Notes from class on Monday, Oct. 21

Hi everyone,

Great seeing you in class this evening after all this time apart!

Here's a quick follow-up with the info you need for this week's assignments and other general info.

1. I've attached the info sheet for the radio script assignment. Please do a :30 script and get it to me by Friday, Oct. 25. Thanks!

Principles we discussed in class: remember that radio is "theater of the mind" so the best commercials engage a listener's imagination; it MUST fit within the time limit or it's unusable; the best scripts make use of at least two contrasting voices; you should have a call to action (such as a phone number or Web address) at the end, ideally repeated a minimum of three times.

Also, refer to Chapter 10 in the Media Writing book for more details about writing for broadcast.

2. On the Ben & Jerry's book, please read up to the end of Chapter 15. We'll discuss it in class next week and it'll be the basis of a couple of writing assignments to come.

3. For blogs, I'll be in your inbox individually about these. You should have three posts up, and be ready to post something every week from now on through the rest of our class.

4. Business stories: Most are underway, which is great. If you haven't done your interview yet, get that going now. If possible, I would like to get a first draft this week so we have time to go over it prior to Matt Mowry's return to class on Monday, Nov. 4. Deadline for all drafts is Friday, Nov. 1.

5. Reminder: no class on Monday, Nov. 11 due to Veterans Day.

6. Due to missed classes, our mid-term will now be given on Monday, Nov. 18.

Thanks for your patience during the interruption of our expected schedule. I'm looking forward to pushing ahead with our class.

Let me know any questions. See you all next Monday!

Jeff R.

Advance notes for class on Monday, Sept. 16

Sunday night staring at the computer. But I usually wear a shirt.

Hi everyone,

It's Sunday evening and I've been going through the first blog posts.

Nice work overall! I'm looking forward to seeing where all of you go with your topics.

On my end, I've set up a page (on the right) that's a directory of all the blogs.

So now we can easily peek at each other's blogs. That's all part of the fun.

For Monday night's class, here's what's on the docket:

1. Go over last week's quizzes.

2. Go over press release assignments.

3. Talk about Ben & Jerry's book.

4. Update class style guide.

5. Go over next week's writing assignments.

6. Talk about story ideas for Business NH.

7. Look at blogs. What can we learn so far?

8. Quiz!

And maybe some surprises. Come to class and find out.

Also, let me remind you that we've had two classes with 100 percent attendance.

If we have a third class where everyone attends, that would be the first time in my UNH experience.

Of course if a conflict happens or you're ill, use your best judgment. (Let me know if you can't attend.)

But if keeping the streak alive is any kind of incentive, then I'll take it.

See you in class!

Welcome to our class blog!

Hi everyone.

Here's a first post to get us started with our class blog.

This week's class will feature a guest speaker: Matt Mowry, editor of Business NH magazine.

Matt will talk about his job, and also lay the groundwork for a writing project on which we'll work later in the semester.

After that, we'll go over assignments, talk about blogs, and start digging in for the long haul.

And we'll finish with a refreshing, invigorating quiz.

I look forward to seeing you in class!