CMNS3333: Multiplatform Journalism
Assessment Three - Social Media News Story
Due : @2359 on Friday, 29 Nov
Weightage : 30%
Purpose: Apply journalism principles and practices to produce an effective news story for an online social media platform.
What do I have to do for this assessment?
Create a news explainer video (2:30-3:00 mins) designed for dissemination on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or X/Twitter, and an accompanying post (80-100 words). The video needs to include at least one expert interview, and must be reported and narrated by you.
Whichever social media platform. you choose, make sure you research the conventions and ‘social media logics’ that apply to that platform. so you can tailor your video and post for that platform. For example, some platforms limit the length of videos or require a particular aspect ratio. If you decide on Instagram, you will need to break your explainer video into two parts to meet the 90 second limit for reels. In Assessment 4: Critical Reflection, you will need to discuss the choices you made in creating your explainer video for the selected social platform. and audience.
What do I submit?
1. Video file in mp4 format
Length - 2:30 – 3:00 mins
The file should be uploaded and embedded via the Panopto portal in Canvas. The file name should include your name and the course code. Eg BLOGGS _CMNS333_A3
2. A document in Word or PDF format that includes:
i. Your name and student ID
ii. Your 80-100 word post to accompany the video
iii. Which social media platform. you have designed your explainer video for. You do not have to post your story to the platform. (but include the link if you have).
iv. A list of any third part materials (photos, video, music, sound fx) you have used in your video and the source and copyright information. You should also provide on-screen attribution for any non-original video/images.
v. The video narration script. (you do not need to transcribe interviews).
Upload the document via Canvas.
What is a news explainer video?
Explainer journalism helps people understand a news story by providing essential background knowledge and contextual information. By focusing on the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of a story, it aims to increase the number of people who understand the story well enough to be able to follow updates. It often answers questions that ordinary people have about a breaking or developing story, such as ‘How did this happen?’ and ‘Why is it important?’ . We will analyse examples in tutorials and post links to Canvas.
What am I being assessed for?
1. Demonstrates news values and research
2. Effectiveness of news storytelling
3. Meets technical and communication standards
4. Utilisation of social media conventions
The full marking rubric is on Canvas.
Can I use AI for this assessment task?
Your final submitted assessment must be your own original work.
If you use an AI tool, eg to assist you with drafting your narration script, you must identify and acknowledge the AI tool as a source and state how you used it (eg the prompts that you used). You must also keep all drafts of your work. If Turnitin identifies your work as having a high probability of being written by AI, you may be asked to provide these drafts.
The use of GrammarlyGO is not permitted.
If you have any questions about using AI, please speak to the course coordinator.