1. The Future of Convergence

2.  Convergence  What is convergence?  What impact has it had on ▪ Media organizations? ▪ Media development & distribution? ▪ Consumers & Audiences  Media careers today ▪ Demand knowledge of and ability to adapt to it  Video Clip Video Clip

3.  Convergence allows broadcasts to ▪ Include urgency in their broadcast ▪ Provide depth and detail on their website ▪ Include additional information, pics, video ▪ Go beyond the time restraints of a broadcast ▪ Add updates continuously outside of broadcast times ▪ Here is an example of convergence ▪ Convergence Convergence ▪ What are some current examples of convergence ▪ What makes them qualify as convergence

4.  The Inverted Pyramid – Just the facts  Writing style used for print journalism ▪ Begins with specific ▪ Moves toward general ▪ Most important facts at the beginning ▪ Allows cuts from bottom to fit stories  Broadcast Stories ▪ Utilize this when being adapted for web delivery ▪ Gives room for additional details left out of aired story ▪ Sometimes story is copied to web without change

5.  The Modified Inverted Pyramid  Follows traditional structure ▪ Modified by including ▪ More conversational writing than traditional structure ▪ More colorful language and phrasing ▪ Allows reporters unique style to stand out ▪ Includes the “Punch” that you see on a newscast

6.  Other Story Forms  Feature writing ▪ Development for web is similar to print ▪ Narrative, storytelling style ▪ Open to various types of leads to grab readers attention

7.  What not to write: Points on style  Past-Tense writing ▪ Broadcasters are told to never write past tense leads ▪ Rule doesn’t apply to web ▪ Past tense is often preferred  Complex Sentences ▪ Often avoided in broadcast ▪ Acceptable for web delivery

8.  The conversational “We” ▪ Used frequently in broadcast in reference to organization ▪ Web stories use organizations formal name ▪ Blogs can be an exception  Attribution ▪ Usually included at beginning in print ▪ Some web editors place it at the end ▪ “The fire was getting out of our control” said fire captain John Smith

9.  What not to write: Points on style  Reporter intro ▪ Name identified in script during broadcast ▪ Usually isn’t present in web story (except byline)  Branding Devices ▪ Lead in to a story are absent on the web ▪ Team coverage, tags are also absent

10.  What not to write: Points on style  Quotes ▪ Sound bite in broadcast ▪ Usually has name for 1 st bite only ▪ Written quote on web ▪ Full ID for first quote, last name for rest  Know the style guide ▪ Web sites have own style rules ▪ AP Stylebook will also work

11.  What not to write: Points on style  Active Voice ▪ Same for broadcast and web  Keep it tight ▪ Avoid repeating facts ▪ Omit any words you can without losing message

12.  In TV you have the ▪ Lead – Read on camera ▪ Story body – contains audio/visual elements ▪ Tag line – Read on camera  Online/Web you have ▪ The Headline ▪ Large text placed at top used to “Sell” the story ▪ Style determined by CMS  Some use headline to pull keywords

13.  The Sub-Headline (If applicable) ▪ Text underneath main headline ▪ Used to add more interesting info before story  The Byline ▪ A few short words identifying the writer  Time Stamp ▪ Date story was posted  Dateline ▪ Usually no actual date here, location is often placed here

14.  Story body ▪ The actual content of the story ▪ Usually 200-500 words ▪ Can reach 1000+ words for long news piece  Lead ▪ First sentence of the body of the story ▪ Follows the dateline ▪ Used to engage readers  Abstract ▪ One declarative sentence highlighting main facts of story

15.  What is multi-media enrichment?  What is a website you visit often? ▪ Why – What makes you go back  What elements draw readers to websites ▪ Many of these fall under the multimedia category ▪ Top newspaper websites Top newspaper websites

16.  Hyperlinks ▪ Quickly take readers to related or relevant websites  Story & Additional info links ▪ Connect readers to additional stories or info  On host website  Contact box/Link ▪ Allows visitors to contact specific people  Or provide feedback  Pictures & Video/Audio Links ▪ Provides additional media beyond broadcast story

17.  Maps ▪ Provide location of story, to give clarity  Graphics animation ▪ Additional illustrations to make story clearer ▪ Give more details to viewers  Raw Video & Audio ▪ Extra footage that was cut for story ▪ Can be shared online  Supporting Docs ▪ Letters, flyers, brochures, can be scanned in & made accessible

18.  Polls ▪ Often used for variety of reasons ▪ Politics ▪ Fashion ▪ Interests  Comment Boards ▪ Allow viewers to respond to stories ▪ Provides interactive forum for differing views

19.  Blogs – Web Logs ▪ Are there any blog readers in here?  Blogs are series of posts from single contributor ▪ Cover range of topics ▪ Can be short or long ▪ Random frequency ▪ Can include opinion ▪ Can be formal or informal  Organizations usually have blog guidelines

20.  Twitter  Text communication tool ▪ Posts can be a maximum of 140 characters ▪ Are there any tweeters in here? ▪ What draws you to it?

21.  How many of you have read a paper in the last 2 days ▪ Why/Why not  Will newspapers ▪ Survive the onslaught of convergence ▪ Why/Why not