Journalism 285Mondays and Wednesdays

8:10 a.m. - 11 a.m., Room 26-207

Course Info:

http://cpj285.wordpress.com

Dave SchermerLecturer

Quiz

• 4 multiple choice questions based on readings

• You can take it between 8:05 and 8:15 a.m.

• To begin, log in to Blackboard, click “Assignments,” then click on the quiz.

What is a Multimedia Story?• Combination of media: video, audio,

photo, text, graphics• Non-linear• Complimentary, not redundant• Not repurposed content (

goo.gl/kZjqV)• Provides Context: background,

related stories, where it fits in• Multi-dimensional: Good visuals,

explainers, compelling interviews

Assignment 1 DiscussionPick your favorite of the sites you explored1. What multimedia features were used?2. Which feature had the biggest impact on

you and why?3. Which feature was the most visually

compelling and why?4. Which feature was the least effective

and how would you improve it?5. What feature would you most like to use

on your own project and why?

Picking the Right MediumPicking the Right Medium

““The medium is the message.”The medium is the message.”

--Marshall McLuhan--Marshall McLuhan Canadian Communication TheoristCanadian Communication Theorist 19641964

Video• Action (tanker explosion)

• Showcasing Personality• Take people to the scene• Crime Scenes• Show and Tell• Kids and Animals• Raw Video (student arrested)

Photos• Stop Time (Beirut)

• Tell a story (Clark)

• Evoke emotion (WTC flag)

• Make people real (Iraq soldier)

• Before and After (tsunami)

Audio• Showcase personality• Captures emotion: tone, pauses• “Natural Sound” sets atmosphere• Less intrusive than video• Combine with photos for a slideshow

Graphics, Maps & Data• Visualize complex info• Infographics (Facebook changes)

• Timelines (Bachman) • Interactive maps (Vegas casinos)

• Go where people can’t go

Text• Background• FAQs• Analysis• Breaking news• Links to resources• Links to related stories

Writing for the WebWriting for the Web

The F Pattern

• People won’t read thoroughly• First two paragraphs most important• First two words of each paragraph,

subhead or bullet point are key

Writing for the Web• Concise, Scannable, Objective• Get right to the point; don’t bury the lead• Short sentences and paragraphs• Don’t be wordy; one idea per sentence• Break up long text blocks with subheads,

bullets and pull quotes• Lively and conversationa• Style is between newspaper and TV

Writing for the Web• Active not passive: – WRONG: The bill was signed by the governor.– RIGHT: The governor signed the bill.

• Avoid unnecessary clauses:– WRONG: The kids who are in first grade are

learning subtraction.– RIGHT: The first graders are learning

subtraction.

• Say it out loud • Perfect spelling, punctuation and

grammar

Assignment 2 Due 10/3

“ABOUT” PAGE• Who is writing this blog?• What is it about?

“RESOURCE” PAGE• Links to 8-10 websites related to

your topic

EXAMPLE

PAGES VS. POSTS

Really Simple Syndication

1. Set up an RSS reader2. Search for feeds related to your

beat3. Add 8-10 feeds to your reader

LAB

LAB: Google News Alerts

1. Search Google News for keywords related to your beat

2. Create at least 4 email alerts3. OR add them to Google Reader

Equipment• Video camera most versatile • External microphone highly recommended

OPTIONS• Use your own• CPTV Video Cameras• Media Distribution Services (MDS)– Building 2, room 9 or building 10, room 125– Keep up to 5 days at no charge (weekend = 1

day)– Late fee: $15/day

For Next Class• Blog Post 1– Email to my by start of next class– Do not make changes after submitted

• Readings

Reminders• Buy JournalismNext (1st reading

assignment due 10/3)• Assignment 2: About page and

Resources page, due 10/3

LAB

1. Set up 8-10 RSS feeds2. Set up at least 4 Google alerts3. Work on Blog Post 14. Work on Assignment 2