BROOKLYN COLLEGE
Department of Television and Radio
TVRA 3728 (Section T0): Television and Radio Newswriting
Fall Semester 2013
Professor John Anderson
Tuesday, 9:30-12:15, 307A Whitehead Hall (Multimedia Lab)
Contact: 404S Whitehead Hall / (608) 395-4389 / john@diymedia.net / @diymediadotnet
Office Hours: Tuesday 1:00-2:30 PM / Wednesday 2:00-3:30 PM in 404S Whitehead or by appointment
Course Description/Objectives
Catalog Description: Adaptation of various sources of news material to television and radio writing and delivery style. Forms for television and radio newswriting. Television and radio news equipment. Relationships between members of the television and radio news team.
Detailed Description: The ability to write, and write well under constraints of time, is the coin of the realm in journalism—regardless of platform. That said, writing for broadcast is especially tricky because the medium favors time over length . It requires a surprising level of attention to every word you use, though in many ways it is also a more liberating style of writing than what you find in print. None of this is really something that you can learn from a book, either: like any other craft, it must be practiced and honed by doing. On its most fundamental level, this class is a seminar/laboratory designed to maximize your opportunity to practice writing for news through a variety of exercises and projects.
Course Objectives:
1. You’ll learn about tools, techniques, and practices of writing (both aesthetic and technical) for broadcast and electronic media. (DO3, DO7)
2. You’ll learn how to research, report and write news material meeting professional standards.
(DO9)
Grades will not be discussed via e-mail , but anything else is fair game, although detailed questions about assignments are best discussed in person. All questions regarding readings, assignments, etc. may be answered during class. I am also available for questions immediately after class or during office hours, and am very flexible about making special appointments to meet with you.

Please note: In order to receive disability-related academic accommodations students must first be registered with the Center for Student Disability Services: http://depthome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/disability/
Students who have a documented disability or suspect they may have a disability are invited to set up an appointment with the Director of the Center for Student Disability Services, Ms.
Valerie Stewart-Lovell at (718) 951-5538. If you have already registered with the Center for
Student Disability Services please provide me with the course accommodation form and I will make every effort to accommodate you.
Course Materials
There is no required textbook for this class. Instead, readings will be posted to the course
Blackboard site, available via the CUNY Portal at https://cunyportal.cuny.edu/ . In addition, you will be required to analyze additional media as part of a regular weekly exercise.
You should also have a copy of Diana Hacker, A Writer’s Reference , 6 th Edition (New York:
Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2007). This is a required text for all TV/Radio classes, so please retain it.
Department e-Group
You should subscribe to the Yahoo! Group for Brooklyn College majors in TV & Radio: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BCTVR-Majors/
This list posts announcements about departmental and campus events, guest speakers, scholarships, internships, and more. All undergraduate students in the Department of Television and Radio should join this Group: to do so, send a blank message to bctvr-majors- subscribe@yahoogroups.com
.
It’s also a good idea to subscribe to the department’s Yahoo! Group for job opportunities: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TVR_Jobs/
This will be especially helpful as you near graduation. To join, send a blank message to
TVR_Jobs-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
.
Department Advisement
If you have general questions about your plan of study or would like to speak to a department adviser, please contact the Department’s Undergraduate Deputy Chair:
Professor Brian Dunphy
303A Whitehead Hall (inside the main Department office)
Email: TVR.undergradchair@gmail.com
Skype Name: Tvr.undergradchair

Professor Dunphy has extensive office hours for the Fall 2013 semester:
Monday 11:30-12:30, 3:40-5:00
Tuesday 2:30-3:30, 5:00-6:00
Thursday 11:30-12:30, 5:00-6:00
He will also be available one Wednesday per month (by appointment only).
Course Requirements and Grading
Attendance is required. Attendance will be recorded for each class. Please be on time. Journalism works on deadlines: treat this course no differently. Persistent tardiness may diminish your grade for class participation.
If you must be absent, you must either inform me beforehand and/or submit valid excuses immediately upon returning to class. Excuses for absences during the course will not be accepted at the end of the semester.
Two unexcused absences will automatically lower your final grade by a half-letter.
Four unexcused absences will automatically lower your final grade by a full letter.
Six or more unexcused absences will result in automatic failure, barring divine intervention.
Please keep in mind that, since some of your grade is determined by your work with fellow classmates, absences not only directly affect you but also make the course more difficult for your peers. Furthermore, some course assignments may only be completed in-class, and you will have no opportunity to make these up if your absence that day is unexcused.
Assignment -wise, over the course of this semester you will be responsible for:
1. A series of in-class assignments that will test your ability to write a variety of story-forms under short deadline constraints. These will be assigned in-class and, in most cases, will be due long before class ends for that day—which is why timely attendance is so important.
2. Two audio or video stories produced by you and a class partner. Each of these pieces will be
3-5 minutes long, on subjects and using forms chosen by you (and approved by me). You will receive a handout detailing the specifics of these projects in a couple of weeks. These projects are, in effect, the course’s replacements for a midterm and final exam, so treat them appropriately.
3. Watching or listening to a news or sports program of your choice on a regular basis and writing weekly observations on the program’s use of language. You may choose to follow a single program throughout the semester, or you may switch between programs. These writings will be due at the beginning of each class. I expect no less than one full double-spaced page each week.
Do not waste space on the top of the page with anything other than your name.

