"If I have five apples in my hand and I throw them at you, chances are you're going to drop them. But if I have just one apple and I lob it to you, you'll likely catch it. So it is with information in today's overly cluttered media."
Terry O'ReillyIn today's world, your digital footprint is often your first impression. Whether you are looking for a summer job in Mississauga or applying to a college program in Toronto, a professional and positive social media profile can open doors.
In this assignment, you will become a content strategist. You aren't just "posting": you are planning how to adapt a single idea into three different lengths and styles to reach a specific audience.
Before you plan your content, think about where you are headed. If you aren't sure of a specific job yet, think about the vibe of your future career.
Select one platform from each category and research their "conventions" (the unwritten rules of how people post there).
Submit a brief list outlining the specific posting rules and conventions for your three chosen platforms (Long, Medium, and Short form).
Adaptation Focus: Remember Terry O'Reilly's apple analogy. When you adapt your core idea for short-form platforms (like TikTok), do not try to squeeze all of your details into 15 seconds. Instead, focus on throwing just "one apple" (one key takeaway that is easy to catch and remember).
Instead of jumping straight to filming, you will create a Bullet-Point Content Plan. Using a Markdown file, outline (in short paragraphs/bullet points) how you will change your three topics for each of your three platforms.
Deliverables:
Submit a Markdown file containing your outline for the 3 topics adapted across 3 different content lengths (resulting in 9 mini-plans total).
Before you submit, please complete the Pre-Submission Self-Assessment.
Content Plan (3 topics adapted across 3 content lengths)
A brief list of posting conventions for your 3 chosen platforms
We are learning to:
Adapt core ideas and messages for different target lengths, platforms, and complexity levels
Identify and apply specific media conventions to create tailored content for diverse audiences
Reflect on past self-assessments to improve preparation and the quality of planned video content
I can:
I can produce engaging media plans by selecting information and using conventions that specifically appeal to my chosen audience and purpose
I can identify the essential elements and script writing strategies needed for each level of content complexity (Short, Medium, Long)
I can communicate my plan in a clear, coherent manner that demonstrates a professional thought process for my future career area
| Category | Level 4 | Level 3 | Level 2 | Level 1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knowledge/Understanding | Plan demonstrates a thorough and nuanced understanding of social media conventions across all selected platforms | Plan demonstrates a clear and appropriate understanding of social media conventions across selected platforms | Plan demonstrates a general understanding of social media conventions, though some may be misapplied | Plan demonstrates a limited or basic understanding of social media conventions |
| Thinking/Inquiring | Plan features exceptionally insightful modifications for each level of complexity (Short, Medium, Long) | Plan features reasonable and effective modifications for each level of complexity | Plan features several reasonable modifications, though some lack depth or variety | Plan features a few basic modifications with limited variation between complexity levels |
| Application | Student masterfully applies research on career-related skills and philosophical questions to create a professional digital identity | Student effectively applies research on career-related skills and philosophical questions to create a professional digital identity | Student applies some research on career-related skills to their plan, with basic connections to their digital identity | Student applies limited research to their plan, resulting in a vague digital identity |
| Communication | The bullet-point outline is exceptionally clear, organized, and uses professional terminology to describe production techniques | The bullet-point outline is clear, organized, and uses appropriate terminology to describe production techniques | The bullet-point outline is generally clear and organized, with some use of appropriate terminology | The bullet-point outline is occasionally clear but lacks organization or technical detail |
Plan demonstrates a thorough and nuanced understanding of social media conventions across all selected platforms
Plan demonstrates a clear and appropriate understanding of social media conventions across selected platforms
Plan demonstrates a general understanding of social media conventions, though some may be misapplied
Plan demonstrates a limited or basic understanding of social media conventions
Plan features exceptionally insightful modifications for each level of complexity (Short, Medium, Long)
Plan features reasonable and effective modifications for each level of complexity
Plan features several reasonable modifications, though some lack depth or variety
Plan features a few basic modifications with limited variation between complexity levels
Student masterfully applies research on career-related skills and philosophical questions to create a professional digital identity
Student effectively applies research on career-related skills and philosophical questions to create a professional digital identity
Student applies some research on career-related skills to their plan, with basic connections to their digital identity
Student applies limited research to their plan, resulting in a vague digital identity
The bullet-point outline is exceptionally clear, organized, and uses professional terminology to describe production techniques
The bullet-point outline is clear, organized, and uses appropriate terminology to describe production techniques
The bullet-point outline is generally clear and organized, with some use of appropriate terminology
The bullet-point outline is occasionally clear but lacks organization or technical detail