• Part 1: As usual, a 400-word lab report, written in the form of a news story, in which you write about yourself in the third person. (Thus, I would say "Jerz asked his class..." not "I asked my class...".)  You can count yourself as one source, but you will need to get two more sources. (Don't rely too heavily on super-long quotes from the "you" character in the story -- a good news story requires balance.)
  
• Part 2: Short essay, demonstrating your ability to synthesize what you learned from our history textbook.  I have already asked some of you individually to deal directly with issues ranging from an analysis of your own personal negative reaction to parts of the book, to your reflections on the relationship between technology and journalism.  However you choose to approach your final essay, recognize that I am seeking evidence that you are making a sincere effort to engage actively with the subject matter. (2 pages; this is really Exercise 4, for which there won't be a separate slot)
  
• Part 3: (On your blog.) An informal final blogging portfolio, including links to your best contributions to the online discussion. (Include the URL of your portfolio entry in the file you upload.)
• Part 4: A very brief, informal assessment of your term project. How can I help you succeed as we make the final push towards the end of term? (Just a paragraph or two would be fine here.)
  

Rescheduled from Oct 1.

Choose an event described as newsworthy to a particular community in our textbook, and explored in some detail in the textbook.  Select a current news story on a similar theme, and write a 2-page essay that examines the concept of newsworthiness, as reflected in each of your stories.  Rather than working your way mechanically through each story, or working mechanically through a list of the kinds of ways stories can be newsworthy, focus on a small number of details -- or perhaps just one.  Demonstrate your ability to note a trend and to draw a significant conclusion from your observations.

You are welcome to post your exercise in your blog, but you are not required to do so.

• Cover your contributions to the production of The Setonian (other than writing or photography)
• Include direct quotes from your supervisors and co-workers.
• Write it in the third person, following all the principles of good journalism. (Thus, on first reference you are "Firstname Lastname, a freshman at Seton Hill University," and on subsequent references you are "Lastname.")

• By now, you should be using your blog to post your agenda item (a brief quotation and a brief statement of what you would talk about if called on during class) for each assigned set of chapters, and 2-4 comments on peer weblogs.
  
• I encourage you to publish your half-page reflections on your blog (but this is not required).
• In your reflection, include a link to a blog entry that you feel demonstrate your ability to reflect on and discuss the assigned readings with your peers.
  

• With respect to your term project, describe your progress since your last "action item."
  
• Very briefly, sketch out where you feel you should be by the time you write your next portfolio.
• If you have actually produced substantial work towards your project, include it here for my feedback.
• For the first portfolio, your action item may simply have been a proposal and a rough timeline. For this portfolio, possible action items might include

• A complete timeline.
• A one-page handout for the "New Media Journalism" website.
• A draft of a letter to publicize a journalism contest, and a list of addresses for mailing.
• A list of URLs that link to pages you have "webbified" (adding links and formatting for the online reader) on the Setonian Online.