What's The Point Con't 4

25. A R-O-S-E Is Not a Rose
-only use hyphens when you want them pronounced separately
Example: I’m T-N-T. I’m dynamite
26. By the Numbers
-try and write numbers in a way it will make it easier to read
-for single digit numbers write them out as words
-for longer numbers use word numeral words like thousand, million, billion
Example: there are only 4 people in class today
There is an estimated one thousand people in school today
27. Ban the Symbols
-don’t use symbols in TV news writing
-Spell out the words
Example: I have 123 dollars and 58 cents
28. Ordinary Ordinals
-use st, nd, rd after numbers, dates, addresses
Example: I went down 13th St today
29. Bits and Pieces
-use basic number rules for fractions and percentages
-spell out “point” in it too
Example: I wish I had 20 point 5 billion dollars
30. Round Figures
-don’t be afraid to round numbers to make it easier for you
-don’t round numbers if it is needed to be specific.
Example: 602 turn into 600
31. Telling Time
-when you report time you should never use a.m. or p.m.
-instead use morning, evening, tomorrow, tonight
Example: It is 2:30 this morning
32. Exceptions to Number Rules
-there are some exceptions for numbers like time of day, addresses, and phone numbers.
Example: 10:25, 13th St
33. Practical Punctuation
-It’s main purpose is to help the newscaster read the copy much more easily
-just using (…) three periods will indicate the newscast that there will be a pause
Example: Andrew had said…. He will be here today

What's The Point Con't 3

19. Now Is the Time
-It is what is happening NOW
-Use verbs that deal with the present
Example: We reported today that Josh had tried to eat his ice cream cone. But now it looks like someone stole it.
20. Timely Time
-You want to tell when the story had happened
-Don’t use “today” all the time
Example: Just moments ago Josh had gotten his ice cream cone stolen
21. Natural Time
-Put the time element right before a verb
Bad Example: Josh this morning had gotten his ice cream cone stolen
Good Example: Josh had gotten his ice cream cone stolen this morning
22. Action Please
- Use an active voice other than a passive one
Example:
23. What Does T-H-A-T Stand For?
-Never use abbreviations
-spell out the whole word on your copy so you know exactly what it says
Bad Example: St.
Good Example: Street
24. Organized Organizations
- Names of organization should be written out completely by their whole name and then during the rest of the story you can use the initials
Example:

What's The Point Con't 2

13. Close but No Cigar
-Avoid using direct quotations
-Try and paraphrase like so and so/such and such
Example: Andrew Baziel says that the guy beside him was copying him
14. To Attribute or Not To Attribute
- Facts do not need attribution
-Include attribution when a statement or piece of info comes up
Example:
15. Half-Listening Listeners
-It’s clearly always hard to keep attention to the anchor or radio person when you have distractions and that’s what a half listening listener is
- You can give half listeners a break by repeating what you said twice
-You can say the exact words you said in the beginning and the end so the listeners know what you are talking about
Bad Example:
Good Example:
16. Contractions Can’t Hurt
-They sound natural so why not use them?
-Use your own judgment if you want to use them
Bad Example: Andrew did not want his candy bar
Good Example: Andrew didn’t want his candy bar
17. Who’s He?
-Using personal pronouns is a good way to humanize your copy
-Be sure a proper noun follows the pronoun
Bad Example: Andrew Baziel wanted his candy bar back. He’s from Portage
Good Example: Andrew Baziel wanted his candy bar back. Baziel is from Portage
18. You Is Us
-Better to use our, us, and we other than your, and you
Bad Example: You’re going to lose the game
Good Example: We’re going to lose this game
19. Now Is The Time
-It is what is happening NOW
-Use verbs that deal with the present
Example:

What's The Point Con't

9. Who Says So?
-It’s the source of your information
Bad Example: “I finally bought a car!” Andrew Baziel said last night
Good Example: Andrew Baziel said he had finally bought a car
10. Says It With Says
-Try and not to use says or said a lot but don’t use synonyms to replace them a lot either.
-Using “Reports and According” are the least offensive words to use
Bad Example: Andrew Baziel stated he had won
Good Example: Andrew Baziel says he had won
11. Repeat, Repeat, Repeat
- Don’t be afraid to repeat words. Only if it is a right word
-Use natural words if you would like to repeat it.
Example: They took advantage of them over and over and over again!
12. Quotable Quotes
- Quotes on a person’s exact words
- Never use the “quote, unquote” method it is to formal
Bad Example: Andrew Baziel said, quote “I despicably hate you” unquote
Good Example: As Andrew Baziel said in his own words “I despicably hate you”

What's The Point?

What’s The Point?
1. Names and Titles
-Pretty much every story has a name or title in it.
-Always make sure to pronounce the title correctly
-Make sure spelling is correct

Example: Baziel
Example: Curricular

2. Who Was That?
-Give hints that you’re going to throw a name at the listeners
-Start with their name and then tell why they are on the news
Bad Example: A guy of Portage la Prairie won the soccer game.
Good Example: Portage la Prairie citizen Andrew Baziel won his soccer game.
3. Endless Titles
-try and shorten these titles or break it into smaller parts
Bad Example: The director of “The Super Duper Long Movie” said it was his best movie ever.
Good Example: Director of “The Super Duper Long Movie” Andrew Baziel said it was his best movie he made

4. First Names First
-Should always include the first and last name of the person you’re talking about
-Later references should be made only using the person’s last name.
Example: Andrew Baziel the prime minister of Canada said he would lower taxes again. Mr. Baziel also said he would visit the soup kitchen today
5. Eliminate The Middleman
-Middle name is rarely used unless it is associated with the person’s first name
Example: William A. Baziel

6. Identification Please
-Identify what the person does because they’re could be more than one Andrew Baziel in the world
-Be specific
Example: Expert cook Andrew Baziel is extraordinary at what he does

7. Home Sweet Home
- Try and find out the titles of your interviewee like house address, street, and city
-When you say these it tell the viewers it’s the Andrew Baziel on 13th St not 5th St
Example: Andrew Baziel of 13th St NW of Portage la Prairie

8. Age Gracefully
-Include person’s age only if it is specific in the story
-Mention person’s age if they are old/young

Types of Leads

Emphasis- Vince Li not criminally responsible
Ubrella/Blanket- Judicial court lets Vince Li not responsible for the beheading case
Verbless- Vince Li's verdict today
Chronological/Narrative-Today Vince Li the mentally ill killer not charged on the dismemberment charge
Questions-Are you tired of dismemberments on buses?

Newpaper to Radio Con't

this was my article i had changed into a radio newscast:

Vincent Prince has been charged of two counts of drunk driving causing death. Prince was driving a Mercury Sable that was rear ended on a gravel road by a policeman’s truck as the Sable slowed down to make a turn in low visibility. Prince’s sister and son were killed instantly. Prince’s wife was hurt badly. James Stagg, the policeman involved, suffered a broken arm and jaw. Stagg was chasing Princes car on suspicion of drunk driving. RCMP spoke to 34 witnesses on what had happened. RCMP got a Crown opinion because a policeman was involved; the crown recommended there be no charges be laid against Stagg. Prince is due to appear in court this afternoon.

Newspaper to Radio

we turned a newspaper article into a radio newscast. A radio newscast has to be at least 30sec up to 1 min. long. We had to shorten it and use shorter words to make it easier to say.