Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Polling places in Amherst
From the Town of Amherst website:
Precincts
The Town of Amherst is divided into ten precincts which contain a total of eight polling locations.
You may also go to the State Elections Division website to look up your polling location.
Hours
The polling hours for all elections and all polling places are 7:00 am to 8:00 pm.
Prohibited Activities
State law prohibits the display of political paraphernalia within 150 feet of the entrance to the polling location. Signs, stickers, and even lapel buttons are not permitted within this restricted zone. State regulations also prohibit political solicitation within the restricted zone.
Voters may take their own personal notes into the polling place as an aid to assist their voting. This information cannot be shared with other voters or left in the polling place.
Precincts
The Town of Amherst is divided into ten precincts which contain a total of eight polling locations.
You may also go to the State Elections Division website to look up your polling location.
Hours
The polling hours for all elections and all polling places are 7:00 am to 8:00 pm.
Prohibited Activities
State law prohibits the display of political paraphernalia within 150 feet of the entrance to the polling location. Signs, stickers, and even lapel buttons are not permitted within this restricted zone. State regulations also prohibit political solicitation within the restricted zone.
Voters may take their own personal notes into the polling place as an aid to assist their voting. This information cannot be shared with other voters or left in the polling place.
Sunday, October 28, 2012
No Class Monday due to Hurricane Sandy
Hi Everybody -- Take care and let me know if you need anything. Plan to bring in your Feature first drafts (1,000 words, interviews with/quotes from 4 or more sources) Wednesday and we'll do some peer editing.
Here's the schedule for the remainder of the year:
OCT 29-- NO CLASS DUE TO HURRICANE SANDY
OCT 31 FIRST DRAFT FEATURE (1,000 words, INCLUDE WORD COUNT) DUE. PEER EDIT Discuss issue paper ideas and strategy. Discuss chapters 11 and 14. Next: Issue pitch. Discuss issue ideas, experts.
NOV 5 Issue pitch. Discuss interviewing voters at poll tomorrow/Election Day Nov. 6
TUESDAY, NOV. 6 --Interview voters at polls on Election Day. Write 600 words.
NOV 7 In-class work on Issue papers. Discuss Election Day interviews. NEXT: read Chap 20 on police FEATURE (1,000 words, INCLUDE WORD COUNT) DUE.
NOV 12 NO CLASS -Veterans Day
NOV 14 FIRST DRAFT ISSUE (with 4 voices, 2 of whom are "experts") due PEER EDIT Discuss Police chapter. In-class work on issue, blog. Next: read Chaps. 26 on Taste in Journalism and 27 on Morality.
NOV 19 Discuss Chapters 26 & 27
NOV 21 NO CLASS- Thanksgiving is NOV 22
NOV 26 END OF SEMESTER QUIZ In-class work on Issue paper. Discuss Chapters 24 and 25,
NOV 28 NEXT: Discuss Chaps. 24 and 25 on Government and Reporters and the Law; review writing. ISSUE (1,000 words INCLUDE WORD COUNT) DUE Discuss Open Meeting, definitions of slander etc.;
DEC 3 - Watch film and write REVIEW (10 percent of final grade) on deadline, due at end of class.
DEC 5 LAST DAY OF CLASS/RECAP
Here's the schedule for the remainder of the year:
OCT 29-- NO CLASS DUE TO HURRICANE SANDY
OCT 31 FIRST DRAFT FEATURE (1,000 words, INCLUDE WORD COUNT) DUE. PEER EDIT Discuss issue paper ideas and strategy. Discuss chapters 11 and 14. Next: Issue pitch. Discuss issue ideas, experts.
NOV 5 Issue pitch. Discuss interviewing voters at poll tomorrow/Election Day Nov. 6
TUESDAY, NOV. 6 --Interview voters at polls on Election Day. Write 600 words.
NOV 7 In-class work on Issue papers. Discuss Election Day interviews. NEXT: read Chap 20 on police FEATURE (1,000 words, INCLUDE WORD COUNT) DUE.
