The Future of Convergence

Convergence What is convergence? What impact has it had on

▪ Media organizations?▪ Media development & distribution?▪ Consumers & Audiences

Media careers today ▪ Demand knowledge of and ability to adapt to it

Video Clip

Convergence allows broadcasts to▪ Include urgency in their broadcast▪ Provide depth and detail on their website▪ Include additional information, pics, video▪ Go beyond the time restraints of a broadcast▪ Add updates continuously outside of broadcast times

▪ Here is an example of convergence▪ Convergence

▪ What are some current examples of convergence▪ What makes them qualify as convergence

The Inverted Pyramid – Just the facts Writing style used for print journalism▪ Begins with specific▪ Moves toward general▪ Most important facts at the beginning▪ Allows cuts from bottom to fit stories

Broadcast Stories▪ Utilize this when being adapted for web delivery▪ Gives room for additional details left out of aired

story▪ Sometimes story is copied to web without change

The Modified Inverted Pyramid Follows traditional structure▪ Modified by including▪ More conversational writing than traditional structure▪ More colorful language and phrasing

▪ Allows reporters unique style to stand out▪ Includes the “Punch” that you see on a newscast

Other Story Forms Feature writing▪ Development for web is similar to print▪ Narrative, storytelling style

▪ Open to various types of leads to grab readers attention

What not to write: Points on style Past-Tense writing▪ Broadcasters are told to never write past tense

leads▪ Rule doesn’t apply to web▪ Past tense is often preferred

Complex Sentences▪ Often avoided in broadcast▪ Acceptable for web delivery

The conversational “We”▪ Used frequently in broadcast in reference to

organization▪ Web stories use organizations formal name▪ Blogs can be an exception

Attribution▪ Usually included at beginning in print▪ Some web editors place it at the end▪ “The fire was getting out of our control” said fire

captain John Smith

What not to write: Points on style Reporter intro▪ Name identified in script during broadcast▪ Usually isn’t present in web story (except

byline) Branding Devices▪ Lead in to a story are absent on the web▪ Team coverage, tags are also absent

What not to write: Points on style Quotes▪ Sound bite in broadcast ▪ Usually has name for 1st bite only

▪ Written quote on web▪ Full ID for first quote, last name for rest

Know the style guide▪ Web sites have own style rules▪ AP Stylebook will also work

What not to write: Points on style Active Voice▪ Same for broadcast and web

Keep it tight▪ Avoid repeating facts▪ Omit any words you can without losing

message

In TV you have the▪ Lead – Read on camera▪ Story body – contains audio/visual elements▪ Tag line – Read on camera

Online/Web you have▪ The Headline▪ Large text placed at top used to “Sell” the story▪ Style determined by CMS

Some use headline to pull keywords

The Sub-Headline (If applicable)▪ Text underneath main headline▪ Used to add more interesting info before story

The Byline▪ A few short words identifying the writer

Time Stamp▪ Date story was posted

Dateline▪ Usually no actual date here, location is often

placed here

Story body▪ The actual content of the story▪ Usually 200-500 words▪ Can reach 1000+ words for long news piece

Lead▪ First sentence of the body of the story▪ Follows the dateline▪ Used to engage readers

Abstract▪ One declarative sentence highlighting main facts of

story

What is multi-media enrichment? What is a website you visit often?▪ Why – What makes you go back

What elements draw readers to websites▪ Many of these fall under the multimedia

category

▪ Top newspaper websites

Hyperlinks▪ Quickly take readers to related or relevant websites

Story & Additional info links▪ Connect readers to additional stories or info

On host website

Contact box/Link▪ Allows visitors to contact specific people

Or provide feedback

Pictures & Video/Audio Links▪ Provides additional media beyond broadcast

story

Maps▪ Provide location of story, to give clarity

Graphics animation▪ Additional illustrations to make story clearer▪ Give more details to viewers

Raw Video & Audio▪ Extra footage that was cut for story▪ Can be shared online

Supporting Docs▪ Letters, flyers, brochures, can be scanned in & made

accessible

Polls▪ Often used for variety of reasons▪ Politics▪ Fashion▪ Interests

Comment Boards▪ Allow viewers to respond to stories ▪ Provides interactive forum for differing views

Blogs – Web Logs▪ Are there any blog readers in here?

Blogs are series of posts from single contributor▪ Cover range of topics▪ Can be short or long▪ Random frequency▪ Can include opinion ▪ Can be formal or informal

Organizations usually have blog guidelines

Twitter Text communication tool▪ Posts can be a maximum of 140 characters

▪ Are there any tweeters in here?▪ What draws you to it?

How many of you have read a paper in the last 2 days▪ Why/Why not

Will newspapers▪ Survive the onslaught of convergence▪ Why/Why not