Writing for Interactive Media

Page 1

Writing for Interactive Media - Virtual Class 1

Short Stories

Not a thesis topic here, think small for stories. Not the whole cake, just the bite.

Small bites

Keep it simple

Story Requirements (short)

A. 300-500 words

B. Written in third person, no i or we

C. Includes a headline, lead, lead support, nut graph, lead quote, background and support info, and conclusion.

D. Include at least two direct quotes from a relevant source. Direct interview first and last name, provide there contact info to Meredith.

E. Intergrate relevant hyperlinks throughout the story.

F. Use proper attribution and sourcing. Clearly show your audience where you got your information.

Story Requirements (long)

A. 500-800 words

B. Written in third person

C. Include elements from C above

D. Include direct questions from two relevant sources.

E. Include one original photo, infographic, timeline, video or audio.

F. Integrate relevant hyperlinks throughout the story.

G. Use proper attribution and sourcing.

About Page

1. How do you want readers/clients to feel when they read your words?

2. How can you be different? What are you passions? Where do you have expertise? Are you an expert in training? What are some of your unique values?

3. How can you connect with your audience?

4. What story can you show (not tell) the audience?

5. Use the assignment 1 worksheet to complete this activity. Upload a word doc to allow for track changes.

Make them feel like they want to come back.

Page 2

Writing for Interactive Media - Writing Tutorials + Templates

Grammar Fundamentals

Why does grammar matter?

First impressions are incredibly important, especially when it comes to accurate grammar.

The writer's responsibility is to make certain that correct mechanics are used so the reader knows exactly what was meant.

Nouns

Who are what the sentence is about. Sometimes when or where.

Likely the subject of a sentence.

The employees like the new exercise facilities. (Concrete Nouns) Things that can be touched, seen, smelled, tasted, etc.

Proper Noun - Name of a specific person, place, or thing. Always capitalized.

Compassion is necessary for empathy. (Abstract Nouns) - Things we cannot see, touch, hear, taste.

Directions are not capitalized, unless it's a specific location. I live in the East.

Verb

Shows action or state of being.

Types

Agreement of number

Tense

Regular and irregular

Action verbs - Show action, you can visualize something being done.

I rode to town.

State of being verbs

Link the subject to the rest of the sentence: I, am, were, was, are,be.

I am happy.

State of being verbs can help action verbs.

I am going to town.

Make the verb and subject agreement in number.

Tbe cat (run or runs) around in the house.

Verb tense

Past, present, in the future

Present perfect - Action began in the past and finished recently or has some relationship to the present.

Past Perfect - Action began and completed in the past.

Future Perfect - Action completed with respect to the future.

Regular verb - Past and future tense are identical and formed with -d or -ed.

Irregular verb - Past, present, and future forms may very.

Articles

A, an, the - they modify noun or pronouns.

Indefinite Articles

I would like to read a book.

An employee policy was passed.

Used before words beginning with vowels.

An ocean, An incident, an ocean

A - is used before words beginning with consonants, and words that begin with a y sound.

A celebration

A building

The (Definite Article) - Refers to a specific noun.

Most country names do not use The.

Languages and nationalities don't use "The" unless referring to an entire population.

Utilize The when referring to a specific set. A group of the.

Pronoun

Replaces a noun. In grammar jargon it's called an antecedent, which is the word, phrase, or clause to which the pronoun refers.

Mandy (Antecedent for "she" and "her") voted for the new policy. She wanted the new benefits for her family's insurance.

Pronoun categories

Gender

Masculine, feminine, neutral

Number

Agreement of number. Both the pronoun and its antecedent must be singular or both must be plural.

Person

The team member will send her report tomorrow. (Singular).

All members brought their ideas to the meeting (plural).

change of person error (first person) singular: I me my/ plural

Pronoun Categories

1. Demonstrative

That this these those - Both the writer/reader need to know what is the left out noun.

2. Intensive/Reflexive

Please provide Sara and myself with copies of the latest bulletin. (Incorrect)

Please provide Sara and me with copies of the latest bulletin.

Use to strengthen the intensity of a personal reference or reflect back on a prior pronoun in a sentence.

