Multimedia/Photojournalism Web Story

Multimedia/Photojournalism Web Story - Students will produce a multimedia story that will be featured on a Web page. The project must include photographs (with captions) and an audio or video soundbite with the written story. Stories may be campus or local in nature. At least one of the photos should be of the person from the soundbite. The story should be formatted for an HTML page based on the template given by the professor. Details of this assignment are below:

Guidelines and Requirements:

1. The stories are due on April 24 online by class time. Late projects will have a severe late penalty.

2. The topics can be anything local - mostly feature. No editorials or columns for this. Stories should have sources quoted and recorded for audio or video soundbites. Email Dr. Pace with your story idea for approval.

3. Stories should be written with a lead paragraph that gets the attention of the user (similar to broadcast), but gives sufficient detailed information (like newsprint). Think along the lines of magazine writing. Divide your overall story topic into three parts/phases/aspects. Each of these parts will be placed on an HTML page - making three HTML pages total for the story. Each page should have at least three to four paragraphs. It is an in-depth story - not a quick read. You may modify the web pages, provided you maintain ease of use and navigation for the user. The idea is to give the user more access to information as he/she wants it.  Each page should have approximately 250-300 words, in terms of copy length.  If you need your main story to be longer, that is fine.

4. Page one - includes the lead paragraph, overview of the story topic, and some option for multimedia or photo. The story ends with links to other two pages using teases.  Keep in mind that people may land on other pages first.  It should make sense for them to move to the other pages.

5. Pages two and three - these add additional perspective and info to the story. They should also have some multimedia element. Links back to page one or on to the other page are needed using teases.  Think of these as side bar type stories or related stories that fit together well.

6. Multimedia elements - this includes photos, audio clips, video soundbites, and b-roll. Each page needs at least 2 to 3 photos. Also, links to two other multimedia elements are needed within the three pages - one being a soundbite.

7. Multimedia links and teases - Don't expect people to click on something you haven't promoted in some way. Make is clear what is available and what benefit might there be by clicking. Avoid the "click here" cliche for links. You may use icons, clipart, or photos for links to multimedia elements.

8. The project is like a miniature website but it works within itself.  You will present your story project in class and discuss how it was you developed the story and page structure.  Check to make sure the pages work on a different computers than the one you used to create it.  This helps insure your links work.

9. Layout is not all that important here - so don't feel that you have to be fancy. Try to use good typography, headings, and use of links so it still seems like a web page. It should not scroll more than half a page. Keep the width to what is set for the web pages. You can use a table or CSS formatting to maintain structure. No masthead is needed. A headline should be at the top of each story. Look online for examples of good multimedia story formatting.

10. Story must be original and written by you. All multimedia elements are to be your work - nothing borrowed. Be prepared to show me the original files, if I ask. You may use your own digital cameras for this project or check out one in the Media Center.  Avoid using your phones.  Video and audio soundbites need clear audio. Use a good microphone.  Have fun with it!