Schedule changes

 See changes to schedule  in red below:

SEPT 3 Introduction, In-class reporting and deadline writing assignment #1: Hand in 500 words with LEAD and NUTGRAPH about first day of class. NEXT:  read Chap. 5; write 300-word summary for next class. Bring  in three or more written ideas of speeches/events to attend, ideally during class time, at UMass or nearby in the coming days.

SEPT 5  Discuss Chap. 5 and speech options, discuss first-day pieces. NEXT: Read Chap. 16 on speeches, write 200-word summary for next class. ALSO READ CHAPTER 15 ON INTERVIEW PRINCIPLES FOR NEXT CLASS (BULLET POINTS ARE NOT DUE) 

SEPT 10 Discuss chapters on speeches and INTERVIEWING, how to write a speech story.  In-class INTERVIEW ASSIGNMENT- Interview a classmate on a topic he/she is an expert on while a third classmate videotapes the interview. Post  2-3 minute interview videos on blog.

NEXT: Read Read Chap 15 on Interviewing Principles to discuss. Write 6 "bullet points" based on information in chapter.

SEPT 12 Analyze videotaped interviews. We discussed going to see Daniel Brook, author of a new book, "A History of Future Cities," at 4:30 p.m., but we may go to the Amherst Block Party instead and write a 600-word event story WITH photos (worth 5 percent of total grade), due next class/Sept. 17  in-class interviewing/(multimedia)/writing exercise  #2 : In groups of 3, one person interviews a classmate after determining a topic that person is an expert on while the third person films the exchange to be posted on the class blog (or class Facebook page?) to analyze. Repeat until all three class members have been recorded. (5 percent of total grade)

NEXT: Write a brief profile pitch to present next class.

SEPT 17 SPEECH/EVENTPAPER MAY BE DUE DEPENDING UPON THE SPEECH/EVENT WE ATTEND Present profile pitch; analyze interview videos; prepare questions for class visitor. NEXT: Read Chaps. 2 and 3. Write 500 word “pre-first draft” profile with lead, nutgraph and quote(s).

SEPT 19 VISITOR TO CLASS - Prepare questions in advance; interview visitor, take notes and write a 600-word piece  (worth 5 percent of total grade) due next class/Sept. 24. NEXT: Read Chap. 7 on the Writer's Art.

SEPT 24 Peer edit "pre-first draft"  of profile with lead, nutgraph and one or more quotes. -- Discuss Chaps. 2 and 3.  In-class work on profiles: write 100-200 words related to the subject of your profile SHOWING something (vs TELLING) , post it on the blog and critique. 

SEPT 26 SPEECH PAPERS DUE 650-750 words on speaker. Include word count. In-class, write mini pieces 400-500 words on a classmate based on your taped interviews. First draft of profile will be due on Tuesday, Oct. 1. (1,000 words, include word count.) FIRST DRAFT PROFILE DUE (INCLUDE WORD COUNT) Discuss feature stories. In-class, deadline writing assignment #3: In pairs, interview 4 people on campus on subject TBA; write 500 word story on-deadline with quotes from each of your sources.