December 1, 2008
EL 405 Final Project Progress
I created a new map and several new views over break, so I decided to redo my project from scratch. It’s finished and works without error. I just need to add popup images, which I will save to work on in class tomorrow.
Posted by Kayla Sawyer at 9:40 PM | Comments (2)
November 13, 2008
Ex. 3-2: Narrated Slideshow Project
Posted by Kayla Sawyer at 3:24 PM | Comments (0)
November 8, 2008
EL 200: Comprehensive reading reflection
Like most of my reading responses, several focused on the differences between the Setonian and other, larger student newspapers. I wrote about how some people on staff write a "how to" guide for their particular position, as opposed to a full manual. I didn't know that there was a staff manual. I've been on the staff for three years and I have not seen it or heard of it. I guess that shows how useful it is to everyone. The author also gave suggestions on the process one could go through to become an editor. I wrote about how there isn't any competition for position on the Setonian, so no formal application is necessary.
This section of the book was focused on the legal problems that newspaper can run into. Libel is a big concern and I learned that it really only applies to people who aren't already in the public eye. Politicians can be bashed in opinion editorials and letters to the editor, but their young children, for example, are typically not commented on. I disagreed with the author when it was suggested that possible topics for a student newspaper could be about websites that rate teachers and the comments they have. Those kind of subjects are more for gossip and pop magazines. Obscenity was another controversial issue. Though you shouldn't remove words from people's quotes, removing obscene language keeps the newspapers classy.
Posted by Kayla Sawyer at 4:48 PM | Comments (2)
November 3, 2008
SNSG Ch 15
“…a staff manual is a guidebook that will help staffers do their jobs... You may also want to include important campus phone numbers, maps, department listings and other documents to help new staff members.” - Ch. 15, The Student Newspaper Survival Guide by Rachele Kanigel, p. 142.
The Setonian doesn’t have a staff manual, but sometimes certain editors create a “how to” guide for their particular position. I include a list of ways to contact students and faculty when I send out news assignments. It’s much easier that writing it out to each individual that asks.
Posted by Kayla Sawyer at 12:16 PM | Comments (4)
SNSG Ch 14
“Many student newspapers relish the freedom of being able to set four-letter words in type. Others see using obscene language as unprofessional.” - Ch. 14, The Student Newspaper Survival Guide by Rachele Kanigel, p. 130.
I’ve never had a problem with students swearing during interviews. If anything they’re too careful about censoring themselves. They always nervously ask, “You won’t make me sound stupid, right? You’ll make me sound smart?”
Though some may argue that obscenities should not be removed from a quote because they show passion, I think that it would make them sound unintelligent. This isn’t true for verbal speech, but I think newspapers have a classy quality to them and obscene language would damage that.
Posted by Kayla Sawyer at 12:13 PM | Comments (0)
SNSG Ch 13
“Even if the statement didn’t originate with your staff, if your newspaper or Web site publishes it, you can be held liable.” - Ch. 13, The Student Newspaper Survival Guide by Rachele Kanigel, p. 122.
I didn’t know that libel wasn’t allowed in letters to the editor or columns. Apparently it doesn’t matter what form it takes, as long as they publish it, they are at fault. It just seems like politicians are trashed everywhere - on television, in opinion pieces and columns.
Individuals write damaging statements about them and they publish hostile statements made by other politicians as well. Does libel not apply to notable people? I’ve heard of celebrities suing for libel so perhaps it just doesn’t apply to political figures?
Posted by Kayla Sawyer at 12:06 PM | Comments (1)
October 30, 2008
Ex 3-1: Flash Example
Posted by Kayla Sawyer at 2:49 PM | Comments (0)
October 22, 2008
Flash Journalism (Part 1)
“…this book allows you to start your learning journey in whatever way works best for you.” - xviii, Flash Journalism by Mindy McAdams, part 1.
This book sounds like it will be very flexible. Rarely does a how-to book offer different ways of completing tasks. Flash appears to be very relative to new media journalism and a tool that actual professionals use on a daily basis.
Posted by Kayla Sawyer at 8:13 PM | Comments (3)
October 18, 2008
SNSG Ch 11, 17
"At Georgetown University, students looking for the inside dope on particular courses can go to The Hoya's "Course Review" section and find out how other students rate the course. There they can find a statistical analysis of such key points as the number of exams, studying time required per week and whether students felt they learned much." - Ch. 17, The Student Newspaper Survival Guide by Rachele Kanigel, p. 164.
In both chapters, the author gives story ideas that I thought weren't really permitted in papers, even school papers. The author recommends writing about which teachers are popular, what students are saying about certain professors and courses at rating websites. Such topics don't seem very professional.
Posted by Kayla Sawyer at 2:20 PM | Comments (2)
October 16, 2008
Response: EL 405 Interactive Fiction
Coding an interactive fiction game can feel like you’re using an alien language until you become accustomed to it. It’s an easy language to learn once you know the rules. And the rules never change - they don’t seem to be circumstantial. I think I like that.
Coding an interactive fiction game helps you develop a language of programming. If you were unaccustomed to computers or using search engines, developing an interactive fiction game is another way to use trial and error with language until you achieve the desired result. I enjoy the aspect of experimentation.
You also have to anticipate the actions of your audience -- the player. This can be difficult because you have to play the game as they would and imagine what actions they would want to take.
It also forces you to focus on the words and the order in which you use them. You must have an attention for detail in order to fix the error messages you encounter. You have to keep trying different methods of coding until you find a way of expressing what you want the player to accomplish.
It’s about molding your writing style into a form the software can understand. We don’t have any classes on technical writing, despite the fact that there seems to be a large job market for it, so I like to think that the basic language used in programming an interactive fiction game is good experience.
Posted by Kayla Sawyer at 6:11 PM | Comments (0)