She asked herself the same question. (Herself reflects back to she).

4. Indefinite

Act as the noun in the sentence. Everybody anybody nobody most. Somebody called me. There needs to be verb number agreement.

5. Relative

Who, whom, whomever, whichever. The new intern who works hard will succeed.

That and which - inanimate objects

Who and whom

Whom him and them are on the same objective pronoun list.

who or whom won the award? To who or whom should the prize be given? Objective case pronoun needs.

6. Interrogative

Pronouns used to ask questions.

Which plans need to be approved?

7. Reciprocal

One another, each other. We help each other complete the flowchart.

Each other - two people

one another - three or more people

Pronoun cases

Possessive Case - Ownership - Never use an apostrophe

The bird built its/it's nest. Read sentence as it is and its.

Subjective Case pronouns

I, We, He, She, They

Subjective complement after linking verb, or subject of sentence.

Objective Case pronouns

Me, Us, Him,Her,Them

Object of a preposition

Object of an action verb

Allison and (I/me) will explain the new idea to Karyn and (She/her).

Adverbs

Further explain, illustrate, or show degrees.

modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs.

Most LY words are adverbs

Lynn worked quickly. (Worked verb) (Quickly adverb)

Adjectives

describes or modifies nouns and pronouns.

The purse was made from real leather.

Comparative adjectives

Jerry is the better student in class. (Two people)

Superlative adjectives

Jerri is the best student in the class (three or more people)

Misplaced or dangling modifiers

I held the report in my hand that my boss gave me. (Incorrect)

I held the report that my boss gave me in my hand. (Correct)

Conjunctions

connect or join words, phrases, and clauses.

1. Coordinating

And, Nor, But or, yet so for. Pencils, markers, paper clips, and staples have been reordered.

Connect ideas, and show other relationships. Expensive but high quality.

2. Subordinating conjunctions

connects unequal parts of a sentence.

When while after if though because

After the sales presentation, we need to have a conference call.

Complex sentence + subordinating conjunction + Dependent clause.

Incomplete thoughts- - While you were at your meeting.

3. Correlative conjunctions

either, or both, and neither, nor, not only, but also.

I will attend not only Thursday's meeting but also fridayt's meeting.

4. Conjunctive adverbs

Joins two independent clauses, shows strong connection or transition.

consequently, otherwise, therefore, however.

The new building has 12,000 square feet; therefore, everyone will have a separate office.

The new building has 12,000 square feet; however, only a quarter of it has been remodeled.

Therefore and however may be used as transition words not only as conjunctions.

The employees, however, will like the new facilities.

Prepositions

Connects or links one part of a sentence to another part, and shows a relationship between the parts.

The report is on the desk.

On in for to, through between above.

Prepositional Phrase - Preposition + object. The bird flew in the window.

The committee sent its report to all of the members of management.

Make sure your subject and verb agree in number. The rock collection is massive.

Clauses and phrases

Phrase

Group of words that does not need both a subject and a verb.

The report is on your desk. (Prepositional phrase)

Use a comma after a long opening phrase (four or more words).

In the red supply cabinet, the paper is on the third shelf.

Clause

A group of words with a subject and a verb.

dependent (needs help)

introduced by subordinating conjunctions

After (sub.conj) I submitted the Brown report. (Incomplete sentence).

I submitted the Brown Report. (Correct)

independent (can stand alone)

After I submitted the Brown Report, I decided to review the upcoming projects.

Run on sentence and comma slice

I submitted the Brown report, (comma splice) NOT STRONG ENOUGH then I decided to review the upcoming projects.

I submitted the Brown report; (stronger punctuation) I then decided to review the upcoming projects.

Restrictive and non restrictive clauses

Restrictive - Crucial to the meaning of the sentence.

Non restrictive - Addtional information but not necessary for the meaning.

The lady who is wearing the red dress is the winner. Restrictive clause.

Ms. Carson is the winner. (non-restrictive)

If the group of words is essential for clarity, no comma.

Ms. Carson, who is wearing the red dress, is the winner.

Identifying an inanimate object (Restrictive "That" Unrestrctive "Which")

The report (that/which) Carol wrote was accepted.

