Tips for writing an “Emerging” media post for New Media Beat:
- Choose your Topic Carefully!The most important thing is to have a well-defined topic. Can you sum it up in a headline or a well-written opening sentence or two (your lead)? What is the question or issue that makes this significant? What are the key words or ideas? Does it have a clear new media news angle? Ask yourself: how does your topic help us to understand the new media and how media professionals, especially journalists, are using new media tools and techniques to create, distribute, promote and understand digital content?
- Share your Topic on #NM-Topics-Beats: Use the #nm-topics-beats Slack channel to share your topic choice. Include a headline/topic statement, a list of key terms, any key issues or questions raised, and 1-3 news source links.
- Read before Posting:Always read the other posts and check #nm-topics-beats before posting, don’t repeat the same material as a previous post unless you have something to add to the discussion. Consider making a comment on a previous post instead of posting on the same topic. Consider collaborating with others on the same topic or beat.
- Research: Search using your key words. A good post always has multiple credible sources (3+). You will be judged by the quality and quantity of the sources of your information. Make sure your sources are trustworthy before you cite them as an authority. You need to investigate and verify the credibility of any new source!
- Short Paragraphs & Quotations:Blogging is a short form. Posts do not have to be very long (three or four well written paragraphs. 300-600 words.) Quality is more important than quantity. Use short quotations from your research or the assigned readings, always cite your source clearly. Write brief, focused paragraphs. Pay attention to the first sentence of the paragraph. Pay attention to transitions.
- Significance: Don’t just list facts or describe something. That’s only a foundation for your analysis. Clearly state the significance of the facts you are presenting. What is the “why” question of your topic? What are the issues? What are we learning about new media?
- Value Added: Think of posting as a conversation. What are you adding to the dialogue? Make a point, make an argument based on your research and analysis of the topic. Join in a debate on an issue raised by other sources. Add something to that debate.
- Cite Sources Clearly:Always cite your sources clearly, using a link to the source material if possible. Include at least some of these elements: The publication, author’s full name, article title, and the date, if possible.
- Strong Links:A good post should include helpful links. Judicious use of links to key reference materials can ensure that your posts are short and to the point. Make sure you only link to authoritative, reliable sources of information.
- Relevant Images:Use images that directly relate to the topic of your post. Don’t post images just for window dressing. Ask yourself: does the image add to the substance of the post? Or is it just eye-candy? The same goes for videos. Create your own images!
- Proof-read!Always proof-read and spell-check your post before publishing. Remember, spell-check does not check the spelling in the title of the post. A warning: this is a public blog and your posts will may be used during class discussion as well (big screen, 20 people reading your post,) so proof-read before publishing!
- Comment and Share:Reward good posts with a share or praise and constructive criticism and discussion. Be prepared for comments from unknown sources that may not always be polite. Don’t engage in flame wars with anonymous commenters.
[Updated: 1/29/22]
