Traits & skills of a good journalist
Old classes
Aug. 25 (class 1)• J 1 & J 2 What's happening in class:
• J 1 Your jobs this week studying--how to write and edit your first stories:
Sept. 8 (class 2)• J 1 & J 2 Your jobs this week getting stuff:
• J 1 Your jobs this week studying--how to write and edit your first stories:• J 1 & J 2:
• J 1 Your jobs this week @ your computer:
• J 1 & J 2:
• J 1 Distribute Loquitur issue 2 on Thursday, Sept. 11. () How to do it, click here.
Sept. 15 (class 3)• J 2: Study for class 3 "Elements of News Writing" Chapter 14, pp. 60-• J 1 Your jobs this week studying--how to write and edit your next stories:
Sept. 22 (class 4)• J 2: Study for class 4 "Elements of News Writing" Chapter 15, pp. 65 -• J 1 Distribute Loquitur issue 4 on Thursday, Sept. 25. () How to do it, click here. * The file name should be YourLastNameACPIssue03.doc
Sept. 29 (class 5)• J 1: Study Dos and Don'ts and in the AP Stylebook the letter A. Then take the assessment on WebCT/BBVista called "Dos Don'ts & A's" (see Assessments on top in BBVista). You can do the quiz 2x and the higher grade is entered. http://learning.cabrini.edu • J 2 & J 1: Study Ch. 17 on covering meetings and speeches • J 1: First, do this: Create a Word document and name it YourLastNameACPIssue04.doc.
Pick out 3 leads from stories that originated as a result of a reporter
covering a meeting, speech or event. Find the stories here from the
Associated Press (http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/fronts/HOME?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME )
and copy/paste them into the Word document. Examine the start of the
leads to see how the stories follow the advice of Ch. 17. J 1:
Second, then do the same for 3 articles in Loquitur that cover
speeches, meetings or events and see how well they fulfill the advice
of Ch. 17. The file name should be YourLastNameACPIssue04.doc http://sites.google.com/a/jerryzurek.net/journalism/distribution
Oct. 6 (class 6)• J 1 & J 2: "Peacebuilding in Urganda: Reconciliation
for Rebel-abducted Children" -- To prepare for Sr. Pauline Acayo's talk
in class on Monday, please do the following homework. I want everyone
to prepare eight questions based on these reading and to email
me your questions before class (graded assignment for J 1 and J 2):
(Sr. Pauline's Bio downloadable at bottom of page)
• J 1: Distribute Loquitur issue 6 on Oct. 9. () How to do it, click here. • J 1: Distribute Loquitur issue 7 on Oct. 16. () How to do it, click here. • J 1: Study Dos and Don'ts and in the AP Stylebook the letter B. Then take the assessment on WebCT/BBVista called "AP letter B" • J 1: Do your ACP on Writing and Editing. yourlastnameACPissue05.doc
Oct. 20 (class 7)• J 1: Distribute Loquitur issue 8 Oct. 23. () How to do it, click here. • J 1:Study AP Stylebook the letter C. Then take the assessment on WebCT/BBVista called "AP letter C" • J 1 and J 2: Study Elements of News Writing ch. 22 How to
Write Editorials and Columns pp. 102. All of you are writing opinion
Perspectives. What makes a good perspective. What kind of topics do
professional writers write opinions about? (Does it make any sense to
write so many perspectives about alcohol? If not, where can you look
for great ideas for perspectives?)
• J 1: Sign up to receive the daily email for Today's Papers from the online magazine Slate. Go to this URL to sign up: http://letters.slate.com/p/Slate/SlateNewsletterCenter?-action=registration • J 2: Newspaper Designer’s Handbook pp. 13-42.
Oct. 27 (class 8)• J 1: Distribute Loquitur issue 8 Oct. 23. () How to do it, click here.• J 1 & J 2: Your Loquitur Web site portfolio--Here's how to set up your profile and portfolio on TheLoquitur.com web site. If you have trouble, I will demonstrate in class.
