News Writing for Broadcast and Web
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Michelle Redmond. 9a.m. Jour 3323-001 1
JOUR 3323- 001. Fall 2012 NEWS WRITING FOR BROADCAST AND WEB Class: Tues and Thur. 9:00 a.m. to 10:20 a.m. GAB 319
“If we have no respect for our viewers [or listeners] then how can we have any respect for ourselves and what we do?” Christiane Amanpour CNN
Lecturer: Michelle Redmond. Office: GAB 101A Direct Phone: 940-369-8256. Office hours: By appointment. Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays: 11:00 a.m. to noon. Preferred form of contact is by email. My virtual office is always open; just email me at [email protected] I will do my best to respond within 24 hours… except on weekends.
TEXT and COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Required: “AP Broadcast News Handbook,” Brad Kalbfeld, McGraw-Hill, 2001. Required: “Writing and Producing Television News” Alan Schroeder, Oxford University Press,2009.
Required: A stopwatch or other device that allows you to time your copy
Required: A flash drive or jump drive that is at least 4-GB
Note: The Mayborn School of Journalism does not require students to purchase textbooks from the University Bookstore. Many textbooks are available through other bookstores or online.
COURSE OBJECTIVES AND EXPECTATIONS: In this class, you will expand your knowledge of broadcast news writing for radio, TV and the web. You will learn to write carefully, quickly and on deadline. You will develop a greater understanding of the critical role of broadcast journalists in American society, and why journalists must always be accurate and meet all deadlines.
Students who successfully complete this course should be able to:
Understand and apply First Amendment principles Understand and appreciate the critical role of journalists in American society Understand the importance of diversity in broadcast and web news Demonstrate knowledge and use of fundamentals of broadcast and web writing Write accurately, clearly, concisely, in appropriate styles and forms for on air and on line Learn to combine facts and sound into writing Michelle Redmond. 9a.m. Jour 3323-001 2
Develop a clear sense of “newsworthiness” Make all deadlines Work ethically, truthfully, accurately Think critically, creatively and independently Research and evaluate information based on industry standards Apply tools and technologies used in broadcast and web industries
You will learn to write on DEADLINE.
Just as late material does NOT make a newscast, LATE WORK IN THIS CLASS DOES NOT MAKE MY GRADE BOOK. One second late is late and earns a zero.
All audio, TV and web work must be typed and written in the appropriate style and format. This is NOT a cut-and-paste class. You’re learning to write and rewrite. The work must be your own.
I will judge your work for accuracy, clarity, conciseness, proper use of the language including grammar, spelling and punctuation, newsworthiness, aggressiveness, creativity, timeliness, deadlines, and initiative – in general, on good journalistic techniques based on current industry standards.
GRADING: You may earn up to 1,005 points in this course. And you may earn them by doing…
Writing assignments 300 points (15 assignments x 20 points Radio/TV news critiques 30 points (3 assignments x10 points) Web writing 45 points (3 assignments x 15 points) Question of the Day 40 points (2 points per question) Audio shifts 150 points (4 assignments x 25 points. 1 assignment x 50 points) Mid-term exam 135 points Final project 250 points Evaluation 50 points. Total possible points 1005 points
GRADING SCALE:
1000-875 = A 874-750 = B 749-625 = C 624-500 = D Michelle Redmond. 9a.m. Jour 3323-001 3
499 –below = F
WRITING ASSIGNMENTS: 300 points (15 assignments x 20 points each) In class and homework assignments will include writing and rewriting from wire copy, newspaper articles, notes, tapes, lectures and the textbook. You must follow the rules of accuracy, clarity, conciseness, spelling, usage, grammar, etc. You must meet all deadlines.
RADIO & TV NEWS CRITIQUES: 30 points (3 assignments x 10 points each) Becoming a broadcast journalist requires an understanding of the “product.” During the semester, you will be required to listen to various radio news reports and newscasts and watch various television news reports and newscasts, and then write a critique. Your critique will be based on certain criteria, including style, structure, clarity, understandability, grammar, “stacking,” newsworthiness, use of sound and natural sound, use of video, plus other criteria to be defined later. All work must be typed, written in the appropriate style, and turned in on time.
