FINAL RADIO PACKAGE

YOUR FINAL PACKAGE:
• Will have an anchor lead and tag (neither of which is recorded). The end of the anchor lead will say: 270 reporter (your name) has the story.
• Must include natural sound
• Must run between 1:30 and 2:30
• Must include at least 3 interviews (main character, expert, other source)
• Will include reporter narration that ties the bites together (narration is recorded)
• The final recorded line of the package will say: For 270 news, I'm (your name).

The piece must be ready to play for radio as is. Make your edits tight and clean. If you are having trouble with Audacity, check out the tutorial. You must export your file as an MP3. Call your script file: YOUR NAME SCRIPT. Call your audio file: YOUR NAME.

The final packages are due Wednesday, Dec. 8. You will put them in the Dropbox so we can play them.

Here's what I'll look for when I'm grading them:

Lead and tag: Did you lead with an important element that makes listeners understand what the story is about, as well as grab their attention? Did you save a piece of information (not opinion) for the anchor tag?

Reporting and content:
Is the story newsworthy?
Is it accurate and fair?
Did you attribute where necessary?
Are your sources solid and balanced?
Did you provide context -- why the story matters?

Writing:
Is the story well organized?
Did you tie it together with transitions, so that it flows?
Did you follow broadcast style?
Did you use correct grammar and spelling?
Did you write in active voice when possible?
Did you write short, conversational sentences?

Sound bites:
Did you choose bites that are interesting, or show emotion?
Did you avoid "information" bites that can be better stated in the reporter narration?
Did you introduce people fully and at appropriate times?
Did you write strong lead-ins to the bites?
Did you avoid "echo" lead-ins?

Technical aspects:
Are your recordings clear and understandable?
Did you mix the story properly with a consistent sound level?
Did you avoid clipping sound bites?
Did you leave natural pauses between edits, but not too much to create dead air?

Running time:
Is the package the appropriate length as assigned?