Multimedia Week 1 Class 1

ICEBREAKER

Share your name and one piece of media you've already consumed today

Prof. Smalls

Nerdy Content Creator

Poll

What skills would you like to learn in MCOM2550: Introduction to Multimedia Storytelling?

• How to write compelling stories

• How to report, produce, and package multimedia narratives

• How to create social media posts

• How to edit videos

Poll

When you wake up, what’s the first type of media you usually check?

• Social media (TikTok, Instagram, X, Snapchat)

• Text messages or group chats

• News app or notifications

• Streaming or music app

• I try not to check anything right away

Poll

In the last 24 hours, which of these have you consumed that told a story? (Pick the closest match)

• A short-form video (TikTok, Reels, Shorts)

• A TV episode or movie

• A podcast or audio story

• A social media thread or captioned post

• None of these

Poll

Which format grabs your attention the fastest?

• Video with visuals + sound

• Images with text (memes, carousels)

• Audio only (podcasts, voice notes)

• Written text (articles, posts)

• It depends on my mood

Poll

How often do you share or repost content because it made you feel something?

• Multiple times a day

• A few times a week

• Occasionally

• Rarely

• Never

Poll

Which role do you play most often in multimedia storytelling?

• Mostly a consumer (I watch/read/listen)

• Mostly a sharer (I repost or send to others)

• A creator (I make posts, videos, or stories)

• A mix of all three

• I don’t really engage

You're Already Immersed in Multimedia Storytelling

Based on our poll, multimedia storytelling isn’t something new or unfamiliar.
It’s already part of how you get information, feel emotion, and share meaning every day.

This course focuses on helping you understand, analyze, and intentionally create the kinds of stories you already engage with.

Based on these answers, do you think multimedia storytelling is something you learn, or something you refine?

Multiple Choice

What are the office hours for Prof. Smalls?

• Monday to Thursday: 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

• Friday: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

• Monday to Friday: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

• Tuesday and Thursday: 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

Multiple Choice

What are the key activities you will be doing in this multimedia storytelling course?

• Write Short News Stories

• Take and Caption Original Photos

• Record and Edit Audio

• Produce Short Videos

• All of the above

Multiple Choice

What are the key components of the course structure outlined in the lesson?

• Writing and Reporting

• Visual Storytelling

• Audio and Video

• Platforms and Social Media

Multiple Choice

What is the assignment that carries the most weight in the grading system?

• Web News Story

• Final Project

• Photo Story

• Participation

Multiple Choice

What are the key steps involved in creating your capstone multimedia story?

• Pitch Your Story

• Conduct Research

• Produce Content

• Package and Present

• All of the above

Multiple Choice

What tools are emphasized for multimedia storytelling in this course?

• Expensive cameras

• Professional microphones

• Smartphones and computers

• High-end editing software

Multiple Choice

What are the four criteria used to evaluate assignments in this course?

• Clear Storytelling

• Following Instructions

• Technical Effort

• Creativity

• All of the above

Late Policy

5 points off for everyday that an assignment is late.

After a week, I will not accept your assignment unless we've discussed prior.

Multiple Choice

What does Community Engagement in digital journalism entail?

• One-way communication

• Ignoring audience feedback

• Encouraging audience participation

• Limiting audience interaction

Multiple Choice

How can journalists maintain engagement in a crowded digital landscape?

• By using long articles

• By ignoring audience feedback

• By hooking readers immediately

• By avoiding mobile platforms

Multiple Choice

What is the significance of Mobile-First Thinking in modern journalism?

• It focuses on print media

• It emphasizes smartphone usage

• It ignores audience engagement

• It is only relevant for social media

Decisions Shape Multimedia Storytelling

Every platform requires creators to make choices, including:

• What format works best (video, audio, text, images)

• How long the story should be

• What visuals or sound will grab attention

• How the audience will interact (scroll, watch, click, share)

These decisions affect how a story is told, what stands out, and how it’s understood across platforms.

Consider the Decisions You’d Have to Make

For each scenario, think about:

• Which platform makes the most sense

• What format you would use (video, audio, text, images)

• How long it should be

• What would grab your audience’s attention

You don’t need the perfect answer. Focus on the choices.

Poll

A breaking news headline about a celebrity engagement drops. Which platform is best to post first?

• Twitter

• Instagram

• Tiktok

• LinkedIn

• Other

Poll

You want to share a step-by-step recipe you just tried. What platform would be most effective?

• Instagram

• Twitter/X

• TikTok

• Pinterest

• LinkedIn

Poll

You just got hired for your dream job and want to announce it. Which platform do you use?

• LinkedIn

• Instagram

• TikTok

• Twitter/X

Word Cloud

Your newsroom has a story about an upcoming campus protest that will likely draw a lot of attention. You need to decide which platform to post it on first.

Word Cloud

Using the platform you chose in the previous question, write which format you would use (text, photos, video, audio, etc.)

Multimedia Integration Matters

Choosing a platform is only the first step.
You also decide how different media work together.

Consider:

• How text supports or explains visuals

• How audio sets tone or emotion

• What information is best shown vs. told

• Whether each element adds meaning or creates clutter

Effective multimedia storytelling uses each format intentionally, not randomly..

Multimedia Integration

Read each headline carefully and decide which multimedia element best supports the story. You’ll choose between options like photos, videos, infographics, or memes. Think about how each element changes the way the audience understands or reacts to the headline. Your goal is to match the story with the multimedia that makes it most effective and engaging for digital media.

Poll

Headline: “Campus cafeteria adds late-night hours for students.”

• Stock photo of a food tray

• Infographic of new hours

• Meme about being hungry at midnight

• Video interview with cafeteria staff

Poll

Headline: “Record snowstorm shuts down city.”

• 2-paragraph text explanation

• Video clip of cars stuck in snow

• Cartoon snowman meme

• Chart of average snowfall

Poll

Headline: “Student wins national poetry contest.”

• Headshot of student

• Pie chart of contest entries

• Gif of clapping hands

• Video of a random poem reading

Multimedia Integration

The best multimedia choice depends on the story’s purpose. Strong multimedia integration depends on the right elements to add clarity, emotion, or engagement.

Multiple Choice

What techniques can be used for fact-checking across different media formats?

• Verification Standards

• Transparency Practices

• Consent and Privacy

• Digital Rights

Multiple Choice

What is emphasized in the platform strategy for websites and long-form content?

• Interactive elements and rich media

• Mastering story sequences

• Creating 60-second stories

• Breaking complex stories

Multiple Choice

What is the goal of creating stories for TikTok and short-form video?

• Engage younger audiences

• Design immersive experiences

• Master story sequences

• Break complex stories

Multiple Choice

What should you learn to do on Twitter/X and news threads?

• Master story sequences

• Break complex stories into digestible formats

• Create compelling 60-second stories

• Design immersive story experiences

Multiple Choice

What is the primary focus of the platform strategy for Instagram and visual platforms?

• Master story sequences

• Create compelling 60-second stories

• Design immersive story experiences

• Learn to break complex stories

Multiple Choice

What types of resources are available to support your learning and development throughout the semester?

• Office Hours

• Peer Workshops

• Technical Tutorials

• Professional Examples

Multiple Choice

What are the key elements that employers want to see in a portfolio?

• Versatility across multiple formats

• Technical competence with digital tools

• Ability to work independently

• All of the above