NOV 12 NO CLASS -Veterans Day
NOV 14 FIRST DRAFT ISSUE (with 4 voices, 2 of whom are "experts") due PEER EDIT Discuss Police chapter. In-class work on issue, blog. Next: read Chaps. 26 on Taste in Journalism and 27 on Morality.
NOV 19 Discuss Chapters 26 & 27
NOV 21 NO CLASS- Thanksgiving is NOV 22
NOV 26 END OF SEMESTER QUIZ In-class work on Issue paper. Discuss Chapters 24 and 25,
NOV 28 NEXT: Discuss Chaps. 24 and 25 on Government and Reporters and the Law; review writing. ISSUE (1,000 words INCLUDE WORD COUNT) DUE Discuss Open Meeting, definitions of slander etc.;
DEC 3 - Watch film and write REVIEW (10 percent of final grade) on deadline, due at end of class.
DEC 5 LAST DAY OF CLASS/RECAP
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Covering the Oct. 16 UMass police chief and dean of students' meeting with neighbors
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| Tom interviews Hwei-ling and Bob Greeney |
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| Nick interviews UMass Police Chief John Horvath |
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
What's coming up...
Feature pitches today.
Remember, a feature is like a profile in that it tries to bring something to life by describing the subject in specific detail and quoting sources talking about the subject in concrete, specific detail. The only difference is the feature is about an event/trend/group/thing etc. vs a person.
(The story, for example, by Maria Sacchetti about the two brothers who are Chilean consuls is a mini-feature. It starts with a descriptive scene of their headquarters, introduces the 76-year-old brothers and then describes how they are representative of other sometimes quirky mom-and-pop type consulates throughout the United States.)
You must include quotes from a minimum of FOUR SOURCES in the feature.
As with the profile, we'll do 1) a 200-300 word "pre-first draft," which we'll peer edit next Monday, Oct. 15; 2) a 1,000-word first draft, due Oct 29 and final draft, due Nov. 7.
Today, besides the feature, we'll briefly go over the chapters on accidents and obituaries and if we have time, we can do some work on the blogs. Ideally, you should have created your blogs by now. Don't forget to send me the addresses so I can post them on the class blog!
I'm looking forward to reading your 500-word pieces, due today, on Maria Sacchetti's visit.
Wednesday, Oct. 10 -- Feature pitch, Discuss accidents/disasters and obituaries chapters. Five hundred words on Maria Sacchetti visit due.
NEXT: Read Chapter 21 on Courts. Bring in written 250 words pre-first draft feature with potential lead, nutgraph and direct quotes.
Back to original schedule:
OCT 15 Peer edit pre-first draft Feature drafts. (lead, nutgraph and direct quotes.)
OCT 17 In-class work on feature and blog, discuss Chap. 21 on Courts FINAL DRAFT PROFILE DUE (1,000 words, INCLUDE WORD COUNT) In-class work on feature drafts Discuss Issue paper requirements, including interviews with 2-3 "experts."
OCT 22 NEXT: read Chaps. 11 on layered reporting. and 14 on sources.
OCT 24 MID-TERM QUIZ (on terms, concepts and AP tips discussed in class as well as Chapters 2,3, 7, 11, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 21) Discuss Chap. 11 and 14 and covering elections.
OCT 29 FIRST DRAFT FEATURE (1,000 words, INCLUDE WORD COUNT) DUE. PEER EDIT Discuss issue paper ideas and strategy. Next: Issue pitch.
OCT 31 Discuss issue ideas, experts. In-class work on blogs. NEXT: Issue pitch
NOV 5 Issue pitch. (Interview voters at polls on Election Day. Write 600 words.)
NOV 7 In-class work on Issue papers. Discuss Election Day interviews. NEXT: read Chap 20 on police FEATURE (1,000 words, INCLUDE WORD COUNT) DUE.
