Nonfiction+Blogging

media type="custom" key="9963997"
 * Class Blogs**

**10th Grade Non-Fiction Assignment** **Part One**

Please visit five of the websites of the magazines below:

Atlantic Monthly [] Economist [] Film Comment [] Foreign Affairs [] Harper’s [] National Review [] New Republic [] New Yorker [] Scientific American []


 * Scope:** What is the focus of the content of the magazine? Why types of articles does it include? What are the subjects of their blogs?
 * Purpose:** What is the purpose of this magazine? To persuade the reader to do something? Inform the reader? Prove something?
 * Audience:** Who is the intended audience for this magazine? How can you tell?
 * Objectivity:** What point of view does the magazine and its writers represent? Are there topics or advertisements that help you determine this?

On your personal blog, assess the scope, purpose, audience and objectivity of each of the five sites that you visit.

**10th Grade Non-Fiction Project** **Part Two**

You have now visited the websites of several of the magazines listed. It is time to choose one and secure an issue of the magazine either by purchasing or getting it from the library. We will then take an entire class period to simply read the articles in the magazine. As you peruse, keep an eye out for an article that is three pages or longer that you would like to examine more closely. Once you have read through your magazine, please return to that article and follow the directions below.


 * Assignment:** Closely examine one article (do not choose an interview with only questions and answers listed) in the magazine you have chosen from the list provided. Please include the information listed below.


 * Due:** Friday, September 24th, 2010


 * Length:** 1-2 pages


 * Points possible:** 50


 * Requirements:**
 * Begin your assignment with 1-2 sentences identifying your magazine’s scope, purpose, objectivity and audience. Make sure to note if there was a specific focus to the issue you read.
 * Identify the one article you will be examining more closely. Begin this section with a sentence that provides an overview of the article’s content.
 * Proceed to explain how the author goes about making his point. What type of information does he provide? Is his goal to persuade you? If so, how? Is his format different than the five-paragraph essays you write for class? How?
 * Make sure to describe the type of language and sentence structures the author uses. How does this add or distract from the point the author is trying to make?
 * Remember, this is NOT a summary of the article. You are examining the “how” not the “what” of the article.
 * End with a 1-2 sentence assessment of the author’s success. If you were not the intended audience, do you think the article would have been well-received by the intended audience?

**10th Grade Non-Fiction Project** **Part Three** Now that you have studied what other publications do, it is time to put your new-found knowledge to work. You will be starting your own online blog covering the topic of your choice. You will be responsible for generating the content of your blog as well as responding to some of your classmates’ blogs. Define the following elements for your blog: · **Scope:** What is the focus of the content of the blog? Why types of articles will it include? What will be the subjects of the blog? · **Purpose:** What is the purpose of this blog? To persuade the reader to do something? Inform the reader? Prove something? · **Audience:** Who is the intended audience for this blog? How will a reader be able tell? · **Objectivity:** What point of view does the blog and its writer represent? How will a reader be able to determine this? Length: one page Due: Friday, Nov 6th, 2009 Points Possible: 25 Using blogs.micds.org you will build your own blog following the business proposal that has been approved. When generating content, you will need to follow the requirements below. Requirements: · Each post is between 350-500 words; **make sure to tag it nonfiction** · Each post contains hotlinks to at least three things you reference · Each post references at least one other source on your topic or source that inspired your post · Each post contains at least two quotes from sources or other experts on your topic · Each post is carefully proofread, edited and revised · Each post contains an image that is obtained with creative commons licensing and is appropriately cited. The image should enhance your message. (something representational or symbolic, not just a direct image) o Images can be obtained at: § Creativecommons.org § Compfight.com (make sure creative commons images are selected) Due: Various deadlines throughout the semester Points possible: 35 points per post You will need to decide on two other blogs to follow through the course of the year. You may switch if you wish. Your assignment will be to post a response to your classmates original post. You may agree or disagree with their post, but you also must raise a question that their post made you consider. You should feel free to search their topic and offer additional links that they should consider.
 * Step One:** Business proposal
 * Step Two:** Build Actual Blog
 * Step Three:** Respond to at least two other blogs

The comment part of blogging is often where discussion takes place that can advance your thinking. You should feel free to respond with an additional comment to any comments left on your post.

