Writing for Communication 11/19/15

Happy Friday!

Writing For Broadcast Powerpoint: Writing for the Ear, Not the Eye

• Use present tense as much as possible
• Present tense review: owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/601/01 
• Broadcast vs. print lead examples 
• If a broadcast lead feels right, give it a shot, there's more room to play around
• Don't confuse leads with headlines or teases
• Lead: A Bethesda fire captain has landed in hot water after using a city fire truck to water his own lawn.
• Teaser: Bethesda fire captain lands in hot water
• Put attribution before quotes, not after
• Correct: GOP leaders say the tea party scandal could cost republicans the senate.
• Incorrect: The Tea Party scandal could cost republicans the senate, GOP leaders said. 
• From now on, if given quotes in a broadcast story, paraphrase instead of using quote/unquote format or direct quotes
• Use Short, Simple Sentences:
• No broadcast story paragraph can be longer than two sentences 
• Use Active, Not Passive Voice
• Numbers
• Avoid them whenever possible (too many confuse the listener/viewer)
• 275 thousand dollars (easiest way to read)
• Round off when you can 
• Don't use the phrase "an estimated"
• Abbreviations:
• Don't use them.
• Spell out the words (Maryland not MD.)
• Things to Remember:
• Audience is in a hurry so writing should be brief. Get to the point.
• Writing should be full of active verbs that grab listener/viewers attention and keeps them listening or watching
• Viewers/listeners interesting in what's happening now, use the present tense
• Audience is hearing, not reading. Be conversational and avoid jargon.
• Broadcast writing must be easily understood.
• "Audience has their finger poised on the clicker. You only get one chances to get your point across." Keep their attention.
• You can use the oval format for broadcast:
• Interesting beginning, middle of the story, comes full circle at the end

Clip from Broadcast News 

Development in the Stefanie Story (Cruise Ship Threats)

• Creating a broadcast and print lead based on new information
• Stefanie has skipped town. No one knows where she is. 
• "My advice to her is, get back home. Now!" said Police spokesman Danny Arndt.
• Final Broadcast Story due by end of class

Enjoy Thanksgiving Break!