WEB WRITING: 45 points (3 assignments x 15 points each) You will learn some of the basics of writing copy for the web, including style, structure and format. You will write using various sources and on deadline. Note: Cutting and pasting are not allowed.
QUESTION OF THE DAY: 40 points (2 points/question, up to a maximum of 40 points) Knowing what’s going on in local, national and international news is critical in working as a journalist.
AUDIO SHIFTS: 150 points (4 assignments x 25 points each; 1 assignment x 50 points) As an aspiring journalist, it’s critical that you develop skills to “turn” daily stories, which includes thinking and writing quickly and making deadlines. For this class, you are required to work four 2-hour audio shifts, and one 3-hour audio shift. You will check out equipment, interview, write, record and edit audio during this time period. You MUST complete the entire assignment on deadline during each shift.
You will sign up for your shifts at the beginning of the semester. You must NOT miss your shift. This is exactly like going to a job. You MUST show up. If something urgent comes up and you cannot work your shift, you must communicate with me in ADVANCE. I will then decide if you may change your shift. Failure to notify me in advance will result in your loss of all points for that shift. More details and scheduling calendar to come later.
MID-TERM EXAM: 135 points Michelle Redmond. 9a.m. Jour 3323-001 4
This exam will be given about halfway or two-thirds of the way through the course. It will include content we’ve covered in class. Midterm date: TBA. I will give you plenty of notice.
FINAL PROJECT: 250 points This is NOT a team project! The project will require writing, producing, timing an original 10-minute TV newscast, incorporating videotape, wire reports, notes, and interviews. You must demonstrate good TV news writing and newscast structure based on newsworthiness, accuracy, clarity, conciseness, formatting, style and other criteria. Exact criteria and requirements will be handed out later in the semester. The project must fill, but not exceed, the time limits of the newscast. The Final Project will be due before the semester ends. The exact due date will be determined based on when the project is actually assigned. The due date will be announced in class. There will be no final exam, but you will be required to attend class during the final exam time: Thursday, December 13 th @ 8:00a.m to 10a.m.
EVALUATION: 50 points You may earn up to 50 points in my overall evaluation of your work. I will assess these points at the end of the semester. Among other things, I will judge you on class participation, eagerness, creativity, initiative, overall quality of your work, and improvement during the semester.
If your news story is exceptionally well done, I will advise/suggest that you submit the piece to NTDaily.com for submission consideration. If your report is accepted by the NTDaily staff, I will add 5 extra ‘congratulations’ credit points to your over all point tally.
EQUIPMENT USAGE: Audio equipment for this class will be checked out from the Equipment Room in GAB 111.
In the spirit of fairness, and to level the playing field you may not use your own equipment or equipment belonging to anyone else. Violating that rule will result in a zero for that project.
Failure to return equipment on time will result in the loss of use of the equipment for a designated time period. Here are some specifics from the official policy rules:
• Audio Recorders are limited to 3 hours maximum
• Late return of equipment and/or other violation of procedures relative to the use of the equipment (including unauthorized checkout) may affect your final course grade (point deductions determined by your instructor). Offenders will receive Michelle Redmond. 9a.m. Jour 3323-001 5
stronger penalties and will be denied the use of equipment and/or facilities based on the following:
1. First Infraction 1-week loss of equipment/facility use
2. Second Infraction 3-week loss of equipment/facility use
3. Third Infraction Loss of ALL equipment/facility use privileges for the rest of the semester in ALL journalism classes.
NOTE: During school breaks… No equipment may be checked out and the labs will be CLOSED. (i.e. Thanksgiving or Spring Break)
GOLD CARD: You will need to sign an equipment checkout “Gold Card” to be allowed to use audio equipment in this class. Here’s some of the language from the Gold Card:
“The student agrees to retain sole possession of equipment checked out and not to lend or give the equipment to any other person for any reason. The student is responsible for returning the equipment by the date and time specified.
