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Writing an information brief In any newsroom, you will often be asked to produce a quick ‘Information brief to help prepare a Journalist (normally one who outranks you) for an interview or presentation. These briefs are not written in the literary style of, say, an opinion piece: they serve simply to provide background information to facilitate research or exposition. Point form is fine, but use full sentences (grammar and language use will be reflected in your assessment).
You are required to describe the general issues and inflicts surrounding a particular issue (there is a list of possibilities below) and fill in some of the important details that your colleague may need. Those details would include (among others): – Positions held by the extreme antagonists and those in between (make sure you can place key personalities on the political spectrum regarding the issue. Remember: avoid binaries and understand how nuances can define a person’s stance). – The history of the issue and current developments.
Now you may want to inject your own opinion into the brief – which is not uncommon. Instead of simply stating that opinion, consider including a paragraph or two attacking the mythologies that underpin people’s perceptions. Of course you can always promote your bias via your selection of facts (again, not uncommon). Potential issues to explore (feel free to address any topics not mentioned below) U. S. : Rhinos vs. the Tea Party, Immigration, Beamer, War on Women’, War on Christmas’, Drones, NSA surveillance, Climate Change, Paul vs. Christie, Occupy Wall Street, Birthrates, etc.
Global: Egypt, Snowmen, Syria, Russian homophobia, the MOM, Zombie election, etc. R. S. A. : Judicial transformation, Spates, OFF, Series Commission, Farman Commission, Diana Pull, ‘Poop Wars’, Anodal, Viva, Trade Union conflict, Xhosa circumcision, tribalism in the ruling party, etc. Due Date: oho of 26/8/13. Length: 500-800 words. Mark weighting: 10% of course mark. Assessors note: This assignment is intended to encourage you to read widely on political affairs and to ensure that you can perform this daily newsroom task – thus eyeful sparing you the horror of being the office coffee-bearer.
This assignment will also provide information that you need to write next Fridays test (30 August, for 15% of course mark), so focus your research on facts, quotes and concrete developments as opposed to ephemeral opinions (and NO religion). As I will be mining your work for material for the test, no late submissions will be considered or marked. Please contact me with any questions, either at Gustavo. swart@gmail. Com or phone 074 112 8618 to set up an appointment. Agenda Setting Theory By Endangering