Updated Pages at The Buzz

I added information to Contact Us, School District 40 information, Resources. Also, put up Catherine's article on Sheryl's visit. Added graphics to Giving Praise and Flying After the Sun articles. Pages without content have a "content coming soon." The Features page duplicates the content on the home page for the moment.

Need a teaser for the article on Sheryl. And more articles if you're late with yours! The Romance article can come anytime! I'll wait until Sunday to send out the email newsletter to give everyone a chance to get their articles up.

Enjoy the sunshine guys . . .

Latest Assignments: Post Them Here

Here's the latest list of story assignments. Stacey can add her idea in the comments section. Harjit promises us his piece soon (saw him after class). When I send out the mass email and link up the Buzz to the PALC web site, I'll let you know in a post. Should happen on the weekend.

Hiromi: Feature on teacher “Rick”
Helena: Travel journal while travelling in China and Tibet.
Ben: Romantic story
Brad: something for the “More on Writing” page
Rosaria: recipe for marinated roast beef
Ritsuko: how to communicate and behave in a Canadian setting at a party; hot springs; turquoise
James: updated Canucks article; +something else
Olivia: a rant (it has to be something that REALLY bothers you)
Larry: more on cats or maybe pigs?
Catherine: Sheryl article; something for romance; cultural differences
Natalia: More on music

Apophasis Anyone? Put Your Rants Here!

Here's the post for your not-so-polite rant about something using the handy Greek technique called apophasis. Here's a web link for apophasis.

Buzz Updates and Tasks for Writers (Updated Mar. 26)

NEW:

1. Copy edited Catherine's "Giving Praise" piece. I think it's ready. Note how I changed paragraphing from original.
2. Copy edited Larry's piece on cats. See if you can spot my changes. I qualified in two spots (see "many" and "often" in the revision).
3. Added and copy edited Rosaria's piece on baked mussels. Note my extensive edit to the first sentence and use of the present perfect tense. By the way, my wife says, "Sounds yummy!"
4. Added and copy edited Suzanne's piece on snooker. Anyone want to write a "teaser" for Suzanne? Oh, and where are all your teasers? It helps me to set up the home page. If anyone wants to volunteer to do one for another student, feel free.
5. Copy edited Hiromi's piece on John Grisham.
6. Added and copy edited Helena's Flying After the Sun

I added content to the home page, About Us, and the Music We Like article from Natalia (so you can see how subheads look on a "real" page). Mock up of the site.

Teasers from Larry, Catherine, Stacey and Natalia are demonstrated on the home page, along with headlines. Articles are in alphabetical order btw. Writers who feel that their article is ready to be at the mockup stage should submit article revisions or say they feel it's ready at the "Articles Ready" post.

NOTE: As "copy" editor, I reserve the right to make corrections to the text. A writer's responsibility is to read the final version carefully and note any edits that were made. We can use some class time to discuss edits and the whys of my decisions.

Everyone who has done an article should write a one or two sentence "teaser" for the home page (max 20 words or so). Each teaser would act to attract a reader to click on to read your full article. Think honey and bees!

Proper Edits?

Hi Brad.

I was wondering, would it be an improper thing to do to re-word some of the student's writing? Could you outline what I can and cannot do. Possibly outline my duties? I could really use your advice. I could live without another misunderstanding. Thanks.

The "Article's Ready" Post

If you feel your article is ready for publication, post it here. Editors have to agree or give some reasons why they want revisions, including specific instructions to the writer. I elect James and Hiromi and Stacey to act as co-editors. Be sure to state your agreement as quickly as possible.

If all agree, I'll post the final version to the Buzz mockup for a look at how it'll appear online. If you have graphics in mind, send them along as an attachment to your email. Photos, too. Once enough articles are posted to the Buzz, we can decide on the "splash" date.

Revisions and Edits for The Buzz

The original post is getting a bit long, so post any final revisions etc. here for a last look. Take a look at Stacey and Hiromi's subheadings and try the same if you haven't already. Remember that for the Web, a paragraph of 50 to 75 words is long enough. Whatever you do, don't be boring as a Web reader tends to decide to move on in seconds!
NEW: Here's another good resource on writing well for the Web.

About Us: The Final Word?

You all have copies of the various "About Us" versions. Using all the contributions so far and whatever other fresh ideas you may have, post a "final" version for us to see. We may need to vote on it!

Sheryl McFarlane: Reactions etc.

Post your comments to Sheryl's visit here. If you'd like to try writing a short news article on her visit, you can also post that here. Natalia has the most notes! If you have any suggestions for Sheryl on her presentation, you might post that, too, as I'm sure she'd appreciate any feedback.

Editor Position: Clarification (March 8)

Remember that the editor assigns stories and makes final decisions on readiness for publication. The final proofreading or copy editing I can do just before the piece goes "live"! I, of course, will appreciate good clean text with little for me to do . . .

Also, it's not really necessary for everyone to do a weekly piece. A big splash will be nice. If we don't have something ready for a features page, then a short piece of text to explain what kinds of articles will appear would be helpful.