editorial letter 2

11/7/2019 Editorial Letter

https://unt.instructure.com/courses/18403/assignments/388232 1/1

Editorial Letter

Due Wednesday by 2pm Points 100 Submitting a file upload File Types docx

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**This assignment is worth 150 points. You get 10 points for posting the link to your video on the date it's due. You can earn up to 40 points based on the draft you turn in. The remaining 100 points are based on the final draft of your letter.**

Context:

As do-it-yourself (DIY) technical communication populates the internet, many amateur technical communicators create instructional videos online using platforms such as YouTube. But these DIY instructional videos may not be effective.

Further, current research in technical editing practice shows that technical editors must have facility in editing and providing commentary on multimodal and multimedia content (videos, social media posts, markup languages, and so on).

Task:

Choose a 5- to 10-minute instructional video on an appropriate subject from YouTube or another appropriate platform. Then, compose a 1- to 2-page letter (single spaced) to the creator of the video with editorial commentary about the content, organization, style, and delivery of the instructions. "Delivery" entails audio and visual components not typical to written content. Some other specifics about the content and organization are the following:

Balance clarity and politeness. Recall previous lessons on word choice and tone, especially sensitive content and levels of directness. Be sure video creators know how to do what you tell them. For example, if you think adding text overlays would improve the video, consider that they may not know how to create text overlays. What might they consult for how to do this? Ensure paragraphs are unified, cohesive, and developed. Incorporate research from at least two sources on effective videography and instructional videos. Practitioner blogposts are acceptable and are easy to access.

Formatting:

Implement professional letter formatting conventions. Follow the guidelines listed in this source: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/subject_specific_writing/professional_technical_writing/basic_business_letters/index.html

(https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/subject_specific_writing/professional_technical_writing/basic_business_letters/index.html) For the inside address, input the username of the video creator or the real name (if available), and include a short URL to the video in place of the letter recipient's address information. You do not need to provide a digital signature in your signature block, but you are encouraged to do so.

Deliverable:

Submit the letter as an MS Word file (.docx) for a possible 140 points (see rubric).

For an extra 10 points, post the content of your letter as a comment on the YouTube video. Provide proof by taking a whole- window screenshot of your comment alongside the video. Paste the screenshot at the end of your letter.