FFA Agricultural Communications Career Development Event

Department of Agricultural Education & Communications

Texas Tech University

Today

• Overview of the contest• Contest timeline• Web design• Graphic design• PR writing• News writing• Broadcasting• Communications quiz• Editing exercise

Check the Web site

• Write this down:http://ffaagcommunicationscde.wikispaces.com/

• This is your source for handouts and helpful information.

• This will be updated throughout the school year to help you prepare for the contest.

• This presentation is posted on the Web site.

Different from the rule book:

• Yes, we still use the rule book from the Texas FFA Web site.

• We will use Adobe CS4 for Web and graphic design.

• Broadcasters will handwrite scripts.– They will have six minutes to record.

Timeline

7:30 a.m. Registration8:00 a.m. Orientation & Communications Quiz8:30 a.m. Editing Exercise8:50 a.m. Press Conference9:10 a.m. Q&A with press conference presenter9:20 a.m. Break9:30 a.m. Move to practicum

Expectations of the Practicum Areas

All students receive 60 minutes to complete their practicum.

Web Design Practicum

• Designers will receive a packet containing photos, dummy text, and other information.

• Student must create a three page Web site that promotes the topic presented in the press conference.

Graphic Design Practicum

• Designers will create a two page magazine layout suitable for an agricultural magazine complete with a headline

• Students will receive photos, dummy text, artwork and statistical information

• Designers will create a chart or graph from the statistical layout and place it in their layout

• Select and place appropriate photos into layout. • Select one photo and write reasons • Write a photo caption for the selected photo (25 words)

PR Writing

• Students will use the press packet and the information gathered in the press conference to write a 200- to 300-word press release.

• Write it as if it were being distributed by the expert's company or organization.

• Associated Press Stylebooks and dictionaries will be provided.

• Print the press release

News Writing

• Write a 250 word news story based on information gathered at the news conference for an ag producer audience.

• Follow inverted pyramid with a strong focus and lead. • Answer the who, what, when, where, why and how. • Write a headline for the story. • Writers can ask questions at the press conference.• AP Stylebooks and dictionaries provided.• Print the story.

Inverted PyramidIm

portance

Broadcasting

• Use the press packet and information from the press conference to write and record a radio broadcast

• Write the story• Record the broadcast• Two minute time limit

Web Design

A few pointers

• We will use Dreamweaver CS4• Keep it simple!• Check the links• Color• Design in your head• Recruit a professional to help• Attend Dr. Meyers’ workshop

Graphic Design

A few pointers

• We will use Adobe InDesign CS4. Students are also allowed to use Photoshop.– We will probably work on a Mac.

• Recruit students from the yearbook staff.• Ask the yearbook teacher to help you.• Have the student practice making

charts/graphs• Look at magazines for ideas.

2009 Winner

PR Writing

A few pointers

• The 5 Ws and the H are imperative in PR writing.• Have your students learn and understand the

example from the Web site.• A press release is a notice to the media to get

attention.• Press release writing is different from news writing.• A two page press release is sufficient.• Look at ag companies for examples– FFA, Monsanto, Bayer CropScience, are all good.

News Writing

A few pointers

• Cover the 5 Ws and the H.• Follow inverted pyramid.• Completely opinion-free• Double check facts.• Practice by covering FFA events.• News writers can ask questions at the press

conference. No one else can.• Dictionaries and AP Stylebooks will be provided

Broadcasting

A few pointers

• Tell us what happened? What was the point?• Write down the 5 Ws and the H and write the story around it.• Just the facts—no opinions!• Don’t be cutesy. Avoid focusing on sidebar stories.• Speak conversationally

– Broadcasting requires a different tone of voice from speaking contests.

• Practice with a TAPE recorder.• Just because the time limit is two minutes does not mean

they have to take it.• Introduce yourself.

Communications Quiz

A few pointers

• Study the practice quizzes on the Web site.• Study the CDE Guide• Take the guide in chunks. Start in January and

study a couple of sections a week.• Make up 10 point practice quizzes and test

your students two sections at a time.

Editing Exercise

A few pointers

• Take two letters from the AP Stylebook each week and quiz your students weekly.– Don’t forget to study the section on punctuation!

• Take an article from a newspaper and mess it up. Make your students correct it.

• We won’t ask oddball questions from the AP Stylebook. Study the common things.

Final Thoughts