Required Reading
Required readings will be assigned from Duy Linh Tu's Feature and Narrative Storytelling for Multimedia Journalists. The reading assignment schedule is posted in Learning Suite.
Recommended reading
The Investigative Reporter's Handbook: A Guide to Documents, Databases, and Techniques is a very useful book for helping you find information and is strongly recommended. You may already have it from Comms 308 because this is the type of book you keep on your desk after graduation.
Please make a habit of reading the New York Times, as well as the local papers. The School of Communications makes the Times available in foyers and local papers are available in the newsroom.
Equipment
You should have a laptop computer and a smart phone. Although not required, it helps to have a microphone. It may also be possible to check out equipment from the School of Communications or the library. If you intend to work as a journalist, you'll want to start building a mobile reporting kit and we can help you know how to do that.
Lab assignments
For all story assignments: Using your Wordpress account in the Universe newsroom, produce your story in the Comms 420 queue called "News Packages." Be sure that the multimedia elements are uploaded and connected to the stories in Wordpress. Finally, include the final, edited package on your personal website.
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You will first present your work, as it is posted on your personal website, on the date you are assigned (by groups). The Universe deadlines follows roughly a week later. All deadlines (and the group to which you are assigned) are listed on the Learning Suite Schedule.
Story and sidebar with photo and at least two enhancements (map, or audio interview, or photo gallery, or video or audio clip)​.
5-8 minute studio-quality, as-live podcast that includes an interview and at least one audio element.​
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Video: profile or event (1)
4-8 minute video profile or story about an event that exhibits storytelling qualities discussed in class. This video should be accompanied by a brief (30-40 seconds) captioned version of your story for use on the Universe's Facebook account.
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Your choice: News package or video (1)
Either a hard news package that includes a 60-second video and other multimedia elements, as described on Learning Suite; or a 4-8 minute video profile or story about an event that exhibits storytelling qualities discussed in class. Your video should be accompanied by a brief (30-40 seconds) captioned version of your story for use on the Universe's Facebook account.
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Final portfolio
Online site with completed stories and a reflective essay, uploaded to Learning Suite, that describes what you've learned in class and notes the improvements made in stories since they were screened and graded in class. Be sure to include your site's URL with your essay.