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List of contents
Each chapter concludes with “Summary,” “Quick Review of Terms,” “Review Questions,” and “Class Exercises.”
Preface.
1. Defining and Diffusing News.
Defining News.
New Value and Judgment.
Diffusion.
Clear Writing: The Complex Art of Simplicity.
2. Broadcast News Writing Style.
The DonShar Dichotomy.
Print vs. Broadcast.
Money and Numbers.
Punctuation.
Quotations.
Names and Titles.
Widely Known Names.
Lesser-Known Names.
No Name?
Middle and Initials.
Doctors.
Clergy.
Age Inclusion.
The Hyphen.
Contractions.
Abbreviations.
Quotations.
Details, Details
Camel Squeezing.
3. Page Format for Radio News.
Paper vs. Computer.
The Basics.
Network Radio Page Format.
4. Page Format for Television News.
Left vs. Right.
Readers: No Video.
Picture This: "Voice Overs."
Add a Little "Bite": VO-SOT's.
Introducing…Lead-ins!
The Whole "Package."
Decisions, Decisions.
Look A-"Live."
The Lowdown on "Rundowns."
5. Online News.
Brief History.
Printcast.
Staying Current.
Organizing the Story.
Translating Broadcast Scripts.
Mr. Potato Head.
Breaking News.
The Internet Newsroom.
Style Guide.
Rumor Has It…
Legitimate Opinion?
Cool and Useful Web Sites.
6. Sources.
A Source by Any Name...
Be Skeptical.
7. Organizing, Interviews, and Leads.
Organized...or Agonized!
Interviews.
The Beginning: "The Lead."
8. Beyond the Basics.
The Point.
The Meaning.
The Mood.
Surprise Endings.
A Sense of Suspense.
Writing to Video.
Writing to Graphics.
Writing to Natural Sound.
Short Form vs. Long Form.
Eric's Principles of Good Broadcast Writing.
9. Practical Exercises.
Crime Report.
White House News Release.
Corporate News Release.
Advocacy Group News.
Wire Story.
Government Agency News.
Enterprising a Story.
10. Ethics and the Law.
Why Be Good?
Whose Ethics, Anyway?
Sneaking Suspicions.
The Moral of the Story.
The Day Rule.
The Fake Hit of Mr. Black.
Plagiarism: Don't Copy This.
Equal Time.
In All Fairness (The Fairness Doctrine).
Payola: A Bribe by Another Name.
That Infamous Media Bias.
Nothing but the Truth.
Privacy: Don't Be Cruel.
Let Your Conscience...and Code...Be Your Guide!
11. Careers.
Getting the Experience.
Making the Most of Internships.
Volunteering.
Career Choices.
The Job Hunt.
Do I Need an Agent?
The Climate.
Getting to the Net.
What's It Worth?
AFTRA Salary Survey.
Unions.
Advice from Professionals in the Field.
Job Resources.
Job Resources on the Web.
Glossary.
Broadcast Style Guide.
Internet Style Guide.
Summary
This text takes a nuts-and-bolts approach to news writing for radio, television and the Internet, emphasizing the unique, first-hand experiences of the authors.
Writing Right for Broadcast and Internet News covers the basics of writing for all three electronic media-television, radio and the Internet-from terminology and how stories should look on the printed page to determining exactly what to write. The text is filled with practical, current exercises and anecdotes from the field that are sure to engage students. They will learn how to write stories that are not only factual but compelling. They will also find out how to gather news and will get tips for conducting effective interviews and developing their own writing style.
Writing Right also provides career information, salary data, and advice from professionals provided exclusively for this text. The text is the first in the market to specifically recognize that most broadcast news professionals now have Internet components to their jobs. Because the authors are currently working in broadcasting, they are able to dispel previous myths and offer updated and unique glimpses into the world of local and network radio, television, and Web sites.
