Instructor: Jeff Coleman jeff_coleman@dpsk12.org Rm 107 Phone: 720 423-7146

Texts: Journalism Today (Replacement cost $29.95), The Elements of Style ($5.95)

Materials required: Spiral notebook (to be left in the classroom at all times)
Three ring binder or folder for class handouts and assignments.
Pencil or pen brought to class every day.

Overview

The focus of this class will be the basic elements of journalism and the practical application thereof. You will write and write and then write some more, after which you will rewrite. You will learn to interview, research, and organize. You will work alone and in groups. You will be expected to turn in quality work on time. You will read from newspapers and magazines, and books, discuss important stories, and debate various editorial positions. You will learn to proofread, edit, and critique the work of your peers. Finally you will take all that you have learned and apply it to the task of producing a magazine.

A Few Words about Grades, Attendance, and Tardiness

I expect you to be in class on time every day. Absences will affect your grade in very short order. Work missed because of excused absences can be made up for full credit and is due within the same number of days as the absence plus one day (i.e. if you are absent for one day, you have two days to make up missed work, if you are absent for three days, you have four days for make-up, etc.). Tardiness is unacceptable and will result in lunch detention for every offense after the first.

Staff Editorial Positions

In September students will apply for staff positions on the magazine. These include editor-in-chief, photo editor, art director, feature editors, fiction editors, poetry editors, technical editors, and business manager, reporters, columnists, and photographers. Assignment to these positions will be made by the advisor based on the application itself and the quality of the students work up to that point in the semester. Students will serve in these positions at the discretion of the advisor based on their ongoing performance in these critical jobs.

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Spring Semester 2008

Journalism/Magazine Production
Writing Assignment #1: Home Interview

Deadline: Monday, January 14, Beginning of class
Length: 2-3 pages
Total Points: 100

Overview: Write a paper about anyone in your family who is available for an interview. Try to pick the most interesting person in your family to write about. Perhaps your mother has an interesting or unusual job, your sister is a professional athlete, your brother is a musician or actor, or perhaps one of your parents or grand-parents can provide some interesting slant on a historical event. Pinpoint one or two interesting things about the person and focus on telling that story. Don’t try to tell their entire life history in two pages.

Style & Format: All writing assignments in this class will have the same format. They will be word-processed using Microsoft Word for Macintosh and using the Times 12 point font. They will be double-spaced and the printed copy will have three-quarter inch margins. Titles will be centered and there will be four spaces between the title and the text. The heading will be as follows:

Do not make a title page. You will submit a digital copy as well as a printed hard copy. Do not turn in your work in a folder or report cover. Simply staple it in the upper left corner.

Be on time. In journalism there are no excuses for missed deadlines. Turning your work in late will reduce your grade (see Grade Expectations sheet for details).
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