Online Journalism – Class Notes Jan29 2008

Online Journalism – JOUR 3340 Class Notes January 29, 2008

Today’s Agenda
What’s news
LECTURE – Key Components of Websites & Interactive Packages
Homework:
Quinn, p. 36. Assignment #2 – Post on Blog

Blog Entries
Good job!
Give me websites – more than one!
It’s ok to offer opinion, but …
Compare and analyze
Content
Functionality
Navigation
Audio/Video Quality
Interactivity

Elements of Online News Website
Avoid the ‘bling-bling
Unnecessary animation, graphic, audio/music that take away from the story
Instead, create ‘iconic’ graphics to create a visual hook for the reader.
Easy search/navigation
At the top of the page, ideally on the search bar.
Home button on every page

Elements of Online News Website
Limit fonts and colors
Consistency makes it easier for readers to follow pages.
Allow users to comment on stories
Divide long stories into several segments
Always test pages in different browsers

Elements of Good Design
Basics:
About Us
Contact Us
Privacy Statement
Terms of Use / Terms of Service
Copyright
Site Map
ç

Top Ten Mistakes in Web Design
Using frames
Gratuitous use of bleeding-edge technology
Scrolling text, marquees, constantly running animations
Don’t do it!
Complex URLs
Orphan Pages
Long scrolling pages
Lack of navigation support
“ Home button”
Site map
Index
Non-standard link colors
Everyone knows blue
Outdated information
Overly long download times
Human patience: 10 – 15 seconds before lose interest

Elements of a Digital Story
Headline
Text
Pictures/ Photogallery
Graphics
Static
Interactive (flash)
Maps
Related Links
Audio
Interviews
Natural Sound
Podcasts
SlideShows
Stills only
Stills plus music and some video
Polls (optional)
Blogs

Alternative Story Approaches Elements of the story
Profile
Q&A
Analysis
Eyewitness
Timeline
Original documents

Managing Interactive Projects Step 1 Organizing The Team Step 2 Planning Who do You need? Reporter, Photographer What’s The story? Interactive Elements? Step 3 Data Collection Report & Research

Managing Interactive Projects Step 4 Production Step 5 Test & Revise Editing, Designing, Coding Edit, Click Thru, Revise Step 6 ‘ Post It’ Published To Web Step 7 Monitor & Critique Who’s reading? What’s being Read? How could you Do it better?

Web Design & Story format
Devices
It’s important to keep readers hooked, so consider what devices you can use to enhance the story itself and provide further information.
Photos: a good picture can tell the whole story. Consider large photos.
Crossheads/Subheads: Use to flag up the next part of story, transitions. Entice the reader.
Source: http://www.knightdigitalmediacenter.org/resources/msword/200710Jour247-Ulken.doc

Traditional Role – Assignment Editor
Maintain future files
Monitor police and fire scanners
Make beat calls
Coordinate photographers
Decide what to cover
Work side by side with producers
Establish contacts with sources

Traditional Role - Producer
Decide which stories on the newscast
Determine what form they will take – package, live shot, voice over
“ Layout” the newscast
Monitor/manage progress of reporters, photographers
Write/copy edit scripts
Monitor wires
Time the show
Coordinate with technical crew
Order/build graphics
Write Headlines and teases

The Multimedia Editor/Producer: ‘Pre-ditors’
Cross promotion on air/online/print
‘ Cloning’ content from media partner
‘ Coopetition’ – coordinating/collaborating coverage
Content sharing

What’s the Difference in Media Type?
Print: portable and ‘permanent’
Television and radio: immediate and emotional
Online: What do you think?

How/What You Cover In Each Media
Print: Cover meeting in detail
Radio: Cover the meeting in general terms
TV: Not really great
Online: The best of all worlds

Web Design & Story format
Maps and graphics: good for quick reference.
Bullet lists: easier to read than dense paragraphs – can summarise complicated points or different elements of story.
Fact boxes: three or four snappy facts – good for chronologies and work well combined with picture or graphic.
Quote boxes: a good quote can capture the essence of a story.
Source: http://www.knightdigitalmediacenter.org/resources/msword/200710Jour247-Ulken.doc

Online Journalism – Class Notes Jan29 2008

by Neil Foote on Mar 09, 2008

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