LET'S TALK ABOUT LIT
NOVEMBER 2 / 8-10 AM
WEBQUEST: APPLYING TO NPR
MOVING FORWARD
You've heard of National Public Radio (more commonly known as NPR), right? Which makes sense because it is an enormous mission-driven, multimedia news organization and radio program producer that serves as a syndicator to a network of 900 public radio stations in the United States. It's an incredibly popular program that caters to a multitude of audiences, accessible on-air and online. They're a monumental organization, always looking to improve and progress, so they can provide quality entertainment for all of their listeners. At the moment, their focus lies on the enhancement of one of their literary podcasts.
INTRODUCTION/
WHEN /
NOVEMBER 2, 2017 8-10 AM
WHERE /
1111 North Capitol Street, NE in Washington, D.C
TASK/
You are a promising, young professional literary critic looking for a new opportunity that will challenge you. You’re in luck! NPR is looking for a new literary podcast host and they have just begun accepting applications. If you are hired, you will host a weekly podcast with a co-host at NPR’s headquarters in Washington, D.C. To apply you must record a short podcast episode that demonstrates your understanding of the selected novel, The Poisonwood Bible, and your ability to provide a clear, informative, and entertaining review of it. Your podcast must be creative, content-driven, and contemporary. Be sure to showcase your personality and qualifications to impress NPR’s executives. Good luck!
AN EXCITING OPPORTUNITY
PROCESS/
HOW TO APPLY
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Overview:
As a promising, young professional literary critic, you will be creating a sample podcast for NPR for a chance to be their new literary podcast host!
Materials:
Computer, copy of The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver, podcast/audio software, pen, and paper.
INSTRUCTIONS/
1. PREPARE
Find a friend! You want to show off your personality as much as your knowledge, so choose someone who you enjoy talking to and ask them to participate in the recording of your sample podcast. How you interact with your co-host will give the executives at NPR a better understanding of who you are.
Start with the content. After finishing reading and reflecting onThe Poisonwood Bible, sit down with your copy of the novel and find a passage that you will focus on in your sample podcast. Think about the analysis you'll communicate. You want it to be well thought out and organized, detailed and cohesive. It's important to nail down your content before moving on to making your product.
You may also find filling out this Step-By-Step chart (also known as a flow chart) when piecing together your analysis helpful. You can find the pdf file below.
2. RESEARCH
Your research will consist mostly of figuring out how to create a sample podcast that reflects NPR's standards and style--you want to know what aspects they will be looking for in your product that may not be listed on the rubric (which you'll be introduced to shortly). Think critically... what will impress the NPR executives? The links below should help spark some ideas, but feel free to explore further.
3. RECORD
Get to it! It's time to make your podcast. You may use whatever software/devices you'd like to record your sample. When it is completed, you'll upload it to SoundCloud (the link below will take you to the site) so it can be accessible to anyone who would like to listen to it. Have fun with it; be creative! Remember, the executives at NPR will be judging the content in the podcast, as well as how entertaining and engaging it is, so be yourself.
4. EDIT
This is the time to revise and then polish your podcast. Look at what you have, choose what you'd like to keep and what you'd like to throw out. Is there something you're missing? Do you need to do a bit more recording? No problem! Record some more and work it in. Experiment as much as you'd like; consider all of your options and what will serve the style of your sample best.
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5. PRESENT
Once you are done creating your podcast sample, you will create a one-page website that features it. You will include the SoundCloud audio recording that contains your podcast, a transcript of the product, and a short and sweet explanation of your product. The last step will be briefly introducing your sample podcast to the executives at NPR, and then playing it for them. They will evaluate your sample, along with the others that will be submitted, and then choose who they would like to hire.
It's important to prepare! Make sure your presentation is informative, persuasive, and engaging. The link below will bring you to a list of tips on how to give a great presentation. Browse through these pieces of advice--see what you are doing well and identify where you can improve. But most importantly, remember to be yourself and have fun!
The button below will lead you to a sample product, which you are welcome to use as a resource.
Graphic organizer from smarttech.com. Used under their terms of agreement .
Here are the pdf files for both rubrics.
Podcast Rubric
Podcast Presentation Rubric
CONCLUSION/
You did it! You successfully created and presented your sample podcast. All that's left to do now is wait for a response. No matter what the outcome is, you should be proud of yourself for working so hard. You challenged yourself to think critically and to be creative. You developed your researching tactics, professional skills, and persuasive techniques. The effort you have put into this application process is an experience that will serve you in your future, I'm sure. Nice job!
CONGRATULATIONS
"NPR Logo." http://www.npr.org/about-npr/187112139/logos. For non-commercial reuse, fair usage under the Creative Commons.
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"Books Background." http://www.thebubble.com/10-peso-book-sale-ubas-university-press-selling-classics-at-classic-prices/. For non-commercial reuse, fair usage under the Creative Commons.
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"Washington, D.C." https://www.cnbc.com/2017/03/06/the-top-10-big-cities-for-job-seekers.html. For non-commercial reuse, fair usage under the Creative Commons.
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