1. What do you find most interesting about what he says on these pages? What stands out as particularly useful to you as a storyteller? (75 words)

I found the points about using natural drama, soundbites and proving things visually the most interesting. As a storyteller, the use of natural drama makes me feel like I more of a part of the action. Natural drama drags me into the story. Soundbites can add so much to a story. They allow you to experience the story even if you are not participating in all the senses. The sound of a bat cracking when it connects with a ball paints a picture in your mind. When you engage the senses of a person a story comes to life. It has been argued that a picture speaks a thousand words. Nothing speaks louder than the picture of the carnage left from a tornado touch down. The use of natural drama, soundbites and using strong visuals stand as very useful techniques to use as a storyteller.

To answer the rest, you must visit the site for Boyd Huppert’s Land of 10,000 Stories(http://www.kare11.com/news/investigative/extras/stories.aspx). Pick two that look interesting. Watch them. Then, pick one of those and answer the following prompts about it, please:

2. What is the name of the story, and on what date did it first air?

Minn.'s iconic SPAM brand getting social - aired April 28, 2013

3. List and describe four instances of natural sound. 

-Keyboard keys clicking as person tweets

-Old advertisement sound running faintly in background as story runs

-Sound of staff conversing as they tweet and collaborate

-Studio noise as voice actor records Sir Can-a-Lot

4. List and describe (including the type and what they are showing) four camera shots that you find interesting.

- Zoom in view on computer screen as a person scrolls through texts - Shows action happening as scroll screen

-Old advertisement video running in the background as the story is delivered - Great way to show the history of advertising the product

-Sir Can-a-Lot standing next to SPAM Can - Good use of product branding

- Hand grabbing SPAM from the cupboard - draws you into the story

5. Write a possible focus statement for the story (strong verbs; no “-ing” words)

No SPAM about it

6. How does this story utilize Dotson’s “Building Blocks” (from Page 68)? Discuss a few of them, please. (100 words)

The story the building block of words by using the ideas of the past, present and future advertisement for SPAM. The story really does a good job of using pictures. The use of a zoom in shot on the screen of SPAM tweets, an image of a hand grabbing a can of SPAM from the cupboard, and Sir Can-a-Lot standing by a can of spicey Jalepeno SPAM are very effective. Sir Can-a-Lot really livens up the SPAM brand with his voice and his twerking dance with the twerking can as funky music plays. Soundbites go a long way in making a story memorable and this story had two good ones. The first was the Hormel Spam Brand Manager saying that she wants Sir Can-a-Lot to be as famous as Tony the Tiger and the Pillsbury Doughboy. Everyone remembers Tony and the Doughboy. The other soundbite is the one used as the story  about SPAM going social comes to close. The storyteller says, "The best SPAM you'll find online." What a perfect play on words. That one little soundbite says it all.