Author: Steve Buttry

I am Director of Student Media at LSU's Manship School of Mass Communication.
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Clarifying the sixth writing assignment

Steve Buttry

I had a few questions that made me realize that I failed to explain the sixth writing assignment very well. You need to write a press release, acting as the public relations or political-communications specialist for a company, organization, candidate, office-holder, etc. For instance, if I had given this assignment back in October, you might have written as the PR person for Manship and turned in an advance on the Sports Communication Summit. You need to gather the information yourself, just as you would for a news story, and write the press release, following the form Stacie Wilks taught you. … Continue reading Clarifying the sixth writing assignment

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Your fifth regular writing assignment

Steve Buttry

For your fifth regular writing assignment, you can choose one of two options: A story (but not simple event coverage) from the Reilly Center’s Sports Communication Summit. An election-related story. As I explained in class Thursday, here are some options for each: For the sports summit You could interview speaker(s). You could interview people in the crowd about the issues discussed. You could curate social media, if the event generates notable discussion there. You could fact-check speaker(s). You could do outside reporting after event, exploring a topic presented. You could write a story that combines a couple of these approaches. You could … Continue reading Your fifth regular writing assignment

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Posts on media diversity

Steve Buttry

In class Thursday, you will do a writing exercise on media diversity. Choose at least one of these posts about diversity in media to read before class (you might want to read two related posts): Philadelphia Daily News mistakes Simone Biles for Gabby Douglas We need to talk about the atrocious media coverage at the Rio Olympics Want to avoid an avalanche of social media hate? Try the Talese test How news outlets are covering diversity at the Oscars leading up to Hollywood’s big night If you’re female and running for president, you better be perfect Black lives matter to … Continue reading Posts on media diversity

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Your second writing assignment

Steve Buttry

Your second writing assignment, due by 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15, is to write an inverted-pyramid news story from these facts. This story is based on an actual news story, but the names and towns are fictional. Since these stories will not be completely factual, do not post on the class blog. Instead turn your story in to me by email as a Word or Google document. Here is your notebook: Who: male pilot and female passenger not yet identified What: Plane crashed When: Friday, 9 p.m. Where: cane field one mile from Anytown High School football field Why: foggy, rainy evening. … Continue reading Your second writing assignment