Story ideas surround you. All you have to do is observe your surroundings and you will find news stories to write about. A walk through your campus is a start. Answer the following questions about a couple buildings on campus (in a new blog entry). 1A. For whom were the buildings named? 1B. Are there plaques on benches, walls, doorways named for people who meant something to your university? 1C. Who were they? 1D. What did they do? 1E. When did they live, die or contribute something to your school? 2A. Are there signs around campus about construction? 2B. What is being built or renovated?
JULIAN A. MCPHEE UNIVERSITY UNION (bldg.65)
1A) My favorite building on campus is the Julian A. McPhee University Union named after former Cal Poly President Julian McPhee. The McPhee University Union opened in 1971 and provides a central location for students on campus. Inside the UU are many student resources such as the Women’s Center, Greek Life office, Rose Float office, Chumash Auditorium, lounges, El Corral Bookstore, ASI Business office, Craft Center, a bowling alley, etc.
1B) Just steps after walking inside the building, there is a large self-portrait of President McPhee on the immediate right side. Directly underneath the portrait is a plaque with his name engraved above the timeframe of his dedicated career at Cal Poly (1933-1966).
1C) Julian A. McPhee was President from 1933 through 1966, which continues to be the longest term in the history of Cal Poly.
1D) Dr. McPhee did many things while working as President, which include helping Cal Poly develop from a small junior college into a statewide highly praised university. Many historical changes took place in this era such as admittance of women students, a four-year curriculum, and the GI Bill of Rights.
1E) President McPhee retired in 1966.
H.P. DAVIDSON MUSIC CENTER (bldg. 45)
1A) The music building located next to Spanos Theatre is the music building named after H.P. Davidson who founded the Cal Poly Music Department in 1958.
1B) Outside of the building is a bench dedicated to a former student who is deceased. The plaque on the bench says, “William J. Kwan Jr./ October 18,1982-August 11, 2003/ Son, Brother, and Friend/ He brought us love, laughter, and music.”
1C) William J. Kwan Jr. was a student who I am assuming tragically died at a young age.
1D) He seems to have been a student who both excelled and studied music at Cal Poly.
1E)He did in was born in 1982 and died at the tender age of twenty-one years old in 2003.
2A) Yes, there are signs around Campus about a Renovation and Replacement in Phase IIB.
2B) Across the way of the Graphic Arts building on S. Perimeter is a fenced up area where the Engineering/Architecture renovation is currently taking place. I do not know when the renovation will be finished, but it looks to be in the beginning stages because behind the fencing is just flat land.
Monday, January 29, 2007
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Assignment #4
A Good Lead: Browse through a variety of print media (online or otherwise) and copy/paste three leads (must be in the first two sentences of story) that stand out to you as especially curious, engaging, humorous, off-the-wall, etc. Write a short paragraph under each lead describing why you chose it. Post as a new Blog entry.
LEAD 1: AMSTERDAM, Netherlands - After a long day hunting, there's nothing like wrapping your paw around a cold bottle of beer. So Terrie Berenden, a pet shop owner in the southern Dutch town of Zelhem, created a beer for her Weimaraners made from beef extract and malt.
REASON: I found this lead-in to be quite humorous because of how odd it was. I know in the past people have let their dogs sip on some beer just for giggles, but for someone to go the lengths as to put beef extract and malt in beer is funny. It seems as if the dog owner was more considerate of her dog’s liking for the beer. I also liked how the writer personified a dog. It added the humorous touch. At first, I did not necessarily notice that the writer was speaking of a dog who is drinking beer, but then I caught on in the second sentence of the lead-in.
LEAD 2: DELRAY BEACH, Florida (CNN) -- The partially mummified body of a baby, wrapped in 1950s newspapers, was found Monday by a woman going through her deceased parents' belongings in a southeast Florida storage facility, according to police.
REASON: I chose this lead-in because I was especially curious to hear the story behind it. I am addicted to the show Law & Order (Special Victims Unit), so mystery-like stories always catch my attention. The story is very sad, but a mysterious one at that. The story had no real explanation, just guesses, but I would be interested to find out what actually happened in the 1950s when the baby died.
LEAD 3: John Sherick was driving home peacefully to Cambria with his wife, Margaret, when their Honda Element suddenly rolled off Highway 1, tore down a highway sign, crashed through some bushes and came to rest in the shrubs.
REASON: I was mostly intrigued to read the article when I saw the title “When is it time to give up the keys?” After reading the lead-in, I wanted to find out what happened to the couple. I soon realized the article was about elderly people who are no longer able to handle the responsibility of driving and how devastating it can be to them. The lead-in about the couple was an example to set up for the real issue at hand. I could relate to the message of the article because my grandpa has actually said that he would rather die than not be able to drive anymore. A couple of years ago, he had failed a written driving exam and was very upset. He passed the second time, but had he failed, his license would have been revoked.
LEAD 1: AMSTERDAM, Netherlands - After a long day hunting, there's nothing like wrapping your paw around a cold bottle of beer. So Terrie Berenden, a pet shop owner in the southern Dutch town of Zelhem, created a beer for her Weimaraners made from beef extract and malt.
