MMC 911 Introduction to News Writing

1. MMC 911 Introduction to News Writing Spring 2012 February 22, 2012 Dr. Alma Kadragic

2. Tonight’s program • Go over assignment from last week • Some tips • Discussion of problems writing a paragraph • Looking at a good piece of writing • News values

3. MMC911 Introduction to News Writing Looking back at Tony Orsten story • Separate facts from writer’s style – “shark” • Underline points you might use • Make star next to possibly useful quotes • At the end of reading, underlining, and making stars, what is the main idea you will express in the paragraph?

4. Writing the paragraph Follow instructions • Assignment was oneparagraph • Do not use quotes from writer • Use quote(s) from Tony Orsten • Write paragraph which is beginning of a longer piece on Tony Orsten and twofour54 • Paragraph should introduce direction of rest of the piece

5. Last week’s assignment Here is the compilation of what everyone wrote: What do you notice about each one?

6. Problems you may have • You can’t write if you are struggling with the topic • You have to decide where you want to go with the writing • Put down a few points before you start as reminders • Keep it simple • Do you know KISS? • It’s a good thing to remember

7. A good piece of writing In today’s National: A unique poetic voice falls silent by Rym Ghazal • If you had to write about his life in 100 words, where would you start? • How does the writer get across the poet’s personality? • What are the key details used? • What do you learn about the poet’s life?

8. Tonight’s assignment Describe our classroom in one paragraph • Make a list of some facts about the room • What do you think about the classroom? • What is your approach? Factual? Imaginative? From small to big? Other?

9. Writing Exercise #1 again • Write Word document • Email to me as text: AlmaKadragic@uowdubai.ac.ae

10. News Values Adding two new internet readings for MMC911 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/News_values http://www.hss.bond.edu.au/ANZCA/papers/JMcGregorPaper.pdf

11. Common News Values • Frequency • Negativity • Unexpectedness • Unambiguity • Personalization or human interest • Reference to key nations • Reference to high profile people • Conflict

12. More News Values • Composition – competing stories • Competition - other news media • Co-optation – related to major story • Prefabrication – already done • Predictability – already scheduled • Time constraints • Logistics – travel, satellites, conditions, budgets

13. Updated version of news values Especially valid for TV and other visual media • Visualness • Emotion • Conflict • Celebrity journalists

14. Meet Grammar Girl How a podcast turned into a media network! http://www.niemanlab.org/2012/02/how-grammar-girl-turned-a-single-hobby-podcast-into-a-growing-media-network/?utm_source=Daily+Lab+email+list&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=cd7c0e8a9f-DAILY_EMAIL

15. How do you start? • Remember the 5 Ws and How • The opening is the most important • Pyramid style – what is it? • Jot down key points • Put them in order • Write simple sentences • Use present tense mainly • Other styles for features, backgrounders

16. After you’ve written • Read out loud • Change bits that are hard to say • Proofread • Ask another person if text is clear • If not, make changes • Read again • Put away and give yourself a break • Read again • Hand in

17. For Session 4 next week • Bring examples of news stories: good ones; bad ones! • We will catch up with Writing Exercise #2 • We’ll discuss how to approach the On Campus News Story

18. MMC911 Introduction to News Writing That’s it for tonight. Use the weekend to catch up with MMC910 readings which are all available now See you Monday in MMC910. Our speaker will be Magda Abu-Fadil