Friday, October 2, 2015

300-400 Word Article Assignment

Newspaper journalists usually write a column or are given "inches" to fill for each edition. For an explanation of this, please take a moment to read the short article at this link.

Golden journalist rule: One inch = about 30-35 words.

Today, after your open note quiz, you will write an article in the lab that will be about 8-10 "inches" (300-400 words).

300 Word Articles--the short and long of it!
There is a special kind of magazine/news article known as the 300-word article. Here is your next assignment and some "articles" about it and examples:

1. Use the link below to find a topic you would like to write about:

2. Once you have selected your topic, research and write a 300-400 word article.

3. Write your 300-400 word article by changing your paper to 2-columns (in other words, the writing should appear as two columns on the paper you hand in). Change your paper layout design to accommodate this.

4. Proofread and turn in when completed to complete this assignment.

Tips about writing a 300 word article by journalist Brian Nelson: 

"I am a professional writer and editor. This experience has led me to see that there are two types of three hundred word articles, those that are short and worthless, and those that are the shortest possible way to say something worthwhile.
Three hundred words sounds like a lot, but it only is to a child attempting to fulfill a quota on a boring topic.  To illustrate, I would like to point out that as you finish reading this particular sentence, you have just read 125 words. In other words, by finishing the introduction and half of the second paragraph you have read almost half of a 300 word article.
Thus, four or five paragraphs of three to five sentences each is all that a 300 word article would contain. Both writer and editor may benefit, then, from a template of sorts that ensures both readability and value in such limited writing space.
While many such templates are possible, one of the easiest to use and remember is to write an introduction of three sentences.  Then, a second paragraph which consists of a provocative first sentence.  A second sentence containing an example, and a third sentence summing up the first and second sentence in the form of a conclusion.
The third paragraph is three or four sentences applying the principals discussed in the second paragraph.  Depending upon the audience for the article, this is where the writer would discuss using the information in daily life, business, or for persuading others.  Also, any suggested paradigms.
Lastly, a concluding paragraph consisting of two sentences, one of which restates the introduction and the second of which claims the article supplies the proof or answer, depending upon the article being written.  Using this template, anyone can write useful 300 word articles in just minutes." (--by Brian Nelson)
So, if we take Mr. Nelson's advice, we have the following breakdown template:

  • Introduction (1st paragraph) 3 sentences (your hook, your lead-in, and your thesis). 
  • 2nd paragraph (3 sentences): a hook (topic sentence), an example, and a concluding statement summing up sentence 1 & 2. This should connect somehow to your introduction.
  • 3rd paragraph (3-4 sentences): 3-4 sentences connected to the 2nd paragraph to further discussion of the topic/thesis of the article. This might be a good place to put your facts, details, etc.
  • 4th paragraph (2 sentences): concluding statement & last, but not least, a restatement of your claim (thesis) and perhaps a reason we should care. 

Links for further help if you need it:
HOMEWORK: Complete assignments you did not complete already (see previous HOMEWORK on earlier posts!)

Black Like Me. Please read pages 77-101 (November 15-November 21). As you read, please notice the function of the journalist. Be prepared to discuss how John Howard Griffin is fulfilling that duty and responsibility of a journalist in his book (pages 1-101). Look for textual examples to support your claim.

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

History of Journalism Projects: Day 2

History of Journalism Projects:

From Monday:
  • Dan'nae: Dorothy Thompson
  • Frank: David Brinkley
  • Emily: Bryant Gumbel
  • Azana: John Upton Sinclair
  • Ellie & Jocelyn: Katie Couric
  • Liana: Ida B. Wells
  • Tamaron: Molly Ivins
Wednesday:
  • Nasmere: Tom Wolfe
  • Alexander: Andrew Hamilton
  • Samuel: Sam Adams
  • Sara: Ben Franklin
  • Kyra: Barbara Walters
  • Isiah: Benjamin Day
  • Carina: Anna Catherine Zenger
  • Thalia: Joseph Pulitzer
ALL students should turn in their outline, URL address or Powerpoint file, works cited page (unless listed in your Powerpoint or Prezi), and your 1-page reflection.

