Paper Assignment

Media and Governement- Paper Due Dates -
November 7th and November 21st or both on the 21st in whatever order we'd like.

Doc's Rant in Advanced Jornalism 10/31/2008

Surprise, surprise, surprise.....it makes good stories so always use SURPRISE!!!!

Reaction to Sarah Palin "unmasked" story.

The article talks about how Palin's "emergence on the national scene, her small town roots, her gender, her rustic charms and her complex family life all contributed to the 'Palin Mania'."

Thornburger could relate to Palin as a "Washington outsider" b/c he could be regarded as an "outsider" of journalism.

The article talked about Thornburgers other interests, like how he was an English teacher and played the sax in a salsa band.

I thought it was also very interesting that not only was this story about Sarah Palin, but it was also about the reporter who has been reporting on her.

Next Article Analyses

A. Analyze the article the same way we've done the other 3:
Murray, line, structure...etc.
B. Find an article and analyze it as a piece of creative non-fiction. Something that is factually accurate and written with attention to literary style and technique.
Personal essays, memoirs, travel writing, food writing, biography, literary journalism...etc.

Link to Mudflats story

http://mudflats.wordpress.com/2008/10/24/the-palin-talking-point-generator/

"No Laughing Matter" reaction

I think the main idea that I take away from reading this article is that liberals and conservatives need to stop and take some time do see what it's like from the other person's point of view. Everyone has preconceived ideas about they "liberal mind" or "conservative mind" and we need to try to connect with one another.

Reminder

Look up "Best interview Evah! Barbara West vs. Joe Biden

Waiting for Schadenfreude reaction

The author of this article is expressing her feelings about the currect economic crisis, but more specifically about the Wall Street brokers who got us in this mess in the first place. The author remembers that days that if you weren't in the financial industry in New York, you might as well have not existed. The author remembers a time when people who were fresh out of college wanted careers that would actually do good and serve a helpful purpose...until they got married, had families and realized that it wasn't financially possible. This article has a bit of hostility towards the brokers and members of the financial market, but I don't think hostility is unwarented.

Opie

http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/cc65ed650d

Chicago Tribune Endorses Obama Article

I think this was a well thought out piece. The article made it clear why the Tribune was endorsing Obama over McCain and stated their reasons clearly. The Tribune also made reference to their more conservative views but related them back to why they decided to endorse Obama. I think it was wonderful how they talked about the struggles this counrty has gone through with race relations, the women's right to vote, and our struggeling economy - and how Obama is the right candidate to lead this country through it's next phase of having the first African American president. I think this was a very persuasive article and could possibly sway some undecided voters.

OPED Article Discussion

Doc's advice - Get the main idea of that story and quote it. Then ask yourself how well does she/he prove their point. How does the way she/he write it help improve your opinion. How well does the author back up their opinon? Try and set up your own criteria for analyzing the story.

Call Center Story 10/17/2008

I found it interesting the way the author described the settings of the Call Center's office, their posters with possitive messages that remind them to "connect and collect" with the customers. I found it interesting that the debt collection agencies are trying to take a compasionate approach to collecting money from people who are facing the financial crisis here in America. It is also sad that the call centers from half way around the world have such a huge surge of American calls made everyday now that our economy took a turn. I also found it interesting that our economic crisis can have a possitive effect on the Call Center workers; teaching them to pay off credit cards and live within their means.

Sweet Potato Pie in Philly (Reaction)

I think this article was more descriptive of the crowd, rally settings and emotions than what Obama was actually saying. The authors descriptive tone allows the reader to feel like they were at the rally without physically being there. It was interesting to read all the little details of what was going on and the authors description of Obama's movements and body language. I think this article would be bettered suited for a magazine than a newspaper. Newspaper articles are short, sweet and to the point.

ADVANCED JOURNALISM 10/15/2008

***Attention Doc***
I was in your Advanced Journalism
and Media and Governement classes
on October 15, 2008.

Obama knew it all along

A You Tube video of how Barack Obama knew it all along...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jH2iufUU1f4

Advanced Journalism 10/8/2008 Class Discussion

Read the Fukuyama article. Can us this article for the Op/Ed (editorial) piece.
Analysis- how is it put together and presented? Read the story and then look at what Murray says about effective journalism and then find something in the article that fits his description. Murray's points in his book have some checklists for evaluating a well written story. There are several of them, some will work and others will not....just try to find what applies. Doc would analyze this piece as a pursuasive piece, it's not reporting. Think about how pursuasive it is. Go back to the Mackerel Wrapper and see what Aristotle had to say about Logos, Ethos, and Pathos and see how they apply to the story...but basically it's a reaction piece.

Upcoming Assignments

OCTOBER 13th Policitcal, Cultural, Social or Government (1000 words)
OCTOBER 20th OPED (1000 words)
OCTOBER 27th Newspaper analyses (1000 words)
NOVEMBER 3rd Magazine analyses (1000 words)
Feature Story and query letter due NOVEMBER 17-21 (1500 words)

Great Article

This article is unlike any udder I've read!!!

http://www.local12.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=777596c7-d339-4feb-81a7-60887c4d95e2&rss=30

Freelance Writing

Illinois Times

SO (Springfield Magazine)