Find three tweets you think are interesting, funny, informative, or creative. DUE: Bring three typed tweets to next class (4/17)


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