Writing Samples

Power Plant Script:

(((ANCHOR)))

YOU MAY BE SEEING A BIGGER POWER BILL BECAUSE OF NEW WHITE HOUSE REGULATIONS ON CLEANER ENERGY. MADELEINE RICHARDS WENT TO THE PROVO POWER PLANT TO SEE HOW YOU COULD BE AFFECTED. 

(((MADELEINE)))

(((PROVO POWER PLANT...OBAMA FOOTAGE)))

THE PROVO POWER PLANT IS JUST ONE OF MANY AROUND UTAH THAT WILL HAVE TO MAKE SOME CHANGES TO COMPLY WITH SOME NEW WHITE HOUSE RULES. PRESIDENT OBAMA HAS JUST MANDATED THAT THE POWER PLANTS CUT DOWN ON CARBON EMISSIONS BY 30% IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS.

(SOT)
"They'll have to come up with some other way to generate power with intermittent resources such as solar or wind. (Travis Ball, Provo Energy Director)

(((MADELEINE)))

STANDUP: TOOLS LIKE THESE HAVEN'T BEEN USED SINCE THE PROVO PLANT STOPPED BURNING COAL AND STARTED BURNING NATURAL GAS. BUT OTHER PLANTS THAT GIVE THE CITY ENERGY STILL BURN COAL.

(((MADELEINE)))

COAL-BURNING PLANTS WILL HAVE TO MAKE THE BIGGEST CHANGES...AND WHILE THE PROVO PLANT DOESN'T BURN COAL ANYMORE...OTHER IMPORTANT PLANTS THAT GIVE PROVO ENERGY...DO

OFFICIALS SAY THAT WHILE THEY AREN'T SURE WHAT THE SPECIFIC CHANGES WILL BE YET...THEY DO KNOW IT WILL BE EXPENSIVE...AND THAT PEOPLE CAN EXPECT A HIGHER POWER BILL IN THE FUTURE.

 (SOT)

We'll see how long the coal fire plants continue to operate. They will be replaced by a higher cost resource in the future which will most likely increase the rates to Provo citizens." (Todd Sperry, Utah Power Plant Manager)

(((MADELEINE)))

OFFICIALS SAY THE PROVO POWER PLANT AND OTHERS LIKE IT ARE DOING ALL THEY CAN TO KEEP THE ENVIRONMENT SAFE WHILE TRYING TO KEEP THEIR RATES LOW. IN PROVO...MADELEINE RICHARDS...ELEVEN NEWS

(((ANCHOR)))

THE STATE WILL BEGIN ANALYZING POWER PLANTS AND COMING UP WITH A PLAN TO COMPLY WITH THESE RULES THIS YEAR. 

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Spanish Fork Emergency Basics Web Article:

People living in Spanish Fork are a little more prepared for a medical emergency because of the city’s annual Ambulance Open House. The event had prizes and crafts for kids, but it also gave people the chance to learn about signs and symptoms of heart attacks and strokes. People now know if they have slurred speech or upper body pain, it could be a sign of a serious problem.

Experts say that when people know these signs it can save lives. People who notice these symptoms in themselves or others are able to get to the hospital before bigger problems arise.

Dr. Robert Crawford is an emergency physician who has seen people come in after seeing a warning sign, and says it can make all the difference.

“When they come in early and we’re able to catch it early I feel like we’re able to have much better outcomes,” Crawford said.

Open house organizers say that nearly half the people who walk in the door don’t know much about medical emergencies, so their goal is to help them know what to do when they feel chest pain or other serious symptoms, and to help them feel safe with the professionals who will arrive to help.

Jennifer Lewis, an advanced emergency medical technician says the city wants people to feel safer.

“It’s really important for them to come and see some of the techniques that we use and the equipment that we have and that we can actually help save lives,” Lewis said.

Emergency medical technicians and ambulance drivers here say they’d rather have people call with false alarms than not get to the hospital until it’s too late. They also say that if you have the signs of a heart attack or a stroke you shouldn’t try and drive yourself to the hospital. This is for both your safety and the safety of those on the road.

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Construction Script:

(((ANCHOR)))

                TWO BRIDGES WEIGHING ALMOST TWO-THOUSAND TONS EACH WILL START BEING PUT IN PLACE ON AN AMERICAN FORK FREEWAY TODAY.

                11 NEWS REPORTER MADDY RICHARDS HAS THE STORY OF HOW EXPERTS PLAN TO PLACE THESE HUGE BRIDGES USING MODERN MOVING TECHNIQUES.

(((MADELEINE)))

                CONSTRUCTION CREWS ARE PLANNING ON SPENDING A FEW LONG NIGHTS AND EARLY MORNINGS SLIDING TWO GIANT CONCRETE BRIDGES ACROSS I-15.              

                THE NEW BRIDGES ARE THE HEAVIEST AND LONGEST CONCRETE BRIDGES TO EVER BE MOVED USING ACCELERATED BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES.