Students that do not go today, will go on Friday. Absent students today will give their presentation Friday.

HOMEWORK: Black Like Me: pages: 38-76. Please list at least 5 conflicts that John Howard Griffin has to deal with after his transformation. You can refer to events from pages 1-76 for this answer. Also, in a paragraph personal reflection what is your reaction so far to reading the first 76 pages of this book? Please turn your answers in writing (hand or typed) for Friday's class for homework credit.

Sunday, September 27, 2015

History of Journalism Projects; Black Like Me

This afternoon, please take 20 minutes to complete the following tasks: 
  • Prepare your work (presentations); if you are delivering your project today, please send me the attachment in the comments section below!
  • Pick up Black Like Me from the library. 
  • Read/watch information below. You should know the definition of "muckrakers" and a little history of the Progressive Era.


Before spending our time with various journalism projects, please go to the library to pick up the muckraking masterpiece: Black Like Me.

The handout article on the book can be found here from the Smithsonian. For more information about muckrakers and their history, check out these important videos. You will, by the way, cover this information in your American History courses (APush, for example...if you take it). But a good idea to learn it now.

Muckrakers of the Progressive Era
Crashcourse: The Progressive Era
Black Like Me, Uncommon Vision: The Life and Times of John Howard Griffin

History of Journalism projects:

Please turn in the following components for your project:
  • Your outline
  • Your works cited page (unless this is in your Powerpoint or Prezi)
  • Your Powerpoint/Prezi URL (please use the comment section below to indicate your URL address)
  • Your 1-page reflection on the project
Topics Possible Today:
Please take notes on the key details of these journalists. Our essential question is "who are these people" and "what did they do to influence journalism or history"?

Dan'nae: Dorothy Thompson
Tamaron: Molly Ivins
Isabella & Karina: Nellie Bly
Emily: Bryant Gumbel
Alexis: Susan Sontag
Serita: Gloria Steinem
Azana: John Upton Sinclair
Ellie & Jocelyn: Katie Couric
Liana: Ida B. Wells
Frank: David Brinkley

HOMEWORK: Please begin reading Black Like Me. Complete pages: 1-37. Those students who did not deliver their projects today, should prepare their projects for next class!

Thursday, September 24, 2015

History of Journalism Project Deadline Looming!; The Functions of a Journalist

Please use your time in the lab today to complete your Powerpoint or Prezi presentations for your History of Journalism Project.

We will deliver these presentations next week (Monday/Wednesday). Sign up for a performance slot. Your OUTLINE, MLA WORKS CITED PAGE, and presentation (address or file) will be due on the date of your presentation.

Additionally, you will need to write a short 1-page (double-spaced) reflection on the project. Answer the following points in your reflection:
  • What did you learn about the field of journalism through this project?
  • What parts of the project were easy or difficult for you, and WHY?
  • If you are working with a partner, how did you interact with your partner? How effective was your collaboration? If you were working alone, what problems did you run into in putting this assignment together?
  • What is most memorable about your subject?
  • What questions or concerns or areas of interest are you still puzzled about, or what else might you be interested in knowing after completing your project?
If you have completed your prezi/powerpoint, outline, reflection, and works cited page, please complete your homework (see below for details!)

THE FUNCTIONS OF A JOURNALIST

1. The political function
2. The economic function
3. The sentry function
4. The record-keeping function
5. The entertainment function
6. The social function
7. The marketplace function
8. The agenda-setting function

HOMEWORK: Please read the handout article on the "functions of a journalist". For homework, please read the following journalism articles and identify the author's FUNCTION:

A. http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/09/why-pope-francis-sounds-like-a-democrat/407023/

B. http://www.si.com/nba/2015/09/23/chris-bosh-heat-raptors-georgia-tech-health-blood-clots-lebron-james

C. http://www.newsweek.com/2015/10/02/inequality-wealth-gap-ogden-utah-375820.html

Please support your answers with the text and/or the handout article. Due Monday, September 28.
 

