1
JOUR 3323-003.
Spring 2015
NEWS WRITING FOR BROADCAST AND THE WEB
Class: Monday and Wednesday2:30p-3:50p
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
Professor: John Sparks
Office: GAB 110B
Phone: 469-951-7900.
Office hours:Monday, Wed. 1:30-2:30 p.m., Tuesday 6:20-7:20 p.m. and by appointment.
*My virtualoffice is open at I will do my best to respond within 24 hours… except on weekends.
*Civility is expected at all times toward the professor and to one another.
TEXT and COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
Required: “AP Broadcast News Handbook,” Brad Kalbfeld, McGraw-Hill, 2001.
*Required: “Broadcast News. Writing, Reporting and Producing.” 6th edition.
Frank Barnas and Ted White. Focal Press. 2013.
*Note: This textbook is NOT the same book used in previous semesters for this course.
Required: A stopwatch or smart phone app that allows you to time your copy.
Required: A flash drive to back-up your work.
Note: The Mayborn School of Journalism does not require students to purchase textbooks from the University Bookstore. Many textbooks are available at other bookstores or online.
COURSE OBJECTIVES AND EXPECTATIONS:
In this class, you will expand your knowledge of writing for broadcast news appropriate 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.
You will learn to write on DEADLINE. And respect DEADLINES.
Just as late material does NOT make a newscast, LATE WORK IN THIS CLASS WILL NOT RECEIVE A GRADE.
Everyminute late is… LATE! And late=ZERO.
In this class: ALL radio, TV and web work assignments must be TYPED using 12-point font and formatted in the appropriate broadcast news style. This is NOT a cut-and-paste class. You’re learning to write, rewrite and refine. ALL of the work you generate in this class or with homework assignments must be your own.
I will judge your work for…
- Accuracy
- Clarity
- Conciseness
- Grammar
- Spelling
- Punctuation
- Newsworthiness
- Aggressiveness
- Creativity
- Timeliness
- Meeting deadlines
- Initiative
- In general… good journalistic techniques are based on current industry standards.
GRADING:This course is based on a 1,000-point scale.
15 Writing assignments. 20-points each. / 300 points2Radio/TV news critiques. 15-points each. / 30 points
3 Web writing stories. 15-points each. / 45 points
20 Questions of the Day. 2-points each. / 40 points
4Audio shifts:
2-MOS stylereports: TRT: 60 each.
2-Wrap style reports 1:15+ :15 lead in for each. TRT: 1:30 / 100 points (4 reports @ 25 points each)
1- Final Audio Shift Wrap.
1:45+:15 lead in. TRT: 2:00 / 50 points.
TV news writing focused Quiz / 25 points.
Mid-term exam / 150 points
Final project: Write a 10-minute newscast / 250 points
*Instructor Discretionary Evaluation:
- Consistently meeting story deadlines.
- Active participation in class.
- Pitching creative story ideas.
- Showing journalistic initiative.
Total possible points / 1000 points
GRADING SCALE:
1000-900= A
899-799= B
798-698= C
697-597= D
596 & below = F
WRITING ASSIGNMENTS: 300 points (15 assignments x 20 points each)
In class and homework assignments will include writing and rewriting from newspaper or online news stories. You must follow the rules of formatting, accuracy, clarity, conciseness, spelling, usage, grammar, formatting, etc. You must meet all deadlines.
RADIO & TV NEWS CRITIQUES: 30 points (2 assignments x 15 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. Specific criteria to be defined later. All work must be typed, 12-point font written in the appropriate style, and turned in on time.
WEB WRITING: 45 points (3 assignments x 15 points each)
You will learn 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, maximum 40 points)
Knowing what’s going on in local, national and international news is critical in working as a journalist. You can earn points for a “Question of the Day,”by answering a question posed at the EXACTstart of each class period. I do NOT repeat the question. If you want the points… be in your seat ready to write down your answer on the card provided.
AUDIO REPORTS: 100 points (4 assignments x 25 pts.)
