Broadcast Writing
Comm 290

Syllabus & Links

Instructor: Kim Gregson
Email: cmgreg@ruby.indstate.edu
- no longer active - use this instead Office Phone: 3215

Class will meet Root Hall R017 (computer lab in the basement) every day from 9:30 to 11:30

I will take attendance at the beginning of class - if you're not there when I take attendance, you're absent. So be on time. We have too much material to cover to take time to catch you up. I expect you to be in the lab, signed in, word processor started before 9:30 so that we can actually start at the scheduled time.

Do NOT have email or IM running during class. You will be asked to leave class and you will be marked absent if you do. I will turn your computer off if I see that software running. You need to give the lecture and assignments your full concentration.


Here is a page of course related links to help with your assignments
Here is the requirements for the twice weekly write-ups of media exposures.
Here is the requirements for the midterm project.
Here is the requirements for the final project.

We will read all the book except for chapters 9 and 11. This means there will be a lot of reading compressed into a very short period of time. SOOOOOO....... Don't fall behind reading. Don't fall behind doing the assignments. There are no incompletes. There is no time for make-up assignments or tests.

I expect you to start using media with some part of your attention turned to the writing and production. One way to become a better writer is to learn from example Listen to how words are used, how mental pictures are created with sound effects and music. Watch new-to-you forms of television (some will be assigned for homework). Listen to new radio formats (again - some will be assigned as homework). I will have links to some strange radio programs hooked to our syllabus. Some we will listen to in class. I expect you to write a one paragraph reaction paper to at least two of these media experiences (not the ones assigned for homework) each of the first four weeks of class.

I also expect you to do a lot of writing in this class because a second way to become a better writer is to practice and practice and practice. Not everything will be graded but we will use your assignments as examples in class. If you do not have the homework done when I call on you for an example - you will not receive credit for the homework. Keep all your assignments in your notebook. Depending on the work of the day, I may just come around and ask to see your completed assignment. There will always be an opportunity to ask questions about assignments. All assignments should be written assuming that they will be aired during prime time. So nothing obscene - no cussing, no sex, hold the violence. Don't use shocking content just to shock. Advertisers and producers are a skittish breed - don't give them cause to toss your proposal out the window.

We will have quizzes, 2 weekly media exposure write-ups, a midterm and a final on the class readings, and 2 medium size projects. All of these will be graded.

Goals

  • be able to write in a variety of broadcast formats
  • recognize the distinct characteristics of the broadcast (not print) style of writing
  • write clear copy with logically sequenced ideas
  • recognize some of the ethical dilemmas which broadcast writers face
  • become exposed to a wide variety of broadcast formats and writing styles
  • learn techniques and places to do research for typical broadcast writing formats
  • identify possible careers in broadcast writing - needed skills and experience, job lists

Week 1 - intro, station id & promos, PSAs

  • Monday intro - examples of writing, difference between radio and tv, censorship, libel & defamation, privacy rights of private citizens and public figures, copyright, trademark, job stuff - tips for good media writing - first grammar & spelling quiz

    Homework tonight - read ch1 & 2 (p. 1-38) - sign up for an account on http://www.live365.com and listento "Old Time Radio Program" under the talk genre - listen for promos, listen to the writing in the old radio shows (Live365 has radio broadcasts that we will be using during the semester - you need an mp3 player or Real player on your computer to listen)

  • Tuesday - read chapter 1 and 2 - grammar, vocabulary - review difference between radio and tv - station id & promo's, basic camera stuff
  • discuss midterm project

  • Wednesday - read chapter 4 - grammar, vocabulary - program id's

  • Thursday -read chapter 3 and review chapter 4 - grammar, vocabulary - PSAs (radio) - Example Radio PSA - let's look at this in class - Press Release - we'll turn this into a PSA in class - PSA Questionnaire

  • Friday - review chapter 4 - grammar, vocabulary - PSAs (tv)

Week 2 - ads, radio music program, tv variety show, talk shows

  • Monday - ad scripts- product ad, old time radio commercials

  • Tuesday - ad scripts company ad

  • Wednesday - read chapter 8 - radio music program script formats - listen to online station at http://live365.com/home/ index.live - old time radio shows

  • Thursday - variety tv script formats

  • Friday - midterm project due

Week 3 - interview shows, News - headline rundowns, individual stories

Week 4 - Sports, reality programs (dating show, fear factor, Road Trip kind of things)

  • Monday - read chapter 10 - watch examples of reality show, script format

  • Tuesday -

  • Wednesday - review chapter 5 - researching new-to-you sports (sumo, extreme sports, horse racing)

  • Thursday - writing sports headline wrap ups, sports features

  • Friday - read chapter 6 - writing sports features

Week 5 - wrap up

  • Monday - read chapter 12 - final project due, job stuff, pitch the final projects (part of the grade) Tuesday - pitch the final projects (part of the grade), take final exam