Editorials

1. Editorials • No first person; “we” is often used • Use lots of facts (but they are only facts if accurate) • Don’t forget the passion • Use closing graf to tie it together

3. Broadcast news

4. Broadcast news • It’s waaaaaaay different than print

5. Broadcast news • It’s waaaaaaay different than print • What is “broadcast”?

6. Broadcast news • It’s waaaaaaay different than print • What is “broadcast”? To make public by means of radio or television... and YouTube, podcasts, any new media to come where people watch or listen

7. What’s different? • Brevity... seriously brief

8. What’s different? • Brevity... seriously brief • A typical news story on TV runs 40 seconds: four or five sentences

9. What’s different? • Brevity... seriously brief • A typical news story on TV runs 40 seconds: four or five sentences • It would take 28 hours to read a copy of the Washington Post; the average half-hour local news program has fewer words than one typical newspaper page

10. But!

11. How to write for broadcast

12. How to write for broadcast • Still gotta get the facts... you are still a reporter, gather as much info as time allows

13. How to write for broadcast • Still gotta get the facts... you are still a reporter, gather as much info as time allows • Work more in collaboration than at print

14. How to write for broadcast • Still gotta get the facts... you are still a reporter, gather as much info as time allows • Work more in collaboration than at print • Fewer defined beats... cover car wreck andpet adoptions in one morning

15. How to write for broadcast • Still gotta get the facts... you are still a reporter, gather as much info as time allows • Work more in collaboration than at print • Fewer defined beats... cover car wreck and pet adoptions in one morning • Much of the news is crime and tragedies: “if it bleeds, it leads...”

16. How to write for broadcast • Still gotta get the facts... you are still a reporter, gather as much info as time allows • Work more in collaboration than at print • Fewer defined beats... cover car wreck andpet adoptions in one morning • Much of the news is crime and tragedies: “if it bleeds, it leads...” • Not going to be an expert on any subject, gotta be a super-quick learner

17. Writing for broadcast • “Think fast, boil down to basics, write as tight as you can...”

18. Writing for broadcast • “Think fast, boil down to basics, write as tight as you can...” • Use friendly, conversational tone... like, write the way, you know, you talk... dude

19. Writing for broadcast • “Think fast, boil down to basics, write as tight as you can...” • Use friendly, conversational tone... like, write the way, you know, you talk... dude • Use active voice: simple and direct

20. Writing for broadcast • “Think fast, boil down to basics, write as tight as you can...” • Use friendly, conversational tone... like, write the way, you know, you talk... dude • Use active voice: simple and direct • Inverted pyramid is out: every word counts and you need an ending

21. Writing for broadcast • “Think fast, boil down to basics, write as tight as you can...” • Use friendly, conversational tone... like, write the way, you know, you talk... dude • Use active voice: simple and direct • Inverted pyramid is out: every word counts and you need an ending • Use present tense

22. Writing for broadcast • Don’t worry about contractions

23. Writing for broadcast • Don’t worry about contractions • Attribution before quotes

24. Writing for broadcast • Don’t worry about contractions • Attribution before quotes • Use phonetic pronunciations

25. Writing for broadcast • Don’t worry about contractions • Attribution before quotes • Use phonetic pronunciations • Avoid abbreviations and symbols

26. Writing for broadcast • Don’t worry about contractions • Attribution before quotes • Use phonetic pronunciations • Avoid abbreviations and symbols • Round off numbers and spell them out

27. Radio

28. Radio • “The hours are long, the pay is low, the stress is relentless...”

29. Radio • “The hours are long, the pay is low, the stress is relentless...” • Gather lots of audio... 10 minutes to get 10 seconds

30. Radio • “The hours are long, the pay is low, the stress is relentless...” • Gather lots of audio... 10 minutes to get 10 seconds • Write strong lede, give basic facts, get to recorded audio quotes

31. Television

32. Television • It’s live! And you’re talking, without notes, directly into a camera

33. Television • It’s live! And you’re talking, without notes, directly into a camera • Images rule: “Talking head bad. Video good.”

34. Television • It’s live! And you’re talking, without notes, directly into a camera • Images rule: “Talking head bad. Video good.” • You write to the video: lead with your strongest shots

35. Television • It’s live! And you’re talking, without notes, directly into a camera • Images rule: “Talking head bad. Video good.” • You write to the video: lead with your strongest shots • Don’t overload with facts: let the pictures tell the story

36. Television • It’s live! And you’re talking, without notes, directly into a camera • Images rule: “Talking head bad. Video good.” • You write to the video: lead with your strongest shots • Don’t overload with facts: let the pictures tell the story • Engage emotions

37. Television • It’s live! And you’re talking, without notes, directly into a camera • Images rule: “Talking head bad. Video good.” • You write to the video: lead with your strongest shots • Don’t overload with facts: let the pictures tell the story • Engage emotions • Look the part

38. Interviewing on video • Have subject look at you, not at camera!

39. Interviewing on video • Have subject look at you, not at camera! • Select uncluttered backdrop

40. Interviewing on video • Have subject look at you, not at camera! • Select uncluttered backdrop • Maintain eye contact with subject

41. Interviewing on video • Have subject look at you, not at camera! • Select uncluttered backdrop • Maintain eye contact with subject • Keep asking until you get your bite

42. Interviewing on video • Have subject look at you, not at camera! • Select uncluttered backdrop • Maintain eye contact with subject • Keep asking until you get your bite • Shoot cut-aways of you listening and nodding as subject talks

43. Terms • Sound bite: recorded comment from news source

44. Terms • Sound bite: recorded comment from news source • B-roll: video shot at scene used later to illustrate a sound bite or reporter’s audio track

45. Terms • Sound bite: recorded comment from news source • B-roll: video shot at scene used later to illustrate a sound bite or reporter’s audio track • Stand-up: shot of a reporter at the scene talking into camera

46. Terms • Sound bite: recorded comment from news source • B-roll: video shot at scene used later to illustrate a sound bite or reporter’s audio track • Stand-up: shot of a reporter at the scene talking into camera • Live shot: a stand-up shot live

47. Terms • Package: a complete story prepared by reporter usually combining sound bites, voice-overs and stand-ups

48. Terms • Package: a complete story prepared by reporter usually combining sound bites, voice-overs and stand-ups • Reader: anchor reads a script while looking at camera; often over-the-shoulder graphic (OTS) identifies topic

50. Terms • Package: a complete story prepared by reporter usually combining sound bites, voice-overs and stand-ups • Reader: anchor reads a script while looking at camera; often over-the-shoulder graphic (OTS) identifies topic • Voice-over: when the anchor speaks over video