Description
Book SynopsisA nuts-and-bolts guide to the craft of visual storytelling, written for students and up-and-coming journalists by one of the countryâs best-loved news correspondents.
Trade ReviewBob Dotson is the epitome of all that a storyteller should be. He finds fascinating subjects, engages the audience, and we come away from his stories feeling better for hearing his stories. -- Ann M. Brill, Dean of the School of Journalism, University of Kansas
A unique and invaluable teaching tool. Make It Memorable offers a view into how a master storyteller like Dotson thinks and the decisions he makes; it breaks down the process of storytelling in a very understandable way. -- Judd Slivka, Missouri School of Journalism
Writing skills—even in this age of visual, multimedia, and web/social media-based news—remain integral to reporting. Dotson takes the reader inside his writing and reporting process through annotated script examples, and helps students understand the most important attribute of being a reporter: curiosity. -- Joe Sampson, Miami University of Ohio
For anyone interested in the art of marrying pictures, sound, and words, Dotson’s text is packed with accessible and fundamental advice. If you want to become a better storyteller and you’re only going to read one book, this is the one to read. -- Steve Sweitzer, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis
Short, to the point, and filled with tips on how to make a daily story interesting and unique. Make It Memorable really delves into the mind of the reporter, and the process of what it takes to tell a good story, from start to finish. -- Ryan Parkhurst, James Madison University
Teaching broadcast journalism means teaching the craft that Bob Dotson mastered over a 50-year career. While everyone speculates about what news will look and sound like tomorrow, Dotson reminds us to embrace our storytelling roots today. Anyone who wants to inspire journalists to write as well as Bob Dotson does should certainly read anything he writes, including this book. -- Keren Henderson, Syracuse University
Table of ContentsChapter 1: How to Become a Storyteller Reporting vs. Storytelling The Rule of Threes and Filling the Silence The Question That is Not a Question Script #1: Lives Lost The Most Important Thing You Should Do Before an Interview The Best Thing You Can Do After an Interview How to Quickly Write a Good Opening Line Chapter 2: The Game of What If? Hey. You. See. So. Script #2: Pops Dream Surprises Script #3: Farm to Fame Humor Structuring a Visual Story Planning Notes for YouTube Star Segment What Went on the Cutting Room Floor Script #4: YouTube Star Chapter 3: Getting Started Look for Different Ways to Tell Your Story Script #5: Found Art Find a Strong Central Character Script #6: Park Avenue Peeler Find Interesting Stories and People to Interview, Even When Time and Money are Tight Script #7: Living Ghost Town Chapter 4: I’m Sorry This Story Is So Long. I Didn’t Have Time to Write a Short One. Pictures Come First Write the Middle of Your Story Next Ask Yourself, “What Does This Mean?” Don’t Throw Away Thoughts Script #8: Cave Rescue Highlight a Story’s Natural Drama Working Fast Script #9: Ruby Bridges Scene Setting Foreshadowing Conflict Character Growth Resolution Put Stories into Context Chapter 5: The Building Blocks of a Story Words Video Silence Natural Sound Sound Bites Reporter On-Camera Stand-Up Graphics Script #10: Pearl Harbor’s Untold Story Editing Stories Chapter 6: A Survival Kit for Professional Storytellers in the Social Media Age The “So What” Test “One Thing is Certain . . .” You Are Not the Story It’s Video Folks, Not the Movies Be Conversational Gobbledygook and Clichés Active Voice Write in Threes How to End a Story Car Wars A Final Thought Appendix: Reporter’s Checklist Glossary of Script Cues Acknowledgments Index About the Author
