FALL 2024
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BROADCAST WRITING CLASS SCHEDULE
Basic News Story Types:
A Reader or Copy in television is when an on-camera anchor reads a story with no additional video.
A VO (short for Voice-Over) is a story in which an anchor reads over pictures. There is no additional audio, except possibly for natural ambient sound that the anchor reads over. Example at: 10:25
SOT: A soundbite is is a shortened excerpt of an interview. SOT (short for Sound on Tape) is another name for a soundbite. SOT=short soundbite
A VO/SOT (short for Voice-Over/Sound on Tape) is a story in which the anchor reads over pictures and then pauses for a soundbite. Example at 10:45
Package A Package is a self-contained story that includes the reporter’s voice-over narration, soundbites, pictures, a stand-up (a segment in which the reporter appears on camera), and a standard outcue (For example- Cindy Wilkins, The World News). Before this type of story you will see the anchor who throws to a reporter. Example: A fire breaks out on downtown Philadelphia, Helen Rizzo has the story. With this type of story, a reporter has gone out already to gather the elements for the story i.e. video, soundbites etc. This story is not LIVE. Example at 8:11.
Headlines These short pieces of copy are at the top/beginning of the show and announce a few stories that will be in the newscast. Example at :02
Tease A tease is short copy that explains what's coming up in the newscast after a break. Words that may be used by the anchor or appear on screen are "Coming up" and "After the break". These teases dont' give away the story and are mean to keep the viewer on edge so they will come back after the break. Example at 19:50
Lower third/SUPER/CG These are all terms for the lower third portion of the screen that normally has some type of identifier be it a person's name and title or the name of a story.
FULL SCREEN GRAPHIC- This is the name for a created picture that helps tell the story. There are may types of full screen graphics. Examples include full screens of a 1-800 number or a website, a list of stocks and costs, there can also be a graphic of the weather. Graphics help the viewer digest information. A full screen graphic may also be a list of study tips.
Rundown The news rundown is an organized listing of segments that will be shown during broadcast. The rundown also lists who is reading each story, the slug, the length of the story and any other director/producer instructions.
Students are prohibited from missing in action, missing most to the semester and making up the missed work at the
end of the year for a grade.
Professor Candace Kelley, J.D., M.S.
Fall Semester 2024
LATE ASSIGMENTS
Late Assignments will receive 20 points off of the top of the grade.
Make a friend in class so they can get a hard copy to me. Please give them to me in class. Late assignments will be accepted within 3 business days of the due date. An assignment due on a Thursday will be due the following Tuesday. No assignments will be accepted via email. Bring a hard copy of the story to class.
COURSE OVERVIEW
This class provides instruction in the fundamentals of television news writing essential to all careers in television news. The class will concentrate on writing news scripts that are accurate, clear, concise and conversational. You will write in almost every single class and will explore the fast-paced world of writing breaking news for radio and television, learning how to write for the ear, integrate audio and video, and integrate stories into a newscast. Students will gather stories from various sources including the AP, radio, and newspapers to write their stories.
REQUIRED TEXT
NO TEXTBOOK
Please monitor the news for major headlines. The following news monitoring should take place before you come to class. To be successful on current events quizzes, and to become aware of good story ideas, you will need to watch:
– A daily morning newscast, or listen to a local radio newscast — before you come to class
– At least one 30 minute early evening (5:00pm, 5:30pm, 6:00pm) or late (11:00pm) local TV newscast
- At least one 30 minute evening national network TV newscast (ABC, CBS, NBC, UPN, WB or CNN.) It is suggested that you rotate between different local and national newscasts, instead of watching the same ones every night.
GRADING
In-Class Graded Assignments 50%
Package 20%
Pop Quizzes 20%
Final Exam 10%
IN-CLASS GRADED ASSIGNMENTS
Most of the assignments will be done timed and in class as you will never be given 48 hours to write one story. These assignments will count the most toward your grade.
POP QUIZZES & AND ATTENDANCE
As a result of the pandemic, there are no pop quizzes this semester as it is difficult to give quizzes on the homor system. When we resume classes in person, there will be 3-4 pop news quizzes throughout the course. The quizzes will include questions dealing with local, national and international news of the day, news of the week, lectures and reading assignments from the previous week. If you have more than 5 unexcused classes, it will result in an automatic F for the semester.
