WRIT 361 - Writing for the Media
TEXTS:
(1) Writing for the Media: The Textbook (Spring, 1995 or later]
(2) Miscellaneous handouts and library reserves.
BY THE END OF THE COURSE, YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO--
--Identify, define, explain, and demonstrate the proper notation and use of common audio and video production elements.
--List, explain, and use several techniques for creating mental images via audio scripts.
--List and use several methods for developing characters.
--List, explain, and use several techniques for recreating experiences in video scripts.
--Translate real or fictional events into media scripts.
--Write behavioral (performance) objectives.
--Identify and use common instructional and persuasive techniques in the creation of effective scripts.
--Write in two-column, audio, teleplay, and screenplay formats.
--Write miscellaneous continuity scripts.
--Write media copy under time constraints.
ATTENDANCE
If you miss more than three absences, your grade is likely to suffer.
You may not make up missed assignments.
Should class be canceled for any reason, be prepared, at the next class, to cover the work from both classes.
GRADES
Each script will be graded according to the following criteria (in this order):
fulfillment of the assignment;
proper use of form and technical elements;
creativity and originality.
Because there are so many papers in this class (for each one you have to write, I have to read a whole class's worth); because many of them are cumulative, each leading toward the next assignment; because I'll need to grade and return scripts so fast; and because media-related businesses are built on tight deadlines, I will not accept late papers. If you can't get to class, send your paper with someone.
I will assign grades as follows:
F unacceptable.
D acceptable; below average
C average; turned in on time; fulfilled assignment; adequate use of creative and technical elements.
B either one element was outstanding or the script in general was better than average.
A entire script exceptional!
0 assignment not turned in; counts as TWO "F"s.
I will weight assignments as follows:
Technical Elements Test, reading quizzes, and short scripts and assignments 2x
Commercial Package 1x
Instructional script 1x
Final Project 3x
Participation borderline determiner
PRESENTATION OF ASSIGNMENTS
Because this is a professional communication course,
All out-of-class papers must be typed.
All papers must reflect mechanical writing competence:
if there are more than three mechanical errors per page (average) --spelling, punctuation, subject-verb agreement, etc.-- your grade will drop one letter;
if there are more than the equivalent of six mechanical errors per page, your paper will receive an "F".
You may revise four short assignments, the instructional script, and the final project. The revision is due at the next class meeting after the original script has been returned to you. [NOTE: I will not grade a revision unless the original script --with grade and comments--accompanies it.] Your final grade for that assignment will be an average of the original and revised grades.
OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION
My classroom manner tends to be casual and easygoing, loose, and seemingly disorganized. Don't let those cues mislead you! I am very serious about this course and about the caliber of your work. Anything short of excellent will be graded accordingly.
Assignments and Due Dates
Class 1
THE GRAMMAR OF SCRIPT WRITING
Intro, p.1
Ch.1: Visual Terminology, 3-10
Ch.2: Audio Terminology, 11-22
Scripts, 164-165
DIALOGUE --2:00
Write down --verbatim-- two minutes of overheard conversation between two people. It needn't be clever; it needn't have a beginning or an end. Do not use dialogue you heard on TV or radio.
Class 2
THE GRAMMAR OF SCRIPT WRITING, cont'd.
Class 3
COMMUNICATION CAREERS PRESENTATION
Identify the television sitcom for which you'll be writing a treatment (which is due March 26).
Class 4
GRAMMAR, TERMINOLOGY, FORMATS, ETC. (cont'd)
Ch.3: Formats, 23-36
Scripts, 129A, 129E, 130A-B
Langsdale: On pp.129B-D of the textbook is a list of scripts available from the Langsdale Library circulation (reserve) desk. Read one professional two-column script, one professional teleplay script, and one professional screenplay script.
EXERCISE/22 "Microphone Positions"
Identify the nonprofit organization for which you'll be writing a needs assessment (which is due March 12).
