Ms. A’s Blog

April 24, 2008

TO:          STAFF MEMBERS

FROM:    MS. ABERNATHY

SUBJECT:  ADVICE COLUMN

Most newspapers and magazines have a column that answers theme-related questions from readers.  For example, a medical doctor will answer medical questions, an etiquette expert will answer questions pertaining to manners and social situations, and a carpenter will answer questions regarding home repairs.

As a group, you are to create an Advice Column for your magazine.  Each member needs to create a question for this column.  Exchange your papers so that a different member of your group answers your question.  You may ask someone from another group to create a question that you must answer.  Then choose someone, from your group, to lay out your Advice Column and type the final draft.  Check out the steps for writing the Advice Column page.

steps-for-writing-the-advice-column-page.doc

samples-of-advice-column.doc

April 16, 2008

FROM:  MS. ABERNATHY

TO:  STAFF MEMBERS

SUBJECT:  CONTRIBUTORS’ CORNER 

Magazines sometimes include a page of information about authors of some of the articles in a current issue.  The “Contributors’ Corner” is intended to introduce readers to both staff writers and free-lance authors who contributed to the magazine.  The biographical sketches list professional titles and/or experiences that qualify the authors to write the articles they have written, list other articles and/or books the authors have written, and highlight a few details from the personal life of each author.  An author biography seldom exceeds a paragraph in length. Your magazine will contain a page that will introduce your group members.  Each group member will write a single paragraph emphasizing interests and skills that qualify him/her to write about the themes covered in your magazine and indicating what parts of the magazine he/she worked on.  These biographical sketches may also list other works the author has written including book reports, essays, and other class assignments.  Your Assignment: Each member needs to complete the “Contributors’ Corner” Worksheet.  Use this worksheet to write your own biographical sketch that will be included in your magazine. Your picture will be taken with a digital camera to be included with your sketch.  After your sketches are completed, work together as a group to decide how your individual paragraphs will be arranged to produce a professional-looking “Contributors’ Corner” page for your final magazine. 

Contributors’ Corner Worksheet

Steps for Writing a Contributors’ Corner

Example

Create a Magazine
The Learning Works, Inc.

Fourth and Sixth Periods:

Please click on the link provided and answer the questions in the student survey.

Thank you.

Ms. A.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=Xgk1aZF5qzltaMEth9l2eA_3d_3d

April 8, 2008

FROM:  MS. ABERNATHY

TO:  STAFF MEMBERS

SUBJECT:  THE EDITORIAL

Your assignment will be to create an editorial.  Please read this entire memo first and each page provided and/or attached.  Print out a copy of all documents.  Then reread the instructions, looking at all the material provided, and discuss what needs to be done.  Make sure everyone in your group understands the instructions.  This is a team assignment.  If your group does not get everything completed today, you may continue working on it tomorrow.  Please keep me informed of your progress.

Instructions

1.  First thing, make sure you followed the directions in the above paragraph.

2.  Your group should start work on your editorial.  All staff members need to participate.

3.  The “Editorial Worksheet” needs to be filled out.  You may use some of the magazines stored in the classroom to get more of an idea of how and what to write for your editorial.  Look to see how quotes and anecdotes (look it up) are used.  Brainstorm some of your own.

4.  Read over the sheet “Steps for Writing the Editorial” and the sample of an editorial that was provided.

5.  Try to get as much done as possible.  You may continue work on the editorial section tomorrow.

Ms. A.

editorial.doc

editorial-example.doc