Writing Right for Broadcast and Internet News

by Attkisson, Sharyl; Vaughan, Don R.

• ISBN13: 9780205343515
• ISBN10: 0205343511
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-10-07
• Publisher: Pearson

Summary

This book 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 Newscovers 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. This book will also show you how to gather news and will get tips for conducting effective interviews and developing your own writing style.For anyone interested in launching a career as a news writer.

Author Biography

Sharyl Attkisson is a writer, correspondent, and substitute anchor for CBS News. She also writes for CBS News Radio and the CBS News Web site. She's anchored for CNN, hosted the Newsweek Production of the weekly PBS series HealthWeek, and worked in four local news television markets as reporter, anchor and producer Don Rodney Vaughan has worked in small markets as a radio and TV news writer and reporter, and has taught broadcast news writing at Mississippi State University. He's pursuing a Ph.D. in Mass Communications at the University of Southern Mississippi

Table 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.