1. MMC 911 Introduction to News Writing Spring 2012 February 29, 2012 Dr. Alma Kadragic

2. Tonight’s program • Invitation from Dr. Swapna Koshy • Reports from Day 1 of WAN-IFRA Conference • 6:30 pm Library for research workshop • Examine real Exercise 1 from last week • Some tips • Discuss Exercise 2 • Discuss Campus News Story

3. Invitation from Dr. Swapna Koshy • This is to invite students registered in the Media and Communication course to speak to / interact with undergraduates enrolled for Business Communication. • The available slots are between 8.30am-10.30 am on 18th  and 25th  April  or  2nd  May. Students could give a short presentation ( in any format – with/without slides, an activity/game) on use of new media or any new communication technique. On April 25th there will also be a poster presentation for which their feedback will be greatly appreciated.

4. Reports from Day 1 of WAN-IFRA Conference • Shumaila on www.arabfreepressforum.org • Anastasia • Anni • Ethar

5. Writing the paragraph Follow instructions! • Assignment was oneparagraph, not one sentence • Paragraph should introduce direction of rest of the piece • Spelling and punctuation are important • Do not use sms language or abbreviations

6. Real Exercise #1 Describe our classroom in one paragraph • Make a list of some facts about the room • What do you think about the classroom? • What is your approach? Factual? Imaginative? From small to big? Other?

7. Last week’s assignment Here is the compilation of what everyone wrote: Did you write a physical description? Did you write about the mood? Did you write about both?

8. Problems you may have • You can’t write if you are struggling with the topic • You have to decide where you are going before you start to write • Lista few points as reminders • Keep it simple - KISS • Use SpellCheck; watch punctuation • Be careful • Proofread

9. Exercise 2 on Wednesday Exercise 1 was writing an opening paragraph on a given topic Exercise 2 will be writing the second paragraph • An opening paragraph will be on the screen • You will write the next paragraph, taking the story in a direction you select

10. Planning the On Campus News Story - 1 • What can you see? • Who can you talk to? • What’s special or interesting about our campus, which means Knowledge Village • What is interesting on campus or in Knowledge Village? • What are some categories you could look at?

11. Planning the On Campus News Story - 2 • How can you pick a topic? • What is the news? • What will you need to do the story? • Who will you talk to? • Is research required?

12. Planning the On Campus News Story - 3 Plan the timing – story is due in 7 days Activity Timing • Thinking • Research • Interview(s) • Organizing • Writing • Proofreading

13. Planning the On Campus News Story - 4 500 word story Lead – first paragraph Develop topics – one per paragraph Paragraphs are short – 2 or 3 sentences maximum Where do quotes go? Is research useful? If so, explain source in story

14. How do you start? • Remember the 5 Ws and How • The opening is the most important • Pyramid style – what is it? • Jot down key points • Put them in order • Write simple sentences • Use present tense mainly

15. After you’ve written • Read out loud • Change bits that are hard to say • Proofread • Ask another person if text is clear • If not, make changes • Read again • Put away and give yourself a break • Read again • Hand in

16. Session 5 next week • We will catch up with Writing Exercise #2 • On Campus News Story is a Word document • Email your On Campus News Story as an attachment before class on Wednesday, March 7 • I will not accept stories emailed after 6 pm on March 7

17. MMC911 Introduction to News Writing That’s it for tonight. Use the weekend to continue with MMC910 readings which are all available now See you Monday in MMC910. Our speaker will be Sultan Al Qassemi. How can you prepare for his visit?