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Writing for the web IV

(These are notes for the first in a set of four lectures on Writing for the web that are geared to JEM 200 at the University of Tennessee. The other lecture notes can be found at Writing for the web I, Writing for the web II, and Writing for the web III.)

Erin Whiteside's presentation on Sports and Social Media (JEM 200 lecture, Oct. 29, 2009)

For the last couple of weeks, we have been discussing the various forms of writing for the web that a professional journalist needs to be aware of. We will continue that discussion today -- although we still won't get to everything -- and turn our attention to what it will take for you to get yourself ready to face the world of web journalism.

Blogging (web logs)

Much has been written about web logs, or blogs. In general, blogs are akin to personal journals. They can be produced by individuals or groups, and they can cover a variety of topics. Usually, they contain comment functions, which allow readers to respond to what the writer has said or to what others have said about the writing. A few general observations:

  • Blogs are easy and inexpensive to create. Some free services (Blogger and Wordpress, to name a few) allow anyone to start a blog within a few minutes. If you are a member of Facebook or other social networking sites, you can start a blog there. All of these services have any number of add-ons that can enhance the look and functionality of the blog.

  • Blogs are difficult to maintain. Blogs should be updated or added to on a regular basis. This takes work and sustained effort. Not many people have the mental or physical stamina for this effort.

  • As with almost anything else on the web, information is more valuable than opinion. A good blog can be entertaining with good writing, but information builds audiences.

  • The best blogs look outward not inward. That is, successful bloggers -- those who build sustain an audience -- not only create original content but point to other good content on the web. Linking (discussed in the previous lecture) is part of the formula for a good blog.

  • Engagement builds an audience. Good bloggers often join in commenting on the comments they receive. They do not run from criticism, even when it is unfair, misinterprets what they say, or even uncivil.

  • Good writing -- concise, coherent, information-rich writing -- is still relatively rare among bloggers, despite their growing numbers. The well-written blog with original information and a good sense what else is on the web will gather an audience.


Twitter

Twitter is a combination of what me might call micro-blogging and social networking.

An entry on Twitter can be no longer than 140 characters, including the URL if you are pointing to something on the web. But in the last couple of years, Twitter has become a major means of communication among journalists and media professionals as an efficient means of gather. It is one that beginning journalism students should learn to use.

Read: Writing for Twitter: good journalism in 140 characters


Mobile journalism

The Next Big Thing in journalism is likely to be Mobile Journalism.

Mobile journalism is the concept of directing reporting and writing toward mobile devices such as cellphone, iPhones, Blackberries and the like. Much of this journalism will filter through a web site as it now does, but as people use their mobile devices for more and more functions, receiving news directly on them is bound to be among these uses.

Just what will journalism be like on mobile devices? How will it be different?

No one has the answers to those questions yet, but the size and use to which mobile users put their devices will undoubtedly make a difference to journalists. Right now, here is what we know:

Almost everyone on the world has a mobile device of some kind. (There are six billion people in the world and four bill mobile devices.)

People keep their cellphones with them all the time, and they usually keep them turned on.

People do not share their cellphones with other people.

Increasingly, purchases are being made using cellphones and mobile devices.

The use of the cellphone for doing things other than making phone calls is on the rise.


These facts give us all pause.

Read: It's coming: Mobile as the seventh mass media

Photojournalism

Photojournalism in a writing course? Yes.

As a working journalist, you are expected to know the general concepts and to practice the basics of good photojournalism.

Importance of the single image. Nothing gets into our heads and stays there like the single, iconic image. Many of examples of this throughout history. See What did Abraham Lincoln look like? here on JPROF.

All journalists are photojournalists. When they were first introduced in the late 1830s, cameras quickly became widely popular. Their popularity has never waned. Now cameras are even more prevalent. Demands of the profession make it imperative that every journalist carry a camera, know how to use it and know what to do with photos.

Text and photos. No picture can stand alone. It needs text to explain its action and context.

Accuracy. Photos can give an incorrect impression or even lie in some circumstances. Journalists must take care to explain photos carefully, handle the editing with great care, and make sure that viewers gain a level of factual truth from them.

