Review writing

Click on the following links one at a time for each category from the Entertainment Weekly website and then scroll through the list of reviews for that category, select a review that interests you, read it and then complete the questions on your handout. Use the back button to return to the blog for the next category link.

Click here for movie reviews. Scroll through the list of movies on the left side and clicl on the title to link to the magazine's review.

Click here for music reviews. Scroll down to the top 10 list of albums or singles and then select an album or song to read the review.

Click here for book reviews. Scroll down to the top 10 list and choose fiction or nonfiction. Then, choose a book to read the review.

Click here for television show reviews. Scroll down to tonight's best TV. You can choose the show featured there or scroll down to more shows this week and then select the show featured for that day. There is only one review per day posted.

Recording your radio broadcast

Today, you will be recording your broadcast!! Follow these steps VERY carefully.

1). These headsets were purchased with money from a grant from the College Station Education Foundation. BE CAREFUL WITH THEM!

2) The headsets have two plugs: the red is for the microphone and the blue plug is for the earphones. Be sure you plug them in correctly!

3) Open Audacity. The icon is on your desktop.

When you click on the icon, a “Getting Started” box will pop up. Click “OK”

4) Click on Edit and then Preferences (at the bottom of the list). Change the Recording Device to “MME: HD Audio Front Mic.”

5) Your headset has a volume control on the cord. Be sure the volume is on!

6) The round red button is the record button. Press record and talk! Try a 5 second test record to make sure everything is working, then, delete it, and record your broadcast!

7) When you are done recording your broadcast (and before class time is almost over), you will save your audio file. HERE IS HOW:

Go to File, and then EXPORT.

Save the file as an MP3 file in your H drive.

The “Edit Metadata” box will pop up. Click Ok.

8) Before you close out Audacity and close your file, verify that the file is in your H drive.

9) Now, email the MP3 file to me at cwellmann@csisd.org.

Radio Broadcast Project

Objective: to practice the basic principles of broadcast writing and reporting and to orally present stories in the format of a radio newscast

Requirements:

1. Using on-line newspaper websites (like theeagle.com, cnn.com, usatoday.com), rewrite stories using broadcast style (refer back to your textbook for tips). Your newscast should include at least 5 stories—at least 1 local news story, one state story, one national story, one world story, and one sports or entertainment story. Stories should be 15 to 20 seconds in length. Your completed newscast should be at least 1 minute.

2. Make your newscast as realistic as possible. Create a name for your radio station, include an appropriate opening and then close your newscast in a professional way. Listen again to NPR for example ideas.

3. Practice. Practice. Practice. Read your stories several times aloud and time them. You must be familiar with the words and speak clearly. Know your stuff before you record!

4. Your radio newscast will be recorded on the computer using Audacity as part of your final grade for the project. The file will be saved and posted online for your classmates to hear.

Radio Broadcast Project Rubric

Criteria Points Possible

Broadcast copy 60

At least 5 stories written in broadcast style

Stories have news value and cover local, state, national and world issues, as well as sports or entertainment

Length 15
At least two minutes with 15 to 20 seconds per story

Delivery 15

Clear diction and pronunciation

Appropriate pacing

Transitions between stories

Recording 10

Recoded file as a MP3 using Audacity

Sports Writing

Select the link in the title and then follow the directions to complete the unit.

Open the sports writing unit power point and proceed through the instruction and activities.

Once you have completed the activities in the power point, submit your work. You will be evaluated with the following criteria:

Rubric Criteria for Unit Activities

Review of Elements on the Sports Page (15 points)

Brainstorming of Story Ideas (15 points)

Revising of Clichés (10 points)

Editorial Decisions in Sports Coverage (20 points)

Five-sentence summary of Reilly’s writing (25 points)

Two-sentence response that details your personal reaction to the reading (15 points)

Advertising Unit

Select the link in the title and then follow the directions to complete the unit.

Open the advertising unit power point and proceed through the instruction and activities at

Once you have completed the activities in the power point, including the redesign of the ad, print your ad. You will be evaluated with the following criteria:

Rubric Criteria for Ad:

Effective use of an advertising appeal – 10 points

Effective use of proximity – 10 points

Effective use of alignment – 10 points

Effective use of contrast – 10 points

Effective use of repetition– 10 points

Headline - 10 points

Copy (pitch, slogan, and close) - 10 points

Graphics/Art - 10 points

Appropriate white space - 10 points

Identification details for business - 10 points

Review writing

Click on the following links for each category one at a time and then scroll through the list of reviews for that category, select a review, read it and then complete the handout. Use the back button to return to the blog for the next category link.

Click here for movie reviews

Click here for music reviews

Click here for television show reviews

Click here for book reviews