• J 1: Email me if you wish to be pre-registered for the Loquitur layout and graphic design course in the spring. • J 1: Write down and bring in what the main news story is each day in "Today's Papers," in slate.com. http://snipr.com/todayspapers • J 1 (required) & J 2 (extra credit): Global Solidarity Network on Peacebuilding
Nov. 3 (class 9)
• J 2: Tim's book-Newspaper Designer’s Handbook Ch 2 beginning on p. 42. Focus on layouts with photos.
Nov. 10 (class 10)
• J 1: Distribute Loquitur issue 11 on Nov. 13. () How to do it, click here. Consider adding the "Remember the Milk" to-do list to your Gmail. Here's the information on adding it. Then you can always see your to-dos whenever you see your gmail, which, for me, is always. http://blog.rememberthemilk.com/2008/11/new-rtm-gmail-gadget-goodness.html
Nov. 17 (class 11)• J 1: Distribute Loquitur issue 11 on Nov. 13. () How to do it, click here. • J 1: BBVista Assessments Quizzes: AP F&G and AP H&I
Nov. 24 (class 12)• J 1: Distribute Loquitur issue 12 on Nov. 20. (1, 2, 3 ) How to do it, click here. J 1: ACP. Name this file: yourlastnameACPissue12.doc. Use issue 12. The issue this week features a number of stories on Cabrini Week and the inauguration. These stories require some difficult reporting because the reporter has to figure out the news angle. Review Chapter 17, How to cover meetings and speeches (p.78). Focus on these points and how well the meeting, speech, and event stories fulfill these points:
• J 2: Tim's book-Newspaper Designer’s Handbook Ch 4 • J 1: Write down and bring in what the main news story is each day in "Today's Papers," in slate.com. http://www.slate.com/?id=3944&cp=1649 • J 1 & J 2: Check out the page designs at other colleges: http://www.collegefrontpage.com/ and (you may need a free Flickr account) http://snipurl.com/11uhu
Dec. 1 (class 13)• J 1: Distribute Loquitur issue 13 on Dec. 4. (1, 2 , 3) How to do it, click here. • J 1: Set up Google Reader for yourself. Show me that your Google Reader is subscribing to Slate Today's Papers, NYTimes, Rob Curley, and Poynter Online - Al's Morning Meeting:
• J 1: Write down and bring in what the main news story is each day in "Today's Papers," in slate.com. • J 1: Assistant editors Here's what it takes according to Poynter. Do you have these qualities?
Journalism 1 exam: Wednesday, Dec. 10, 1 - 2 p.m.
• J 1: & J 2: Learn about Skype. Use it for a story. http://www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=31&aid=155339 • J 1: AP Quiz Letter M for next week Feb. 2 (class 15)• J 1: Distribute Loquitur on Feb. 7: (Area 1:, Area 2:, Area 3:) How to do it, click here: http://sites.google.com:443/a/jerryzurek.net/journalism/distribution • J 1: Give me your ideas for a great story that you will work on on your own.• J 1: YourlastnameACPissue14.doc For this week, examine and analyze which articles show real initiative and strong reporting. Be precise and specific about what reporters really dug into his/her stories and did a superior job.
• J 1: AP Quiz Letter M & N
• J 1 & J 2: If you wrote a good story, did you promote it on Facebook, Twitter, etc????
for Feb. 9 (class 16)
• J 1: AP Quiz Letter OP • J 1 and J 2: Watch the first part of the video I showed in class Israel-Palestine 101 The Conflict (first 11 minutes) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYIXukpMIIY Andy and Chris will make up a quiz. If anyone helps Andy and Chris, they don't have to take the quiz if Andy and Chris agree that the help was significant. Andy and Chris and any helpers will write the quiz for Feb 16 also on the second part: the Resolution.(next 20 minutes) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYIXukpMIIY • J 1: I want to try another approach to current events learning. You have never heard of the Christian Science Monitor. It is an excellent newspaper. The special benefit is that it specializes in shorter stories that explain the news, much like Loquitur. Therefore, it can provide real models for your own writing. So I want you to begin to read the top three (3) stories in the center column Monday through Friday each week on http://www.csmonitor.com/ When I get back, I'll be asking you to discuss them. We will do this each week for the semester. • J 1 & J 2: PR Newswire for Journalists http://media.prnewswire.com/en/jsp/main.jsp
for Feb. 16 (class 17)• J 1 & J2: Global Solidarity Network on Israel-Palestine. http://crs.nortia.org/ Log in or Sign up. New students need to sign up and select your class. Returnees need to do 2 things there after logging in. Directions for Participation. 1) select
Edit Your Profilein order to choose your current class
2) select
Manage Topicsin order to select Israel and Palestine.
