Week 34

Room for Debate is a great way to get people talking about topics in the news. How could this be utilized in The Voice? What kinds of topics would be most successful? least successful? Read a few and comment on the form and structure.

Week 33: It's May!

1. This is an informative read, but I want you to look at it more for the structure. How could we incorporate this simple idea into The Voice? We've done some pieces on advice from the seniors to juniors, but what, more serious topics could we tackle on a regular basis. Notice that this piece combines depth with breadth.

2. Here's a piece from Newsweek about the cost of beauty and how much women spend on product over the course of a lifetime. Eek! It's pretty crazy. What is so great about this piece is the graphic representation of the information. Sure it's on a website, but we have the skill and style to integrate more infographics into our pieces. Thinking of either this final edition or some other story for next year, what kinds of topics would benefit from this style of reporting?

Share your amazing ideas.

4.29 In-class assignment

Here's the assignment.

Here's some dummy text.

Here's a graphic to use.

Week 32

Wowzer! Lots of goodies to share, but I will control myself and post only two. Both are profile pieces. Read them separately or together, regardless these are great pieces we can learn a lot from.

1. This piece focuses on an immigrant family in New York. The family is struggling because the mother and father and daughter are still not legal residents. The son, born in the US is. But, he wants to return home to Ecuador. The piece delves into the sacrifices and sufferings of the family.

2. This piece focuses on a 100 year old Red Sox fan and his return to the position he held back in the early 20s: bat boy. A great special interest profile piece.

How could we incorporate more in-depth pieces into The Voice? And how could we do more single person/single interest profile pieces?

Share your brilliance -- by the end of the month (that means THURSDAY).

Week 31

My latest addiction: ESPN's E:60. What a great show on ESPN! Here is a piece on Vince McMahon, the mastermind behind the WWE (formerly the WWF). It's a well reported item and a good example of an in-depth feature. Sure it's on video -- not exactly the usual format for The Voice -- but it's worth the watch for it's savvy writing and reporting. Enjoy! And, do yourself a favor by watching a few more episodes. I also recommend this piece on Don Meyer.

Share your thoughts, insights and ideas about these pieces.

Edition 6 Staff Courses

Here are two courses to pique your interest in journalism. These are to be completed during our layout days. Check the syllabus for homework.

Ethical Decison-Making
This course is the priority.

The Interview
If you have time, please complete this course.

Questions? Just ask.
mc

Week 30: Welcome April

An interesting read about one of American Idol's most successful contestants. There's only one item that might keep him from a win: he might be, could be gay. While this is an issue we discuss a lot here at MA and in the Bay Area, what do you think of this piece as a reflection on the nation as a whole, on the issue of homosexuality in the mainstream media. Please be especially considerate with your comments as this is a personal subject.

Is this just a sentimental attempt to get us all to rethink our connection to print journalism? Or is there some truth to this piece? Is there some magic in being a journalist? some crazy power that few other jobs hold?

Yea for April! Next it's May and then it's June!!! And then it's SUMMER!