FFA Agricultural Communications Career Development Event

1. FFA Agricultural Communications Career Development Event Department of Agricultural Education & Communications Texas Tech University

2. Today • Overview of the contest • Contest timeline • Web design • Graphic design • PR writing • News writing • Broadcasting • Communications quiz • Editing exercise

3. Check the Web site • Write this down: http://ffaagcommunicationscde.wikispaces.com/ • This is your source for handouts and helpful information. • This will be updated throughout the school year to help you prepare for the contest. • This presentation is posted on the Web site.

4. Different from the rule book: • Yes, we still use the rule book from the Texas FFA Web site. • We will use Adobe CS4 for Web and graphic design. • Broadcasters will handwrite scripts. • They will have six minutes to record.

5. Timeline 7:30 a.m. Registration 8:00 a.m. Orientation & Communications Quiz 8:30 a.m. Editing Exercise 8:50 a.m. Press Conference 9:10 a.m. Q&A with press conference presenter 9:20 a.m. Break 9:30 a.m. Move to practicum

6. Expectations of the Practicum Areas All students receive 60 minutes to complete their practicum.

7. Web Design Practicum • Designers will receive a packet containing photos, dummy text, and other information. • Student must create a three page Web site that promotes the topic presented in the press conference.

8. Graphic Design Practicum • Designers will create a two page magazine layout suitable for an agricultural magazine complete with a headline • Students will receive photos, dummy text, artwork and statistical information • Designers will create a chart or graph from the statistical layout and place it in their layout • Select and place appropriate photos into layout. • Select one photo and write reasons • Write a photo caption for the selected photo (25 words)

9. PR Writing • Students will use the press packet and the information gathered in the press conference to write a 200- to 300-word press release. • Write it as if it were being distributed by the expert's company or organization. • Associated Press Stylebooks and dictionaries will be provided. • Print the press release

10. News Writing • Write a 250 word news story based on information gathered at the news conference for an ag producer audience. • Follow inverted pyramid with a strong focus and lead. • Answer the who, what, when, where, why and how. • Write a headline for the story. • Writers can ask questions at the press conference. • AP Stylebooks and dictionaries provided. • Print the story.

11. Inverted Pyramid Importance

12. Broadcasting • Use the press packet and information from the press conference to write and record a radio broadcast • Write the story • Record the broadcast • Two minute time limit

13. Web Design

14. A few pointers • We will use Dreamweaver CS4 • Keep it simple! • Check the links • Color • Design in your head • Recruit a professional to help • Attend Dr. Meyers’ workshop

15. Graphic Design

16. A few pointers • We will use Adobe InDesign CS4. Students are also allowed to use Photoshop. • We will probably work on a Mac. • Recruit students from the yearbook staff. • Ask the yearbook teacher to help you. • Have the student practice making charts/graphs • Look at magazines for ideas.

17. 2009 Winner

18. PR Writing

19. A few pointers • The 5 Ws and the H are imperative in PR writing. • Have your students learn and understand the example from the Web site. • A press release is a notice to the media to get attention. • Press release writing is different from news writing. • A two page press release is sufficient. • Look at ag companies for examples • FFA, Monsanto, Bayer CropScience, are all good.

20. News Writing

21. A few pointers • Cover the 5 Ws and the H. • Follow inverted pyramid. • Completely opinion-free • Double check facts. • Practice by covering FFA events. • News writers can ask questions at the press conference. No one else can. • Dictionaries and AP Stylebooks will be provided

22. Broadcasting

23. A few pointers • Tell us what happened? What was the point? • Write down the 5 Ws and the H and write the story around it. • Just the facts—no opinions! • Don’t be cutesy. Avoid focusing on sidebar stories. • Speak conversationally • Broadcasting requires a different tone of voice from speaking contests. • Practice with a TAPE recorder. • Just because the time limit is two minutes does not mean they have to take it. • Introduce yourself.

24. Communications Quiz

25. A few pointers • Study the practice quizzes on the Web site. • Study the CDE Guide • Take the guide in chunks. Start in January and study a couple of sections a week. • Make up 10 point practice quizzes and test your students two sections at a time.

26. Editing Exercise

27. A few pointers • Take two letters from the AP Stylebook each week and quiz your students weekly. • Don’t forget to study the section on punctuation! • Take an article from a newspaper and mess it up. Make your students correct it. • We won’t ask oddball questions from the AP Stylebook. Study the common things.

28. Final Thoughts