I think we all need a forum in which to discuss our concerns, questions and advice about the final paper. What is your topic? What is your angle? How are you formatting your paper? Tell all here.
I'm writing about how Twitter has become a useful tool for journalists. However, I'm afraid that my angle is too dry.
Is this a hard news story or a features story? I guess I'm just having a hard time comprehending the paper's format.
I do have experience with journalistic writing, but not with anything to this agree. Given that the paper has to be 1,500 words long, I think I'm subconsciously treating it like an essay I would write in English class. I'm very confused.
Andi -- Calm down! Seriously, taking a deep breath will help with your thought process a lot. The professor herself said that she doesn't think that this paper will be the hardest thing in the world. And it's not supposed to be. This paper isn't even a "term paper," she said. It's just supposed to show your skills as an op-ed writer. You must tie in the tips that she's given us for our writing and give it the good ol' once-over with your increasingly vigilant eye to eradicate any mistakes. (Ok, sorry for the excessive word choice.)
Basically, this paper will be similar to a blog entry (but much longer). You will begin by introducing the topic, stating your opinion on it IF you have one, tying in professional opinions, combining facts and speculation, and formulating an overall conclusion relevant to journalism as a whole. It is neither a hard news story (although you should tie in "real" examples) or a feature story (unless you are using your personal experience -- also advisable) in the strict sense. It is an op-ed.
I know. The definition seems confusing. I've been trying to wrap my head around it too. Basically, it's a piece that is the opinion of the author, not the publication (like the Editorial page itself).
Avoid writing it like you're in English. That will end up being incredibly dry, and not journalistic. You're not trying to tie in sources for the sake of tying in sources. You're using professionals to illustrate your point, as many op-ed writers do.
Again, keep it cool and look at the paper from a calm viewpoint. The words will flow naturally. (Like this rambling blog post of mine.)
My topic is the future of journalism. I'm going to include facts about blogging and online newspapers, but I too fear that my angle will be "too dry" or that my focus will be too broad. I think that when I begin to piece it together tomorrow, the disjoint ideas will fall into place.
I agree with mike. The best way to handle it is with an air of confidence and authority I think. It is of course not a hard news story. Let yourself into it. I'm sure you'll do fine. 1,500 words isn't that long. I wouldn't be suprised if this is the easiest course here.
Relax about it.
Lets go over it though:
You need for Monday: 5 sources + confirmation of what you are doing.
I am trying to figure out why Journalism is so important if all we do is "Sell readers to advertisers". That statement made me doubt wiether or not I can do this job, though I know he is right.
I have to date: 3 sources confirmed.
You need a minimum of 1,500 words and I know you can do that. Its soft news. Put an interesting lede, and go. Run with it. Present your arguement and back it up for a mere 1,500 words.
This project could be completed modestly in under an hour, but I reccomend you put a liitle more into it than that.
I also reccomend you have MANY spellcheckers. Have at least your parents, because you commute check over it once or twice.
You'll be fine, it only sounds hard because of the whole "final paper" concept "dun dun dun". I say we laugh at it, while putting some effort into it to go the extra mile.
I'm writing about the media's portrayal and sometimes obsession of the First Family, now and in history. I have a question about tomorrow's bibliography: can we cite more than five sources in the bibliography, or does Professor Banisky just want five? I am using numerous sources for insight, but not directly quoting all of them. Hope everyone had a nice weekend!
Margo, I doubt she would have a problem with more than five sources. Probably the more proof you have the better.
I was wondering, do interviews count as sources? Currently I have three interviews and three websites. But I'm not sure whether to count the interviews or not.
Professor Banisky just sent out an e-mail saying we have to have *atleast* five sources. In the e-mail, Professor said that interviews are a reliable source.
Francesca, here is an example of how to cite an interview, as Professor wrote in the e-mail: "Interviews: Interview with Mary Hartney, The Baltimore Sun, July 14, 2009."
All of your comments have answered questions I've had for the past week, so thank you to all; especially the worrisom Andi who thought of this!
I definitly do not think we have to limit ourselves to the five sources we have to turn in tomorrow, because I know for a fact that I will be finding more sources for my paper by the end of this week
I hope everyone had a great weekend! Drink coffee tomorrow morning..
Is this a hard news story or a features story? I guess I'm just having a hard time comprehending the paper's format.
