ASSIGNMENT 4 - DEADLINE 27 August 2009 16h00

This assignmetn has THREE TASKS numbered (1), (2) and (3).

Here is an interesting article on what media studies is about: you are advised to ask why one would attend a journalism or media studies course.

One commenter says you have to ask is the interest academic, or is it a desire to attend a "trade school" to improve journalism skills and get a certificate in the end.

There is a nice distinction between writing and reporting.

Take a look: http://ow.ly/ky3A

Note that this is a blog, written by??? (1) Tell me who the writer of this blog is.

(2) Give me a 400 word summary of the content (no cutting and pasting of citations from the text).

THEN note that there are comments. That is what blogging is about: not just pasting your stuff on the web and hoping that some unknown somebody will just zoom in and read and applaud. Bloggers usually have specific themes, they put out information and opinions, but it is only really worth the effort if there is going to be some comment - people who find it worth the time to write further and develop insight, ideas, etc.

SO - read these comments, see how this is done. Although some write very long responses, generally, comments should be short messages.

FINALLY go to the blogs I have linked here:

http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2009/08/19/semenya-told-to-take-gender-test/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/tomfordyce/2009/08/semenya_left_stranded_by_storm.html

The bloggers have topicalised an international athletics event with a South African in the centre.

I am sure you know what it is about! If not -hmmm - you haven't been following the news!!

(3) Read it, give me YOUR COMMENT in no more than 60 words! If you have not done blog comment before, I would prefer you to send your comment to me first - then after consideration we can venture into directly posting on the bloggers' sites.

You have to give YOUR OWN comment - so, perhaps you must write your own response before you read all the comments given on the BBC blog. Your comment can refer to what another has written, but may not just be somebody else's that you copy! Write this as soon as possible - you know how quickly news gets dated - by next Thursday this particular news item will not be the same - some issues will already have been resolved, and then the discourse will have shifted!

Due date Thursday 27 August 2009 16h00

ASSIGNMENT 3 - DEADLINE 13 August 2009 16h00

HERE ARE THE BLOG SITES YOU HAVE TO VISIT:
1. Look at the left hand column - see which blogs were most read, what they say, what comments they elicited:
http://www.thoughtleader.co.za/

2. One that topicalises the Swine Flu epidemic: read carefully, and remember - there are mostly at least two sides to a story - so if one says the whole thing is just pharmaceutical companies wanting to make a fast buck, there will be another that says hang on -- its a dangerous virus and it is costing some money to get the vaccine out!
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/health/Swine_flu/article6737507.ece

3. A sport blog - you have to see how that works! For more than just soccer ...;) - one from a UK perspective, one from an SA perspective
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog
http://southafrica.worldcupblog.org/

4. Something on the Arts - here a guy who comments on films:
http://blogs.indiewire.com/anthony/
http://indiefilmbloggersmovie.blogspot.com/

Question 1
For each of the 6 sites that are listed here you have to tell me
-- who is the blogger - who does the site "belong to" -- and who is doing the writing.

Question 2
Give me a paragraph with a profile of ONE of the bloggers you have come across in these blogs.
DO NOT just cut-n-paste from their profile.
Write your own paragraph stating what it is in the person's profile that qualifies him/her best to do the work as blogwriter.