Class Notes 02/04/19

By Emma Lovato

IMP! Joy Baker story is due at 4 p.m. this Thursday (2/7). There is another grammar quiz next week. We went over print lead rules, the inverted triangle, and common errors from the last assignment. Professor Piacente would like hard copies of all homework, going forward. Handwritten copies are not acceptable.

Here’s what we did:

Current events quiz: Make sure you are reading your emails. Sometimes Professor Piacente sends c-e hints.

Housekeeping: We reviewed the grading scale on the syllabus, as well as how grades are weighted. Pieces that are ready to be published in a college-level organization will receive an A. If your grade on an assignment is lower than a B, you have 48 hours to resubmit the assignment with corrections for the possibility of earning up to a B. Remember that all homework needs to be submitted in the form of a hard copy (this may mean typing up some assignments that you have done in the book). All homework up this point will be due next class (2/11). We also met or class writing tutor, Taylor. Professor Piacente's contact info is on the syllabus, and right here as well!

stevepiacente@gmail.com

301-861-6118

Twitter: @wordsprof

Instagram: stevepiacente

Skype: stevepiacente

Common Errors: Professor Piacente usually puts together a list of “Top Ten” common errors from each writing assignment. The most common ones listed from the new soccer coach story were using opinion words in the story, using redundant information (for example, saying that the coach was announced at a press conference). Make sure when you are adding details you are asking “who would care?” to avoid using unnecessary information.

            A Date & the 5 W’s: This PPT is now available on Blackboard. Important to remember: Don’t bury your lead. Most of the time, news stories are not linear. The reader needs to know the most important information first. The inverted pyramid is a template used to organize news stories.

            Print Lead Rules:

·        Most important info first

·        25 words or less

·        Past tense

·        Don’t reveal personal opinions

·        Always include attribution from an official source (usually at end of lead)

·        Always avoid factual and AP style errors.

Grammar quiz: There will be another one of these next week covering general grammar rules, as well as AP style. There are resources on blackboard to help you study, in addition to a section of the textbook.

Handout: "Trade Secrets" The main summary of this article is that the most important journalistic lessons can’t be taught, they must be learned through experience. Also, you get better at writing by writing - and then receiving constructive feedback.

Next week’s homework:

·        Read all the section front for The Washington Post (Front, Metro, Style, Sports).

·        All homework that has been assigned up to this point will be due next class. The full list is available on the syllabus. Anyone not up to date by next week will lose points.

·        Prepare for the second grammar quiz.

·        The Joy Baker story is due at 4 p.m. this Thursday, you need to submit it as a Word Doc to Professor Piacente’s email.

·        Read chapters 8 & 10 in the textbook and list your top three takeaways from each chapter (these need to be submitted in hard copy, as well).