PODCAST ASSIGNMENT:
Create a five-minute podcast about a current event or a social issue that is making the news. Your topic should be both timely and newsworthy and should include interviews with people who hold diverse points of view. Make sure your topic is specific.
Assignment guidelines:
Ask good questions that encourage thoughtful answers!
Make sure you pay attention to the Do’s and Don’ts of interviewing.
If you want to include music, use work that is licensed under Creative Commons or is available through the Public Domain. Be sure to credit the artist. You can find links to Creative Commons and Public Domain music here.
Include direct quotes from interviews and indirect quotes from your interviewees within your narration.
Include an opening narration in which you introduce yourself and your topic. Be sure to include background information on your topic and a description of how you are approaching the story and why it’s important.
Include descriptive narration. Where are you? What do your surroundings look like? What does it smell like? What do you hear? Who is there? What are they doing? If relevant, describe people look like or what they are wearing. Describe the mood. Remember, your listeners can’t see what is happening. You must describe it!
Interview at least 5 different people. Try to get a diverse POV. Make sure you identify your interviewees. What is their name? Include their age or occupation where relevant.
At least three of your interviews should take place in public space.
Include a conclusion. Tell listeners what you learned by talking to people. Do their answers and your observations provide new insights into the issue at hand? Did your exploration of the issue illuminate possible solutions or uncover even deeper problems?
Include atmospheric sound. You may also include music and / or archival soundbytes.
Edit your podcast using one of the following audio editing tools:
Upload your finished podcast to Soundcloud.