Watch the video made by Cabrini college and read the essay . Quiz on Israel-Palestine 101 second half and the Cabrini video on Global Solidarity Network in class.
Andy and Chris and any helpers will write the quiz for Feb 16 on the Cabrini video and also on the second part of Israel-Palestine 101: the Resolution.(next 20 minutes) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYIXukpMIIY
• J 1: Distribute Loquitur on Feb. 19: (Area 1:, Area 2:, Area 3:)http://sites.google.com/a/jerryzurek.net/journalism/distribution Extra credit: Go to Founder's Day on Feb. 17 speeches at 7 p.m. in Grace Hall Atrium. Get there early for seating. • J 1: I want to try another approach to current events learning. You have never heard of the Christian Science Monitor. It is an excellent newspaper. The special benefit is that it specializes in shorter stories that explain the news, much like Loquitur. Therefore, it can provide real models for your own writing. So I want you to begin to read the top three (3) stories in the center column Monday through Friday each week on http://www.csmonitor.com/ When I get back, I'll be asking you to discuss them. We will do this each week for the semester. • J 1: "AP QR" quiz. • J 1: ACP of issue 15. Write notes ON AN ISSUE of Loquitur in which you pick out at least 4-5 positive points about each section and a few things that could be improved. Hand the actual issues of Loquitur into me.
for Feb. 23 (class 18)• J 1: Distribute Loquitur on Feb. 19: (Area 1:, Area 2:, Area 3:) http://sites.google.com/a/jerryzurek.net/journalism/distribution
• J 1: Check in with me about a topic for your major story and what progress you've made. All topics must have strong background research, 2) opportunities for real first-hand reporting, and 3) some strong visual opportunities (photos). Do some research on Poynter and come up with a bibliography from Poynter.
• J 1: Go to "AP ST" quiz. • J 1: News quiz on major stories Monday through Friday in The Christian Science Monitor. http://www.csmonitor.com/ I'm thinking that an important story this week is Obama's new plan to help people with their mortgages to prevent people from losing their houses. • J 1 & J2: Global Solidarity Network on Israel-Palestine. http://crs.nortia.org/ Log in or Sign up. New students need to sign up and select your class. Returnees need to do 2 things there after logging in. Directions for Participation. • J 1 & J2: Global Solidarity Network on Israel-Palestine. http://crs.nortia.org/ Log in or Sign up. New students need to sign up and select your class. Returnees need to do 2 things there after logging in. 1) select
Edit Your Profilein order to choose your current class
2) select
Manage Topicsin order to select Israel and Palestine.
Read the essays and watch the video. Participate in the discussion.
• J 1 & J2: Global Solidarity Network on Israel-Palestine video conference on Monday 2/23, 1:45-2:45pm EST w/ Tom Garofalo
• J 1 & J 2: Finish up Global Solidarity Network on Israel-Palestine. http://crs.nortia.org/ You should have a substantial reflection on 3 essays/video and 2 thoughtful follow-ups in any 3 areas, minimum. • J 1: AP quiz UVW
• J 1: Check in with me about a topic for your major story and what progress you've made.