(((NAT SOUND OF CONSTRUCTION, CROWDS STANDING AROUND)))     

                MANY PEOPLE LIVING AROUND THE AREA ARE INTERESTED IN THE CONSTRUCTION, AND HAVE BEEN INVITED TO COME WATCH, FROM A SAFE DISTANCE OF COURSE.

(((SOUND BITE)))

                “I think it’s really cool, it’ll be fun to watch. It’ll be really cool to see as they inch it across.”

                 Observer

(((MADELEINE)))

                CREWS SAY THEIR BIGGEST WORRY IS MAKING SURE THE BRIDGE STAYS STABLE DURING THE MOVE, AND IF THE BRIDGE IS OFF EVEN A FEW INCHES, THEY’LL HAVE TO STOP AND GET EVERYTHING FIXED BEFORE CONTINUING.

(((MADELEINE, SHOT OF BRIDGE WITH CARS DRIVING AROUND UNDERNEATH)))

                SEVERAL LANES OF FREEWAY AROUND THE CONSTRUCTION SITE WILL BE CLOSED STARTING AT 8 EACH NIGHT FOR A FEW NIGHTS TO LET THE CREWS BEGIN GETTING READY TO WORK.

(((SOT)))

"That type of construction is fairly new to Utah, and it is quite exciting to see what they can do to maintain traffic while undertaking significant construction."

Andy Spencer, city engineer.

(((MADDY)))

                CREWS ARE UNSURE HOW SOON THE BRIDGES WILL BE READY, BUT THEY ARE HOPING TO HAVE THINGS BACK TO NORMAL SOON.

(((SOT)))

"Traditionally we’d have to shut down a bridge do half the time, build it take it, and inconvenience traffic for months maybe even a year, this way we can build everything offsite have it in one package so to speak and move it all in place in a few hours over a weekend.”

UDOT spokesman Scott Thompson

(((MADDY)))

                THE DESIGN OF THE BRIDGE IS A DIVERGING DIAMOND, AND IS ONLY THE 2^ND OF ITS KIND IN THE U.S.

(((SOT)))

                “This has been used in Europe. This particular area afforded us the right dimensions to do this type of interchange."

UDOT spokesman Scott Thompson

(((MADELEINE)))

                THE BRIDGE PROJECT IS PART OF TWO UDOT PROJECTS, BOTH OF WHICH WILL HOPEFULLY BE DONE BEFORE NEXT FALL.

(((ANCHOR)))

THANK YOU MADDY, LET’S HOPE EVERYTHING GOES SMOOTHLY WHEN WORK STARTS TODAY.


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Fashion Blogging Script:

(((VO)))

(((SUNNY AFTERNOON, CAMERA, PACKING BAG, GETTING READY)))

                ON A SUNNY AFTERNOON, YOU MIGHT FIND KEENA HORTON OUTSIDE WITH A CAMERA. BUT INSTEAD OF TAKING SHOTS OF NATURE’S BEAUTY, KEENA WILL BE SNAPPING PHOTOS FOR A DIFFERENT REASON.

(((SOUND BITE)))

                “We’re taking pictures for my blog, it’s called just a dash of keena, and it’s kind of a fashion blog, so we’re just taking pictures for it!

                 KEENA

(((VO)))

(((COMPUTER, TYPING, GETTING READY)))

                KEENA IS A FASHION BLOGGER. HER WEBSITE “JUST A DASH OF KEENA” HAS OVER 1,000 HITS EACH DAY, AND IS STILL GROWING.

FASHION BLOGS ARE BECOMING THE NEW VOGUE, ESPECIALLY AS THEY REPLACE STICK THIN MODELS WEARING A THOUSAND DOLLAR DRESS, WITH EVERYDAY GIRLS WEARING EVERYDAY CLOTHES.

 (((STAND UP)))

BLOGGERS TAKE PHOTO SHOOTS, LIKE THIS ONE, WITH CLOTHES THEY’VE BOUGHT LOCALLY, AND POST ABOUT THE OUTFITS, LETTING READERS KNOW EXACTLY WHERE TO BUY THEM, AND HOW MUCH THEY’LL COST.

 (((SOT)))

“A lot of my wardrobe is from simple places, you don’t always have to buy things from high expensive stores, and you can make it look good!

Keena

(((VO)))

(((PEOPLE READING MAGAZINES, LOOKING FOR CLOTHES AT THE MALL)))

                EXPERTS ARE FINDING THAT BLOG POSTS ARE TAKING OVER THE FASHION INDUSTRY, AS MEN AND WOMEN ALIKE ARE TURNING MORE TO BLOGS FOR ADVICE ON WHAT TO WEAR.

(((SOT)))

“More and more people are going on the internet for everything, so why not go on there for fashion?”

Dawna Baugh, BYU Professor, fashion expert

(((VO)))

(((PHOTO SHOOT)))

                FOR KEENA HORTON, IT’S NOT ABOUT THE HUNDREDS OF READERS, BUT ABOUT EACH INDIVIDUAL, HERSELF INCLUDED.

 (((SOT)))

                “I’m just a normal person going to BYU, going to school and people can relate to that.

