Make it Memorable

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

Bob Dotson writes like he tells stories, "Simply, clearly, skillfully". He is very comfortable in his ability to tell stories. Because he is so good at telling stories he can also tell other people how he tells stories so well.  With examples of his short stories put into the text, Dotson captures the reader’s attention and keeps them tuned into the book. In his advice for the reader he is clear, and concise making it easy for the reader to understand.

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

In reading the pages 9-27 I learned that, story writers have it tough. They have a ridiculous schedule almost all of the time. In order to get good sound bites there’s important practices to follow. First of all, silence, let it grow in the interview. The rule of three is there are usually three answers the interviewee gives, you want the last one so be patient. Finally, the practice of the non-question/question. This is a way to get the interviewee to talk in a way that’s his/her own. Write the middle first, don’t throw away thoughts, find central characters.

o With the scripts: What do suppose is described in each column? Why would it be split like that?

One is the script for that a-roll (audio) while the other is script for the b-roll(video). This makes it clear and easy to see what needs to be filmed and what each person, whether they are a videoing or interviewing, needs to do.

What else is interesting about the scripts? (50 words)

Everything is written out in detail, lines of script are just short, usually just a couple lines at maximum. Even the emotions like laughing or staring off into the distance is recorded. Also, different fonts are used throughout the script in code for extra information that might be missed. Lots of trail ins/ outs are visible ellipses (…) build suspense and make the reader focus on what’s being said.

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)       

Carjacked by Alleged Boston Bombers

Scene setting: The first few words from the news caster’s mouth are something like, imagine the fear you would have if you were carjacked, and you were still in the car. This is the story of the man whose life changed in an instant, when the Alleged Boston Bombers stole his car, and kidnapped himself.

Foreshadowing: It talks about how he sat in the car listening as they talked about anything from girls, to what they were going to do next with the bombs now in the back of the car. This is his story of the pivotal moment in the Boston Bombing saga.

Conflict: Without this man being kidnapped and escaping, it is still likely that these suspects could still very well be out on the loose. It all started when he pulled over to send a text message from his I-Phone. He was confronted when he rolled down someone knocked on his passenger window and he rolled it down. The suspect unlocked it and stepped inside.

Character Growth: During the carpool with criminals, the conversation revolves from how cool his car is to death threats. He receives a call in which he speaks Chinese with his friend. The suspects tell him if he speaks in Chinese they’ll kill him. So he says in English, I'm with friends I’ve got to go.

Resolution: The car runs out of gas, they pull over to get it and while waiting he makes a break for it. He, sitting next to the older brother unbuckles his seat belt and sprints for the next gas station to call 911. Giving police necessary information to find the criminals and eventually catch them.