Writing for Interactive Media
Journalism 122/Communication Studies 122
Course Description | Requirements & Grading | Texts & Links | The Project
Journalism 131
e-mail
foxs@csus.edu
The project
To create a multimedia story on an assigned topic.
Step 1: Locate the main story.
You may use any existing story from a reputable news source. Because we
are not publishing these multimedia pieces, we will not worry about copyright
infringement. Otherwise, remember that you cannot use published work (including
images) without written permission unless it is on a government site or
it is offered for public use.
Examples:
Living Nightmare
How to Lose a Roommate
Cramped Spaces
(Explanation: This is a change in the assignment. Because
the majority of members in the class are not journalists, the original
project assignment required too much expertise for too little time.)
2. Define how to enhance the story. Brainstorm. Use whirlwind outlines.
Debate. Research.
Example: For a story on entertainment for college students,
brainstorm what information will enhance the story you have chosen. Will
it be alcohol safety information, DUI, places to go that don’t service
alcohol? Or will you just focus on the fun: local happy hours, cheap/safe
transportation there and back, bands?
3. Develop and acquire supplemental information and material.
Question: Will it require links to places? Interviews
with people (photos and audio)? Links to existing multimedia information
that can directly enhance the story?
4. Design the story.
Development: Will you embed links? Will you have a
photo with a caption? Will it link to a slide show? Will you need a graph?
A graphic?
5. Pull the pieces together.
Write the headlines, captions, summaries, links.
6. Be critical.
Does the information work together to tell one story?
Is it related? Is it meaningful? Or is it information-dumping ––
it was interesting but unrelated?
The Grade: Final
scores will be based on cohesiveness of the message, all text being “on
message” and in the appropriate written form.
Each group will formally present their work on November 30.
Sites to explore
The Poynter Institute for Media Studies
The Elements of Digital Storytelling
Online Journalism Review - USC
College Newspapers online (for content)
Project material for in-class example
Links to Summer Passage references on websites
Video