03.07 Podcast Topic Preparation Assignment

Assignment Deliverables

1. Bring a prepared list of 2-3 possible podcast discussion topics to class.
2. For each topic, describing what you could discuss, question, debate, explain, or tell a story about. Include a driving question for each topic
   • Label file YYYY-MM-DD Lastname Firstname Podcast Topic List (.docx, .pdf)

Assignment Overview

Next week, we will work in the recording studio to practice recording voices and producing a short podcast style conversation.

Develop 2-3 possible topics you could comfortable discuss for several minutes. Topics should give your group something interesting to talk about. Although the topics do not need to be highly researched, it is best practice to spend a bit looking up the topic and jotting down some talking points and references.

Choose topics broad enough for other people to participate but also interesting enough that you can have an engaging conversation. Avoid topics that depend completely on specialized knowledge or personal experiences that only one person can discuss.

Scripting and Narrative

Do not write a word for word script. Rather, sketch out a possible structure for the conversation.

Successful podcasts and media often have a clear narrative arc narrative arc with a distinct beginning, middle, and end. A central question keeps the audience curious about the topic and hungry to listen and learn more. While developing your ideas, think about the arc of the show. You could make a bulleted outline of your introduction, key questions you want to ask, potential turning points in the conversation, and how you could wrap it up.

Potential Topics

You don not need to use this list but hopefully gets your thinking started.

• a narrative hook such as an ordinary event, or observation that you have an opinion about
• an art, design, technology, or cultural topic
• something you recently learned
• a disagreement or debate
• a shared college experience
• a story or experience that could lead to a broader conversation
• something you would like to ask other students about
• a process, tool, artwork, game, film, technology, or cultural phenomenon you find interesting

Topic Descriptions

After picking a topic, then write 2-3 sentences describing the topic and potential talking points. Include a main driving question. This should be the main conflict, question, or curiosity to keep the audience listening. Do this for each of your 3 topics.

The topic descriptions should explain:

• what the topic is
• why it could make an interesting conversation
• several possible talking points or questions
• a driving question

For each topic you can a short bulleted script outline including:

• how the conversation could begin
• important questions or talking points
• examples or stories that could develop the topic
• possible disagreements, discoveries, or turning points
• how the conversation might conclude

Do not to predict what will be said. Use the outline and description to provide enough structure to support a natural conversation.

Grading Rubric