Deadline approaches for posting story ideas

So far, only a few of you have posted your story ideas for the first major writing assignment (the event preview). Make sure you post your idea, along with who you plan to interview, and why your story matters, by midnight Super Bowl Sunday! That's this Sunday night, February 1st. I'll respond on your blog with my suggestions or comments about your idea.

Remember, failure to post your idea by the deadline will automatically lower your grade on the actual assignment. If you are having technical problems with your blog, let me know. Thanks.

MC 202 Story of the Day

Here's Danielle Deeke's in-class writing assignment from Monday. It was one of the better stories posted this week. Like many of you, Danielle got the lead right--student falls down trash chute. And like many of you, she had some AP style errors. We'll talk about how to use the AP Stylebook next Monday. Here's Danielle's story:

An 18-year-old freshman student was reported injured after falling anywhere from two to ten stories down a trash chute of a Southern Illinois University Edwardsville dormitory. The student, Thomas Schwanke, was found early this morning, before 8:00 a.m., on the basement floor. However, police believe Schwanke fell around 2:00 a.m.

Witnesses say Shwanke had been drinking prior to the fall. Mary Rouse, Dean of Students at the university, said the incident again raises concern about alcohol abuse on campus.

Schwanke is being treated at Anderson Hospital in Maryville where hospital officials declined to discuss his condition, or the extent of his injuries.

Snow buries campus, cancels MC 202 Wednesday

Photo/Tom Atwood (click image to enlarge)

Since there is no class today due to weather, we will combine the assigned readings for today and Monday. For Monday (Feb 2), carefully read Basics of AP Style (Chapter 3, pp 54-55) and Newswriting Tips (Chapter 3, pp 58-59). Look through your AP Stylebook. We will talk in class about how to use it, and you will have your first AP Style quiz in class on Monday.

Also, you must post a story idea for the event preview assignment by midnight Sunday. Failure to do this will lower your grade on the assignment itself.

Trafficking in Reality: Exploitation, Consent, and the Camera's Gaze

Introduction from "Trafficking in Reality"
Produced by Tom Atwood
© 2008 Tom Atwood
All Rights Reserved

This is one of the opening segements from a documentary I produced and am distributing now for use in media, ethics and journalism classes. Thought you might like to see it. Other segments are streamed on YouTube and on the documentary's website: traffickinginreality.com

After Splash, Nerves, Heroics and Comedy

If you want to read a recent example of excellent newswriting, take a look at this story of the Hudson River plane crash in last week's New York Times...

By MICHAEL WILSON and RUSS BUETTNER
Some passengers screamed, others tucked their heads between their knees, and several prayed over and over, “Lord, forgive me for my sins.” But a man named Josh who was sitting in the exit row did exactly what everyone is supposed to but few ever do: He pulled out the safety card and read the instructions on how to open the exit door... (link to complete article)

Story Assignment #1

Your assignment is to find an upcoming event, either on campus or in the local community, and write a preview of this event. The event could be a meeting, a speech, a major sporting event, etc. The story is due on Monday, February 9 at 3:30 p.m. sharp. Some general guidelines:

Sources – the story must be based on interviews with a minimum number of three human sources. Stories should reflect the sense that any issue has many sides; journalists do this by including sources whose positions, background, knowledge and interests indicate they will offer a variety of points of view, or competing interests. Public documents and reports may also be used as sources where appropriate, but these will not count against the “three-source minimum.” (Your parents, relatives, friends and classmates are NOT acceptable sources.)

Format – Story should be double-spaced with one-inch side margins and 12 pt type. (400-600 words, about 2 pages total). Stories should be printed on one side of the page. Each story should have a separate sheet of paper listing the name, telephone number, and email address for each person interviewed or quoted. These sources may be contacted at random. You may not quote another newspaper or newsmagazine or other media source. The use of non-existent sources or plagiarism will result in an automatic F for the assignment, and most likely, in the class.

Story Topic – You are responsible for coming up with a story idea or topic. For upcoming events, check the SIUE Weekly Calendar of Events, the Alestle, and local newspapers. Keep the elements of news in mind as you select your story. If you are not sure if your story topic is a good one, contact me by phone or email, or in class, and run it by me. Remember, the better your story idea, the better your story will be, and the easier it will be to write.

Lead, Accuracy, Content, Structure, Grammar & Style – these are the elements that will determine your grade. Major factual errors will result in an automatic loss of 5 points. Grammar, style, and punctuation errors will also cost you points.

Again, the key to this assignment, in my opinion, is coming up with the best story idea that you can. A good, interesting story is easier to put together than a dull, boring one. Find an upcoming event that people are interested in. Call or email me if you are not sure if your story idea will work. (692-1464 • tom@tomatwood.net)

MC 202 Launches News Blog

by Tom Atwood
MC 202 News

This is the first post. Stay tuned