•J 1: YourLastNameACP19.doc. • J 1: AP quiz. none # • J 1: News quiz on major stories Monday through Friday from http://www.csmonitor.com/ ,
• J 1: AP quiz. Go beyond Z in the AP book and you will find punctuation. Do the first 1/3 of the punctuation. • J 1: News quiz on major stories Monday through Friday from http://www.csmonitor.com/ •J 1: YourLastNameACP20.doc In class we looked at the layout of the Pacemaker winners. For your ACP I want you to compare and contrast issue 20 with a 2008 ACP Newspaper Pacemaker Winner, Four-year Non-daily Newspapers. Go to the site, pick out a non-daily winner, go to its site and compare it and the most recent Loquitur for Content, Coverage, and Writing. http://www.studentpress.org/acp/winners/npm08.html . Please IGNORE obvious differences such as if a school is D-1 -- Do NOT comment on that. Focus on the story selection, for example, when the editors are able to select story assignments rather than when a school is in the NCAA. I want you to compare apples to apples. I want you to look at how some of the stories are written, how the stories are assigned, what the assignments are about, how well the stories give a complete picture, etc. • J 1: Kershner Ch. 29. How to write headlines. • J 1: Distribute Loquitur on March 19: (Area 1: ; Area 2: Area 3: ) How to do it, click here: http://sites.google.com/a/jerryzurek.net/journalism/distribution for March 30 (class 22)
• J 1: learn about delicious.com . Make sure you have signed up for an account. Read this from Poynter: http://www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=122&aid=134846 So how do you build your own del.icio.us page? • J 1: News quiz on major stories Monday through Sunday from http://csmonitor.com • J 1: AP quiz on punctuation second third.-- don't do it. I can't get it to work. • J 1: Have you tried to do a WordPress page? http://cabriniresume.wordpress.com/how-to-do-this-site/
for April 7 (class 23) - ready• J 1: Good multimedia people to follow on Twitter: macloo - sreenet - ckrewson - 10000Words • J 1: How I wrote the story. The purpose of this assignment is to supply me with a diverse collection of stories I can use as examples for next year's Journalism 1 class, along with an explanation of how you went about developing your angle for the story, how you got your sources, how you went about your interviews, how your structured your information, how your revised it for greatest interest and impact. Basically, I want a collection of stories that will both inform and inspire beginning journalists how to do a story. So: Choose one story from this year, and write an explanation (using some of the points I just listed) of "How I wrote the story" for it. Put the story copied from the Web or from a PDF (Disks in Newsroom) and the "How I wrote" together into one file. Name the file: yourlastnameHowIWrote.doc • J 1: ACP -- yourlastnameACP22.doc Pick out the three stories you thought were the best in the issue and explain why? • J 1: News quiz on major stories Monday through Sunday from http://csmonitor.com for April 13 (no class or homework but there is layout) http://sites.google.com/a/jerryzurek.net/journalism/distribution • J 1 & J 2: For April 20: Journalism Portfolio. Choose about three to four of your very best stories from the entire year as portfolio pieces. Send them to me as attachments to ONE email sent to me and to your own gmail account (yes, I do want to see your gmail address in the email heading so I know you are making sure you will have these stories if your computer is stolen, your house is washed away, and Pennsylvania and New Jersey go out to sea with global warming!) Make sure the word portfolio is in the email subject heading. Ideally, these will be PDF of InDesign layouts of the stories or PDFs of print versions. Name the file: yourlastnameJournalismPortfolio.doc • J 1: Summer editorial board meeting dates and times, summer addresses, phone numbers, and email. • J 1 & J 2: Sign up for Online Journalism at http://feeds.feedburner.com/tojou • J 1 & J 2: Sign up for Innovation in College Media at http://www.collegemediainnovation.org/blog/feed/ April 20, (class 24) updated -- Chris Krewson will be speaking to our class• J 1 & J2: Find out Chris Krewson's background. He's Executive editor / online, news at Philadelphia Inquirer. His Linkedin is http://www.linkedin.com/in/chriskrewson. Check him out on Twitter ckrewson . Make sure you ask questions. Check out his Web page. http://chris.krewson.googlepages.com/ • J 1 & J 2: Journalism Portfolio. Choose about three to four of your very best stories from the entire year as portfolio pieces. Send them to me as attachments to ONE email sent to me and to your own gmail account Make sure the word portfolio is in the email subject heading. Ideally, these will be PDF of InDesign layouts of the stories. Name the file: yourlastnameJournalismPortfolio.doc • J 1 & J 2: Sign up for Online Journalism at http://feeds.feedburner.com/tojou • J 1 & J 2: Sign up for Innovation in College Media at http://www.collegemediainnovation.org/blog/feed/ http://sites.google.com/a/jerryzurek.net/journalism/distribution April 28 (class 26)May 7 (class 27)Picnic at JZ's house. |

