Top 5 Blogs -- Final Count!!!

Congratulations on all of the spectacular work that can be found on the links to your right. During our blog project I saw some very impressive drive, growth and determination as many of you gave your all.

Thank you to everyone for a great school year and have a great summer!

To the seniors, it was a pleasure teaching you and best of luck in college and the years beyond.

Now, on the last day of school, here are the top 5 blogs as voted by your peers:

1) Nathaniel Kelliehan & Desmond Edwards

2) Claude Boston

3) Kamal Stephenson

4) Shantia Chavis

5) Shanta Thomas

Blog Project Due Friday, June 12th!

Remember, your blog project is due on Friday, June 12th!

No late blogs will be accepted.

That's 12 posts, 20-25 minutes worth of typing each.

Plus, your layout must be complete with all of the elements listed two posts below this one. Be sure to include Stat Counter on your blog -- directions in the post below this one.

Also, check your work against the rubric you received in class!

Good luck!

-Mr. Donohue

Stat Counter

The latest addition to your layout is a "Stat Counter", letting you know how many people have viewed your blog. You can find the Stat Counter for this blog in the lower right corner when you scroll to the bottom.

To set up Stat Counter, you have to visit www.statcounter.com to set up an account. Use your gmail information to register for an account and then follow the directions.

If you need help, send me an email at mr.donohue@gmail.com

See you in class!

-Mr.D.

Blog Project

Right now you should have the following covered on your blog. Remember, for most elements you just need to follow the "Add a Gadget" section on the "Layout" tab.

-Welcome note (found under the "text" option in "Add a gadget")
-About me (do not include information like last names, home addresses and school names)
-Links of all you classmate's ULRs
-A widget from ESPN.com or another sports source. For non-sports blogs, you must include a second link list with 5 links to websites related to your topic.
-Create a poll ending in June.
-1 Picture
-News Reel

Also, you should have at least 3 posts completed at this point. Remember, each post should represent 20-25 minutes worth of typing.

Email me with questions at mr.donohue@gmail.com.

See you in class!

-Mr. Donohue

Blog Work

By Monday, May 18th, you should have accomplished the following on the blog project.

1) Created a blog at blogger.com

2) Set up your blog with the following (go to "layout" or "customize" and then click "add a gadget").

-Link 3-5 classmates in a link list (see links on the side of this blog)

-Create a poll related to the topic of your blog.

-Add a photo.

-Add a news reel.

-Introduce your blog in 2-3 sentences in the "text" gadget.

-Add some information on the "About me" section -- but nothing that reveals your real identity to the public!

-For Sports blogs: add a widget. Plenty of widgets can be found on ESPN.com under the link for "Sports Nation".

-For non-sports blogs: create a second link list with 5 links to sites related to your topic.

Please feel free to email me with questions: mr.donohue@gmail.com

See you in class!

-Mr. Donohue

HW #8, Due Thursday, April 29th!

For Thursday, complete a lead and a headline for BOTH press releases you are writing. See the post below this one for more information.

See you in class!

-Mr. Donohue

Press Release Assignment -- Due at Final Exam

PRESS RELEASE ASSIGNMENT



Assignment: Choose a famous scandal (sports or otherwise) and write two full press releases reflecting two separate perspectives on the incident. One perspective must be from those who are supporting the person in your scandal (team, company, etc.) while the other must go against the person in your scandal (the victim’s representatives, for example).

Due: At your final exam.

Rubric (All areas scored on a scale of 1-10, unless otherwise noted):
1) Proper length between 175-250 words, printed on one page.
2) Covers the five steps for writing a press release in full (20 points).
3) Uses proper “business language”.
4) Each press release has a clear point of view (two different kinds are necessary:
1) supporting the subject of you scandal or 2) working against the subject of your scandal)


Steps for writing a press release:
1) Write the headline. It should be brief, clear and to the point: an ultra-compact version of the press release’s key point. Try to grab the reader’s attention.
2) First body paragraph. Have a strong lead. A first paragraph (two to three sentences) must actually sum up the press release and the further content must elaborate it.
3) First & Second paragraphs: Include the 5Ws and H.
4) Include background information about the subject. Include facts, statistics and/or quotes.
5) Your contact information and signature.