Amazing midterms

I wanted to post (as promised) some examples of good midterm projects. 

Although each of the posts still could improve, they are examples of the type of work I would expect you to be doing at this point in the semester.

Congrats to all of you for your hard work. Learning new programs and skills can be challenging, but you're doing well!

De-Stressing the Stressed by Alexa  Youssef

Native Roots Market, Serving Natural Goodness by Emily Vandelft

Students Look to Intramural Sports for Fun, Relief by Robbie Leach

Jeggings by Rachel Terry

Avoiding fashion disaster

Don't walk around campus looking like a reject from the show What Not to Wear. Get your fashion advice from those who know university attire best - fashion conscious college women.

Rachel Terry, a journalism sophomore at the University of Oklahoma, launched her news blog, The Fashion Fairy, to inform readers of all things fashion. 

The weekly blog addresses what students are wearing on campus, how to wear trendy items and where to buy the latest gear.

Majorly intimidating choices

Choosing a college major can be an intimidating feat, especially when there are 150 options.

Dani Miller, an advertising senior at the University of Oklahoma, frequently has considered what life might be like in the various major options. She decided to explore the topic in a news blog for her multimedia journalism course.

Major Decision, which is updated weekly, features interviews with faculty and students in a variety of university majors. Miller said she hopes the blog will help students make their big decision.

Oklahoma ain't just country anymore

Think Oklahoma is all about country music? Think again!

If you're interested in exploring Indie music in the state, check out Oklahoma Indie Scene.

Jacob Reynolds, an aspiring journalist from the University of Oklahoma, launched the weekly news blog as a requirement for his multimedia journalism course.

Don't let the trendy topic fool you. Reynolds's love for music is well translated through solid writing and growing digital media skills.

Speiser finds 'Healthy Eats' near Norman

Packed course schedules and generally busy lifestyles can create problems for college students trying to maintain a healthy diet while eating on the go.


Kelsy Speiser, a broadcasting sophomore at the University of Oklahoma, is here to help.


Speiser writes Oklahoma Healthy Eats to provide healthy meal options at eateries in Norman and Oklahoma City.


The weekly blog, a requirement for Speiser's multimedia journalism course, focuses on finding unique restaurants for nutritious meals.

Layers of Citizen Journalists

This post by Steve Outing on Poynter.org identifies what he defines as the 11 layers of citizen journalism. I referenced it today in class.

The post can act as a companion for the last chapter of the Elements text, as you consider how you define citizen journalism. It also may help crystallize your views on the level of involvement you think citizens should have in the news gathering and reporting process.

Tips for improving your writing

You now should be comfortable with posting text on your news blog. The text, of course, is a fundamental component of any blog post, no matter its length.

As discussed previously in class, here are a few tips for quickly improving your writing:

·      Identify students by their major and classification. For example, Jane Dough, journalism freshman.

·      Always attribute quotes after the first sentence. For example, “It is a beautiful day,” said Jane Dough, journalism freshman. “I plan to spend the entire day outside soaking up the amazing sun.” If you need additional help with forming quotes, there is a handout in the news guide I distributed in class. The guide also is linked on D2L.

·      Remember that, in news, each quote is a new paragraph.

·      Create transitions between individual sources.

·      Remove yourself from your writing. Remember that you are writing news, not commentary.

·      Provide addresses for businesses.

·      Only use “said.” It’s acceptable to use it many times in every story.

·      Write in time, date, place order. For example, the event is at 5 p.m. Thursday in the Oklahoma Memorial Union.

·      Don’t use “believe.” Sources believe in church; they “think” everywhere else. However, you don’t know what they think unless you can read their minds. Instead, just use “said” or “said he thinks” if necessary.

·      Have an official (living, breathing) source for each story. Websites are supplements, not expert sources.

·      Use OU sources. All stories should relate back to students and campus.

·      Don’t ask questions, answer them. If you’re tempted to pose a question, write a paraphrase from a source instead.