News Bulletins

Produce a radio news script and a podcast. Prepare news copy and demonstrate and understanding of how to lay it out etc. Submit script and any information for interviews.

Due 22 April via CD, email or Dropbox.com.

Tips and Tricks of the Trade (See week 6 readings)

• Dullness is a sin. 
• Look for detail/hooks that bring a story to life. 
• Be simple, leave complexity, obscurity and vagueness to others. 

A phrase that makes a story vivid and alive. 

Make the story conversational - Tell the listener the story and the events. 

"The university is flooded, James Cook, after all the rain," is better than, "JCU is flooded after heavy rain."

The top-line should prepare the listener for the events to come. Don't tell the whole story in the opening sentence - One idea per a sentence.

Language and Grammar

Use specific words, "red or green" not "brightly coloured"

Use Concrete Words - "rain or sunny" not "bad weather"

Use Plain words - "began says, end, not commenced." 

Don't overuse emotive words - "staggering, sensational, tragic or tragedy."

Avoid - Unknown quantities - Very, really, quite.

The word 'incident' unless directed - use murder, shooting, robbery. 

Absolutes - Quiet impossible, glaringly obvious.

Just - "just got back, "just returned from..."

It is becomes It's

He is becomes He's

Do not becomes Don't

Abbreviation is okay.

Punctuations - Avoid Commas and full stops - Always use dots for punctuation.

Has an audio transcript - http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2013/s3729600.htm

Names - Full names no prefix needed... Barrack Obama, Julia Gillard. 

              Subsequent mentions need a prefix Mr Obama, Ms Gillard. 

              Criminals and celebrities, sports people are not entitled to a prefix.
              The Queen the full title - HRH.
              

Avoid Offense - Policemen, Fireman, Ambulance men, Housewives, Spokesman/Spokeswomen, chairman, Homosexual. 

Should be Police Officer, Fire-Fighters, Ambulance crew, Shoppers, Spokesperson, Chairperson - never the chair or Gay.

Topline (provide the context for what follows)

"Town planners plan to life building restrictions on the Strand..."
Expand the top line
A good middle paragraph sets the stage for audio.

"Mayor Jenny Hill... told Townsville Fm she wont support plans... to increase building heights on the Strand."

Cue Layout

The date, the reporters name or initials, the name of the story (slug), The cue itself, The duration of the audio cut, the outcue of the audio cut, the total running time of the cue, any notes, News Boss Does it all.