MMC 911 Introduction to News Writing
Spring 2012Session 9
Dr. Alma Kadragic
Tonight’s programReminder about Academic Writing &
Research course – Tuesdays in Block 15-111 or Block 5-121
Discuss Field Trip Story #2 – feature as change from Field Trip Story #1 – hard news
Discuss writing online storiesDiscuss international stories/local versionsFinalize Teams for Team Reports next weekWriting Exercise #4No Class April 25
Academic Writing & Research
Free to you, only this timeIn future, students will have to pay for this
subjectHow you can use the subjectShow Karen your 910 Report due April 16 a
week earlierShe can provide some tipsKaren will look at your final paper – follow
her timingExtension of time on final paper in 910 – June
15 is absolute deadline
Format for all stories
12 pt Calibri or Arial fontSingle space; double space between
paragraphsNo indenting for paragraphsNo bold lettersTitle same size as textFull name at top of paperMake sure computer set left to right, not
right to left – Ethar and Jaidaa
Field Trip Story #2Requirements:
400 words maximumFeature storyStory that couldn’t be done from home/officeIncludes interviewsSources of information provided are
identifiedWill be marked and returned by Saturday
evening, April 7
Field Trip Story #2 Feature Story
What’s the difference between Story 1 and Story 2?
Stories should be related but Story 2 can take off in other direction
Remember that Field Trip Story 3 will be online version of Story 1
Field Trip Story 4 will be online version of Story 2
It’s important to understand how material can be cut, expanded, improved for other formats
Writing Online Storieswww.useit.com/alertbox/9710a.html
Go over several sections and especiallyHow Users read on the webF-shaped pattern for reading
www.useit.com/alertbox #104 on Writing Style for print vs web
Team Reports #1We have 8 students in MMC 911
We need 3 teams which means 3 stories
Team 1Team 2Team 3
Team Reports #1 – cont.Template for team report – 15 minutes total
Begin with statement of international story – be specific
Continue with explanation of local versionDescribe interviewsDescribe researchExplain what you would do to
continue/expand the story if you had more time
Team Reports #1 – cont. 2Prepare slides with careTime presentationsMake sure you have done them several times
before coming to classPresentations must be complete by the time
you arrive to classFirst round of presentations in 910 was
practiceNow you can do the real thing
Upcoming EventsApril 10-16 Gulf Film Festival
http://www.gulffilmfest.com/index.php/en
May 6 Sky New Arabia launches; located at twofour54, Abu Dhabi
May 8-9 Arab Media Forum; register at
http://www.arabmediaforum.ae/en/registration.aspx
Writing Exercise #4Describe one international story that can be
extended into a local story. It doesn’t have to be the one your team is working on. Begin to explain local angle of the story.
Assignment is one paragraphParagraph is 3-5 sentences maximumWrite in 3rd person only – no I, we, youWriting has to be lively; short sentences; no
passiveconstructions
How do you start?
Don’t start writing too fast – THINK!Decide what direction you will take Many possibilitiesYour paragraph has to be constructed like a
paragraph: topic sentence and supporting sentences
The paragraph should have 3-5 sentences
Session 10 next week – no launch
Field Trip Story 2 will be returned by end of Saturday, April 7
Field Trip Story 3 – online version of Field Trip Story 1 is due by 6 pm, before class on April 11
Make sure that links in Field Trip Story 3 work
Work on Team Reports 1 We will meet in Block 14-202
MMC911 Introduction to News Writing
That’s it for tonight
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