Midterm Assessment
docx
keyboard_arrow_up
School
KCA University *
*We aren’t endorsed by this school
Course
111
Subject
Arts Humanities
Date
Nov 24, 2024
Type
docx
Pages
11
Uploaded by macdalzila2022
MC162
Midterm Assessment
Student
Instructor
Institution
Course
Date
Reporting 1
Part 1: Interviews
The interview process is a crucial element of journalism, as it enables reporters to
gather information, insights, and quotes from sources that inform their stories. Here's a walk-
through of the interview process, from preparation to writing the story:
Preparation:
Identify the Purpose:
Determine the purpose of the interview and the key questions
you want to ask. Is it for a breaking news story, a feature, an investigative piece, or a
human-interest story?
Research the Interviewee:
Gather background information about the person or entity
you will be interviewing. Understand their expertise, perspective, and any relevant
context.
Prepare Questions:
Develop a list of open-ended questions that will elicit detailed
and insightful responses. Ensure they are relevant to the story's angle.
Setting up the Interview:
Contact the Source:
Reach out to the interviewee or their representative to schedule
a convenient time and place for the interview. This could be in person, over the phone,
or via video conferencing.
Confirm Logistics:
Ensure you have the necessary equipment (recording device,
notebook, etc.) and that you have planned for technical aspects if conducting a remote
interview.
Conducting the Interview:
Be On Time:
Arrive on time for in-person interviews or be punctual for phone or
video interviews.
Build Rapport:
Start with some small talk to build a rapport with the interviewee,
helping them feel comfortable and more open.
Ask Open-Ended Questions:
Begin with general questions, gradually moving to
more specific ones. Listen actively and be prepared to follow up on interesting points.
Respect Boundaries:
Be respectful of sensitive or private matters, and if the
interviewee is uncomfortable with a question, consider whether it is essential for the
story.
Take Accurate Notes:
Accurately record responses and important details during the
interview.
Writing the Story:
Transcribe and Organize:
Transcribe your notes or recordings and organize the
information by themes or key points.
Quote Selection: Choose the most relevant and compelling quotes to include in your
story.
Fact-Checking:
Verify any factual claims or statements made during the interview.
Story Development:
Incorporate the information gathered into your story, following
the style and tone appropriate for the type of piece you're writing.
Attribute Quotes:
Properly attribute quotes and information to the interviewee.
Maintain Objectivity:
Maintain journalistic integrity by presenting the interviewee's
responses fairly and accurately.
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help
Editing and Publication:
Edit for Clarity:
Review and edit the story for clarity, conciseness, and adherence to
your publication's style guide.
Seek Approval:
If the interviewee requests to review their quotes or statements,
consider the editorial policies of your publication. It's essential to maintain editorial
independence.
Publish:
Once the story is ready, it can be published, broadcast, or shared with the
audience.
Part 2: Associate Press Style
1.
The president, the pope, and other dignitaries will meet in the Oval Office of the
White House at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow. Then they will move to Room 312 of the Senate
Office Building.
2.
They arrived at 11:00 p.m. yesterday and, afterwards, revealed that Mrs. Samuel
Swauger of 4987 Huron Dr. won the election by a vote of 18,732 to 14,011.
3.
The child, aged 7, was sipping a Coke and carrying 25 cents as he walked north on
Jamestown Boulevard. at 8:20 a.m. yesterday.
Part 3: Reporting
Question 1:
Journalism and media institutions must defend against libel and other claims to retain
credibility and avoid legal issues. This may be achieved by maintaining accuracy, fact-
checking, comprehending libel law, and practicing ethical journalism. Accuracy comes first.
Journalists should check several sources and report only what is verified. Fact-checking
should be commonplace in reporting to avoid libel claims. Accuracy requires distinguishing
between facts and opinions, which are protected under the First Amendment in the US.
Another important stage is learning libel law. Journalism and media organizations
must know their jurisdiction's defamation laws, which vary widely. This entails knowing
what constitutes libel—false remarks, publishing, identification, culpability, and harm.
Journalists may prevent libel by understanding these components (
Rich,
2015)
. To avoid
libel, journalists must behave responsibly. Respecting privacy, not reporting recklessly, and
not sensationalizing are part of this code of ethics. Responsible journalism also allows people
to reply to claims before publication and corrects inaccuracies.
Consent and approval are also crucial. This is especially important when handling
sensitive topics or personal data like names or photos. Informed permission from guardians is
essential for minors and vulnerable people. Avoiding libel requires utilizing certified sources
and referencing them correctly. Journalists should credit sources and indicate that they are
reporting what others have stated, not endorsing it.
Question 2:
In journalism, "hard news" and "features" serve different aims of educating and
engaging audiences. While related, these genres differ in substance, style, and purpose.
Hard news, the foundation of journalism, provides accurate, timely, and relevant
information on current events, politics, economics, and other public topics. Its main goal is to
provide key information clearly and objectively. The inverted pyramid structure of hard news
articles places the most important material first, followed by less important details (
Sjøvaag,
2015)
. This style makes time-sensitive news easy to interpret. Hard news uses formal,
objective, and opinion-free language to convey events objectively.
Features convey more complex stories. Features include human interest, leisure,
culture, arts, and personal tales. Features use narrative writing with tales, descriptions, or
questions to hook readers, unlike hard news. Features provide context, analysis, and insights
to deepen comprehension. This genre organizes facts chronologically or thematically to
produce a fascinating story.