“The student is responsible for any loss or damage to the equipment during the time the equipment is checked out in his/her name, whether or not such damage is caused by the student. Any equipment not returned within two weeks from the date checked out will be considered lost.
“Damaged equipment will be repaired at the student’s expense. If the equipment is lost or cannot be repaired, the student will be responsible for replacing the equipment at current market price. In addition, the student will receive an incomplete in the course until the issue is resolved.”
CLOTHING/APPEARANCE: One of your “jobs” during this semester is interviewing people, so wear appropriate clothing during your audio shifts. Men, you must wear a shirt with a collar, nice jeans or slacks. Women, you must wear a top with sleeves, long pants or a skirt or dress that is not short OR revealing. No low cut or sleeveless tops. No shorts.
You are learning how professional journalists work. Dressing and acting appropriately are an important part of being dedicated and believable. Failure to wear appropriate Michelle Redmond. 9a.m. Jour 3323-001 6 clothing when you’re on assignment will result in the loss of points. If I’m not here to observe, I expect you to be honest and tell me if you didn’t dress appropriately.
ATTENDANCE, SICK AND OTHER POLICIES: If you are sick and miss class, you must bring a doctor’s excuse to make up the in- class assignment. Please notify me in advance, if possible. If you have a doctor’s excuse, we will then arrange a time to make up any in-class writing. You must immediately get any homework assignment from me or another student and turn it in the first day you return to class.
If for example you have a death in your immediate family, please provide documentation. You will need to see me about making up the work you missed.
Cell phones: OFF! The same goes for any other electronic devices before class starts. Talking on the phone, text messaging and checking e-mail are NOT permitted during class. If you violate these policies, I will ask you to leave the room and you risk losing points that will not be made up at a later time.
Note: **Civility is expected at all times toward the professor and one another.
PLAGIARISM: You are learning the craft of Journalism, which is about accuracy and truth telling.
DO NOT LIE, CHEAT, COPY OR MAKE UP STUFF.
ACADEMIC HONESTY: When you submit work for this class, that is the same as making a statement that you have produced the work yourself, in its entirety. Plagiarism, fabrication, copyright infringement, and similar uses of other people's work are unacceptable.
Plagiarism, in a nutshell, is using other people’s written words as your own. Some people consider the use of 7-10 words in a row, copied from another source, as plagiarism. Be sure to include citations when using other people’s writing, because plagiarism is a serious offense in any discipline, especially in journalism. It is a firing offense in the professional world.
Any situations involving potential academic dishonesty will be handled through procedures established by the UNT Office of Academic Integrity. The process also includes the opportunity for students to appeal the outcome. Read specific procedures at http://vpaa.unt.edu/academic-integrity.htm
MAYBORN SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY
Michelle Redmond. 9a.m. Jour 3323-001 7
The codes of ethics from the Society of Professional Journalists, American Advertising Federation and Public Relations Society of America address truth and honesty. The Mayborn School of Journalism embraces these tenets and believes that academic dishonesty of any kind – including plagiarism and fabrication – is incongruent with all areas of journalism. The school’s policy aligns with UNT Policy 18.1.16 and requires reporting any act of academic dishonesty to the Office for Academic Integrity for investigation. If the student has a previous confirmed offense (whether the first offense was in the journalism school or another university department) and the student is found to have committed another offense, the department will request the additional sanction of removing the student from the Mayborn School of Journalism. The student may appeal to the Office for Academic Integrity, which ensures due process and allows the student to remain in class pending the appeal.
Honor Code Mayborn School of Journalism • Mayborn Graduate Institute University of North Texas
The faculty, staff, and students of the University of North Texas Mayborn School of Journalism and Mayborn Graduate Institute of Journalism regard honesty and integrity as essential qualities of our Journalism students and as reflections of the standards of the professions for which journalism educates its students.