REASON: I found this lead-in to be quite humorous because of how odd it was. I know in the past people have let their dogs sip on some beer just for giggles, but for someone to go the lengths as to put beef extract and malt in beer is funny. It seems as if the dog owner was more considerate of her dog’s liking for the beer. I also liked how the writer personified a dog. It added the humorous touch. At first, I did not necessarily notice that the writer was speaking of a dog who is drinking beer, but then I caught on in the second sentence of the lead-in.
LEAD 2: DELRAY BEACH, Florida (CNN) -- The partially mummified body of a baby, wrapped in 1950s newspapers, was found Monday by a woman going through her deceased parents' belongings in a southeast Florida storage facility, according to police.
REASON: I chose this lead-in because I was especially curious to hear the story behind it. I am addicted to the show Law & Order (Special Victims Unit), so mystery-like stories always catch my attention. The story is very sad, but a mysterious one at that. The story had no real explanation, just guesses, but I would be interested to find out what actually happened in the 1950s when the baby died.
LEAD 3: John Sherick was driving home peacefully to Cambria with his wife, Margaret, when their Honda Element suddenly rolled off Highway 1, tore down a highway sign, crashed through some bushes and came to rest in the shrubs.
REASON: I was mostly intrigued to read the article when I saw the title “When is it time to give up the keys?” After reading the lead-in, I wanted to find out what happened to the couple. I soon realized the article was about elderly people who are no longer able to handle the responsibility of driving and how devastating it can be to them. The lead-in about the couple was an example to set up for the real issue at hand. I could relate to the message of the article because my grandpa has actually said that he would rather die than not be able to drive anymore. A couple of years ago, he had failed a written driving exam and was very upset. He passed the second time, but had he failed, his license would have been revoked.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Assignment #3
IDEAS FOR NEWS STORY
1. Modern Technology in Relation to Romantic Relationships (Text messaging & face book)
2. Homeless Population of SLO
3. Go (RED) and Help Save Lives in Africa
4. Diversity or No Diversity? That is the Question (A Day in the Life of a Black Cal Poly Student)
Footnote: locate an antidiscrimination organization in San Luis Obispo talking about lack of diversity in the county. Also talk to Cal Poly's minority recruitment officer (Ombudsman).
1. Modern Technology in Relation to Romantic Relationships (Text messaging & face book)
2. Homeless Population of SLO
3. Go (RED) and Help Save Lives in Africa
4. Diversity or No Diversity? That is the Question (A Day in the Life of a Black Cal Poly Student)
Footnote: locate an antidiscrimination organization in San Luis Obispo talking about lack of diversity in the county. Also talk to Cal Poly's minority recruitment officer (Ombudsman).
Assignment #2
Components of the Basic News Story
1. HEADLINE: Thousands gather on Capitol steps for animal rights
2. SUMMARY LEAD: WASHINGTON-Thousand of animals rights activists rallied in the nation’s capital yesterday. Seeking to promote the humane treatment of animals in the wild, on farms and in research laboratories.
3. BACKUP: U.S. Capitol Police said an estimated 24,000 people attended a rally on the steps of the Capitol after a one-mile march down Pennsylvania Avenue under sunny skies. Organizers said more than 50,000 people from around the country showed up.
The LEAD QUOTE: “In the meantime,” he said, “we want to improve the condition of animals and promote alternatives to reform society.”
4. IMPACT: Peter Linck, coordinator of the march, said the ultimate goal of the animal rights activists was to stop the use of animals in scientific research. However, he conceded it was unlikely the public would adopt the stance. “In the meantime,” he said, “we want to improve the condition of animals and promote alternatives to reform society.”
5. ATTRIBUTION: (backup with attribution) U.S. Capitol Police said an estimated 24,000 people attended a rally on the steps of the Capitol after a one-mile march down Pennsylvania Avenue under sunny skies. Organizers said more than 50,000 people from around the country showed up…Marchers chanted, “Animal rights now.” …Peter Linck, coordinator of the march, said the ultimate goal of the animal rights activists was to stop the use of animals in scientific research. However, he conceded it was unlikely the public would adopt the stance. “In the meantime,” he said, “we want to improve the condition of animals and promote alternatives to reform society.”…Health and Human Services Secretary Louis W. Sullivan has criticized the animal-rights advocates who use violence and intimidation to block testing of animals…Sullivan said some of the greatest advances in medicine, such as the cure for polio, never would have been achieved had animals not been used in tests.
6. BACKGROUND: Organizers said “March for Animals”--the first events of its kind--was a milestone in a movement they said was once viewed as outside the mainstream. Among the groups participating were the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, People for Ethical Treatment of Animals, the U.S. Humane Society and the Doris Day Animal League.
7. ELABORATION: Marchers chanted, “Animal rights--now.” Many carried banners and placards with pictures and slogans saying things such as “Fur id Dead” and “Animals Have Rights, Too.” Some brought their dogs…
The event attracted a wide variety of animal supporters, Linck said. They ranged from those who want protection of species, such as elephants, to those seeking to end medical testing on animals. Many were seeking changes in the way animals are raised for slaughter, as well as a band on fur clothes.
