Appalachian Geek

Q: Can the outside source be the video/related links/ect from the PR Newswire website

A: No. That is not an outside source. That is a source provided by the PR firm.

Q: How do I attribute a quote from another news source

A: “Blah blah blah blah,” said So and So in an article in the Name Of The Paper/Website

Hey all:

Your test is due at 2:40. You will email the final to my gmail account. The file will be saved: lastname.final.doc (or rtf).

You will be graded on three components: use of story elements, AP Style and grammar. You must use one outside source (from research), attributed properly, in your piece. It does not have to be an entire graf — but it can be.

You must have either 2 or 3 body grafs. No more. No less. You will make a decision on the nutgraf, summary and kicker based upon your research.

Your story at PR Newswire. Once you get there:

1. Click on the MULTIMEDIA tab across the top.
2. Your story: MULTIMEDIA NEWS RELEASE - National PSA Campaign Launched to Empower Teens to Take on Their No. 1 Killer

You can use the related links, video and press release for the story.

Hey all:

When I mark a correction (look up AP Style titles, for instance), when you do that — DELETE MY COMMENT from your paper.

Two reasons:

1. it will show up in your final (without markup) and if you turn that in, you will fail the assignment because the copy isn’t clean. A final with random statements in it? No.
2. you will not be able to follow my edits if you constantly have a stream of corrections in your copy

Hey all:

I’m working on all your stories today. I’m a day late, so I’ll push back your MONDAY STORIES until Wednesday.

No freaking out.

Hey all:

Each semester, I offer to take all my students out after the last class. If more than five of you want to meet, I’m happy to buy the  first round of adult beverages for those 21 and over and the first round of tea and such for the rest of us.

I normally do the gathering at The Strauss Haus in Mainstrasse Village because 1) they have a deck that is both covered and uncovered and 2) I went to high school with the owners.

We’ll meet at 4 pm (to give my JOU kids some time to take a deep breath).

If you are interested, please post a comment on this post so I can keep track.

Happy hunting.

WEDNESDAY:

1. outside reading
   • Entertainment or News
   • Newspapers Use Video to Attract Readers
   • Pocket Journalism
   • Broadcast to Webcast
2. Critiques: Bring hard copy of Story 2 for critique
3. DUE: All Proficiency Tests

FRIDAY:

1. Story 1, draft 2 (please save as the file name that I sent you; please use the file that I sent you)
2. Story 2, draft 1 (please save under the proper format)

MONDAY:

1. Critiques of story 1 and story 2
2. Issues
3. In class writing exercise
4. DUE: Story 1, Draft 3 emailed by start of class

WEDNESDAY:

1. discussion and readings (will be posted on Monday)
2. Bring hard copy of story 2, draft 2 and story 3, draft 1 to class; we will be doing in-class critiques and writing excercises
3. DUE: Final Story 1 packet

FRIDAY:

1. Exam
2. DUE: Final Story 2 and 3 packet turned in by end of the exam

WEDNESDAY:

1. outside reading
   • Entertainment or News
   • Newspapers Use Video to Attract Readers
   • Pocket Journalism
   • Broadcast to Webcast
2. questions about stories (will go over how to track down sources as we did today)
3. present your pitches off the blog to the class
4. DUE: Drafts 1-6, emailed by START OF CLASS

FRIDAY:

1. Draft 7 and 8

MONDAY:

1. Critiques
2. Writing Pitches 9 and 10
3. Writing issues
4. DUE: FINAL 1-6 stories
5. DUE: ALL PROFICIENCY EXAMS

WEDNESDAY:

1. discussion and readings (will be posted on Monday)
2. Writing
3. Final Questions
4. Evals

FRIDAY:

1. DUE: FINAL 7-10 STORIES BY NOON

Hey all:

There is a great little coffee shop in Mainstrasse Village, the Bean Haus, that’s walking distance from my house.

If you would like to meet with me outside class, I’m happy to arrange a time on either Tuesday morning from 10-noon or 4-6 pm.

I work from home so I have flexibility. If you think you need help, please email me.

Q: AHHHHHHHHHH. It…ALL…RED….AHHHHH

A: yes, many of your papers are marked up beyond all recognition. This is expected and nothing to be worried about. These are drafts — and while it’s always traumatic to see that (because it’s likely not happened oftentimes in your writing careers) — remember two things:

1. everyone is in the same boat
2. you will be a much better writer (even if you try the old, “I’m a good writer, I just write in a different way” argument). trust me, grammar, syntax, structure and logic work across ALL forms of writing.

Q: BUT…

A: Seriously, it’s going to be okay. We’re going to do a few exercises in class tomorrow to make sure that we get your story architecture and structure in order for your second re-write. The class isn’t about destroying your will to write (although that happens sometimes when the errors of 14-16 years of schooling happen) ; the class is about giving you a wicked smart set of tools you can apply to this — and future — information gathering and writing.

Q: I DO NOT LIKE YOU AND THESE SILLY JOURNALISM STRUCTURES

A: Yes, I know. On the bright side, after we work on tomorrow’s exercises with your work as the text — you will at least not mind the silly journalism structures. This will get easier. As for me — all I can say is what my parents tell other folks: they tried their best.

Now, don’t freak out about all this. We’re going to work it all out in class tomorrow. Sleep well. Bring your hard copies to class — and get back to it.

Hey all:

I’ll be posting Wednesday’s reading on Monday.

For tomorrow’s class, please bring hard copies of:

EMB

1. stories 1-6, all your drafts and your most recent draft. We will be doing an in-class critique of all writing (you will have my edits back tonight).
2. Also, you should have 2 story ideas for this Friday to pitch to the class

JOU

1.  pitches 1-3
2. Two copies of your first draft of this story. We are going to do an in-class critique session.