Monday November 30

This week we are going explore interview techniques, and, of course, you'll be writing a couple of your own.

Let's begin by taking a look at a couple of interviews. And what better way than Interview Magazine. (http://www.interviewmagazine.com/) Browse through the magazine and read one interview in depth.

By the end of the class on Monday, write 30- 50 words on why this was an effective interview. (What type of questions were used? How did the interviewer handle incomplete questions? What back ground material did the interviewer bring to the table?)

PLEASE POST YOUR RESPONSE ON THE BLOG

Friday November 20 2009

Due today: your analysis of the five leads from five different papers.

As several people are gone next Monday and Tuesday, I am handing out the new assignment, which will be due on TUESDAY. Please e-mail.

On the handout News Story Notes there are note for two stories (one on the front and the other on the back!)

Write up these two stories following the correct form for a lead. You may adapt the notes as needed.

Wednesday November 18

Sabotage at farm kills 4,000 pigs; loss is $200,000
By LARRY BALLARD • lballard@dmreg.com • November 17, 2009


"It was silent," the Rock Rapids hog farmer said. "There are usually fans running and other noises."

The fans are part of an air-circulation system that swine nursery operators know is critical to the health of their animals. No noise meant no fans. No fans meant no fresh air. No fresh air meant Hasche knew what he would find inside the two confinement buildings: nearly 4,000 dead pigs worth an estimated $200,000.



"The alarms and backup generator had been disabled. They probably died in less than an hour," Hasche said Monday, two days after he and more than a dozen friends and neighbors worked to remove the carcasses, each of which weighed about 55 pounds. "Whoever did it had to know their way around a pig barn, and they wanted to impose some damage."

Sioux County sheriff's investigators said Monday that they had little to go on.

"It was a pretty terrible thing to see," Deputy Jim Landau said. "We looked in and there they were. Snout to snout. It looked like it got the runts first, the little ones who don't grow as fast."

Hasche, who operates four farms in the region with about 12,000 hogs, fed the sabotaged pigs for Sioux Feed Co. in Sioux Center. The animals were destined for another facility, where they would have been fattened for market. The pigs were insured.

"More than likely it was me who was the target," Hasche said. "I hope they catch the sucker."

Landau said the culprit faces a host of burglary, criminal mischief and animal cruelty charges.


Now that I have your attention, please continue reading. The above story is from the Des Moines Centa Register (that's in Iowa). Pick out the lead information (who, what, when, where and how) and note the quote. Note that the last paragraph is really tangential, interesting, but not part of the facts.

Now what? 1. go to the following link: http://www.refdesk.com/top100pap.html
This is a link to the top one hundred newspapers in the US.

2. Choose five different papers, preferably from different regions of the country.

3. Read 5 articles, one from each

4. Use the following criteria to assess each article.

Newspaper:
Headline:
Writer:
Lead Information:
Who
What
When
Where
How
Quote:

Tangential Information

These are due at the close of class on Friday.

Tuesday November 17

Yesterday you took notes on a mock press conference. Now, utilizing those notes, write an article for the local paper.

BUT: prior to writing familiarize yourself with the lead writing tips handout. Hold on to this sheet, as you'll need it again.

If you were absent yesterday, utiize another student's notes for your story.

These are due at the end of class.

Thursday November 12

Remember: tomorrow are the senior exit interviews. You will get your timed ticket. Please arrive 10 minutes early. The dress is smart casual. You will hand your interviewer your completed portfolio, at which time the individual will persuse your material and have a conversation with you. Shake hands with the person; eye contact, and thank yous!

Ok, now for jounalism. Today begin reading chapter 6- yes, we are skipping around. Writing a good lead and following with a quote is the core of an article. Everything your reader needs is in the first paragraph. This is also your hook, your means to engage your reader to want to know more. Please read and write out the definitions for the key terms. Send them as an attachment. This works well. Make sure to keep a copy for yourself, as you'll see these again.

Secondly: complete judging news value exercise 2.

Thirdly: start thinking about another story. These will be due a week Friday.

Finally: I need three volunteers for role playing in a mock press conference. There is no memorization invoved, but you should be creative. I'll give you the set up.

WE WILL MEET IN A REGULAR CLASSROOM NEXT MONDAY.

Tuesday November 10

You have a handout of journalistic ethical considerations. You have seen how tabloids work, how ethics are sometimes compromised. Read through the ethical situations, imagining you are the editor and must decide what should be published. Select 5 and write out a detailed response.

Please send as an attachment.

Wednesday November 4

SENIOR EXIT INTERVIEW MATERIALS

Please collect the senior exit materials and make corrections as needed. If there are no marks, have someone look over the material- then reprint.

By Friday, you need to have the portfolio completed. That means you need the following: binder, individual cover sheets for your material, which includes the following: resume, cover letter, career interest statement and 5 brag items. The material you used will be returned to you, along with the binder. Ideally, you should have some type of cover on your binder that includes your name.

AGAIN: I NEED THESE FRIDAY


Actual journalism work:

By Friday, have read chapter 3. However, before you get overly agitated- aka freak- I would like you to focus on the key terms and and concepts. Of course, you'll have to read, but this will be more focused and with purpose. Send, as an attachment, the definitions to the key terms. This will serve as this chapter's quiz. They are due at the end of class on Friday. As well, save a copy for yourself, as this material will specifically turn up in the midterm and final.