WRT 302: Digital Writing Digitally Composed

Fall 2012, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:30-1:50 p.m., HBC 227 Patrick W. Berry, pwberry@syr.edu, office: HBC 235 office phone: 315-443-1912 office hours: Mondays, 9:00-11:00 a.m. and by appointment http://patrickberry.com/wrt302fall12

Project #1 Sounding Board, Proposal Guidelines Please follow the following guidelines when submitting your proposal: 1. Write a blurb and title, approximately 60-words, advertising your podcast. Your description should capture the essence of your podcast and draw the reader in. Use the two examples below as a guide: Under the Roller Coaster: Radio Documentary by Sound Portraits In Woody Allen's film Annie Hall, the house under the roller coaster was a sight gag. For Mae Timpano, it was home. In 1946, while working as a waitress on Coney Island, Mae met Fred Moran, the owner and operator of the Thunderbolt roller coaster. The Cruelest Cut That singer you hearwhats your mental image? An elderly woman? A young boy? How about a 44 year old man? This recording represents the end of a very weird period in musics long, weird history. Alessandro Moreschi was the last of the castrati, opera singers who had been castrated before puberty. Thats one way around that awkward voice changing stage. 2. If you are using a recording from the Belfer archives, include the link. If you are conducting an interview, indicate who you are interviewing, confirm that you have the appropriate technology to conduct the interview and that you will be able to get the interview done no later than Monday, September 17. I encourage you to get it done much earlier if possible. If you are conducting the interview, indicate three central questions that you plan to ask. Also, I encourage you to set up a time to meet if you would like to discuss any aspect of this project. 3. Your piece should appeal to NPR listeners. To do this, you will likely need to explore the cultural significance of the issue youre covering. For example, the roller coaster piece connects with the movie Annie Hall and the history of Coney Island. The Cruelest Cut explores the last of the castrati. Your piece should have a similar power. In a few sentences, indicate what is the cultural significance of your piece?

4. Your piece should also be original. As I mentioned in class, it should not rehearse common knowledge. For example, if you find a song by particularly well-known artist, you dont want to do a biography. In a sentence or two, please write how your piece is original. 5. Feel free to ask include any other questions you might have. Grading guidelines Your podcast will be evaluated on its originality and technical execution. Please keep the following questions in mind: Did you submit a detailed proposal (following the guidelines provided)? Is your project an audio essay in the style of This American Life? Did you make creative use of sound effects, music, silence, and any other audio tools at your disposal to communicate your ideas? Does you podcast mix together at least three audio tracks? Did you write your essay in a manner in which it could be naturally spoken? Did you use your voice rhetorically? Did you present your project on the assigned date? Did you participate in class discussion and provide peer feedback? Was the technical production of the essay excellent? Was it clearly delivered and recorded? Did you provide a detailed script of the podcast?