Week 3 - Summary

CONTENT: On Tuesday, we slowed down to digest some of the material we have been working with: attribution, plagiarism, sourcing, interviewing, leads, quotes, nut graph etc.
The California Primary assignment was handed out. It is also posted on the blogsite.
On Thursday, we began to discuss and work with the “inverted pyramid” the basic structure for a news story. We will continue with this on Tuesday.

QUIZ: We went over the quiz from Week 2. We also had an open book quiz on letters A-F in the AP stylebook.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “When in doubt, leave it out.” That means, it is better to delete a piece of information or a quote if you can’t remember where you got it and are unable to attribute it, than to take a chance and print it. Also, it is better to omit a statement of your own that you cannot back up with evidence or examples in your story, than to go out on a limb.

READING: Ch.7 in the Carol Rich text and page 174 of Ch. 8 (the inverted pyramid).
It is very important that you are well versed in the different styles of lead, and what a nut graph is. As well, please go back over Chapter 5 if you need to review interviewing styles and how to write up interviews in your articles.
- Please look over G – L in the AP stylebook.
- Please read the California Primary Assignment.
- Please pick up the Jan. 18 edition of the Moorpark Acorn and read the set-up piece on page 9, by Daneil Wolowicz, under the headline: “California Primary Approaches on Fast Track.” If the edition is no longer on the stands, please look up the article online:
http://www.moorparkacorn.com/news/2008/0118/Community/019.html

ASSIGNMENT: Please do exercises 1, 3, 5 on pages 147 – 148. These must be typed and submitted in hard copy form on Tuesday. (10 pts).
(If you have not yet handed in the previous two homework assignment, please submit them in hard copy at the beginning of class. Written assignments will not be accepted more than one week after they are due.)
- Please come to class prepared to tell us at what polling station you intend to interview voters on Feb. 5th.
- Those of you who can access the textbook website, please try to do the online exercises and quizzes. This will help you master the material.

Have a great weekend. You may email the instructor at nmorris@vcccd.edu if you have any questions.