There are more ways to define “use of language” than there are weeks in the semester, but some potential avenues to explore include:
---Overall style (formal/informal, scripted/extemporary, etc.)
---The function of writers (identified in credits) on the program
---How a program blends scripted speech with actualities and natural sound
---Use of slang, clichés, and figures of speech
---Use of “inside speech” (terms that only regular listeners/viewers might understand)
---Grammatical correctness
These assignments will be primarily graded on the thoughtfulness and candidness of your observations and analysis and the coherency of your writing.
Late assignments will not be accepted without good cause. If you expect to turn in an assignment late, please see me to determine whether we can work out a mutually beneficial solution.
Grading Scale
I grade on a 100-point system. Each in-class assignment is worth 5 points (x8 = 40 points); each longer-form story is worth 15 points (x2 = 30 points); weekly reflections are worth 2 points each
(x12 = 24 points); and attendance/class participation is worth 6 points.
A+ = 100+
A = 94-99
A- = 90-93
B+ = 87-89
B = 84-86
B- = 80-83
C+ = 77-79
C = 74-76
C- = 70-73
D+ = 67-69
D = 64-66
D- = 60-63
In Summary
Grade Breakdown:
1. In-class Assignments
2. Longer-form Stories
3. Weekly Reflections
4. Class Participation
5. Attendance
40%
30%
24%
6%
Required
Grade Reductions:
1. 2 unexcused absences
2. 4 unexcused absences
3. 6 unexcused absences
4. Failure to complete/late assignment grade reduction of half letter (e.g. B to B-) grade reduction of one letter (e.g. B to C)
F automatic zero for the assignment
Extra Credit: There will be extra credit opportunities; more details on these are forthcoming.

Academic Integrity
The faculty and administration of Brooklyn College support an environment free from cheating and plagiarism. Each student is responsible for being aware of what constitutes cheating and plagiarism and for avoiding both. The complete text of the CUNY Academic Integrity Policy and the Brooklyn College procedure for implementing that policy can be found at http://www.brooklyn.cuny.edu/web/about/initiatives.php (see “Academic Affairs”).
If a faculty member suspects a violation of academic integrity and, upon investigation, confirms that violation, or if the student admits the violation, the faculty member MUST report it.
You should also be familiar with Brooklyn College’s Student Handbook, which outlines your rights and responsibilities as a student: http://www.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bc/pubs/handbook/shandbook.pdf
Basic Classroom Decorum
To create an environment that maximizes productivity and creativity, it is essential to show respect for the class as a whole. Here are a couple of ground rules we will follow:
1. Turn off all audible ringers on electronic devices before entering the classroom. Computers and other devices may not be used except for class purposes. In the event I discover you engaging in other activities, you may be asked to leave and will not receive attendance credit for that day. In addition, your course participation grade will be negatively affected.
2. All non-course-related conversations are to be conducted outside the classroom. This includes text and instant messaging. If necessary, please leave the room quietly and take care of your business. If your conversation becomes disruptive you will be asked to leave and will not receive attendance credit for that day.
3. Technically, there is no food or drink allowed in the Multimedia Lab, to minimize the risk of damage to the very expensive computers we have here. However, in recognition of the earliness of our class, drinks with lids or caps will be allowed at my discretion—no open cans or cups.
Similarly, non-messy finger foods in recloseable packaging will be allowed at my discretion.
4. During discussions, listen carefully: every speaker in class is entitled to respectful attention.
5. Never be afraid to ask questions if you don't fully understand something or are curious to learn more (there is no such thing as a "stupid question" in this class).
6. The instructor is not always right. Learning is a two-way street.

Outcomes Assessment Rubrics
ACTIVITY EXCEEDS
EXPECTATIONS
Attendance Attends every class on time
MEETS
EXPECTATIONS
Attends class; makes arrangements to deal with tardiness and absences
DOES NOT MEET
EXPECTATIONS
Consistently late and/or absent without excuse
Class
Participation
Regularly and actively engaged in class discussion
Engages voluntarily in class discussion; otherwise, listens respectfully
Does not engage in class discussion; avoids responding when called upon; is disrespectful to others
Weekly
Reflections
Papers more than one page in length; demonstrates active engagement with selected material and originality in writing style
Papers at least one page in length; demonstrates interest in selected material and a competent writing style
In-class
Assignments
Embraces deadline-oriented nature of assignments; works diligently; produces attractive, compelling stories
Works gracefully under deadline pressure; produces competent stories free of substantive error
Papers less than one page in length; no demonstration of original thought or interest in selected material; writing style is riddled with problems
Folds or withers under deadline pressure; stories produced are incoherent and riddled with errors of style and substance
Longer-form
Stories
Develops a unique story idea; collaborates effectively in the research, writing, and editing process; final product is compelling and free of errors
Develops a story idea with adequate substance and coherency; demonstrates competency in research, writing, and editing; final product is coherent and free of glaring errors
Does not develop a coherent story idea; muddles or rushes through the research, writing, and editing process; final product has little substance and is riddled with errors