**The Sudan Project: Podcast Assignment** **Requirements:** Each podcast will be between 3-5 minutes long. Podcasts will be produced on computers in Olson 218 using Garageband. Podcasts will be written and rehearsed in advance. Students will listen to previous podcasts in order to not repeat previously recorded material. Make sure to cite any material you use in your research for your podcast. In addition to the completed podcast file (.mp3), you will submit your script and any works cited necessary. **Suggestions:** Listen to other podcasts from other sources to determine what you find appealing. Listen to how others bring their topics alive. Make an outline of the elements of your story you want to communicate. Consider arranging the order of your story in a way that will capture your listener’s attention. Perhaps start in the middle of the story, go back to the beginning to offer background information and then return to the finish. Consider recording smaller chunks to as to avoid mistakes as you speak. Feel free to interview or add music, if appropriate, to vary your podcast. · Podcast is well-written. · Podcast is well-researched. · Speaker/ speakers on podcast are clear and easy to understand. · Podcast clearly exhibits creator’s solid understanding of the topic. · Podcast does more than simply repeats/reports on a situation, but offers analysis. · Podcast creatively communicates the “story” to the audience. · Use this [|link] to see how podcasts are created using Garageband or watch this [|video]. Feb 22nd -May 12th (Seniors make sure to sign up for a date prior to your exams.) · Follow this [|link] to select the date you wish to do your podcast.
 * Assignment:** Podcasts can cover one of two topics: you can discuss the progress of the Sudan Project in our journey to make our documentary or you can discuss a current event or issue affecting Sudan or the surrounding area.
 * Points Possible:** 75
 * Date Due**: students will select a time
 * Evaluation:** Please refer to this [|document] for a complete understanding of how your podcast will be evaluated. Below is a summary:
 * Resources:**
 * Dates Available:**
 * Name _**


 * Topic_**

**Requirements:** · Each podcast will be between 3-5 minutes long. · Podcasts will be written and rehearsed in advance. · Students will listen to previous podcasts in order to not repeat previously recorded material. · Make sure to cite any material you use in your research for your podcast. · In addition to the completed podcast file (.mp3), you will submit your script and any works cited necessary.

**Evaluation:** · Podcast is well-written. · Podcast is well-researched. · Speaker/ speakers on podcast are clear and easy to understand. · Podcast clearly exhibits creator’s solid understanding of the topic. · Podcast had music. · Podcast had interviews with other people. · Podcast does more than simply repeats/reports on a situation, but offers analysis. · Podcast creatively communicates the “story” to the audience.

[|Buzzsprout] [|Audioboo]

 **10th Grade Non-Fiction Project Part Three**  Now that you have studied what other publications do, it is time to put your new-found knowledge to work. You will be starting your own online blog covering the topic of your choice. You will be responsible for generating the content of your blog as well as responding to some of your classmates’ blogs.  **Step One:** Business proposal  Define the following elements for your blog:  · **Scope:** What is the focus of the content of the blog? Why types of articles will it include? What will be the subjects of the blog?  · **Purpose:** What is the purpose of this blog? To persuade the reader to do something? Inform the reader? Prove something?  · **Audience:** Who is the intended audience for this blog? How will a reader be able tell?  · **Objectivity:** What point of view does the blog and its writer represent? How will a reader be able to determine this?  Length: one page  Due: Friday, Nov 6th, 2009  Points Possible: 25  **Step Two:** Build Actual Blog  Using blogs.micds.org you will build your own blog following the business proposal that has been approved. When generating content, you will need to follow the requirements below.  Requirements:  · Each post is between 350-500 words; **make sure to tag it nonfiction**  · Each post contains hotlinks to at least three things you reference <span style="display: block; height: 1px; left: -10000px; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; text-indent: -0.25in; top: 883px; width: 1px;"> · Each post references at least one other source on your topic or source that inspired your post <span style="display: block; height: 1px; left: -10000px; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; text-indent: -0.25in; top: 883px; width: 1px;"> · Each post contains at least two quotes from sources or other experts on your topic <span style="display: block; height: 1px; left: -10000px; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; text-indent: -0.25in; top: 883px; width: 1px;"> · Each post is carefully proofread, edited and revised <span style="display: block; height: 1px; left: -10000px; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; text-indent: -0.25in; top: 883px; width: 1px;"> · Each post contains an image that is obtained with creative commons licensing and is appropriately cited. The image should enhance your message. (something representational or symbolic, not just a direct image) <span style="display: block; height: 1px; left: -10000px; margin-left: 1in; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; text-indent: -0.25in; top: 883px; width: 1px;"> o Images can be obtained at: <span style="display: block; height: 1px; left: -10000px; margin-left: 1.5in; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; text-indent: -0.25in; top: 883px; width: 1px;"> § Creativecommons.org <span style="display: block; height: 1px; left: -10000px; margin-left: 1.5in; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; text-indent: -0.25in; top: 883px; width: 1px;"> § Compfight.com (make sure creative commons images are selected) <span style="display: block; height: 1px; left: -10000px; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; top: 883px; width: 1px;"> Due: Various deadlines throughout the semester <span style="display: block; height: 1px; left: -10000px; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; top: 883px; width: 1px;"> Points possible: 35 points per post <span style="display: block; height: 1px; left: -10000px; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; top: 883px; width: 1px;"> **Step Three:** Respond to at least two other blogs <span style="display: block; height: 1px; left: -10000px; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; top: 883px; width: 1px;"> You will need to decide on two other blogs to follow through the course of the year. You may switch if you wish. Your assignment will be to post a response to your classmates original post. You may agree or disagree with their post, but you also must raise a question that their post made you consider. You should feel free to search their topic and offer additional links that they should consider.

<span style="display: block; height: 1px; left: -10000px; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; top: 883px; width: 1px;"> The comment part of blogging is often where discussion takes place that can advance your thinking. You should feel free to respond with an additional comment to any comments left on your post.