Students of The University of North Texas Mayborn School of Journalism and Mayborn Graduate Institute of Journalism have entered a community of scholarship and journalism where academic integrity is of the highest importance.
The codes of ethics from the Society of Professional Journalists, American Advertising Federation and Public Relations Society of America address truth and honesty. The Mayborn School of Journalism embraces these tenets and believes that academic dishonesty of any kind – including plagiarism and fabrication – is incongruent with all areas of journalism. The school’s policy aligns with UNT Policy 18.1.16 and requires reporting any act of academic dishonesty to the Office for Academic Integrity for investigation. If the student has a previous confirmed offense (whether the first offense was in the journalism school or another university department) and the student is found to have committed another offense, the department will request the additional sanction of removing the student from the Mayborn School of Journalism. The student may appeal to the Office for Academic Integrity, which ensures due process and allows the student to remain in class pending the appeal. By enrolling in Journalism classes, all students agree to uphold this Honor Code. All students taking Journalism classes agree that in their course work and interaction with faculty and staff they will not engage in:
Fabricating information, data, research, quotations or sources. Plagiarizing the words or other creative work of another person: Plagiarism consists of intentionally or knowingly representing the words or ideas of another Michelle Redmond. 9a.m. Jour 3323-001 8
person as one’s own. Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to, the knowing or intentional failure to attribute language or ideas to their original source, in the manner required by the academic discipline (such as by quotation marks, attribution in the text, and footnotes citations in an academic exercise) or in the manner required by journalism practice (such as by quotation marks and attribution in a journalistic presentation). Looking at the exam of another student or using unauthorized notes, study aids or other materials during an examination. Altering and resubmitting work previously submitted and graded (this does not include rewrites of previously graded lab assignments). Submitting identical or substantially the same work for credit in more than one course. Obtaining unfair advantage, aiding and abetting, and falsifying records. Academic sabotage, by intentionally taking any action, which negatively affects the academic work of another student.
Professional journalists who fabricate and/or plagiarize violate industry standards and the public trusts greatly compromising the integrity of their medium. Such journalists are often disciplined or fired. Students in the Mayborn School of Journalism and Mayborn graduate students, especially those whose work goes out to client news organizations via the School of Journalism, will be held to the same standards in their work.
At the Mayborn School of Journalism and Mayborn Graduate Institute, all of the activities listed above are grounds for sanctions ranging from a reprimand to revocation of a degree or expulsion from the University.
Honor Code based on The Medill School of Journalism (2001 pledge) with amendments approved by the faculty of the Mayborn School of Journalism and the Mayborn Graduate Institute of Journalism (2004).
DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION The School of Journalism cooperates with the Office of Disability Accommodations to make reasonable accommodations for qualified students. If you have not registered with ODA, please do so and present your written accommodation request to me by the 12th day of class.
JOURNALISM COURSE REGISTRATION 1. The Mayborn School of Journalism, in conjunction with the Registrar's Office, has eliminated the need for individual class codes for the majority of journalism courses. Registration will begin on the dates noted in the schedule of classes each semester. The system is a live, first come/first served program; thus, we are unable to maintain the traditional waiting list as has been done previously. 2. By registering for this course, you are stating that you have taken the required prerequisites according to your catalog year and major/minor status. You must provide an unofficial copy of your transcript by the second day of class, highlighting the journalism classes and your math class. If I later determine that you haven’t taken and passed these requirements, then you may be dropped at any Michelle Redmond. 9a.m. Jour 3323-001 9
point in the semester. If you have questions about your prerequisites, please see me and an academic advisor. 3. A journalism major enrolled in this class, or any restricted 3000 and 4000 level classes, must have taken and passed the GSP test, all pre-major courses, and Math 1680 and also have applied for major status. Students must earn and maintain a 2.5 UNT and/or overall GPA (depending upon catalog year) to be eligible for major-level courses. Pre-majors must file a formal application for major status in the final semester of pre-major status to be eligible for early registration of major-level classes in the following semester.