NOV 12 NO CLASS -Veterans Day
NOV 14 FIRST DRAFT ISSUE (with 4 voices, 2 of whom are "experts") due PEER EDIT Discuss Police chapter. In-class work on issue, blog. Next: read Chaps. 26 on Taste in Journalism and 27 on Morality.
NOV 19 Discuss Chapters 26 & 27
NOV 21 NO CLASS- Thanksgiving is NOV 22
NOV 26 END OF SEMESTER QUIZ In-class work on Issue paper. Discuss Chapters 24 and 25,
NOV 28 NEXT: Discuss Chaps. 24 and 25 on Government and Reporters and the Law; review writing. ISSUE (1,000 words INCLUDE WORD COUNT) DUE Discuss Open Meeting, definitions of slander etc.;
DEC 3 - Watch film and write REVIEW (10 percent of final grade) on deadline, due at end of class.
DEC 5 - LAST DAY OF CLASS/RECAP
Remember, a feature is like a profile in that it tries to bring something to life by describing the subject in specific detail and quoting sources talking about the subject in concrete, specific detail. The only difference is the feature is about an event/trend/group/thing etc. vs a person.
(The story, for example, by Maria Sacchetti about the two brothers who are Chilean consuls is a mini-feature. It starts with a descriptive scene of their headquarters, introduces the 76-year-old brothers and then describes how they are representative of other sometimes quirky mom-and-pop type consulates throughout the United States.)
You must include quotes from a minimum of FOUR SOURCES in the feature.
As with the profile, we'll do 1) a 200-300 word "pre-first draft," which we'll peer edit next Monday, Oct. 15; 2) a 1,000-word first draft, due Oct 29 and final draft, due Nov. 7.
Today, besides the feature, we'll briefly go over the chapters on accidents and obituaries and if we have time, we can do some work on the blogs. Ideally, you should have created your blogs by now. Don't forget to send me the addresses so I can post them on the class blog!
I'm looking forward to reading your 500-word pieces, due today, on Maria Sacchetti's visit.
Wednesday, Oct. 10 -- Feature pitch, Discuss accidents/disasters and obituaries chapters. Five hundred words on Maria Sacchetti visit due.
NEXT: Read Chapter 21 on Courts. Bring in written 250 words pre-first draft feature with potential lead, nutgraph and direct quotes.
Back to original schedule:
OCT 15 Peer edit pre-first draft Feature drafts. (lead, nutgraph and direct quotes.)
OCT 17 In-class work on feature and blog, discuss Chap. 21 on Courts FINAL DRAFT PROFILE DUE (1,000 words, INCLUDE WORD COUNT) In-class work on feature drafts Discuss Issue paper requirements, including interviews with 2-3 "experts."
OCT 22 NEXT: read Chaps. 11 on layered reporting. and 14 on sources.
OCT 24 MID-TERM QUIZ (on terms, concepts and AP tips discussed in class as well as Chapters 2,3, 7, 11, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 21) Discuss Chap. 11 and 14 and covering elections.
OCT 29 FIRST DRAFT FEATURE (1,000 words, INCLUDE WORD COUNT) DUE. PEER EDIT Discuss issue paper ideas and strategy. Next: Issue pitch.
OCT 31 Discuss issue ideas, experts. In-class work on blogs. NEXT: Issue pitch
NOV 5 Issue pitch. (Interview voters at polls on Election Day. Write 600 words.)
NOV 7 In-class work on Issue papers. Discuss Election Day interviews. NEXT: read Chap 20 on police FEATURE (1,000 words, INCLUDE WORD COUNT) DUE.
NOV 12 NO CLASS -Veterans Day
NOV 14 FIRST DRAFT ISSUE (with 4 voices, 2 of whom are "experts") due PEER EDIT Discuss Police chapter. In-class work on issue, blog. Next: read Chaps. 26 on Taste in Journalism and 27 on Morality.
