The End is Near

Remember, the final project is due Tuesday, May 23rd by 7:30pm. No late work will be accepted (nor will I be granting any extensions).
I'll accept projects three ways:
1. In person on Tuesday no later than 7:30pm (seriously, I'm out of there at 7:30, so if you show up at 7:31, you'll be screwed)
2. In my mailbox (Vista 3rd floor) with a time stamp from a staff member reflecting it was received prior to 7:30 pm Tuesday
3. Via email sent prior to 7:30 pm. This option is limited to students who created blogs for their final project. Please include your blog address in the email or in the defense paper.

Also, if you would like your final project returned, bring a self addressed stamped envelop. I'm also happy to email you final project and class grades after May 26th. Just send me an email and I'll respond with your final scores.

This class was a pleasure to teach and I appreciate all the time and effort you have invested in the course.

News Media Annotated Bib

Using one of the following websites (or one you already are familiar with), write an annotated bib on a feature story. Look at not only what is being said, but also how it is said. Are their biases, agendas, omitted information? Make sure to be objective and think critically about the content. Again, you don't have to limit yourself to the sites listed below.
www.mediareasearch.org
Accuracy In Media
www.AlterNet.org
http://www.fair.org/index.php
Independent Media Center
MediaMatters.org
http://news.bbc.co.uk/
http://www.npr.org/
http://www.sfgate.com/

Due: 5/16

Writing Portfolio

The portfolio/self-evaluation provides an opportunity for you to reflect on your progress over the course of the semester, and to showcase the work that best indicates your progress.

You will turn in a folder that includes:
One one-pager and one annotated bibliography that best represent your writing and analytical skills
All three essays with my original comments and grading sheet.
(Optional) A rewrite of any of the previous three essays for an improved grade. Keep in mind that the essay should be reexamined for content, not just technical errors.
A one to two-page, type-written self-evaluation (explained below)

Your self-evaluation will include:
· A rationale for why you chose to include these particular work samples.
· A reflection on the semester and evaluation of yourself as a student in this class. Here are some suggested questions to help guide you: What have you learned as a writer? What have you learned as a reader? What was your role in learning (active? passive?)? What are you proud of? What would you have done differently?

If you would like your portfolio returned, please provide a self-addressed, stamped envelope with correct postage. I will not provide additional postage if you provide insufficient postage.

Due: 5/16

Media One-pager

Choose one of the following topics and write a one page response.

Watch three (or more) broadcasts of the evening news. You may catch broadcasts of the same news show on different nights or review samplings from several different news stations. Make a list of what stories are broadcasted and in what order they appear; jot down words, phrases or visuals that the broadcasters (or people interviewed) use to give the story an emotional spin. After your viewing, write an analysis on the kinds of Stories that appeared on the news. Think about what kinds of public fears are presented by the news media. What, if any, bias was apparent?

OR

Discuss a story that did not get enough media coverage. Why did this story go ignored? Who benefited from the story being underreported? How does it affect the public to be uninformed about the issues raised in the story?

Due: 5/9

Nearing the finish line

That's right. We only have five more classes, but every week there is an assignment due. All assignments are listed on the course schedule, but here's another reminder so no one forgets to do the homework.
April 25: Essay # 3 is due
May 2nd: Final project proposal due
May 9th: media one-pager (the prompt will be handed out and posted on the blog)
May 16th: Draft workshop for Final Project; Writing Portfolio and Annotated bib due
May 23rd: Final Project due by 7:30 pm!

Don't forget

Remember, you need to email me your thesis statement for essay #3 by Friday, April 14th. And an annotated bibliography on the reading from Stiff is due on Tuesday, April 18th.

Research Summary

As part of the preparation for the final project, you need to research relevant materials and write a brief summary. The material can be similar to what you intend to create (i.e. children's books, published zines, other peoples blogs) or you can research materials that will enhance your project (statistics, articles, historical info). Please include two-three sources. Summarize the source and discuss why it is relevant to your project.
Due April 4

Essay 3

5-7 pages
typed, double-spaced

For this essay you will take a stance on an issue. Your topic will relate directly to the subject of death. I encourage you to focus on the death industry (look to Mitford’s book for inspiration), how the media portrays death, how we as a society cope with death. You must email me your topic by April 14th.

Once you’ve developed your topic and taken a stance on an issue related to the topic, you will need to persuade your reader to agree with your stance. You will accomplish this with strong writing, a well thought out argument and supporting evidence. You will seek out evidence from legitimate sources such as books, magazines and newspapers. The outside materials should not make the argument for you, but rather, enhance and support your argument. For a review of how to write an argument, reread chapter six in From Critical Thinking to Argument. For more information on how to incorporated research materials read chapter seven in From Critical Thinking to Argument

What I expect:
- citations from legitimate sources using proper MLA format
- a works cited page (MLA format)
- a well articulated argument
- a strong thesis statement
- an error-free essay (proofread, proofread, proofread)

Draft Workshop: 4/18 (bring 2 copies and the front page for my review)
Final draft due: 4/25

Absolutely no late papers will be accepted!