For this assignment, you will watch the Mock Press Conference Video (below) in which “reporters” ask questions of Vice President Ronald Martel, JWU’s vice president of student affairs. The press conference concerns a tragedy involving a JWU student.
Your job will be to write down all the information you think you need in order then write a complete and accurate news story.
For this assignment, you will watch the Mock Press Conference Video in which “reporters” ask questions of Vice President Ronald Martel, JWU’s vice president of student affairs. The press conference concerns a tragedy involving a JWU student.
Your job will be to write down all the information you think you need in order then write a complete and accurate news story.
Since the information a reporter gathers at a press conference is never in sequence, it will feel as if it is “all over the map.” Don’t let that stress you! Instead, focus on getting the most precise notes possible from the press conference, including direct quotes from Martel and go from there. This will be a GREAT exercise on all levels and will sharpen your skills in note-taking, thinking ahead as to what you will need for your story, and then finally writing an accurate and thorough story utilizing the Inverted Pyramid.
So here’s what you need to do:
1. Get a notebook and pen or pencil
2. Watch the Mock Press Conference video
3. Take notes as if you are at the actual press conference (in this case you will be able to “stop and replay” the video which is to your advantage)
4. Write a complete news story based on your notes
5. Once complete, check that your story:
a. Uses the Inverted Pyramid (and answers the 5 Ws in the lead)
b. Is factually accurate
c. Incorporates “quotes” from Ron Martel
d. Utilizes AP Style
e. Contains no spelling/grammar errors
Submission Write your story in a Word document. Upload the Word Doc to the submission link.