8. ENDING (FUTURE ACTION): Participants in yesterday’s march planned to lobby Congress today in support of bills that deal with animal issues.
1. HEADLINE: Thousands gather on Capitol steps for animal rights
2. SUMMARY LEAD: WASHINGTON-Thousand of animals rights activists rallied in the nation’s capital yesterday. Seeking to promote the humane treatment of animals in the wild, on farms and in research laboratories.
3. BACKUP: U.S. Capitol Police said an estimated 24,000 people attended a rally on the steps of the Capitol after a one-mile march down Pennsylvania Avenue under sunny skies. Organizers said more than 50,000 people from around the country showed up.
The LEAD QUOTE: “In the meantime,” he said, “we want to improve the condition of animals and promote alternatives to reform society.”
4. IMPACT: Peter Linck, coordinator of the march, said the ultimate goal of the animal rights activists was to stop the use of animals in scientific research. However, he conceded it was unlikely the public would adopt the stance. “In the meantime,” he said, “we want to improve the condition of animals and promote alternatives to reform society.”
5. ATTRIBUTION: (backup with attribution) U.S. Capitol Police said an estimated 24,000 people attended a rally on the steps of the Capitol after a one-mile march down Pennsylvania Avenue under sunny skies. Organizers said more than 50,000 people from around the country showed up…Marchers chanted, “Animal rights now.” …Peter Linck, coordinator of the march, said the ultimate goal of the animal rights activists was to stop the use of animals in scientific research. However, he conceded it was unlikely the public would adopt the stance. “In the meantime,” he said, “we want to improve the condition of animals and promote alternatives to reform society.”…Health and Human Services Secretary Louis W. Sullivan has criticized the animal-rights advocates who use violence and intimidation to block testing of animals…Sullivan said some of the greatest advances in medicine, such as the cure for polio, never would have been achieved had animals not been used in tests.
6. BACKGROUND: Organizers said “March for Animals”--the first events of its kind--was a milestone in a movement they said was once viewed as outside the mainstream. Among the groups participating were the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, People for Ethical Treatment of Animals, the U.S. Humane Society and the Doris Day Animal League.
7. ELABORATION: Marchers chanted, “Animal rights--now.” Many carried banners and placards with pictures and slogans saying things such as “Fur id Dead” and “Animals Have Rights, Too.” Some brought their dogs…
The event attracted a wide variety of animal supporters, Linck said. They ranged from those who want protection of species, such as elephants, to those seeking to end medical testing on animals. Many were seeking changes in the way animals are raised for slaughter, as well as a band on fur clothes.
8. ENDING (FUTURE ACTION): Participants in yesterday’s march planned to lobby Congress today in support of bills that deal with animal issues.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Assignment #1
Pick a popular news story and find at least three forms of media (i.e. Website (print), Podcast (audio), and MPEG (video)) that are disseminating the story. Write a one-page analysis of the pros and cons of each medium.
Three Forms of Media: Pro's and Cons
The Story: The increasingly cold weather has caused icicles to hang off plants, but temperatures are expected to raise.
WEBSITE (print)
PROS: I knew the most details about the story and was able to go back and read lines if I didn’t catch it the first time around. I could go at my own pace because I was the one reading. Print media seems like it has the most accurate information and also has great visuals. There was a picture of an icicle hanging off a plant. The icicles looked over two feet long. The visual really captured my eye. Words combined with images helped me remmeber the most and were the most powerful.
CONS: I didn't really see any cons.
PODCAST (audio)
PROS: Understanding this form of media took the least effort. I did not have to read and I did not have to watch. All I had to do was listen.
CONS: I only remembered what I wanted to listen to. If I got bored, I would zone out and not really listen.
MPEG (video)
PROS: People are drawn to visual things. I was almost distracted when watching the telvision and not really listening to the broadcaster.
CONS: Even though I have a vivid picture in my mind, I still do not know all the details of the story.
Three Forms of Media: Pro's and Cons
The Story: The increasingly cold weather has caused icicles to hang off plants, but temperatures are expected to raise.
WEBSITE (print)
PROS: I knew the most details about the story and was able to go back and read lines if I didn’t catch it the first time around. I could go at my own pace because I was the one reading. Print media seems like it has the most accurate information and also has great visuals. There was a picture of an icicle hanging off a plant. The icicles looked over two feet long. The visual really captured my eye. Words combined with images helped me remmeber the most and were the most powerful.
CONS: I didn't really see any cons.
PODCAST (audio)
PROS: Understanding this form of media took the least effort. I did not have to read and I did not have to watch. All I had to do was listen.
CONS: I only remembered what I wanted to listen to. If I got bored, I would zone out and not really listen.
MPEG (video)
PROS: People are drawn to visual things. I was almost distracted when watching the telvision and not really listening to the broadcaster.
CONS: Even though I have a vivid picture in my mind, I still do not know all the details of the story.
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