RE-TAKING FAILED COURSES Students will not be allowed to automatically take a failed journalism course more than two times. Once you have failed a journalism course twice, you will not be allowed to enroll in that course for 12 months. Once you have waited 12 months after failing a course twice, you may make an appeal to the professor teaching the course to be allowed to enroll a third time.
SETE The Student Evaluation of Teaching Effectiveness (SETE) is a university-wide online evaluation and a requirement for all UNT classes. The Mayborn School of Journalism needs your input to improve our teaching and curriculum. This short survey will be available at the end of the semester, providing you a chance to comment on how this class is taught. Prompt completion of the SETE will mean earlier access to final semester grades. You’re a critical part of our growth and success. We look forward to your input through SETE.
Becoming a broadcast journalist starts now!
You must watch and listen to radio and TV newscasts, read newspapers and web articles throughout the semester. I expect you to attend each class. Be here on time. Come prepared. And always be ready to write.
We’ll work hard this semester – and we’ll have fun doing it!
Broadcast news is an exciting, challenging and HIGHLY COMPETITIVE business. If you want to make it, you must learn to write well. This is the place to start!
JOUR 3323-001 News Writing for Broadcast and Web Fall 2012 9 a.m. to 10:20 a.m. Rm: 319
The following schedule is subject to change. NOTE: Expect in-class deadline writing assignments during almost every class periods. Additional assignments and schedule Michelle Redmond. 9a.m. Jour 3323-001 10 adjustments will be made, based on news events and speakers’ availability. Regular outside of class audio shifts will be scheduled when the instructor determines students are ready.
Class #1 8.30.12 Intro/Overview/Rules Read: Chap. 1 Broadcast story summary. Class #2 9.4.12 Life in the Newsroom. Read: Radio Radio terms/formats Teminology/formats. Class #3 9.6.12 What is News? Radio Read: AP Book Chap. 1-2 terms/Formats Class#4 9.11.12 Basic Writing/Story Read AP Chap. 4. Structure Class#5 9:13.12 Getting the Story. Audio Read AP. Chap. 5. shifts explained. Class#6 9:18.12 Style: Audience; wire copy. Read AP. Chap. 6 Structure readers Class #7 9.20.12 Numbers. Readers Read AP. Chap. 3 Class #8 9.25.12 Finding the lead. Explain Assignment: Critique #1 critiques. Class #9 27.12 Audio: Technology training. Audio recorders Class #10 10.2.12 Audio: Tech training. Audacity Class #11 10.4.12 Audio: Adding Sound. Reader Actualities Class #12 10.9.12 Audio: Writing for sound. Read Chap. 2. Reader/Actualities Class #13 10.11.12 TV: Terminology/formats Read Chap. 3 Class #14 10.16.12 TV: Basic writing. Assign: Critique #2 Readers/VOs Class#15 10.18.12 TV: Writing. VOs/VO-SOTs Class #16 10.23.12 TV: Writing. Verbs, Adjectives Class #17 10.25.12 TV: Stories. What to Read: Chap. 4 include/what to leave out Class #18 10.30.12 TV: Writing Pkg. formats Read: Chap. 5 Class # 19 11.1.12 Mid-Term exam Class #20 11.6.12 TV: Writing. Pkg. Writing Assign: Critique #3 Class #21 11.8.12 Web: Writing/formats Read Chap. 6 Michelle Redmond. 9a.m. Jour 3323-001 11
Class #22 11.13.12 Video logging Read Chap. 7-8 Class #23 11.15.12 TV: Newscast producing Read Chap. 9 Class #24 11.20.12 Assign Final Project (dates subject to change) Deadlines 11.22.12 Thanksgiving Break. Thanksgiving Feast! “Gobble No Class Gobble!”
Class #25 11.27.12 TV: Newscast Producing/Audio Wraps Class #26 11.29 Final Projects due Class #27 12. 4.12 Audio Wrap Critiques/Wrap up. Final Exam Thursday Final Project Returned. 8 a.m to 10:00am 12.13.12
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