ReplyDeleteI do have experience with journalistic writing, but not with anything to this agree. Given that the paper has to be 1,500 words long, I think I'm subconsciously treating it like an essay I would write in English class. I'm very confused.
Andi -- Calm down! Seriously, taking a deep breath will help with your thought process a lot. The professor herself said that she doesn't think that this paper will be the hardest thing in the world. And it's not supposed to be. This paper isn't even a "term paper," she said. It's just supposed to show your skills as an op-ed writer. You must tie in the tips that she's given us for our writing and give it the good ol' once-over with your increasingly vigilant eye to eradicate any mistakes. (Ok, sorry for the excessive word choice.)
ReplyDeleteBasically, this paper will be similar to a blog entry (but much longer). You will begin by introducing the topic, stating your opinion on it IF you have one, tying in professional opinions, combining facts and speculation, and formulating an overall conclusion relevant to journalism as a whole. It is neither a hard news story (although you should tie in "real" examples) or a feature story (unless you are using your personal experience -- also advisable) in the strict sense. It is an op-ed.
I know. The definition seems confusing. I've been trying to wrap my head around it too. Basically, it's a piece that is the opinion of the author, not the publication (like the Editorial page itself).
Avoid writing it like you're in English. That will end up being incredibly dry, and not journalistic. You're not trying to tie in sources for the sake of tying in sources. You're using professionals to illustrate your point, as many op-ed writers do.
Again, keep it cool and look at the paper from a calm viewpoint. The words will flow naturally. (Like this rambling blog post of mine.)
My topic is the future of journalism. I'm going to include facts about blogging and online newspapers, but I too fear that my angle will be "too dry" or that my focus will be too broad. I think that when I begin to piece it together tomorrow, the disjoint ideas will fall into place.
Good luck, and I hope your weekend is going well!
I agree with mike. The best way to handle it is with an air of confidence and authority I think. It is of course not a hard news story. Let yourself into it. I'm sure you'll do fine. 1,500 words isn't that long. I wouldn't be suprised if this is the easiest course here.
ReplyDeleteRelax about it.
Lets go over it though:
You need for Monday: 5 sources + confirmation of what you are doing.
I am trying to figure out why Journalism is so important if all we do is "Sell readers to advertisers". That statement made me doubt wiether or not I can do this job, though I know he is right.
I have to date: 3 sources confirmed.
You need a minimum of 1,500 words and I know you can do that. Its soft news. Put an interesting lede, and go. Run with it. Present your arguement and back it up for a mere 1,500 words.
This project could be completed modestly in under an hour, but I reccomend you put a liitle more into it than that.
I also reccomend you have MANY spellcheckers. Have at least your parents, because you commute check over it once or twice.
You'll be fine, it only sounds hard because of the whole "final paper" concept "dun dun dun". I say we laugh at it, while putting some effort into it to go the extra mile.
Oh, and sorry I didn't respond when you said "hi" to me. I missed it, I really just noticed someone speaking. I didn't mean to be rude.
ReplyDeleteI'm writing about the media's portrayal and sometimes obsession of the First Family, now and in history. I have a question about tomorrow's bibliography: can we cite more than five sources in the bibliography, or does Professor Banisky just want five? I am using numerous sources for insight, but not directly quoting all of them. Hope everyone had a nice weekend!
ReplyDeleteMargo,
ReplyDeleteI doubt she would have a problem with more than five sources. Probably the more proof you have the better.
I was wondering, do interviews count as sources? Currently I have three interviews and three websites. But I'm not sure whether to count the interviews or not.
Professor Banisky just sent out an e-mail saying we have to have *atleast* five sources. In the e-mail, Professor said that interviews are a reliable source.
ReplyDeleteFrancesca, here is an example of how to cite an interview, as Professor wrote in the e-mail: "Interviews: Interview with Mary Hartney, The Baltimore Sun, July 14, 2009."
Are we really limiting ourselfs to sources we turn in before time or must we stick exactly to the ones we picked?
ReplyDeleteAll of your comments have answered questions I've had for the past week, so thank you to all; especially the worrisom Andi who thought of this!
ReplyDeleteI definitly do not think we have to limit ourselves to the five sources we have to turn in tomorrow, because I know for a fact that I will be finding more sources for my paper by the end of this week
I hope everyone had a great weekend! Drink coffee tomorrow morning..