Awesome ASSIGNMENT FOR FRIDAY:
Regarding the book by Bob Dotson, Make It Memorable: Please read the introduction and Section One (pages 3-41). Then, answer the following questions and be sure to exceed the requested word counts:

o What do you notice about the way he writes? Use specific examples, please. (75 words)

The writer, Bob Dotson, writes in first person. For example he starts out saying “My grandmother worries about my life’s work.” By writing in first person Dotson makes me, the reader, feel like I am a part of the story. Dotson also uses a conversational style that is very engaging and keeps a persons’ attention. His story about Fred Benson just flowed and was enjoyable to keep reading and learning more about. Mr. Dotson shares his insights in a manner that is very easy to understand and implement on your own. His use of the non-question/question is a great technique for getting unique soundbites that most reporters would miss in their haste to get the story.

o What did you learn from reading pages 9 to 27? (75 words)

Mr. Dotson fills pages 9-27 with a lot of useful information. He talks about the Rule of Threes, Filling the silence, and the Non-Question/Question. The Rule of Three refers to the pattern in which people respond in interviews.  The almost always answer a question three times, each time in a different way. Silence can be awkward but sometimes it can lead to more memorable and shorter soundbites. The Non-Question/Question technique is more conversational and just talking with the person about what is going on in their lives. This sets them at ease and usually leads to more interesting soundbites. These techniques can help you tell better stories. Finding strong central characters is also a good way to get a great story. Fill your story with details both with your writing and your images. I learned how to show people what they have missed even when they are standing next to it.

o With the scripts: What do suppose is described in each column? Why would it be split like that? What else is interesting about the scripts? (50 words)

The left column of the script is for the action or photo that is to be used. The right column is for the interview between Dotson and the interviewee. The scripts are written in two columns in order to make it easier to put video to text. The use of columns helps a person build their story faster. This format is similar to a script for a play. 

o On Page 34 (and to the end of the section), Dotson writes about a long-form feature. Find one of these (a story at least 4 minutes long) on a TV news magazine such as Rock Center, 20/20 or 60 Minutes. Then, give and explain examples of how the storyteller uses the five bulleted traits Dotson gives on Page 34. (200 words)

Scott Pelley, 60 Minutes Reporter, utilizes the long-form feature points in his story, “Jobs programs for people trapped in unemployment”, that aired on August 12, 2012. The long-form feature points are: scene setting, foreshadowing, conflict, character growth, and resolution. The story is introduced with startling statistics about employment. He sets the scene with a panel of college-educated, unemployed people from all walks of life. He foreshadows the issue when he talks one-on-one with the panelists and they share their candid stories and conflicts that arose as a result of their unemployment. Their unemployment has resulted in emotional and monetary effects. Many have lost their self-esteem and are dealing with depression. These are highly educated individuals living on minimal salaries supplemented by food stamps. Some people losing their homes, and families. These people are being discriminated against because of their unemployment duration. He transitions into a part of the story that introduces a program and a person who is working on a resolution to the unemployment issue. Joe Carbone, a Connecticut businessman working for “The Workplace” who creates a program called “Platform to Employment”. This program helps the unemployed regain their character, learn how to confront their fears and find employment again. He closes with the panelists again, talking about how they have all finally found employment.