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 (4) two-hour audio shifts. You will check out equipment, interview, write, record and edit audio (using Audacity software) during this time period. You MUST complete the entire assignment on deadline during each shift. The first two assignments are ‘MOS’ style. The TRT for each report is :60. The next two shifts are done in WRAP style. Each report is 1:15 +:15 lead in. The TRT for each is 1:30. More details about the audio assignments will be forthcoming. *You may ONLY do ONE audio shift per week.
*Note: you may if you choose to incorporate one pre-recorded telephone actuality in either Audio Shift Assignment number 4 ORFinal Audio Shift assignment number 5. More audio shift details to come.
ALL audio shifts must be completed between February 23, 2015 and April 13, 2015.
FINAL AUDIO SHIFT WRAP:50 points. This radio story should be an audio example of your best work. It is valued at double the points of your other audio shift assignments. You will interview in greater depth two people (an expert and a ‘regular’ person) plus add your voice over narration. The TRT for this assignment is 1:45 for the report. Plus a :15 anchor lead in to set up your story.
To receive credit: you MUST first pitch the news story idea to me via email and get my APPROVAL BEFORE you execute your audio shift. Once your shift work is done you must turn in your “signature” sheet, along with your written report, your edited audio, and a still photograph (a cell phone pic is fine). These documents are all due at the end of your audio shift. Note: All work MUST be turned into the box with my name on it located outside of Professor Redmond’s office (101-B) to receive credit. Do not turn in any work in my mailbox in the Mayborn office.
The process: Sign up for your shifts at the beginning of the semester. If you miss a shift you will lose the associated points for that shift.
Consider:This is exactly like going to a job. You MUST show up. If something urgent comes up that you cannot work your shift, communicate with me in ADVANCE. I will decide if you may change your shift. Failure to notify me in advance will result in the loss of all points for that shift. Details and scheduling calendar to come later.
Note: If two people have the same story idea, the person who first pitched the idea to me will win approval. Sometimes, story rejection is based on timing. But it is more often based on content. Dig deep and make it count.
MID-TERM EXAM: 150 points. March 11, 2015.
This exam will include questions related to the textbook, lectures, writing assignments, exercises, handouts and class discussions,
TV FOCUSED QUIZ: 25 points. May 4, 2015.
This quiz will cover elements related to TV news writing that we exploredafter the Mid-Term exam.
FINAL PROJECT: 250 points Due: April 22, 2015 @ precisely 2:30pm
The project requires yourwriting a fully detailed 10-minute TV newscast. You will log videotape, writing from news sources, news stories 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. There will be no final exam, but you are required to attend class during the final exam time to receive your graded project packet.
INSTRUCTOR EVALUATION: 10 points
You may earn up to 10 points in my overall evaluation of your work. I will assess these points at the end of the semester. I will judge your class participation, eagerness, creativity, initiative, overall quality of your work, and improvement during the semester.
EQUIPMENT USAGE:
Audio equipment for this class will be checked out from the Equipment Room in GAB 111. In the spirit of fairness, you may not use your own equipment or equipment belonging to anyone else.Using equipment not designated for this class will result in a zero for that assignment.
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 stronger penalties and will be denied the use of equipment and/or facilities based on the following schedule:
NOTE! During Spring Break March 16-22, equipment may NOT be checked out. The MacLab will close early on March 13th. It will be closed for break March 14-22nd.
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 the student causes such damage. 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.”
1. / First Infraction / 1-week loss of equipment/facility use2. / 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.
CLOTHING/APPEARANCE:
One of your “jobs” during this semester is interviewing people for your news stories. Consequently, you are required to wear appropriate clothing during your audio shifts. Men, a business style shirt with a collar, nice jeans or slacks would be appropriate.
- Women, no low cut tops revealing cleavage. Wear slacks or jeans that flatter. No short skirts. Be smart about your shoe choices. Spike heels are not realistic when working as a reporter. T
- To both Men and Women: No Shorts and no flip-flops.