MAKE UP QUIZ
If you are absent or receive a low quiz score, you will have the opportunity to take an ANNOUNCED make-up quiz that replaces your lowest quiz grade during the semester.
This is a chance for you to get a grade of “100” You example hereare required to turn in a News evaluation.
How is this done?
(1) On one sheet of paper type the order in which the stories appear (this is called the rundown)
(2) In 2-3 paragraphs, type comments on anything that strikes you i.e. the way that the story was written, graphics, writing style, anchor appearance, live shots, packages.
*Make sure to identify which newscast you watched (station, time)
*Each Newscast Evaluation is worth 50 points. Don’t be late or 15 points will be taken off.
ATTENDANCE
For each missed class, 12 points will be taken away from 100. For example, if you miss 3 classes, your attendance grade will be 64. You are required to attend all classes. If illness or an emergency prevents you from attending, e-mail the instructor BEFORE CLASS.
PACKAGES
You are doing 1:30 news stories on topics to be discussed. You will set up a story, interview guests and write a story to turn in for a grade.
ROWAN NEWSCASTS
Throughout the semester, there will be several Rowan Newscasts. These newscasts will be written in class on a tight deadlines and will involve everyone’s participation. Executive Producers, writers and producers will be assigned to two teams that will complete writing two newscasts that will be read by a team of anchors. This fast paced exercise is challenging and rewarding.
DEADLINES
Missing a deadline is inexcusable. Therefore, late assignments will start at a grade of 85.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
Do not plagiarize, fabricate, or submit work you have done for another class. The university does not tolerate plagiarism or fabrication of any kind. You should adhere to the University’s policy on cheating and plagiarism. If you are caught breaking this policy, you will be prosecuted to the full extent that the policy allows.
If you use someone else’s work, you are plagiarizing! If you provide your work to someone else, you are plagiarizing! If you take copy from the Internet without permission and attribution, you are plagiarizing! Academic dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. All work completed in this class must be 100% your own. You should adhere to the highest possible standards of ethical behavior for this class.
ACCOMMODATIONS & DISABILITIES
Your academic success is important. If you have a disability that may have an impact on your work in this class, please contact me early in the semester. Students also need to provide documentation of their disability to the Center for Academic Success in order to receive official University services and accommodation. Dr. Johanna Velez-Yelin, Associate Director of the Academic Success Center can be reached at velez-yelin@rowan.edu or 856-256-4234. The Center is located on the 3rd Floor of Savitz Hall. Dr. Yelin is available to answer questions regarding accommodation or assist you in your pursuit of accommodation.
BROADCAST WRITING CLASS SCHEDULE
September 3&5
Orientation - The News and Newsroom Jargon
Salaries for Journalists
Syllabus Review
September 10
NO CLASS
September 12
WRITING TODAY:
LEAD TYPES & Writing a Lead in Present Tense
Writing Solid Leads & Active Sentences
Setting up Your Page to Write (Your story is always written on the right hand side)
September 17
Review for News Evaluation due 2/1
Identifying various News stories: READS, VO/SOTS, VO’S, PKG’s
PKG’s, #'s, times, dates and other Broadcast Writing Rules
September 19
Write Two Reads - long and short form
September 24
DUE AT TOP OF CLASS: NEWS EVALUATION #1
Create a rundown with 3 columns: story locator, slug and type.
WRITING TODAY:
Write a VO
September 26
WRITING TODAY:
Write a VO
NEWS EVALUATIONS - CLICK HERE FOR EXAMPLE
(if there is a part of the newscast that you don't understand, describe it the best you can)
September 30
WRITING TODAY: Write a READ & VO in Class
Numbers, Fractions, Streets and more Writing Rules
October 1
WRITING TODAY:
In-Class Writing VO'S
Gathering Sound
Learn VO/SOTS
October 3
DUE AT TOP OF CLASS: NEWS EVALUATION #2
October 8
WRITING TODAY:
VO/SOTS
Bring Recording Devices &
Interviewing Techniques
October 10
WRITING TODAY:
Bring Recording Devices for
Interviewing Techniques
Write VO/SOT
October 15
WRITING TODAY:
How to Pitch A Story
Discuss Graphics & Full Screens,Headlines & Teases
How to Pitch A Story - Receive Assigned Teams
October 17
Click here for Field Reporting Story due on November 7
Phonetics
Writing: Full Screen Graphics
October 22
WRITING TODAY:
VO/SOT/VO/SOT
October 24
DUE AT TOP OF CLASS: YOUR PITCH FOR PACKAGE DUE AT END OF SEMESTER
Verbally pitch your story in this pitching session.
