In this assessment, you will select and analyse a long-form convergent media article from a credible, online media source. The media article must be at least 500 to 1,000 words long. Attach screen shots of the article as an appendix.
Present your assessment as a 1,500 word written response under the following sub-headings:

Journalistic principles 
Convergence 
Design and layout

A reference list is also to be included.

Journalistic principles include:

· The 5Ws and H 
· News values (including whether the article is hard news or soft news) 
· Angle 
· Sources 

Convergence includes: 
· Audio/video/image content 
· The inclusion of social media and how it is relevant 
· Links to other relevant information (excluding advertising) including websites, previous stories, background information 

Design and layout includes:
· Placement of article within the news site 
· Accessibility and navigability of multimedia elements 
· Audience engagement (attention-grabbing headline, visual appeal, shareability) 

Your response must identify and analyse the above elements with clear links to the unit content. The response must also include academic referencing. 

Marking criteria will include: 

· Quality of article selection; 
· Appropriate identification of journalistic principles, convergence and design / layout;
· Link to unit content; 
· Quality of academic writing; 
· Quality of referencing.

A marking rubric is available on the Moodle site.

You will write and create content for a modern news media site using a wordpress blog site (if you already have a wordpress blog from previous units, you may use it).

This assessment comprises three phases.

Phase One: Attendance at an event

For this assessment, you will attend an event in your local area. This can be any event but it must occur prior to the end of Week Nine. Events may include music festivals, sporting matches, community open days and political announcements. 
Set up a Twitter account (as required in your weekly forum activities). 
Attend and record activities of the event via Twitter. Create a hashtag for your event (if one doesn’t already exist). Throughout the event, tweet interesting facts, quotes, photos and videos via your Twitter account. You must record a minimum of 15 tweets. 
Also include #profcomm and @CQUni in your first tweet, so your event can be registered in our study twitter feed. 
You will also take at least five newsworthy photos and shoot a 30-60 second video which will be used in Phase Two of this assessment. The photos and video can be shot and edited on your phone. The video can be a short wrap of the event, interviews with relevant talent/organisers/attendees, or a combination.
The photos need to incorporate different aspects of the event. 
You are encouraged to be as creative as possible.

Phase Two: Writing a news article

Write a 400-word news story about your event. This must be written using the inverted pyramid, and have a strong lead paragraph/s that are based on the 5Ws and H. You will need to include some quotes from attendees or organisers. You may use sources and quotes from your tweets. (Ensure your sources are credible). You will include at least FIVE newsworthy photographs featuring different aspects of the event (with appropriate captions including names where relevant) to accompany your story. 
Create a wordpress blog. Design the blog page in the style of an online news site and upload the article, images and the video.

Phase Three: Submission

If you want feedback prior to the due date, post the URL link to your wordpress blog site on the unit Discussion Forum. You are welcome to provide constructive feedback on other students’ blog sites. It has been our experience that those who are willing to share and receive feedback generally receive a higher grade.

Submit a word version of your story, images (including captions) and tweets (screen shots) on Moodle. Include a cover page with your details and links to your blog page, Twitter account and video sharing platform if necessary. (Ensure all platforms are set to 'public' so teaching staff can access them).
Before you submit, check that your article: 

· Is newsworthy 
· Has a strong introductory lead based on the 5WS and H 
· Concludes appropriately; and, 
· Uses correct grammar, spelling and punctuation.

Ensure your blog page is in the style of an online news site and that all links are active. 

Marking criteria will include:

· Newsworthiness of article
· Overall effectiveness of storytelling as appropriate to the genre (news)
· Newsworthiness of images and video
· Design and layout of blog site
· Attention to requirements of the task

A marking rubric is available on Moodle.

For this assessment, you will write a 2,000 word reflection and justification of the modern news gathering process, undertaken as part of Assessment Two. 
You will justify how you addressed journalistic principles, convergence and design / layout when crafting your blog site and writing your news article. 
Your reflection will explain where improvements could have been made with reference to the unit content. 
You may include references to other credible news sites to justify your arguments. 
Discuss the quality and effectiveness of your images and video content, and where – if at all – you feel enhancements could be made. 
You may choose to demonstrate how you would approach the same story with a different angle, and include an alternative lead paragraph/s.
This assessment is designed to develop your ability to self-reflect and constantly improve your craft, which is essential for even the most experienced media professionals. 

Marking criteria will include: 
· Quality of self-assessment 
· Standard of writing 
· Adherence to requirements of the task 
· Link to unit content 
· Referencing

A marking rubric is available on Moodle.