COURSE OUTLINE
WEEK 1 – INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW
Tuesday, September 3: Outline of course objectives, workload, and schedule
---In-class Writing Assignment #1
WEEK 2 – NEWSROOM OPERATIONS
Tuesday, September 10: Read Chip Scanlan and Richard Craig, “Storytelling vs. Speed” (via
Blackboard) and University of Tennessee, “Basics of Reporting,” http://www.jem230.com/lecture-notes/3-basics-of-reporting/
---In-class Writing Assignment #2
---Program Reflections Due
WEEK 3 – STORY / SOURCE SELECTION
Tuesday, September 17: Read University of Tennessee, “Sources – Observation,” http://www.jem230.com/lecture-notes/4-sources-observatio/ and Newscript.com, “Be
Enterprising,” http://www.newscript.com/enterprise.html
---Program Reflections Due
---Story Project #1 Assigned
WEEK 4 – FUNDAMENTALS OF WRITING FOR BROADCAST – I
Tuesday, September 24: Read Chip Scanlan and Richard Craig, “Broadcast Writing” (via
Blackboard)
---In-class Writing Assignment #3
---Program Reflections Due
WEEK 5 – FUNDAMENTALS OF WRITING FOR BROADCAST – II
Tuesday, October 1: Read C.A. Tuggle, “Characteristics of Broadcast News Writing” (via
Blackboard) and Jim Stovall, “Grammar Terms,” http://www.jprof.com/2013/05/12/grammar- terms/
---In-class Writing Assignment #4
---Program Reflections Due

WEEK 6 – FUNDAMENTALS OF WRITING FOR BROADCAST – III
Tuesday, October 8: Read Laurie Lattimore, “Broadcasting Style Tips,” http://www.jprof.com/2013/05/15/broadcasting-style-tips-by-laurie-lattimore/
---Program Reflections Due
WEEK 7 – CONVERSION DAY: NO CLASS
--Instead, you will attend one of the Media Days events on the evening of Tuesday, October 15 or Wednesday, October 16 for Writing Assignment #5
WEEK 8 – STORY PROJECT #1 PRESENTATION / CRITIQUE
Tuesday, October 22: No readings scheduled
---Program Reflections Due
---Writing assignment #5 Due
WEEK 9 – BAD HABITS
Tuesday, October 29: Read Mervin Block, “Dozen Deadly Don’ts” (via Blackboard) and
Newscript.com “Avoiding ‘Cop Talk’,” http://www.newscript.com/coptalk.html
---In-class Writing Assignment #6
---Program Reflections Due
WEEK 10 – EFFECTIVE INTERVIEWING
Tuesday, November 5: Read Chip Scanlan and Richard Craig, “Interviewing” (via Blackboard),
Susan Paterno, “What to Do,” American Journalism Review, http://www.ajr.org/article.asp?id=677 , and Susan Paterno, “What to Avoid,” American
Journalism Review , http://www.ajr.org/article.asp?id=678 .
---Program Reflections Due
---Story Project #2 Assigned
WEEK 11 – NO CLASS
---Work independently on Story Project #2

WEEK 12 – MELDING WORDS WITH SOUNDS AND IMAGES
Tuesday, November 19: Read Mary McGuire, “Ethical Guidelines for Editing Audio,” http://jsource.ca/article/ethical-guidelines-editing-audio , and listen to Jeff Lunden, “Life’s a Bike: Tour de Bronx,” http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4135563
---In-class Writing Assignment #7
---Program Reflections Due
WEEK 13 – READING BROADCAST COPY
Tuesday, November 26: Read Newscript.com, “Improving On-Air Delivery,” http://www.newscript.com/delivery.html
---Program Reflections Due
WEEK 14 – THE CHANGING LANDSCAPE OF JOURNALISM
Tuesday, December 3: No readings scheduled
---In-class Writing Assignment #8
---Program Reflections Due
WEEK 15 – STORY PROJECT #2 WRAP-UP
Tuesday, December 10: No readings scheduled
---Program Reflections Due
WEEK 16 – FINAL EXAM
Tuesday, December 17: Class will meet from 10:30 AM-12:30 PM for Story #2
Presentation/Critique