Notes before next class: Monday, Sept. 11

Hope everyone had a great Labor Day weekend!

Our next class is Monday, Sept. 11. Here's a preview of what we'll cover.

• In the first hour, we'll be visited by Matt Mowry, editor of Business NH magazine.

It's a monthly publication aimed at business people and anyone with an interest in the local economic scene.

Matt will talk about the magazine's "Young Reporters Project," in which we'll be participating this semester.

Later in the course, you'll write a short feature story for possible publication in Business NH.

On Monday night, we'll hear all about how the program works and get to ask questions.

In the second half, we'll...

• Look at the postcards with the recipes. This will lead into a discussion of writing in general, with an emphasis on the idea that readers often face many barriers to getting your message. Depending on the medium, some barriers are within your control, and some aren't.

• Review what's wrong with this article from the New York Times. (You can read it now, but we'll be looking at it together on the big screen.)

• Go over blog topics and talk about next steps in setting up blogs.

• Discuss the first three chapters of the Ben & Jerry's book, and also Chapter 11 in the Media Writing textbook.

Our topic of the week: press releases. You'll be asked to write one as your take-home writing assignment.

• Set up our class style guide and talk about how that'll work.

• Welcome a new member to our class: Robyn Caron!

Any questions, let me know!

Also, let me know if you've had any trouble obtaining the books. You really do need these starting with next class. :)

Have a great weekend and see you Monday night!