Class 5
INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN
Intro: Presenting Information, 38
Ch.4: Instructional Design, 39-44
Scripts: 131-139
TECHNICAL ELEMENTS QUIZ
Class 6
GATHERING and ORGANIZING INFORMATION
Ch.5: Research, 45-52; Ch. 6: Organization, 53-71
Scripts: 283
EXERCISE/40 "Choose a simple policy..."
EXERCISE/40 "Make up one fact sheet..."
EXERCISE/44 "Determine whether each..."
Class 7
INFORMATIONAL SCRIPTS (cont'd)
Ch.7: Manipulating Tech Variables, 72-80
EXERCISE/58 "Identify a process..."
EXERCISE/62 "Choose a topic..."
EXERCISE/68 "Write an outline for a script..."
EXERCISE/71 "Improve the following paragraph..."
Class 8
DRAMATIC SCRIPTS
h.8: Elements of Drama, 81-90
Scripts: 168-186, 193-204, 284-287
CHARACTER SKETCH, PART ONE: Write a sentence which states a single personality trait: for example... "Higgins was an insensitive manager" or "You could always count on Sandy Andrews to get the job done," or "Carl Dopkin doesn't trust anyone," or "GinaRae Smoot is the most charitable person I've ever known. (The other parts of this assignment are due March 7 and March 14.)
Class 9
DRAMATIC SCRIPTS (cont'd.)
Scripts: 161-163, 166-167, 187-192
Write two audio-video scripts (each about 1:30) about the identical scene. Your purpose in one is to make the viewer feel relaxed and peaceful by minimizing the level of activity; in the other, to make the viewer feel tense and excited by maximizing the level of activity.
Class 10
INTERACTIVE SCRIPTS
Identify the United Way/United Charities organization for which you'll be writing commercials (which are due April 2 and April 9).
Class 11
INFORMATIONAL SCRIPTS
Wednesday, March 7 INFORMATIONAL SCRIPTS
Ch.9: Formats/Genres, 91-109
Scripts: 209-214b
CHARACTER SKETCH, PART TWO --one page-- Prose
Write a one paragraph description of a person, concentrating on the character trait you submitted last week. Begin the paragraph with that topic sentence. Spend the rest of the paragraph developing that characteristic. NOTE: Turn in TWO copies of this paper.
INFORMATIONAL SCRIPT PROPOSAL --One page
Write a proposal for the informational script which is due March 28. That assignment, by the way, is to write a script for a ten minute instructional program, the purpose of which is to teach something to someone. The choice of medium/media is yours. The proposal should contain a behavioral objective; target audience; media to be used; and a description of the content and format.
Class 12
INFORMATIONAL SCRIPTS (cont'd.)
CHARACTER SKETCH --3:00-4:00-- Audio/Video
Adapt [your] prose character sketch to television.
Class 13
PERSUASION
Intro: Persuasion, 111
Ch.10: Psychology of Persuasion, 112-118
Ch.11: Persuasive Organization, 119-128
Scripts: 143-160, 205-208
Over the next two weeks you will be developing and writing a package of commercials. Details will be forthcoming.
DRAMATIC TREATMENT
Write a two to three page [after-the fact] treatment for an existing episode of a currently popular prime time television series.
Class 14
PERSUASION (cont'd)
Scripts: 234-236, 239-241, 244-248
COMMERCIALS 1,2,3
FINAL PROJECT PROPOSAL --one-half page or so--
The final assignment in this course is a script of your choosing --dramatic, instructional, or persuasive/motivational. It may be a single program or a series of shorter scripts. Related to your project will be a series of related reading assignments which will be on reserve in Langsdale Library.
Class 15
PERSUASION (cont'd)
Scripts: 247-248, 257-262, 288-289
[Handout]
Monday, April 9 EX POST FACTO SCRIPTING
COMMERCIALS 4,5,6
Class 16
FINAL PROJECT, Pt.1
EXTRA CREDIT NEWSWRITING TEST
Class 17
FINAL PROJECT, Pt.3
Class 18
EXTRA CREDIT LIBEL TEST (Jerome, LIBEL, KF1266.Z9N4)
Class 19
FINAL SCRIPT WORKSHOP
Class 20
FINAL SCRIPTS DUE BY NOON.
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