foust chapter 5 & 7 writing and editing online/ using online reporting sources writing and...
Post on 21-Dec-2015
231 views
TRANSCRIPT
Foust Chapter 5 & 7Foust Chapter 5 & 7
Writing and Editing Online/Using Online Reporting Sources
Writing and Editing Online/Using Online Reporting Sources
Introduction to Writing for Online Media
Introduction to Writing for Online Media
• The written word is the heart of online journalism
• Old rules of journalism still apply—• Some unique considerations exist
• The written word is the heart of online journalism
• Old rules of journalism still apply—• Some unique considerations exist
ScanningScanning
• Online readers scan rather than read• Reading material from a computer
screen takes longer and is more tiring• Serifs and san sarifs
• People will read online information if it is written and presented well
• Online readers scan rather than read• Reading material from a computer
screen takes longer and is more tiring• Serifs and san sarifs
• People will read online information if it is written and presented well
Writing for the Online Reader
Writing for the Online Reader
• Headline writing important• Short sentences and paragraphs• Subheads and bolding
• Directness vs. sarcasm or wit
• Bullet points and lists• Voice
• More personal, conversational
• Headline writing important• Short sentences and paragraphs• Subheads and bolding
• Directness vs. sarcasm or wit
• Bullet points and lists• Voice
• More personal, conversational
Story StructuresStory Structures
• Inverted pyramid• Chronological• Narrative• Thematic
• Inverted pyramid• Chronological• Narrative• Thematic
3-Layered Approach3-Layered Approach
• Scannable Heads and blurbs• Online story• Longer print story, multimedia extras
and reporter notes
• Scannable Heads and blurbs• Online story• Longer print story, multimedia extras
and reporter notes
Updating Online Stories
Updating Online Stories
• Online readers expect updated information, especially in breaking stories.
• Inverted pyramid story style can be modified or restructured easily.
• Key is to integrate new information smoothly into story—keep most important information near the beginning.
• Online readers expect updated information, especially in breaking stories.
• Inverted pyramid story style can be modified or restructured easily.
• Key is to integrate new information smoothly into story—keep most important information near the beginning.
The Internet as a Reporting Source
The Internet as a Reporting Source
• The Internet can be an extremely valuable information source.
• Journalists should treat information they find on the Internet the same way they treat any other information—with caution.
• “Merely delivering raw information is not journalism.”
• The Internet can be an extremely valuable information source.
• Journalists should treat information they find on the Internet the same way they treat any other information—with caution.
• “Merely delivering raw information is not journalism.”
E-Mail Related Sources
E-Mail Related Sources
• E-mail• Newsgroups• Listservs
• E-mail• Newsgroups• Listservs
Using E-MailUsing E-Mail
• Benefits of time-shifting communication• Should not be used in place of telephone or in-
person interviews• Why?
• Can be a useful tool to• Establish initial contact• Check facts • Ask for follow-up information
• Benefits of time-shifting communication• Should not be used in place of telephone or in-
person interviews• Why?
• Can be a useful tool to• Establish initial contact• Check facts • Ask for follow-up information
Using Newsgroups and Listservs
Using Newsgroups and Listservs
• Can be havens for false information• Can also be good sources for background
information or to help locate sources • Can lead to others who are working on the
topic or who can be approached for advice• http://newslink.org/email.html
• Can keep journalists up to date with current topics and provide a starting point for a story
• Provides a human touch for reaction and impact• Identity issues?
• Can be havens for false information• Can also be good sources for background
information or to help locate sources • Can lead to others who are working on the
topic or who can be approached for advice• http://newslink.org/email.html
• Can keep journalists up to date with current topics and provide a starting point for a story
• Provides a human touch for reaction and impact• Identity issues?
Web Page–Based Sources
Web Page–Based Sources
• General references sources• http://www.nytimes.com/navigator/
• Specialized sources• http://powereporting.com/
• Search engines• http://google.com/
• Directories• Find people: http://ojr.org/ojr/technology/1027538596.php
• Online journalism sites• Wikis/Databases
• General references sources• http://www.nytimes.com/navigator/
• Specialized sources• http://powereporting.com/
• Search engines• http://google.com/
• Directories• Find people: http://ojr.org/ojr/technology/1027538596.php
• Online journalism sites• Wikis/Databases
Evaluating Web Site Owners
Evaluating Web Site Owners
• Dissect the different parts of the URL • Check the InterNIC Web site to find the
registered owner of a Web site• http://www.internic.net/
• Dissect the different parts of the URL • Check the InterNIC Web site to find the
registered owner of a Web site• http://www.internic.net/
Other Evaluation Criteria
Other Evaluation Criteria
• Personal Web pages—journalists need to be skeptical and check any information found there
• Other Web site items to check thoroughly:• Grammar and spelling • Overall design• Date for most recent update• Contact information
• Be aware of actions of hackers
• Personal Web pages—journalists need to be skeptical and check any information found there
• Other Web site items to check thoroughly:• Grammar and spelling • Overall design• Date for most recent update• Contact information
• Be aware of actions of hackers