3451 - Electronic News Writing and Reporting

Students learn how to research, write and report different forms of television news stories including anchor readers, voiceovers and packages within a framework of news judgment and news ethics. Students become familiar with the basics of shooting and editing electronic news stories; and produce full news packages for television. The course compares and contrasts television news writing with news writing for radio and online; and explores online news and information sites for electronic media.

Learning Objectives

• Distinguish between the writing styles required for electronic news and that which is acceptable or expected in print journalism (including difference between passive and active voice).
• Tell stories matching copy to video, using clean, concise, conversational copy and video/audio that captures and conveys the story.
• Write various forms of electronic news stories (anchor readers, voiceovers, packages for television).
• Demonstrate ability to operate video camera and video editing software and hardware.
• Produce complete television news packages.
• Exploit the video and audio storytelling potential of the electronic news-gathering tools.

To see sample work, choose a semester from the list at left.