Week-by-Week Schedule 

  
Week One  
28 August Interaction
Introduction to class: boundless multimedia
In-class exercises: a) text b) clicks
For next class Complete expertise self-assessment. 
Research: Writing and Multimedia. 
If you have not activated your GMU Memo account, please do so and write your password down somewhere safe. We'll use these accounts to exchange work in class.
30 August Clear, Direct, Short, Dazzling
Discussion of research assignment
In-class writing exercises a) The Vital Verb b) Editing Lincoln
For next class Research: Over the week, read the main news stories (just one or two) in the New York Times or The Washington Post (broadsheet newspapers) and the New York Post (a tabloid). What kinds of openings or leads does each use? What are the differences between the broadsheet and the tabloid treatment of the same story? Bring in an example from each paper of a good opening or lead.
Week Two  
4 September Writing the Lead
In-class Exercise: Leading the reader (postponed)
For next class Read: Garrand, Writing for Multimedia (hereafter Multimedia), chapters 1 & 2 (pp. 3 - 25)& (very short) chapter 4 (pp. 37 - 39). The concepts in these chapters will help you to analyze Myst and to create your major interactive assignments.
Write: Begin mini-assignment #1. 
6 September Delectable Detail
In-class Exercise: a) Leading the reader b) Choosing the detail
For next class Write: Complete mini-assignment #1
Week Three  
11 September Due: Mini-assignment #1: 300-word article

Creating Interaction
In-class Exercise: Interactivity (work in pairs). Netscape Composer instructions (if required)

For next class Read: Multimedia, Chapter 3. Review the earlier chapters you have read and your Myst notes. You will need to use the concepts and ideas drawn from your reading and initial analyses of the game to help you in the next two classes.
13 September We meet in NCC Conference Room for this class

Interactivity Workshop
Details will be issued in class

For next class Research: Each group should set up an e-mail list and exchange information about interests, skills, goals for this course and ideas for the project. File all the information you receive from your group and bring it along to class. We shall use that information in the next two classes.
Read: Multimedia, Chapter 5
Week Four  
18 September We meet in NCC Conference Room for this class

Interactivity Workshop
Details will be issued in class 

For next class Write: (Group): Pitch/proposal for multimedia group project
Research: Research: Listen to All Things Considered and/or Morning Edition on NPR (available daily on WAMU - 88.5 FM and WETA - 90-9 FM and online (current and archive issues) at NPR. Concentrate on those stories that 'tell a story' and use interview material from participants. Note down the different elements in this kind of audio story. For example, what is the purpose of the commentary from the reporter? And what do the direct voices of those interviewed for the story contribute? If you want to examine British radio for a change, listen to The World Today from the BBC's World Service and ask the same questions. Think about how formal or informal the commentary is, too.
20 September Due (Group): Pitch/proposal for multimedia group project

Hearing Voices (and why they are important)
Writing for audio and selling your project 
Scripting formats
In-class exercise (if we have time): Writing a radio ad

For next class Write: (Group) Revised Pitch/proposal
Read: Multimedia, Chapters 7 & 8. Think about the relationship between the writing principles adumbrated in this chapter, and those on which you have already concentrated. Review Flowcharting, etc.
Week Five  
25 September Due: (Group) Revised Group Pitch/proposal

Information Structure
Writing a radio news bulletin

For next class Write: Mini-assignment #2: (short) audio script. Sample script format
27 September Due: (Individual) Mini-assignment #2: (short) audio script

Adding the Visual
In-class exercises: a) documentary video format b) creating double-column documentary format

For next class Read: Multimedia, Chapters 12 & 14
Week Six  
2 October Adding the Visual II
In-class exercise: reconstructing a script cont'd
For next class Write: View and take notes on the footage for mini-assignment #3. Itemize the main elements of the story as you see them (no more than six or seven main points!). 
4 October Multiple Elements
In-class workshop on working with multiple media
For next class Write: Mini-assignment #3 (short) video script. Have a great Columbus Day holiday 
Read: Multimedia, Chapter 10 
Week Seven  
9 October Columbus Day Holiday
For next class Columbus Day Holiday
11 October Due: Mini-assignment #3: (short) video script