Timeliness and duration distinguish hard news from features. Hard news fades rapidly
when fresh occurrences occur. Features, however, last longer and may be enjoyed more. Hard
news uses direct quotations, data, and proven facts, whereas features use tales and images to
engage readers.
Furthermore, genres differ greatly in tone and style. Formal and impersonal, hard
news emphasizes objectivity and impartiality. Features often use a more subjective and
engaging tone to engage readers emotionally and intellectually.
Despite their contrasts, hard news and features enrich worldviews. Hard news
provides the first glimpse into current events and breaking headlines. Features humanize the
news and help viewers connect with the topic. These genres make a cohesive story that meets
audience informational and emotional demands, improving journalism.
Question 3:
Writing diverse stories about diverse people entails constructing narratives that reflect
a broad spectrum of human experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds. It entails
representing diverse ethnicities, cultures, genders, sexual orientations, abilities,
socioeconomic statuses, etc. in an authentic, respectful, and accurate manner. The objective is
to promote inclusivity, comprehension, and empathy while challenging mainstream media
stereotypes and biases.
The representation of various cultural experiences within a multicultural society is an
example of writing diverse stories about diverse individuals. Suppose a journalist composes a
feature article about a community festival celebrating cultural diversity. The narrative could
emphasize the various communities present, their distinctive customs, traditional cuisines,
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help
and music, as well as the significance of preserving their heritage. By highlighting these
various cultural perspectives, the narrative depicts a vibrant and diverse portrait of the
community, fostering an appreciation for its multifaceted nature.
Additionally, the significance of inclusivity extends to the characters and voices
within a narrative. Creating diverse characters in fiction or literature, for instance, involves
developing personalities that transcend traditional stereotypes. A writer could depict a strong
female character who is also sensitive and compassionate, thereby departing from the
stereotypical depictions commonly found in literature. In this way, the narrative reflects the
reality that people can possess a variety of characteristics, complexities, and identities.
This may involve highlighting the accomplishments and difficulties of individuals
from marginalized communities, casting light on their triumphs, resilience, and aspirations,
within the context of journalism. A narrative about a successful entrepreneur from an
underrepresented racial background who overcame systemic barriers, for instance, could
inspire others confronting similar obstacles. This type of narrative amplifies voices that may
not always receive adequate attention, thereby promoting a more equitable representation of
all members of society.
In addition, writing diverse stories requires avoiding the use of stereotypical or
discriminatory language that perpetuates biases. Journalists and authors should endeavor for
accurate and respectful depictions, consulting members of the respective communities to
ensure authenticity and sensitivity.
Question 6:
Writing for broadcast and writing for print are two separate forms of journalism, each
with its own set of conventions, styles, and requirements. The key differences between these
two media lie in their presentation, structure, writing style, and audience interaction.
Delivery and Presentation:
Broadcast:
Writing for broadcast, which includes radio and television, involves
communicating information through spoken language and visual components.
Typically, broadcast news is presented in real-time and relies on the spoken word,
intonation, facial expressions, and visuals including images, video clips, and graphics.
To fit within a specific time frame, writing for broadcast must be concise (
Rich,
2015)
. The primary objective is to captivate the audience visually and aurally.
Print:
Writing for print media, such as newspapers and magazines, relies solely on
the written word and static images or photographs. Print news is static, allowing the
reader to consume content at his or her own pace. Due to the absence of time
constraints, it is more comprehensive and can offer in-depth analysis and background
information. The written content should be exhaustive and well-researched, as it is the
primary focus.
Structure:
Broadcast:
Broadcast: Broadcast stories follow a pyramid structure, with the most
important information (the lead) presented first, followed by supporting details in
descending order of importance. Due to the rapid nature of broadcasting, this format
is required.
Print:
Print journalism frequently utilizes an inverted pyramid structure, similar to
that of broadcast journalism, but with greater flexibility. It offers space for
background information, context, and in-depth analysis, which can be placed after the
initial presentation of key facts.
Writing Style:
Broadcast:
Broadcast writing is conversational and typically employs simpler
language for clarity when spoken aloud. Active voice is favored, and sentences are
generally shorter. Clarity, conciseness, and correct pronunciation are indispensable.
Print:
Print writing is more formal and allows for longer sentences and a larger
vocabulary. Authors can explore more complex concepts and arguments, and passive
voice may be used more often. The style of writing may be more narrative and
descriptive.
Engagement and Interaction:
Broadcast:
Broadcast journalism strives for immediacy and an emotional connection
with the audience. Important roles are played by visual and aural elements in
capturing the attention of viewers. Typically, interaction with the audience is limited
to call-in segments or social media engagement.
Print:
Print journalism provides readers with a more comprehensive understanding of
a subject. The reader has the option to go back and reread information, reflect on the
subject matter, or discuss it (
Whitaker,
et
al
.,
2019)
. The reader has greater control
over interaction and engagement with the content.
Audience:
Broadcast:
Broadcast audiences are typically larger and more diverse. It includes
viewers and listeners who consume content passively or in the background while
performing other activities.
Print:
The print audience is typically more engaged and selective, actively seeking in-
depth content. Readers typically devote more time to their preferred print media.
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help
References
Rich, C. (2015).
Writing and reporting news: A coaching method
. Cengage Learning.
Sjøvaag, H. (2015). Hard news/soft news: The hierarchy of genres and the boundaries of the
profession. In
Boundaries of journalism
(pp. 101-117). Routledge.
Whitaker, W. R., Smith, R. D., & Ramsey, J. E. (2019).
Mediawriting: print, broadcast, and
public relations
. Routledge.