(Remove the clause to analyze (The report was accepted). (Whose report?)

The report that carol wrote is correct.

Our awards banquet, (that/Which) lasted three hours, was successful.

Sentence Structure

A complete sentence must have a subject and verb.

Run! (subject(you)(run).

Simple Sentence

One independent clause. A group of words that can stand alone.

The chairs(sub) need (verb) to be cleaned .

Compound sentence (two complete clauses)

The chairs need to be cleaned (independent clause, and (preposition) the tables need to be repaired (independent clause).

Complex Sentence

Two clauses: one independent and one dependent

Even though the chairs need to be cleaned, the tables will be repainted first.

Compound-Complex Sentence

Even though the chairs need to be cleaned, the tables will be repaired first (Indy); then the desks will be repainted (Indy).

Good writing needs a variety of sentence structures.

Making Sentences Parallel

Words, clauses, or phrases in the same form or pattern.

Parallel Structure - Gerunds, Participles, Infinitives

Gerund

erb ending in -in, that functions as a noun.

Sleeping (subject, who or what the sentence is about) is necessary.

Bob received his award for volunteering (noun object for

Participle

Verb functioning as an adjective

Frustrated (describes Pete as the noun), Pete asked for further directions.

Infinitive

To plus the verb. Acts as a noun, adverb, or adjective.

To contribute was my goal. ( contribute plus To acts as a noun).

Paralleism

Consistently using the same verbal form for in a sentence.

Posession

Joint Ownership - If it's the same thing owned, Colin and Marla's reports (their reports)

Singular Ownership - Colin's and Marla's reports (Individual ownership)

Passive and active voice

Active - Sentence's subject is doing the acting.

The CEO made the announcement.

Passive- sentenc'es subject is receiving the action or is being acted upon.

The announcement was made by the CEO.

Passive voice softens the tone.

Passive voice focuses on the action.

Passive voice works in formal reports. Employees want more family-friendly pocilies is the conclusion of the study. (Passive).

Sound-alikes

Numbers

1-10 are spelled out in full.

11 and over are written as numbers.

If a numbers can't be written in a word, do not write out the number.

Any number beginning a sentence must be spelled out in full.

Rewriting long numbers at the beginning of the sentence as a number.

Write numbers in a series the same way if they are related.

two numbers should be written as twelve, 15 foot tables.

Approximations can be spelled out or numbered.

Dates - when month day and year are given, December 5, 2013, always commas between the two numbers.

Comma Rules

Numbers - 1,345,777

Dates and Locations - Indianapolis, Indiana,

May 21, 1881, Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross.

Direct Address -

I know, Sally. (Addressing someone by name, talking to someone, use comma.

Set off appositive- Appositive -One or more words that renames or explains the noun or pronoun it follows.

Ms. Benner, our new supervisor, expects the bingbongs to be slapped.

Serial lists

Pencils, marks, paper clips, and staples have been reordered.

use a serial comma for clarity.

Minor Punctuation Rules

Colon: Signals something follows.

A colon should not be used after a verb or preposition, unless it's a numbered list.

Give the forms to: (Incorrect)

Quotation Marks

If it's describing action, the punctuation should be outside the quote. IF it's a direct quote, the punctuation should go inside the quote.

Page 3

Writing for Interactive Media - Virtual Session 2

Story Ideas

Press Release

Event Coverage

News Article

Feature

Format

Lead

Lead Support

Lead Quote

Nut Graph

Quote/Transition

Background/Support

Discussion Board Post 1 Overview

Page 4

Writing Articles from Lynda.com

How to prepare write articles

1. Motivation to write

2. Topic

3. Define Structure

4. Storyteller's touch - Sentences that are clear, direct and well phrased.

Adopting Technical Tools

Word Processors

MS word, pages, google docs

Text Editors

wordpad, text wrangler, adobe indesign

Media tools

Phone

recording software

wiretap studio and plantronics

Organizing System

Scriver

Reference Materials

Dictionary & Thesaurus

Style Guide

Chicago manual of style

Defining an Article

Article - Published, written, Non-fiction, part of a collection - 300-8,000 words. One-to-many

Examining different types of articles

1. Features

Main course of a magazine. Topic: General topic in depth, 1,000 words, wandering, thought provoking. Intended to consider ideas and juxtapositions that the reader may never have considered before.

