Copy Editor Position

Karla and Afsana have both expressed interest in the position of copy editor. We can have two copy editors; however, I would still like them to take a copy editing test based on the AP stylebook. We have two copies of the stylebook that can be taken home for review. It would be impossible to memorize the stylebook, but copy editors need to know what they expect to find in it and how it is organized. Then, there are AP style quizzes online at newsroom 101 (click on link at right and click on AP stylebook exercises). On Tuesday, the two of them can sit down and take one or more of the quizzes.

Interviewing Practice

On Friday we will finish our interviewing exercise. Next week you can work on your story assignments and begin your interviews. Opinion pieces don't need interviews, since it is your opinion. You will have to check any facts, however, to make sure they are correct.

Reflect on the Meet and Greet

I thought Friday's get-together went very well. Assistant Principal Dr. Burns was out of town due to a death in the family. I'm curious as to how you perceived the event. Please write a reflection of at least a paragraph detailing your thoughts on what went well and what could be improved. Include anything you consider important, interesting, or funny.

On Monday, we will discuss story ideas. Each reporter must come up with one story idea for his or her beat by Wednesday.

Also, if you have not read the files above, please do so. I've added two new ones: interviewing/notetaking and story ideas.

Meet and Greet on Friday

Today we decided we would dress business-like for our meet-and-greet with the faculty on Friday. Guys don't have to wear a tie, but don't wear your ratty t-shirt and sneakers. Girls don't need to wear heels, but don't wear anything revealing. This is your chance to get to know people you may soon be interviewing. You will need to introduce yourself as in "Hi, I'm Joe, and I'm a reporter." Or, "Hi, I'm Maria. I'm the news editor." They will probably tell you their names and their job. If they don't tell you their job, ask them. If you don't know what their job entails, ask them, "What does you job entail?" Most people are happy to talk about themselves. If you can't think of anything to talk about, tell them about the personality matrix and what animal you are.

Video Camera on the Way

Great news! I wrote a proposal on a website called Donors Choose in which teachers ask for things and the public can decide which projects to donate their money. I asked for a Sony camcorder, so we can start experimenting with online videos to go with our stories, and it got funded. It should arrive any day.

Maybe we can videotape some of our interviews, and when we publish the paper we will add a line saying, "View the entire interview online at (insert address)."