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Chew on This Test; History of Journalism Project

Please complete the test on the book "Chew on This". When you have finished, please go next door to our lab and continue working on your Prezi or PowerPoint projects on the History of Journalism.

Projects will be due next week!

HOMEWORK: None.

Friday, September 18, 2015

History of Journalism Project; Chew on This Discussion (Socratic Seminar)

Work on your projects during 7th period.

Some advice about using Prezi/PowerPoint:

  • Use your outline to determine what are the KEY ideas you want your audience to know.
  • Slides in your presentation should be concise. 
  • 75% of your presentation should be delivered as speech to us (your audience)--the slides are there to make sure we understand your main points!
  • The details are in what you have learned. Use your knowledge of the subject to deliver your speech--DO NOT READ OFF OF YOUR SLIDES. You should KNOW this material!
  • It IS okay to use an index card or script for details you do not know well or that you cannot memorize. But this should be kept to a minimum.
  • Keep fonts and sizes consistent when possible.
  • Use videos (short ones) or audio clips when necessary to hear the information from the primary source.
  • Use eye-contact; Remember to present your presentation as a "performance"--this means you probably want to be prepared!
  • Your presentation should tell us:
    • Who or what is this subject?
    • When and where did this subject take place? Give us the context.
    • How and why is this subject important to JOURNALISM or the MEDIA?
    • What impact has this journalist had on those journalists who came after them?
    • Why should we care about this topic? What insight can you share with us about your subject?
During 8th period, let's move next door to discuss Chew on This!
  1. Identify three literary or visual techniques Schlosser and Wilson use that hook the reader's attention. 
  2. What are three new facts about fast-food production that you encountered in your reading? Be specific!
  3. Explain any biases the authors display throughout the book and back up your ideas with specific evidence from the book. It's a good idea to include quotes!
  4. Think about the story of Kristina Clark in the chapter, "Stop the Pop". What is particularly notable about her experience? Identify a few reasons that Schlosser and Wilson may have chosen to feature her. 
  5. Take a closer look at the section titled "Shocking" (in the chapter "Meat"). How does this writing influence your emotions as the reader? What might be the purpose of eliciting (drawing out) this type of reaction from the reader. 
  6. Why do you think the authors might have chosen to end with narratives about the Edible Schoolyard, In-N-Out, and Burgerville? How does this impact the tone of the book?
  7.  Take a look through the notes section of the book (starting at p. 268). How does this make the book more credible? What source titles jump out at you as being reliable or unreliable?
  8. Looking closer at the chapter "Big" why might this topic of "fast food" be elicit important media coverage now?
HOMEWORK: Please complete your reading of Chew on This for our test next class. As you complete your analysis of the book, consider the cultural/media events AFTER this book was published. How, for example, has this topic changed?

Thursday, September 17, 2015

The Republican Primary Debates, Sept. 16

For extra credit, please watch the Republican Primary Debates:

Part One (start at 11:30 on the time bar to skip commentary/speculation)
Part Two

In the comment section below (for extra credit), please post your response to any of the following questions:

  • What were the big issues the commentators asked the candidates?
  • Who seemed to "win" or do well in the debate in your opinion?
  • Examine the camera work and media coverage by Fox News. What bias or slant might the media have used to discredit or improve the image of the candidates? 
  • What surprised or pleased or changed your mind about what the candidates said?
  • What angered, displeased, or disappointed you with what the candidates said?
  • What questions (if any) do you have about some of the key words or vocabulary the candidates used?
  • What was your reaction to watching the debates?
  • Which candidate in your opinion would be best for our country? Why?
  • What DO the American people want or care about in your opinion? Did you hear this issue in the debate? How well was the issue answered, if it was?
  • What other issues do you wish to respond to?


John Oliver's satirical commentary on the debate

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