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DUE DATES:

June 3: Add Facebook class page and introduce yourself

June 24: Short Column 1

June 27: Midterm assigned

July 1: Midterm due

July 6: Long Column 1

July 11: Short Column 2

July 20: Long Column 2

July 27: Final assigned

August 2: Final due

Assignments listed below:

Introduction: Make sure to “like” the Facebook page, Journalism 275: People and Events. This is where all of your assignments, notes, and discussions will take place. If you do not have a Facebook account, you will need to create one by going to www.facebook.com.

After you “like” the page, leave a comment telling the following: 1) why you are taking this class, 2) your classification and major, and 3) what you plan to do after graduation, to introduce yourself to your classmates.

Short columns

You will have to write two short columns (around 500 words each) on assigned topics. The day before your assignment is due, I will assign you the topic. You are allowed to write on anything you want as long as it somewhat pertains to the assigned topic.

For example, if I assigned you to write on “politics,” you could write about anything from how you feel about the BP oil spill to the politics of high school. You can be as creative as you want regarding the topic.

I will e-mail you the topic in the morning, and you will have until 11:59 p.m. the following night to send me an e-mail back (For example, if I gave your topic on a Tuesday morning, you would have until 11:59 p.m. Wednesday to complete the assignment.). If it is before 5 p.m., I will send you a confirmation e-mail assuring you that I received your essay. If you send it after 5 p.m., I will let you know the next morning if I received your e-mail. If you do not receive a confirmation from me, I have NOT received your e-mail, and it will be considered late.

The short essays are to assist you with writing on deadlines. Even non-journalism majors can benefit from this exercise. Please note that if you quote anyone or cite information that is not basic knowledge, you do have to back the information up. HOWEVER, since this is a journalism class, I do NOT want citations. The appropriate way to cite sources is as follows:

(for a source you interviewed)
“The BP oil spill has wrecked my beach wedding,” said Belinda Fuller, a senior elementary education major.

(for a newspaper outlet or other similar source)
According to The Baton Rouge Advocate, graduation rates across the state have increased 57 percent.

CNN is reporting that the president’s plane has reached China.

However, if you have any questions with your citations, please ask me! I want to help!

What days will our short essays be assigned?

Short Essay No. 1 will be assigned THURSDAY, JUNE 23.

Short Essay No. 2 will be assigned MONDAY, JULY 11.

Long columns

You are required to write two columns which are 900-1,200 words each. The topic for the columns is up to you – in fact, you are required to pick the topic and narrow it down as a well-developed column. If you want to check with me beforehand to make sure your topic is relevant and on track, please do so.

See above in "Short columns" for attribution requirements.

Point Person

Twice during the quarter, you will be required to post a column that you find well-written and discuss why. It could be for a variety of reasons – you like the subject matter, you like the wordplay, you felt nostalgic when you read it, etc. If the column spoke to you in some way, just write out how and why it did so.

The rest of the class is required to comment on the post at least once – though more is encouraged.

If you do not like the dates of when you are scheduled to be Point Person, you will have to find someone to switch with AND let me know asap. If you do not let me know, you will be counted off.

Please know how to find columns online, too. Columns are usually under “editorials” or “opinion” online. If you have a question as to whether or not what you have is a column, ask me!