Pitch topic for package due at the end of the semester from the following:
Technology, Politics or Sports Business
Review: Field Reporting Assignment due Nov. 7
Headlines & Teases/ Write Two Stories
October 29
Today we are putting on a newscast.
Each of you will stories taken from a rundown that I will provide.
October 31
Use this time go out in the field and interview subjects for your Field Report due on November 7.
November 5
No Class- Go Vote!
Use this time go out in the field and interview subjects for your Field Report due on November 7.
November 7
Due: Turn in Your Field Reporting Story (:50 VO/SOT/VO/SOT)
Click here for Field Reporting Assignment due today
Your pitch should include your general topic and the the question that you are trying to answer.
November 12
WRITING
Writing a VO/SOT/VO/SOT
See VO/SOT/VO/SOT example here
November 14
Newscast
November 19
WRITING TODAY:
Anchor Leads, Truncating Stories
WRITE A PACKAGE IN CLASS
November 21
Review Cover letters and resumes
Interviewing
November 26
Newscast
November 28-30
Thanksgiving Break
December 3
DUE:
PACKAGE DUE
Turn in:
+ Written Package with Anchor Lead - Package has a TRT of 1:30 (make sure to include the stand up)
+ Anchor Lead should not go over :10
+ Audio Files via email
+ Contact Information for Interviewees
NO typed out logs needed.
December 5
Newscast
Rowan Rundown
Write Two - News Stories
Write a VO/SOT with Graphic
December 10
Last Day of Classes
Makeup Pop Quiz - 12-15 questions
Final Exam Review
Review rundowns and Write a Newscast Rundown your own
Finals Week December 13-19
TAKE HOME FINAL EXAM - TAKE YOUR EXAM WHEREVER YOU'D LIKE.
The Final Exam will be sent to your email by 2:40pm on the exam date. Take this exam wherever you'd like. This is NOT an in person exam. After you have completed the exam, send it back to me via email as an attachment or a shared file. Send the exam back so it reaches me by 5:00pm on the date of the exam.
ROWAN UNIVERSITY ACADEMIC POLICIES:
Students are expected to read and abide by all University policies, including:
Student Conduct
https://confluence.rowan.edu/display/POLICY/Student+Code+of+Conduct
Attendance Policy
https://confluence.rowan.edu/display/POLICY/Attendance+Policy
Academic Integrity https://confluence.rowan.edu/display/POLICY/Academic+Integrity+Policy
Classroom Behavior https://confluence.rowan.edu/display/POLICY/Classroom+Behavior
Mobile Electronic Device Usage https://confluence.rowan.edu/display/POLICY/Mobile+Electronic+Device+Policy
All policies are outlined in the University Policies website
https://confluence.rowan.edu/display/POLICY/Home
NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION:
Rowan affords equal opportunity to all and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, age, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or any other protected class in its educational programs, activities, or employment policies and practices.
ACCOMMODATION POLICY:
Your academic success is important. If you have a documented disability that may have an impact upon your work in this class, please contact me at the beginning of the semester. Students must provide documentation of their disability to the Academic Success Center in order to receive official University services and accommodations. The Academic Success Center can be reached at 856-256-4234. The Center is located on the 3rd floor of Savitz Hall. The staff is available to answer questions regarding accommodations or assist you in your pursuit of accommodations.
INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY:
The University has made it a practice to hold classes during inclement weather whenever possible. As the Attendance Policy states, it is the student's decision, based on his or her assessment of the situation, whether or not to attend class. Students will not be penalized for missing classes because of inclement weather; however, they must contact their professors prior to class and make up any work assigned.