Writing in Three Dimensions
Visual Writing: Communicating to clients and collaborators
In-class exercises

For next class Read: Multimedia, Chapters 15 & 16
Research: Find one piece of instructional multimedia on the web or on a CD-ROM. Analyze the structure and form of the piece, using the concepts introduced in the Multimedia readings. Bring your notes, the URL of the piece (or the CD-ROM) to class. Be prepared to talk to your group about what you have found. Note: a) kids' games can be a lot of fun b) if you choose to use a CD-ROM, choose a title that does not require installation.
Week Eight  
16 October Interacting to learn
For next class Write: Begin draft of group treatment for group multimedia project and bring to class on Tuesday, 23rd October
18 October Conceptualizing Interaction
In-class exercises
For next class Write (Group): Treatment for multimedia group script. 
Week Nine  
23 October Due (Group): Treatment for multimedia group script 

Conceptualizing Interaction
In-class exercises: Thinking Linking 

For next class Research: Complete in-class exercise (if necessary)
Read (in preparation for conceptualizing multimedia script #2): Multimedia, Chapters 18 & 19. You should be very familiar with the vocabulary of story structure and of narrative architecture by next week. Review also you Myst notes.
25 October Clear, Direct, Short, Dazzling (Part Two) 
In-class exercises: a) Precision b) Scene Descriptions
For next class Write: Multimedia Script #1: Instructional Multimedia 
Week Ten  
30 October Due: Multimedia Script #1: Instructional Multimedia 

Telling Real Stories
Constructing narrative

For next class Research: Choose a TV ad. available online. Choose one which you really enjoy and analyze its structure. Identify exposition, conflict, climax and resolution. 
1 November Architecture of the Narrative
In-class exercises
For next class Read: Multimedia, Chapters 21 & 22. Pay particular attention to the Establishing Characters, Plot Points and Conflicts segment of Chapter 22 (begins on p. 269)
Write: Proposal for Multimedia Script #2: Narrative Multimedia. Use the concepts in the last two sets of readings to create a dynamic and convincing proposal
Week Eleven  
6 November Due: Proposal for Multimedia Script #2: Narrative Multimedia

Experiential Learning (extra credit)

For next class Read: Multimedia, Chapters 23 & 25
8 November Story Analysis
The Structure of Narrative: Sit-Coms, Soaps and Prime-Time Drama: Who, What, Where, When, Why and How (again!)
For next class Write: Treatment for Multimedia Script #2 (optional for extra credit); Create a visual representation (outline, flow-chart, etc.) of the architecture of your group project (not optional). Bring to class next Tuesday
Week Twelve  
13 November Due (optional): Treatment for Multimedia Script #2

Architecture of Interaction
In-class exercises 

For next class Group: Work on group multimedia scripts
15 November Workshop
Group Multimedia Scripts
For next class Group: Work on group multimedia scripts
Week Thirteen  
20 November Workshop
Group Multimedia Scripts
For next class Write: (Group) Multimedia group project script
22 November Thanksgiving
For next class Thanksgiving
Week Fourteen  
27 November Due (Group): Multimedia group script

Workshop
Peer review of Group Multimedia Scripts

For next class Write: Work on Multimedia Script #2: Narrative Multimedia
29 November Workshop
Troubleshoot Multimedia Script #2
For next class Write: Complete Multimedia Script #2
Week Fifteen  
4 December Due: Multimedia Script #2: Narrative Multimedia 

Group Project Work
Writing press releases & Preparing for presentations

For next class Group: Work on group projects
6 December
*Project Launches*
(Group multimedia script project)
Valedictions