1. Bringing blogging to editing classes
TEACHING IDEA FOR
BREAKFAST OF EDITING CHAMPIONS
AEJMC 2009
AMBER WILLARD HINSLEY
DOCTORAL STUDENT, UT-AUSTIN
ADJUNCT INSTRUCTOR, TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY

2. Blog project You will create a blog on a topic that interests you
Blog must updated with new posts twice a week for the rest of the semester
Pick a topic that generates a lot of “new” news
Not too specific, or too general
Too specific: A single baseball player
OK: The entire team
Too general: International news
OK: A country

3. Blog project
Your blog posts must be in reference to something reported in the news media or reported by the organization, etc. itself
You must link to the original report, video, etc., in your post
The report must have been issued in the day or two prior to your post
No old news
Your posts will be evaluation/analysis/commentary in response to the original
Don’t just reiterate what we already know
Respond to it

4. Blog project What’s the point? Reinforces several concepts from class
Using correct grammar
Using correct AP Style
Writing headlines
Exercising sound news judgment
Fostering critical thinking
Real-world application
Many companies today expect their employees to communicate with the public via the organization’s blog/Web site
You can show a potential employer your blog, which will be presented in a professional manner

5. Blog project Some suggestions
Don’t create a blog about a company/organization you work for now, have worked for, or hope to work for
Your posts will be based on evaluation/analysis of the original report, etc.
Don’t make this your diary
Do a little research
Is your topic one that consistently produces enough information for you to blog about for the rest of the semester?
Picking a topic
Choose something that interests you
What types of information are you looking for when you go online?
What are your hobbies?

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11. Blog project For next week Bring three ideas for a topic
Write a brief explanation of:
Why this topic interests you
Why you think you’ll be able to find enough material to do twice-weekly posts
What are some potential sources for material