Semester 1 Begins: Fall 2014!

1. What we do in this class
2. How we do it
1. Editors: Sarah, Philip, Henry
3. Review of course expectations:
1. communication (make sure you keep your emails to people professional and your communication with editors/advisor abundant)
2. interviews (in-person, FaceTime, phone --> all ok. EMAIL IS NOT OK!)
3. graphics (every article needs a graphic, as does every brief.)
4. Timeline of article due dates & briefs: first class of week article draft (4 in total this semester); second class of week brief (14 in total this semester); third class of each week is bonus day!
5. Senior speech recording schedule ... the first few scheduled
1. Philip: Tue 9/2
2. Sara: Thu 9/4
3. Henry: Wed 9/10
4. Holland: Fri 9/12
6. iPads & apps for iPhone --> recording app (VoiceRecord Pro, twisted wave, soundcloud)
7. Important email to know: themavoice@gmail.com (share all google docs and drafts with this email account)
8. Our newspaper website: mavoice.org (upload all briefs and final articles to this website -- more details to follow)
9. Our class blog: themavoice.blogspot.com
10. News judgment

Figuring out the next stories

Read some past work.

A little profile lesson

How to figure out our next move .... categories from last class.

Finish Page 1, Graphic ideas, some good reads ...

1. Let's finish Page One. What is The Voice's place in MA culture right now? What's our purpose? our role? What happens to MA if The Voice isn't here? Do we need to refine/review our mission?

Here's the statement of purpose as the founders of The Voice defined it:

The Marin Academy Voice

To serve as a forum for student opinion

To present issues fairly

Statement of Purpose

Journalism in a democracy celebrates people’s noblest achievements while at the same time stands on the conviction that it is absolutely essential not to ignore the challenges of human experience. Light is brought to the darkness of human suffering whenever a community is allowed to examine its weaknesses as well and it strengths.

The Marin Academy Voice, a forum for student expression, is published eight times a year, free from faculty or administrative censorship and prior review. All staff members are involved in the writing and layout of each issue. The Voice was established in the fall of 1990 in order to serve as a forum for student opinion, and to present issues fairly. Any student enrolled at Marin Academy may contribute to The Voice. Staff members are comprised of students who are taking Journalism 540. These students receive English credit for one semester of Journalism, and elective credit for any subsequent semesters.

The purpose of the course is to teach students the basics of journalistic reporting, writing, editing and production. Students learn how to produce a professional, school-focused, and thoughtful newspaper, with coverage of issues that are not only important to the student community but for the surrounding one at large. Opinion pieces are also emphasized through thought-provoking editorials.

The adviser or teacher serves as a “coach” for the production elements, never doing the work for the students, but supporting, critiquing, and helping to structure each step of the process. Instruction is on an individual as well as group level.

Staff members are dedicated to producing as clean, professional, and ethical a publication as possible. They strive to present all sides of an issue, and represent the community’s opinion fairly, even if it differs radically from their own. Editorials are written in order to encourage thought and dialogue about controversial and timely topics. Any criticism is directed at policy, not person.

2. What are you going to do for your article graphic? How are you going to engage the audience in alternative storytelling? What can you do that will be new?

3. A few interesting ideas to get us thinking about the next article:

Put The Resentment to Good Use
The Rise of the Shelfie

Briefs due, staff brainstorm, staff work

1. Briefs due (these should be uploaded with graphics to The Voice website BEFORE class; please note who did not complete this work)

2. Editors (Sara S, Taylor, Philip, Morgan) will edit briefs.

3. Sara will lead the staff in a discussion flushing out the remaining articles.

*Claire (real cost of MA)

*Ari’s (farewell to leaving faculty)

*Kim (prom), Adriana (dietary restrictions in cafe)

*Bryn (the new F word: Feminism

4. Staffers read following two articles and answer following questions. Post answers to comment section.

• How is information presented in these pieces?

• What effect do the alternative formats (non-writing) have on the piece as a whole?

• Be specific ... what alternative formats can you use in your upcoming piece?

Star Player Accused
No one walks off the island

Article drafts, sources check-ins, alternative story-telling work

** Upcoming recordings ... Tuesday = Morgan for special assembly. Friday = Philip for senior speeches

** Review social media plan

1. Article 4, draft 1 due (quick turnaround ...)
2. Working in pairs, who are the must-get sources for your article? (Partners: Sarah & Francesca, Claire & Kim & Ari, Adriana & Bryn, William & Sofia)
3. Schedule interviews. Use Wednesday as an interview period and work time.
4. Staffers read following two articles and answer following questions. Post answers to comment section.

• How is information presented in these pieces?
• What effect do the alternative formats (non-writing) have on the piece as a whole?
• Be specific ... what alternative formats can you use in your upcoming piece?

Star Player Accused
No one walks off the island

Article 3 due, check-in about interviews needed, deadlines coming up, social media

1. Article due! -- graphics and articles uploaded and ready to go?
2. Editors edit. Staffers check in about must get interviews for article.
3. Staffers read following two articles and answer following questions. Post answers to comment section.

• What new information is presented in these pieces?
• Are there any alternative ways of conveying info (traditional is writing)
• What can you take away as a writer?

Star Player Accused
Is college worth it?

Briefs due, articles check-ins, and article ideas

1. Briefs due. Does anyone want to change for the next few weeks?
2. What's left to do on your article? Due on Thursday!
3. We need to get working on the next articles. Please add an article idea to each section. If there's an idea from previous brainstorms, you can re-list it. BUT you must add a bit of reasoning behind your wanting to pursue this idea.

A cool high school piece to inspire!

Maybe another piece to inspire: online privacy