Article Ideas

Same rules as the last time. Publication date will be late-April. Please keep that in mind when coming up with ideas.

Please post 5-7 ideas for the second edition of the year. You must have at least one article idea for each section (News, Sports, A&E, Features, Op/Ed, Center Spread). Be sure to read the other ideas BEFORE you post your own. You can elaborate on another person's post (with a citation, of course). Include an article idea for each section. Be specific and format each idea as such:

Article Idea:
Must interviews (be specific ... "students" is fairly obvious and somewhat lame):
Why will people want to read this:

Week 7: A good listen & read (and final Feb post)

From This American Life.

Episode 427: Original recipe: this most recent episode of TAL has caused quite a stir in the soft drink world. It's such a great piece to listen to as it embodies great story-telling and solid research. What are your thoughts on the organization of the piece? What was the highlight? The part the piece could have done without? Is this topic really worth all this hype?

No More Mr. (or Ms.) Nice Guy: The Wall Street Journal is taking a bold step into present day: no more courtesy titles. Amazing. What are you thoughts on how this might impact the sports section, the newspaper, and the world. What do you think of those pesky courtesy titles? Should they still be in use anywhere? And surely comment on Jason Gay's tone in this piece. How would you describe it?

Happy minicourse ... in a week.

Edition 7: Editor Goals

Please post three goals you have for your section. Reflect on the last edition of last semester, areas where you have the most to improve and areas where you're doing great work. These goals can be design related, deadline related, or anything else. BUT, make sure these are measurable, outcome goals.

General goals for everyone:

1. MAKE THE EDITS THE COPY EDITORS SUGGEST.

2. Visible difference in headline size (heads should be larger than 30 but no smaller than 30)

3. Photos anchored to headline (no floating graphics/photos)

4. Make sure exported PDF is high resolution

5. After you copy edit a page, make sure all elements/storylines are still on the page

Week 6: Love & Belief

Two pieces from the Wall Street Journal:

1. I Just Called to Say, Ahem, I Love You: This article looks at those three words and what they really mean. How might MA community members struggle with the opposite effect of what the author writes about? Is there an article idea we can take from this article and bring to The Voice?

2. God at the Grammys: The Chosen Ones: An interesting article on the role belief plays in the role of famous people. What are your thoughts on what this author claims? In what ways does the author see belief and success intersecting? Is there an article idea we can take from this article and bring to The Voice?

Week 5: Super Bowl Sunday!

1. Escalating Arms Race for Top Colleges: An essay from a parent's perspective. What are your thoughts on the topic? Do you think the cycle is created by the colleges or the parents? What about the execution of her ideas. Do you think this is well written? Well argued?

2. Teenagers, Friends & Bad Decisions: This is all about you! Comment on the content (do you agree or disagree) and then comment on the execution (is this well written, clearly presented, well balanced).

Week 4: February Begins!

1. Why Not Regulate Guns as Seriously as Toys: An interesting reasoning behind gun control. What are your thoughts on Krugman's suggestions? Does he make accurate claims? What do you think of the overall style of the piece?

2. The Genius Dilemma: An interesting read on leadership and how it influences a company (both good and bad). What are your thoughts on the ideas presented? Structure-wise, what are your thoughts on the flow and pacing of the piece. Was this an interesting read is that I'm getting at. Why? Why not?