NOV 19 Discuss Chapters 26 & 27
NOV 21 NO CLASS- Thanksgiving is NOV 22
NOV 26 END OF SEMESTER QUIZ In-class work on Issue paper. Discuss Chapters 24 and 25,
NOV 28 NEXT: Discuss Chaps. 24 and 25 on Government and Reporters and the Law; review writing. ISSUE (1,000 words INCLUDE WORD COUNT) DUE Discuss Open Meeting, definitions of slander etc.;
DEC 3 - Watch film and write REVIEW (10 percent of final grade) on deadline, due at end of class.
DEC 5 - LAST DAY OF CLASS/RECAP
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
10 suggestions from Maria:
1) If you have a goal, go for it first. Then reassess.2) Do your best to tell the true story.
3) Don't assume you know; be humble.
4) Work at your writing -- a foreign language if you're trying to learn one -- every day.
5) Appeal everything.
6) Go to job fairs. Wear a suit. Stand in line. Be nice. They might not hire you (but they might remember you).
7) Embrace math. Math is essential.
8) Always be careful and well-prepared when you travel abroad for a story. You don't want anything bad to happen. "Because then you can't tell the story."
9) Do your expenses.
10) Have fun. Learn salsa dancing, photography. Keep learning.
Monday, October 1, 2012
Updated class schedule
Updated class schedule, beginning with today's class (Notice the deadline to turn in the profile final draft has been moved up to OCT. 17):
Monday, Oct. 1 FIRST DRAFT PROFILE DUE (INCLUDE WORD COUNT) Peer edit. Discuss feature stories, Chapter 7 and SHOW (vs. tell) examples. Discuss Maria Sacchetti stories; generate questions for her. Feature pitch postponed till OCT 10.
Wednesday, Oct. 3 -- Class visitor Maria Sacchetti, a UMass alumna and immigration reporter for the Boston Globe. Take notes and write 500 words about her visit. Due Wednesday, Oct. 10.
NEXT: Read Chapter 18 on Accidents and Disasters and Chapter 19 on Obituaries.
Monday, Oct. 8-- No class (Get ready to do feature pitch on Wednesday)
Wednesday, Oct. 10 -- Feature pitch, Discuss accidents/disasters and obituaries chapters. NEXT: Read Chapter 21 on Courts. Bring in written 250 words pre-first draft feature with potential lead, nutgraph and direct quotes. Five hundred words on Maria Sacchetti visit due.
Back to original schedule:
OCT 15 Peer edit pre-first draft Feature drafts. (lead, nutgraph and direct quotes.)
OCT 17 In-class work on feature and blog, discuss Chap. 21 on CourtsFINAL DRAFT PROFILE DUE (1,000 words, INCLUDE WORD COUNT) In-class work on feature drafts Discuss Issue paper requirements, including interviews with 2-3 "experts."
OCT 22 NEXT: read Chaps. 11 on layered reporting. and 14 on sources.
OCT 24 MID-TERM QUIZ (on terms, concepts and AP tips discussed in class as well as Chapters 2,3, 7, 11, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 21) Discuss Chap. 11 and 14 and covering elections.
OCT 29 FIRST DRAFT FEATURE (1,000 words, INCLUDE WORD COUNT) DUE. PEER EDIT Discuss issue paper ideas and strategy. Next: Issue pitch.
OCT 31 Discuss issue ideas, experts. In-class work on blogs. NEXT: Issue pitch
NOV 5 Issue pitch. (Interview voters at polls on Election Day. Write 600 words.)
NOV 7 In-class work on Issue papers. Discuss Election Day interviews. NEXT: read Chap 20 on police FEATURE (1,000 words, INCLUDE WORD COUNT) DUE.
NOV 12 NO CLASS -Veterans Day
NOV 14 FIRST DRAFT ISSUE (with 4 voices, 2 of whom are "experts") due PEER EDIT Discuss Police chapter. In-class work on issue, blog. Next: read Chaps. 26 on Taste in Journalism and 27 on Morality.
