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Take Me With You
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Proficiency Exams
Hey all:
Here is a list of proficiency tests that are due:
JOU 220:
Every test on this page and the Word test on this page. You have until the end of the semester and there are only 2 grades: A or F. So turn them in early so you can correct what you missed. Then you’ll apply that knowledge to your stories.
EMB 265:
Every test on this page. You have until the end of the semester and there are only 2 grades: A or F. So turn them in early so you can correct what you missed. Then you’ll apply that knowledge to your stories.
Good luck and as always email or post questions.
File Names and Structures
Hey all:
As we discussed in class, your files (those Word documents you are sending me) should be in this format:
- JOU 220: lastname.pitch1.doc (or lastname.story1.doc)
- EMB 265: lastname.story1.doc or lastname.story2.doc
The reason: when you hit the real world, the news organization you will be working with will have some type of content management system the uses tracking. Oftentimes, file names are the first tracking mechanism — so you need to get used to paying attention to every aspect of what you do.
This is a requirement, not an option. I will not grade papers that are saved incorrectly.
WHAT IS DUE
EMB 265
Monday, 9 am - hard copy of your two stories
JOU 220
Friday, 240 pm - emailed copy of your pitch, document saves as “lastname.pitch1.doc”
EMB 265: Monday’s Assignments
Hey all:
Here are the two assignments for Monday. You can turn them in ahead of time (via email), but make sure you bring a hard copy to class so you can read them. Please make each assignment its own page.
Remember, use ALL CAPS in your writing. On Friday, we’ll cover how to divide your Word document into 2 columns.
The assignments:
- Hazardous Waste (26-32 seconds)
- Kingston Fire (26-32 seconds)
Please feel free to use the notes, video and other information provided on the DVD that came with your book.
Questions? Please post them in the comment section here.
JOU 220: Pitches
Hey all:
I will not approve any story idea until I see a pitch. Please do not ask me if “X is a good story” or “Y is a good story”. Put together your pitch, email it to me and make your case.
DO NOT start interviewing people before it is approved. Many of your pitches will be rejected and you will have spent time working on a story for no reason.
Your pitches include:
- Slug
- Hed (proposed)
- Dek (proposed)
- Byline
- Idea (4-7 sentences, researched through the databases we discussed)
- Lede
- Backup
- Nut
- Source List
Conversations About Media & Technology
Hey all:
If you’re interested, I’m building a social network about media and technology at The Modern Journalist NING group. Click on the link, sign up and either read or chat. Everyone is welcome. There are no bad conversations.
EMB 265: ST 120
Hello EMB kids:
Don’t forget. We are meeting in ST 120 tomorrow. Fridays will normally be work days for us, but not this Friday. However, the university is having a Book Fest for area students — so we’ll be getting out a few minutes early.
Don’t fret, though, you’ll have 2 assignments to do this weekend. Yeah.
If you have questions, please email me or post a comment on this site. Thank you.
JOU 220: Finding Sources Question
Question: I am a little confused on the sources part. Should we have all 3 sources listed on our pitch? Or can we just have 1 source, and 2 that we plan to pursue? I have a few ideas of what I would like to write about but I’m not exactly sure what all of my sources would be.
Answer: You should have at least three sources (please write numbers in AP style in the class) who have agreed to speak with you. Do not simply list people as I’ll expect you to speak with the folks on your list. Do not use friends or family members. These are not sources. These are friends and family members.
We will cover how to track sources down on Wednesday, but the simple answer will be:
- what makes a story newsworthy? two of the answers are the impact the story and sources involved. You want to find the people who are MOST directly involved with the story.
- We discussed a few ways to do that (how to find sources on company sites and such)
- You can use Lexis-Nexis (you can find that on NKU’s site, in librarys, under databases, “L”), find out who has talked about this before, and track them down
- You can use press releases to get press contact
Those are three simple ways. We will discuss interviewing techniques on Wednesday as well, but as we discussed in class, the last question you ask every source, every time you speak with them: “Who else should I speak to about that and could you introduce me to them?” That’s still two questions, I know, but that’s okay. You get the gist.
JOU 220 Google Doc Update List
Hey all:
Here is an email list of those I’ve added. If your name isn’t on here, please re-email me with JOU 220 in the subject.
duncanb2@nku.edu, Nikki83@hotmail.com, anglina1@nku.edu, diazn1@nku.edu, obryans1@nku.edu, lauraelwyn07@yahoo.com, howlandm1@nku.edu, rosingj1@nku.edu, anglina1@nku.edu, lantryr1@nku.edu, steininges1@nku.edu
Questions Answered
Hey all:
When I get questions, I like to post them here and answer them for all to see.
- will you be showing us how to layout a pitch when writing it or did we already learn that today, because i still a little fuzzy..
Yes, we can go over the pitches again. Essentially, though, if you just have the 3 top story elements (Idea, Backup, Nutgraf) and then Sources, you’ll be finished up.
- along with the actually story writing layout itself
Yes, we will spend the entire rest of the term going over the story elements. What you need to know what the elements are — and we’ll be working our way through how all of those operate.
If you’re confused, it’s okay. You’ll be confused for the first few weeks — and if you trust me, it’ll all be clear. But keep asking questions.