Do NOT wear clothing with logos on it. “Just Do It” works on clothing choices for the gym. But do not turn yourself into a walking billboard for a corporate entity. You are learning how professional journalists work.
ATTENDANCE, SICK AND OTHER POLICIES:
If you are sick and must miss class, when you return… you must bring a doctor’s note that verifies your need for medical treatmentin order for the absence to be excused.
That is the only way to make up the in-class assignments. If possible, please notify me in advance when you are feeling too sick to come to class. You may email me or leave a voice
NOTE: You must immediately get any homework assignment from me or another student and turn it in on time. Any other reason you feel the need to miss a class beside personal illness, please provide documentation and see me about making up the work.
CELL PHONES: OFF! BUT NOT JUST OFF- PUT THEM AWAY. ONLY EXCEPTION: USING YOUR SMART PHONE STOP WATCHTO TIME YOUR WRITING.Otherwise, use a stopwatch or the clock on the wall.
The same goes for any other electronic devices. Turn it off. Before class starts, you can text until your thumbs cramp. But once class starts… see above.
If you violate these policies, I will ask you and your device to leave the room. Giving you a warning is pointless. You already know what you’re doing is inappropriate during class. If you’re asked to leave it means losing points for that day that cannot be made up at a later time.
Note: Keep your computer off or inactive during class until otherwise instructed to ‘fire it up.’
EMAIL: Get in the habit of checking your myunt email account. Communicating with students using the UNT student email account is part of the university’s contract with students. Electronic communication with students in this class will be through your myunt accounts rather than personal accounts. Again, be sure you regularly check your myunt email.
WEB POSTING:
You may not upload audio, video or other content gathered for this course to any online site without permission from the instructor. Failure to get permission will result in a failing grade for this course.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY:
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, the use of any unauthorized assistance in taking quizzes, tests, or exams; dependence upon the aid of sources beyond those authorized by the instructor, the acquisition of tests or other material belonging to a faculty member, dual submission of a paper or project, resubmission of a paper or project to a different class without express permission from the instructors, or any other act designed to give a student an unfair advantage. Plagiarism includes the paraphrase or direct quotation of published or unpublished works without full and clear acknowledgment of the author/source. Academic dishonesty will bring about disciplinary action, which may include expulsion from the university. This is explained in the UNT Student Handbook.
Penalties for academic dishonesty can result in one or more of the following: Admonition: The student may be issued a verbal or written warning; Assignment of Educational Coursework: The student may be required to perform additional coursework not required of other student in the specific course; Partial or no credit for an assignment, assessment or course grade (The instructor may award partial or no credit for the assignment or assessment on which the student engaged in academic dishonesty, to be calculated into the final course grade.); and/or Adjustment of final course grade. (The instructor may assign a lower course grade.). Academic Dishonesty for this course will be reported to the Office of Academic Integrity.
You are learning the craft of Journalism, which is about accuracy andtruth telling.
DO NOT LIE, CHEAT, COPY OR MAKE STUFF UP.
JOURNALISM REQUIREMENTS & GUIDELINES
RE-TAKING FAILED JOURNALISM CLASSES
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.
TEXTBOOK POLICY
The Mayborn School of Journalism doesn’t require students to purchase textbooks from the University Bookstore. Many are available through other bookstores or online.
FIRST CLASS DAY ATTENDANCE
Journalism instructors reserve the right to drop any student who does not attend the first class day of the semester.
ATTENDANCE
One absence in the course is the limit without penalty toward your final grade, unless you have communicated with me from the beginning about an extraordinary problem. Coming to class late or leaving early may constitute an absence for that day. This is a seminar course, and it requires your attendance and participation each class meeting.
Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Undergraduates
A student must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) to continue to receive financial aid. Students must maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA in addition to successfully completing a required number of credit hours based on total registered hours per semester. Students cannot exceed attempted credit hours above 150% of their required degree plan. If a student does not maintain the required standards, the student may lose financial aid eligibility.