A word about the projects...

Hi--

If you're writing any kind of investigative report (journalistic) for your final project (and I know that at least three of you are), here's what you need to know:

-- You have an option of writing either 1) an extended 1000-1250-word piece, or 2) 2-4 smaller pieces that collectively add up to about 1000-1250 words. (Most magazine pieces are 750-1500 words-- that's why we're going with that length).

-- Also, the piece needs to be something for the online environment, so I'd like for you to create a blog for the project. Feel free to play around with the tools available at blogspot.com to make it aesthetically pleasing (include graphics, photos, perhaps embed a YouTube clip, if appropriate, and so on). Make sure you set up the blog so that it is NOT searchable and NOT listed in the list of available blogs. After it's completed and set up, then we can let it "go live."

-- Under the "permissions" tab, set up your blog so that only invited readers can read it. Then invite me using my gmail address (jackpowers2@gmail.com).

-- When putting together the piece, examine the info posted (or in your text) about news values. Make sure that your story fits at least one of those values. You'll need to identify the values most appropriate for your story (or stories) in an abstract included at the top of your blog (not actually part of your story). That abstract will also briefly explain why you chose the topic you did, who your potential audience is, and the steps you took to write the piece.

-- Your piece will need to have at least five sources. These can be authoritarian (officials, experts, etc.), references to other published works ("according to a report by The Kaiser Foundation..."), and individuals involved (college students, person-on-the-street, those with a compelling story, and so on). You need to have at least one type of each source (so you can't have just 5 college students, for example).

Let me know if you have any specific questions!

Peace,

Jack