Broadcast Writing

Overview:

Before there were mixing boards and tape machines, before there were computerized editing systems and digital recorders, before radio and television had even been invented, there were good broadcast writers. From Greek dramatists to town criers, the skills of focused and lively oral communication have been practiced throughout the ages. The goal of this course is to help you understand and develop these skills through careful listening to examples of good broadcast writing and through practical exercises in the form of class assignments and workshops, out-of-class writing and reading projects, peer-editing sessions, and frequent (often surprise) quizzes.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

• recognize the difference between writing for print and writing for broadcast
• write headline news and deliver a two-minute newscast
• recognize the difference between broadcast news and features
• conceive and write broadcast features which skillfully incorporate actualities ("soundbites")
• write effective promotional announcements (PSAs and commercials)
• understand basic broadcasting terminology
• write a radio essay and a short broadcast drama
• thoughtfully edit the work of peers and utilize the editing suggestions of others in their own rewriting

Assignments and Grades:

Proviso #1: Assignments are due when they are due. I have no patience for excuses involving hungry dogs, dead grandmothers, delinquent siblings, acts of natural disaster, and the like. Similarly, notes from Dr. Mom will gain you no sympathy. I do NOT accept late work. If you feel you might be unable to meet a deadline you must discuss it with me during a class meeting before the assignment is due. Only then will I consider granting you an extension.

Proviso #2: As each class meeting will build on the material presented in previous sessions, attendance is extremely important. If you miss more than three class meetings I reserve the right to lower your final grade one-half of a letter for each subsequent absence. Showing up on time is equally important. I will allow a five-minute grace period at the beginning of class; if you show up later than 9:05 you will not receive attendance credit and may be locked out of class.

• Your written broadcast scripts and other homework assignments will count for 40% of your final grade. These will be generated both in and out of class and will include: individual news stories, whole newscasts, feature stories, announcements, commentaries and dramas.

• Your final project, a script of an original drama from ten to twenty minutes long, will count for 20%. This should be written using appropriate formatting and display an understanding of characterization, the use of effects, and dramatic structure.
• Quizzes will count for another 35% and will include (but not be limited to) the following:
• comprehension of the assigned readings
• writing news under deadline pressure from provided raw materials
• delivering a prepared newscast on a clock
• correcting errors found in sample scripts

If you miss a quiz it counts as a zero. There are no make-up quizzes.

• The final 5% of your grade is based on your class participation. Because much of this course will revolve around discussions of existing broadcast material and the writing of you and your peers, active participation is essential. You are expected to make thoughtful contributions to classroom discussion and to participate seriously in peer editing sessions.

Required Reading:

• A packet available at Far Better Printing which includes various essays on broadcast writing, sample scripts and raw news material.
• Students will also be required to listen to various assigned radio programs throughout the semester.

Weekly breakdown by topic (subject to change):