2. News

Topic: Recent event, (short, 1000 words) Tone: direct, plain, neutral

3. Reviews

Topic: Response to a product in the market. varies, tone mixes compared to the product.

4. Commentary

Topic: WRritten in response to an event or topic. Short, persuasive. Op eds.

5. Promotional

Promotion of product, event or idea. Varies. Opinionated, easy to read.

6. Research

Topic: Highly focused and in-depth. Very long, 2,000 words. Formal and neutral tone.

7. How-to

Specific task, length varies, instructional, second person.

Finding article-writing assignments

Reach out to existing contacts

market for article writing is in companies and organizations.

Tell any editors or publishers you know that you're available to work.

Direct Pitches (Cold calling)

Be familiar with the publication

Search databases like writersmarket.com (pay for site)

Look for writer's guidelines or submission guidelines

Pitch to the right person.

Query letter

1. Write a meaningful subject line, get to the point in the first sentence, and what the article is and why it fits for the publication.

Taking on an Assignment

Where will it be published.

Who are your contacts?

Dissecting the publication

Demographics

why do they read?

Who are the sponsors?

Style and form - Length of sections, paragraphs and sentences. Sentence structure.

Voice - 1st, (I) 2nd, (you), 3rd (they) Formal/Informal. Range of vocabulary, Jaron

Article format

Introduction, Body paragraphs, conclusion

Number of body paragraphs will vary.

transitions between paragraphs should be conversational.

Subheadings work very well.

Use points of the outline as paragraph openers or section headers in the article itself.

Researching your work

Web Searches

browse wiki for background information.

Academic Sources, journals - Google Scholar

Patent searches, geographical searches

Online Databases (Lexus nexus, etc).

Interviews - Direct quotes are a great way to liven up an article.

Conducting Interviews

Quotes give an article credibility, personality and focus.

1. Find interview subjects - find people quoted in similar articles. Going a little deeper, experts that are not quoted but mentioned in articles. Send emails to ask for interviews.

2. Email before.

Writing the article

Introduction and lead sentence most important part of the article. It has to encapsulate the articles entire message and be engaging.

Just start writing. Fix the introduction after you've written.

Give yourself time.

Get the first draft done. Give extra attention to the conclusion.

Revise the introduction.

Delete the first sentence, see if it gets any better. The first sentence needs to be strong as possible.

Meeting technical requirements

Fulfilling the assignment, is it the right length, the deliverable checklist

extra elements - Graphics, captions, sidebars, footnotes, link, author bio, brief summary.

- What format should it be in.

- Give indicators bold and italics for formatting. Do not used angled brackets or HTML

- label inline elements. Three pound signs for the end of an article. change to 7 bit punctuation characters.

Send the interview to the interviewee to clarify or have to reword them

Check titles, and spellings of all proper names.

Managing the revision process

​​​​​​​Hed: Headline

Deck: line below the headline

Lede: First sentence

Nut Graf: First paragraph or paragraph with the main point.

subhed: section headline or secondary headline

Kicker or Kick: Conclusion.

TK: Tom come.

Common edits

Copyediting - Word usage.

Rephrasing- clearing up sentences.

Restructuring - Global edits, removing paragraphs.

Establish good communication with editors, and check your article !!!!!!

Redirection - Requeset from the editor to rewrite or cover new material.

That's heavy rewriting.

Disagreement - Negotiate, or compromise.

Integrating your article with a complex project

Key is not to depend on another person.

Style tone and format - Figure out who you have to satisfy.

Removing dependencies: Leave spaces for proposed items in article (i.e placeholder texts "A short list of links or sidebars would work here")

Procedures - Make sure your work isn't buried.

Leadhership: Become a (temporary) leader.

Following Up:

Record

Keep an address book of all parties involved in the articles creation (editors, Interviews, clients, etc).

Plan

Ask for a copy or save a copy of your article.

Communicate

Get in touch with your interview sources when the article comes out.

Send notes to others who are interested in the article, social media etc.