NOV 19 Discuss Chapters 26 & 27
NOV 21 NO CLASS- Thanksgiving is NOV 22
NOV 26 END OF SEMESTER QUIZ In-class work on Issue paper. Discuss Chapters 24 and 25,
NOV 28 NEXT: Discuss Chaps. 24 and 25 on Government and Reporters and the Law; review writing. ISSUE (1,000 words INCLUDE WORD COUNT) DUE Discuss Open Meeting, definitions of slander etc.;
DEC 3 - Watch film and write REVIEW (10 percent of final grade) on deadline, due at end of class.
DEC 5 - LAST DAY OF CLASS/RECAP
Monday, Oct. 1 FIRST DRAFT PROFILE DUE (INCLUDE WORD COUNT) Peer edit. Discuss feature stories, Chapter 7 and SHOW (vs. tell) examples. Discuss Maria Sacchetti stories; generate questions for her. Feature pitch postponed till OCT 10.
Wednesday, Oct. 3 -- Class visitor Maria Sacchetti, a UMass alumna and immigration reporter for the Boston Globe. Take notes and write 500 words about her visit. Due Wednesday, Oct. 10.
NEXT: Read Chapter 18 on Accidents and Disasters and Chapter 19 on Obituaries.
Monday, Oct. 8-- No class (Get ready to do feature pitch on Wednesday)
Wednesday, Oct. 10 -- Feature pitch, Discuss accidents/disasters and obituaries chapters. NEXT: Read Chapter 21 on Courts. Bring in written 250 words pre-first draft feature with potential lead, nutgraph and direct quotes. Five hundred words on Maria Sacchetti visit due.
Back to original schedule:
OCT 15 Peer edit pre-first draft Feature drafts. (lead, nutgraph and direct quotes.)
OCT 17 In-class work on feature and blog, discuss Chap. 21 on CourtsFINAL DRAFT PROFILE DUE (1,000 words, INCLUDE WORD COUNT) In-class work on feature drafts Discuss Issue paper requirements, including interviews with 2-3 "experts."
OCT 22 NEXT: read Chaps. 11 on layered reporting. and 14 on sources.
OCT 24 MID-TERM QUIZ (on terms, concepts and AP tips discussed in class as well as Chapters 2,3, 7, 11, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 21) Discuss Chap. 11 and 14 and covering elections.
OCT 29 FIRST DRAFT FEATURE (1,000 words, INCLUDE WORD COUNT) DUE. PEER EDIT Discuss issue paper ideas and strategy. Next: Issue pitch.
OCT 31 Discuss issue ideas, experts. In-class work on blogs. NEXT: Issue pitch
NOV 5 Issue pitch. (Interview voters at polls on Election Day. Write 600 words.)
NOV 7 In-class work on Issue papers. Discuss Election Day interviews. NEXT: read Chap 20 on police FEATURE (1,000 words, INCLUDE WORD COUNT) DUE.
NOV 12 NO CLASS -Veterans Day
NOV 14 FIRST DRAFT ISSUE (with 4 voices, 2 of whom are "experts") due PEER EDIT Discuss Police chapter. In-class work on issue, blog. Next: read Chaps. 26 on Taste in Journalism and 27 on Morality.
NOV 19 Discuss Chapters 26 & 27
NOV 21 NO CLASS- Thanksgiving is NOV 22
NOV 26 END OF SEMESTER QUIZ In-class work on Issue paper. Discuss Chapters 24 and 25,
NOV 28 NEXT: Discuss Chaps. 24 and 25 on Government and Reporters and the Law; review writing. ISSUE (1,000 words INCLUDE WORD COUNT) DUE Discuss Open Meeting, definitions of slander etc.;
DEC 3 - Watch film and write REVIEW (10 percent of final grade) on deadline, due at end of class.
DEC 5 - LAST DAY OF CLASS/RECAP
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