Lecture

Lecture 8 11.7.2011 Points to remember: * Just one chance to hear and get what you are saying * A lie, repeated often enough, somehow becomes a ‘truth’ What to include * New * Interesting * Things that affect a big group of people * Things that make you curious, happy, sad * Things that have long term implications * Depends on audience * * What not to include * Gossip * Things that affect a very small group of people * * BUT THERE ARE ALWAYS EXCEPTIONS * * Safest strategies: 5Ws + 1H and now, in journalism, we have another W: WITH WHOM * * Writing structures: * Now that you have content, how do you construct the beginning, middle and end' * * 3 basics: * 1. Pyramid- very basic structure of a story * Start with something not so great; make it grow into something bigger and more dramatic * 2. Hour Glass (usually in movies) * Start with something dramatic, then not so dramatic and finally dramatic again * 3. Oval * No beginning or end, no dramatic * * Structure for news/journalism: * - Inverted pyramid * Lead: who what where why when how, most significant details, other info not so essential, others * * Simple rules for sifting out only the most interesting things * Imagine you are telling this to your friend * Do not discredit anyone * Be honest * * Presentation * Non-verbal communication (not just words''''''' WTF) * Tone of voice * Volume * Pace * Emphasis on words * Do not mumble * Pronunciation * Eye contact: Look straight ahead, side to side * Turn whole head; don’t shift your eyes * Do not look down * Facial expressions: Don’t smack your lips or wrinkle your nose * Gestures: Don’t fold your hands, put them on your forehead or scratch your face * Posture: One foot in front * * Handling tough questions * Your response should be: * I’m sorry * That’s what we have at this moment * We will let you know as soon as we have updates * May I have your name and contact details please * * The big picture: Universal Themes * Does it matter what language (not Chinese or malay but casual or formal) was used' * Emotions, love, funny * What is the most effective platform to spread the message (TV, Youtube') * * Elements: * -message * -audience * -theme * -language * -platform * -reach * * Testing if it works: * What do I remember about the story' * If I were to tell it to someone else, what would I say'