Keena

(((VO)))

(((PHOTO SHOOT)))

                JUST A DASH OF KEENA IS JUST ONE OF MANY BLOGS INSPIRING READERS TO FEEL CONFIDENT AND STYLISH, AND CONTRIBUTING TO THE TURN TOWARD A MORE REAL WORLD OF FASHION. 

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Neighborhood Plan Web Article

Celeste Kennard has lived with her family in Provo’s Joaquin Neighborhood for more than fifteen years. She says it’s a great place, but constant changes in zoning have made it unstable.

“There’s nothing in the Provo City Code that says, this is where we want apartments, this is what it should look like,” Kennard said.

From un-kept yards, fewer single-family houses and busier streets around Joaquin, some residents say they’ve had enough. Kennard and others are hoping that the city’s proposed neighborhood plan will help fix these problems. The plan says things like new street lights, sidewalks that help people see around parked cars, and stricter construction permitting will make the neighborhood more beautiful and safe.

The plan talks about keeping the character of the neighborhood by doing things like making upkeep standards for houses, and creating more open spaces similar to Joaquin Park.

City planner Josh Yost says that the proposal is a good fit for all the different types of people that live in Joaquin. “It will continue to increase in desirability for students, married students, single students, residents, renters, visitors,” Yost said.

The proposal goes before the Planning Commission Wednesday May 28th, and if they pass it, it will go before the City Council for a final vote sometime this summer.

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Radio Essay

I’m fairly certain I was born in the wrong time period. Don’t get me wrong, I love my iPhone and my flat iron, but I think I would trade those in for an on the wall dial telephone with an operator, and romantic ringlets pulled up on the top of my head, any day of the week. My sisters and I would play fantastic games growing up, and more than half of them involved us living in a different time period. We were pioneers with stick horses, dressed the part in bonnets and skirts, waiting for the rugged frontiersman to save us from danger, or simply doing it ourselves if he was taking too long. We were 14^th Century princesses, with jewels and handsome princes of other countries. We were too young to realize that the girls in that time would have been getting married at our age, living mostly unhappy lives with dying children and unfaithful husbands, and reaching their own grave before they’d really had the chance to live. However, these games entertained us for hours on end as we lived out the lives of people who came before us, with intense moments and jaw dropping reveals just before dinner that left everyone hanging until the next day, when the game would resume.

My mother is the one who helped us develop this kind of creativity by reading with us. Each summer we would pick at least one book to read together, and so would each of my sisters. My mother was the kind of woman who understood that the only way a child will learn to love to read, is if they do it. I credit her with the thrill I still get out of reading today. So we would read together, with her explaining the difficult parts, and even sometimes producing voices that brought the stories to life. We read novels, but mostly classics like Little Women and A Tale of Two Cities. But my favorite books that I read with my mother, and read by myself now, were works of Jane Austen. She is a phenomenal writer, but I was mostly swept away by the time period. Women in beautiful gowns, trips to London for a season full of parties and teas and dinners. Officers in uniform and rich mysterious gentlemen. The women with heads on their shoulders, intelligent and witty in their banter, yet feminine and gentle as I believe all women should be. I was enthralled by it all. It only added to my idea that I was certainly born in the wrong time period. I would often leave those reading sessions with not only the thrill of what would come next in the book, but the thoughts of what I would do, were I in the situation. After finishing the books, my mother would watch the movie with me. Clearly the book had to be read first, it was a literary tradition that carries on still, but the movies sparked my imagination even more. Seeing the dresses and jewelry in the exquisite colors described on the page, laughing at the sarcastic wit now heard more than just in my head, witnessing the atmosphere of the balls and even attempting the dance steps myself, all of it was too perfect. I would float to my room after, asking my maid to help me undress, and giggling with my sister about how Sir Somebody or Other behaved at the ball.

It all tied back to reading. I came to appreciate and love the people of history simply because of the books I read. While I know more about what it would actually be like to live in those time periods now, and recognize that all eras are punctuated with hard times and sadness, I still will pick up a stoic piece from the 1940’s, with the war and chivalry and patriotism, or a literary classic from the 1800’s with the romance and manners and dignity, and wish with all my heart I could’ve been there. The knowledge I gained through those books have lead me to be sure that if a time machine popped up in front of me, I would still go back to another era, even if it was just for afternoon tea. 

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Radio Segment--The Matt Townsend Show

How to make a professional first impression

1.      DRESS THE PART. If you’re going in for an interview, the first day of class, a business dinner, DRESSES THE PART. Especially the shoes. This includes clean fingernails, clean hair, etc.

2.      Be polite to everyone, especially the secretary! They probably have a bigger say than you would imagine.

3.      BE ON TIME. ALWAYS!

4.      Smile a lot, this gives them a good idea that you have a positive attitude.

5.      Eye contact!

6.      Put your phone away

7.      Make the first move and find a connection!

8.      Come prepared, with knowledge about the company and good questions to ask at the end.

9.      DON’T SAY UM, ER, or LIKE.

10.  Use correct grammar in speech and in writing

11.  Say please, thank you, etc. Also, know their name and repeat it!!!

12.  Talk yourself up without being arrogant.

13.  Have convinced yourself that you are good enough, or you’ll never convince them.

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