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You know the drill...

Post a link on this page, that points to a cover blog entry. That new entry should contain links to your best work since the last blogging portfolio. Demonstrate the ability to make the important interesting -- rather than just post links to your homework, come up with something that makes a reader want to click each link. Make a point; assemble and organize your knowledge; demonstrate your growth; share your struggles; rejoice in your accomplishments.

The general categories to include in your portfolio are the same as for Portfolio 2.

Comprehensive review exam.

Rescheduled from Friday, Nov 30.

(Was listed as a health/sci activity.)

File a short "breaking news" story that uses only the information you were able to gather during today's class exercise... AND file a longer story that incorporates the additional information I will send out sometime Saturday.

The short article (Ex 6A) can be just 100 words or so. it is due at 11 Monday morning.

The longer one (Ex 6B) should be 300-400. It is due by 11 Tuesday morning. (There will be more information revealed Monday morning, after I've had the chance to look at your Ex 6A submissions, so I won't open the Turnitin.com slot for Ex 6B until after Monday's class.)

Upload to Turnitin.com an informal report on your progress for Article 2.

1. What interviews have you conducted? (In person, by telephone, by e-mail?)
   
2. What interviews have you scheduled? (In person, by telephone, by e-mail?)
3. What interview subjects have you identified, but not yet approached? (In person, by telephone, by e-mail?)
4. What background research have you conducted (links to or quotations from specific articles that have helped you begin your work; book chapters, handouts, or other resources that have helped you get started; other planning?)
   
5. What changes, if any, did you make to your angle in order to make it more newsworthy (relevant to a wide number of readers, not just those who already happen to be interested in your chosen subject; tied to an event that is current, not old news; etc.)
6. Draft your lead, based on the information you have already gathered.
7. Is there a key person that you absolutely must interview, or the story will fall apart?
   
• If you have already done your most important interviews, good for you! 
  
• If not, what is your backup plan, if it turns out you can't get that interview in time?
  
8. What, if anything, can I do for you at this point to help you do your best work?
   

Recall that the article pitches that got the best grades last time were more than a sentence or two stating what you plan to do... the more work you've done on the pitch, the better the chance your editor will approve the story.

I realize it will be hard to do much work on your second pitch if you really love your idea for the first pitch, but please do take both parts of the assignment seriously.

Just bring your printout to class. As before, you will orally pitch your articles, I will ask questions when necessary, and you will submit your printouts

The sky's the limit... but if you pitch an article in which you get intensive plastic surgery and learn Russian in order to do six months undercover work as a Cosmonaut astronaut aboard the International Space Station, well, it might be time for a reality check.

Update, Nov 2: Class will not meet today, so that I can hold extra advising/consultation hours.

Brainstorm in groups on your own time. (You can do this by e-mail or blog, or you can arrange to meet on your own during class time.)