Spring 2012 February 29, 2012 Dr. Alma Kadragic

Tonight’s program Invitation from Dr. Swapna Koshy Reports from Day 1 of WAN-IFRA Conference 6:30 pm Library for research workshop Examine real Exercise 1 from last week Some tips Discuss Exercise 2 Discuss Campus News Story

Invitation from Dr. Swapna Koshy This is to invite students registered in the Media and Communication course to speak to / interact with undergraduates enrolled for Business Communication. The available slots are between 8.30am am on 18 th and 25 th April or 2 nd May. Students could give a short presentation ( in any format – with/without slides, an activity/game) on use of new media or any new communication technique. On April 25 th there will also be a poster presentation for which their feedback will be greatly appreciated.

Reports from Day 1 of WAN-IFRA Conference Shumaila on Anastasia Anni Ethar

Writing the paragraph Follow instructions! Assignment was one paragraph, not one sentence Paragraph should introduce direction of rest of the piece Spelling and punctuation are important Do not use sms language or abbreviations

Real Exercise #1 Describe our classroom in one paragraph Make a list of some facts about the room What do you think about the classroom? What is your approach? Factual? Imaginative? From small to big? Other?

Last week’s assignment Here is the compilation of what everyone wrote: Did you write a physical description? Did you write about the mood? Did you write about both?

Problems you may have You can’t write if you are struggling with the topic You have to decide where you are going before you start to write List a few points as reminders Keep it simple - KISS Use SpellCheck; watch punctuation Be careful Proofread

Exercise 2 on Wednesday Exercise 1 was writing an opening paragraph on a given topic Exercise 2 will be writing the second paragraph An opening paragraph will be on the screen You will write the next paragraph, taking the story in a direction you select

Planning the On Campus News Story - 1 What can you see? Who can you talk to? What’s special or interesting about our campus, which means Knowledge Village What is interesting on campus or in Knowledge Village? What are some categories you could look at?

Planning the On Campus News Story - 2 How can you pick a topic? What is the news? What will you need to do the story? Who will you talk to? Is research required?

Planning the On Campus News Story - 3 Plan the timing – story is due in 7 days Activity Timing Thinking Research Interview(s) Organizing Writing Proofreading

Planning the On Campus News Story word story Lead – first paragraph Develop topics – one per paragraph Paragraphs are short – 2 or 3 sentences maximum Where do quotes go? Is research useful? If so, explain source in story

How do you start? Remember the 5 Ws and How The opening is the most important Pyramid style – what is it? Jot down key points Put them in order Write simple sentences Use present tense mainly

After you’ve written Read out loud Change bits that are hard to say Proofread Ask another person if text is clear If not, make changes Read again Put away and give yourself a break Read again Hand in

Session 5 next week We will catch up with Writing Exercise #2 On Campus News Story is a Word document your On Campus News Story as an attachment before class on Wednesday, March 7 I will not accept stories ed after 6 pm on March 7

MMC911 Introduction to News Writing That’s it for tonight. Use the weekend to continue with MMC910 readings which are all available now See you Monday in MMC910. Our speaker will be Sultan Al Qassemi. How can you prepare for his visit?