3rd Lecture: Writing and Storytelling for News

-Writing well is a subjective art.
-When writing commentary, keep it in the present- Use present tense, even when the commentary is recorded afterwards.
-What sort of story do we want to tell?

-Writing past tense is used in news stories as if you are reflecting on a past event long ago.

-If your average sentence has more than 16 words, it is too long.

Clarity and precision:
-Be clear and precise on what you are going to say.

Never use a metaphor whose proper meaning you do not understand.

Write again and again, simplifying the language you are using to express your story each time.

Consider writing techniques which can help the 'reading' of your story:
-Alliteration- e.g. the Players taking Polo to the Park.
-Aviod Repetition- say them once, tease out thoughts and set them up.
-Rule of Three
-Simililies and metaphors- comparisons and contexts- RELATABLE.
-Personification- Use with caution to avoid cliches!
-Exaggeration- Giving emphasis.

The 'Page Fest'
-PRECISE- Use language correctly, Spelling and Grammar, Use words to speak clearly.
-ACCURATE- Check facts with reliable sources, make sure you are up to date, STATISTICS
-GERMANE- Necessary and Relevant, Know your story, Purpose, Content, Structure
-EQUITABLE- Balance, Fair, Objective, Representative, Sensitivity
-FLOW- Logic, The Natural Order-Structure, Use scripting to naturally link one point to the next point..

Write in the Correct Order:
-Write LEAD-IN first (Intro to story)
-DON'T REPEAT THE LEAD IN WITHIN YOUR PACKAGE

How to write a good lead:
-Attention grabbing
-Concise and not overloaded with facts
-Should sound fresh/ 'new'
-Be written in an 'Active Voice'.
-Be creative
-Conversational in tone.

Attention grabbing:
-Distilling your idea into a TOP LINE
-They can therefore decided wither it is RELEVANT to them

Conversational Tone:
-Write as if you are imparting some important news to a friend.

Things to Avoid:
-'Journalese'- artificially exaggerated
-Overuse of cynical terms

Headlines and coming ups:
-the other important tool in writing for news is creating your HEADLINES- these are the initial brief SELLING TOOL for your stories.

Scripting OOV/SOT
-Requires the ability to discern good sound bites from interviews and the script in an out of them.

Scripting a news package:
-Work out key elements of your film on paper before filming
-Work out shot list and scripted elements such as PTC

Who is involved in the story?
What are they doing now?
What happens next?

Deciding how to tell your story:
-Access
-Time
-Duration
-Angle
-Essentials

Narrative
-Thing of the package as a whole.
-What NARRATIVE THREAD?

Narrative development:
-KEEP IT NEW!

Narrative Structure:
-Chronologically
-Most up to date info/ px first
-Story told through strong central character.