ffa agricultural communications career development event
DESCRIPTION
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. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
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