JOURNALISM DEPARTMENT CODE OF CONDUCT:
The Department of Journalism Code of Conduct was created to serve as a practical guide for students as they advance in their academic careers. These policies are meant to encourage students to meet the high standards in the news industry and earn the privilege of becoming a journalist with ethical standards. It is a compliment to Rowan University’s Academic Integrity Policy, which students are required to read and follow.
Journalism is by its nature a public act. As stated in the Society of Professional Journalists’ Code of Ethics, journalists must recognize that the work of “gathering and reporting information may cause harm or discomfort” to others and must do all they can to “minimize harm” and ensure their work is “accurate, fair and thorough.” Therefore, student journalists must always be clear, upfront and honest about who they are and what they are doing. They are expected to abide by the Society of Professional Journalists’ Code of Ethics. Students must take full responsibility for their conduct and work.
The policy below is not all-inclusive, but identifies situations that frequently arise among Journalism students.
Prohibited Conduct
Plagiarism is a serious offense. Do not use words, phrases, or ideas without proper attribution. This includes copying content from the Internet. When in doubt, ask if it is acceptable or see the Rowan University Student Information Guide http://libguides.rowan.edu/c.php?g=248143. Essentially, plagiarism means trying to pass someone else’s work off as your own. It does not necessarily mean copying an entire paper, although that would clearly be plagiarism.
For example, you plagiarize if you:
Use an interview someone else did or use a quote someone else obtained and don’t credit the source.
Cut and paste a variety of sources and cobble them together without proper citation and with no evident thought on your part as to the thrust of the piece.
Lift a segment verbatim without citation. A few words here or there are permissible – there are only so many ways to say “Edward R. Murrow died of lung cancer” – but you can’t drop in even a sentence of somebody else’s work verbatim into your piece if you don’t credit it. Just listing the title of a source in a bibliography is not sufficient. You must be very clear about the source of words that are not yours, put quotes around verbatim usage, and cite the source in the text of your paper or article. Remember, if you take a direct quote from another source, word-for-word, you must not only cite but you must put it in quotation marks. Failing to put quotation marks around something you have appropriated is a serious issue and could result in lowering of your grade or a formal referral for academic discipline.
Use facts and figures that are not common knowledge without citing the source, creating the impression you gathered the information yourself.
Use your own work from another context without citing that it was used previously. If you are researching or reporting on a topic that you have written on before, you must clear it with the professor before hand.
In addition, under the Journalism Department’s Code of Conduct, students may not:
Fabricate – Deliberately invent or alter information with the intent to deceive.
Cheat – Misrepresent one’s mastery of material on an academic exercise or help someone else do so.
Misrepresent oneself or work.
Submit late work without penalty.
Use others’ words or media without proper attribution and copyright permission; it is always best to use third-party content that is licensed under Creative Commons.
Use friends or relatives as sources for stories.
Submit work, in part or in full, from another class.
Pitch same story or assignment in multiple classes.
Conduct interviews via email without prior approval from instructor.
Submit assignments in alternate form than required (i.e. via email when required to submit in person).
Act unprofessionally to the instructor or other students in the classroom.
Habitually leave class early or arrive late.
Repeatedly fail to participate in class.
Use cell phones or electronic devices in class for non-class activity.
Consequences for Violations of Journalism Department Code of Conduct
Instructors will use their discretion to ensure that these policies are met. The consequences for violating the Code of Conduct will be based on the seriousness of the offense and be determined by the instructor, and when necessary, in consultation with the chair of the department.
For serious violations (i.e., plagiarism, fabrication, cheating, lying), students may:
Fail the course.
Have the incident reported to Academic Integrity Review Board for further disciplinary action.
For major violations, (i.e., violating copyright, improper sourcing, submitting work from another class), students may:
Receive no credit for the assignment.
Be required to attend a workshop on academic integrity.
Have incident reported to Provost’s office.
For significant violations (i.e., submitting late work, failure to attribute facts, using friends or family as sources), students may:
Lose points or fail an assignment.
For minor violations, (i.e., using cell phone in class, failing to participate, or repeatedly arriving late) students may:
Be asked to leave classroom.
Lose points for participation/attendance.