Ethics. The power of the image gives rise to special ethical considerations. This includes the preparation of photos as well as their presentation.

Print vs. web. On the web, photos are usually smaller, but there is greater capacity and potential for versatility.

Carry your camera. Be ready to use it.

The practice of photojournalism
general considerations

point of view - find different angles, unique aspects

contrast - subject-background differences

framing - look at all parts of what's in the fame, not just the subject of the picture

composition - rule of thirds

lighting - know the source of light; learn to judge the lighting conditions (outside is better than inside)

distance - three types of photos: long shots, medium shots, close-ups (see photos above at right)

decisive moment - what tells the story of a news event, captures the elements of the day, time, people, weather, subject; sometimes you can plan for this, sometimes you can't; be ready


See Heller's Guide to Making Strong Photographs

What you need to do to get ready for working in the web environment

 You may or may not get a traditional job working for a media company. Media organizations are changing along with the whole media environment. Even if you are lucky enough to get a job, it won't be dumb luck. More likely, it will result for your doing some things now that will raise you above most other job seekers.

  • Build your audience.
    Should you start a blog? Yes. Should you contribute to it regularly? Yes.

    But before you start, do some assessment about what you want to accomplish. If you are a student, one of your goals is to build an audience so that you can have some leverage when you go onto the job market. There may be other reasons. What are they?

    Consider where you are right now. What kind of audience do you have already -- friends, family, groups, associations, church, sorority, fraternity, formal, informal, etc.?

    And consider this: What are your interests? Are there things you are passionate about? Are there causes you would like to advance? What have you DONE about any of these?

    Now the real question: What are you interested in enough to write about it? (There may be several things, but don't make the list too long.)

    Who would be interested in reading about this (these) topic(s)? Where are those people? How can you reach them? Are there web sites, blogs, listserves that you read regularly -- or that you should be reading?

    What are the big organizations associated with your interests?

    Who is doing what you're thinking about doing? Are they doing it well? How would you be different?

    How much time, realistically, can you devote to these efforts? Can you blog every day? A couple of times a week?

    Once you have asked yourself some of these questions and have been deliberate about considering the answers, you are ready to move on.

  • Domain name. Buy some version of your name; buy several verions.

  • Weblog. Start writing a web log; contribute to it regularly. Write about something that is not yourself. Develop a voice.

  • Web site. Build a web site that is about you, your resume, your clips, your photos, etc. But keep it professional. Don't get indulgent.

  • Journalistic skills and practice. Develop, develop, develop. Use every opportunity you can to develop your skills. The fact that you are at a major university with many professional outlets that you can contribute to is an advantage. Use it. Work for the radio station or the student newspaper or the local web site. Whatever your interests are, try to develop them.
    And develop all the technical skills you can.

  • Distribute your profile and your work. Put yourself in as many places as you can. Chances are, you are on Facebook. Join Linkedin.com or some other professional network. Contribute to sites that will accept your writing, such as NowPublic.com, Open.Salon.com, CNN's iReports, Publish2.com, NewsVine.com, HuffingtonPost.com, UPIU.com. Each of these allows you to set up a profile page just as you did in Facebook.

  • Join the conversation. Get onto the listserves that you are interested in. Respond to blogs that you read.

Next: Audio journalism

Possible news quiz questions

Answer to many of the news quiz questions can be found at the TennesseeJournalist.com (tnjn.com)

1. The culture of what country is being featured this week at the International House? (tnjn.com)
2. In what city did the Foothills Fall Festival take place last weekend?(tnjn.com)
3. In what city is UT's football game this weekend? (tnjn.com)
4. A train wreck near what world famous monument killed more than 20 people this week?
5. A young boy was supposed to be flying around in a hot-air balloon, but the story apparently was a hoax. In what state did that occur?
6. A part of health insurance reform that some people want is for the government to provide an inexpensive alternative health insurance plan. What is the term for what this refers to?
7. The author of Sex and the Soul: Juggling Sexuality, Spirituality, Romance and Religion on America’s College Campuses is scheduled to speak on campus this week. Who is she? (tnjn.com)
8. Will the Philadelphia Phillies be one of the teams playing in the World Series?


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