Blog 8: What I've Learned So Far

1. What have you learned how to do since you started working on your senior project?
I wouldn't say that I learned how to do this, but I definitely improved it. I learned how to improve my copyediting skills. At the Poly Post, most of the time I am editing stories that will be featured in the weekly newspaper issue. This includes making grammatical corrections, giving feedback, and giving suggestions for improvement on stories.
2. Post evidence of this accomplishment.  It can be in the form of a picture, video, document, etc..

Photo 1 (Above): This is one of the various stories I have copyedited while at the Poly Post Newspaper.
3. What research helped you to do this and how?*
The following research helped me because it featured AP style writing and how to write it, which is what is used for writing the Poly Post. Thus, by reading this article, I was able to know what corrections needed to be made, what to do, and what not to do when writing AP style. Prior to working at the Poly Post, I had heard about AP Style writing, but never actually used it or knew much about it. For example, when an article I was copyediting at the Post came in, I knew how to correct percentages from 5% to 5 percent, among other corrections needed. Another form of "research" would just be my service learning because before I receive a story to copyedit, it has gone through the rest of the editors, thus it gives me an idea on what the editors are looking for and what they want and do not want in the stories. 


Article: The Basics of Associated Press Style by Tony Rogers (http://journalism.about.com/od/writing/a/apstyle.htm)

Blog 7: Independent Component 1 Plan Approval

1. Write a description of what you plan on doing for your independent study component.

For my independent study component, I plan on working on the I-Poly Yearbook, The Globe. There I will be working on copy (print journalism) and photojournalism. As Assistant Photo Editor, my work will include taking photos at school events, choosing photos for the yearbook, interviewing for possible stories, attending weekly editor meetings, etc.

2. Describe in detail how you think your plan will meet the 30 hours of work requirement.

Yearbook work takes quite a bit of time. I have yearbook elective twice a week for approximately 1.5 hours each time totaling into roughly 3 hours a week. In addition to that, I attend weekly editor meetings that are approximately 1.0 hour each week. In total, I will be working on yearbook for 4 hours per week. Since the due date for the Independent Component is until early February and there are about 13 weeks of school weeks until that deadline, I will have the 30 hours of requirement done by that date, if not more than the required hours.

3. How does your independent study component relate to your EQ?

Since my essential question and senior project revolve around the topic of journalism, yearbook is the perfect fit. The answers to my essential are most likely going to be skills and qualities needed for success in journalism, so what better place to practice and perfect the skills I will gain from my senior project research than yearbook. 

Blog 6: Defining the Essential Question

1. What is your EQ?
My essential question is: What is most important to success in journalism?
2. Define the words in your EQ to make sure we are on the same page regarding what your EQ means.
Important: most essential, most necessary
Success: Having a stable career, having recognition to some degree
Journalism: As of now, my topic is journalism in general, but I am most likely leaning toward having my topic be in print or photojournalism. Thus by journalism I mean the profession of working at newspapers, magazines, or any publications.
3. What are some possible answers to your EQ so far? 
As of now, some possible answers would be:
-Time management skills
-Experience
-Having interviewing skills
-Having a proper education in journalism
-Having journalistic ethics
-Having journalistic integrity
-Having journalistic credibility
-Being a good communicator 
4. What has been your most important source and why?  Be specific.  If it is a person, name them and what they do, if it is an article, book or video, name the title and author.  
My most important source to date would have to be: "10 Tips for Journalistic Success" by Bob Eggington. This article has been important to my research and my essential question because even though it is short and simple, it laid out everything that journalist's should have including time management skills, discipline, and connections.