Online Writing Homework

This assignment is due on Monday, Sept. 9.

Use the following news release to write a short story for your blog. Follow the same guidelines you followed for the Online Writing Exercise:

- Write a headline of seven words or less.

- The first paragraph should contain only one sentence.

- Subsequent paragraphs should contain one or two sentences – no more.

- Insert a space between paragraphs.

- Use print writing style.

Also – assume you are writing the story on Dec. 7 (the day the news release was issued).

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STATE OF VERMONT

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

VERMONT STATE POLICE

PRESS RELEASE

Robbery at Hometown Sunoco in Swanton

Detective Edward Meslin, St. Albans Barracks, 802-524-5993

Swanton, VT – 12/7/13 – On December 7 at 1:15 AM a lone male subject entered Hometown Sunoco located at 166 First Street in Swanton and robbed the cashier at gunpoint. The assailant, described as a white male approximately 5’8”- 6’00” escaped on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash and items. No one was injured in the incident. The Vermont State Police continue to search for the suspect and follow-up on all investigative leads.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Vermont State Police in Saint Albans at 802-524-5993 or Franklin County Sheriff’s Office at 802-524-2121. No other information is available at this time, as the case is still under investigation. An update will be issued when more information becomes available. 

Online Writing Exercise

Use the news release below to post a short story to your blog. Follow the following guidelines:

- Write a headline of seven words or less.

- The first paragraph should contain only one sentence.

- Subsequent paragraphs should contain one or two sentences – no more.

- Insert a space between paragraphs.

- Use print writing style.

(Note: The dates have been altered to move everything into the future.  Pretend you are writing this on Jan. 18, 2014.)

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STATE OF VERMONT
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
VERMONT STATE POLICE

PRESS RELEASE
Update on Hunting Incident in Albany, Arrest for Aggravated Assault

Detective Sgt. Jacob Zorn – Bradford Barracks, 802-222-4680

Albany, VT – 01/18/14 – On October 20, 2013 detectives from the Vermont State Police and game wardens from the Vermont Department of Fish and Game began a joint investigation into a hunting related shooting that took place on the Urie Rd. in Albany, VT.  As a result of the investigation the following detectives learned that Conrad Masse, age 76 of Craftsbury, and Wayne Goff, age 58 of Wolcott were hunting bear together. Masse and Goff were using radio telemetry and GPS to track two bear hounds that they had released on the trail of a bear.  Masse drove his truck with Goff as a passenger to the Urie Rd. in an attempt to get in front of the bear that was being pursued by the dogs. Goff got out of the truck on Urie Rd. where he waited for the bear to cross while Masse drove approximately 541 feet down the Urie Rd. and exited his truck where he also waited for the bear to cross the road. 

When the bear crossed the road, it did so in-between Masse and Goff.  Masse opened fire with a Remington .30-06 rifle and fired at least three shots. One of the rounds struck the bear, one of the rounds struck a tree, and one of the rounds struck Goff, who was dressed in a red and black checkered jacket. The bullet entered Goff in the midsection and struck him in the pelvic area. Goff was transported to North Country Hospital and then transferred to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center for treatment. He has since been released from the hospital and is in stable condition. 

At the conclusion of the investigation Masse was issued a citation to appear in the Orleans Superior Court on February 28, 2014 to answer to the charge of Aggravated Assault. An arrest processing photo was not taken. He was also issued Fish and Game tickets for Shooting from the Road, Having a Loaded Rifle in his Vehicle, and Not having proper display of permits for the bear hounds. 

"Pimp My Blog"

Project due Wednesday, Sept. 4: Create the coolest blog you can.
- Play with design.
- Use the customize options to add features.
- Write a blog entry explaining the process you went through, and why you chose the things you did.
Best blog wins a prize.
Grades:
A -- Blew me away. Fun design, cool features. Lots of extra elements such as pictures, audio or video.
B -- Good blog. A few interesting elements.
C -- It's okay, but it's obvious nobody spent a lot of time constructing it.
D -- It's there, but it looks no different from the ur-blog created on Aug. 28.
F -- It's not there.

Blogger.com and Wordpress.com have helpful tips. Feel free to go online for advice, too:

Blog critique

Due Wednesday, Sept. 4

Go out on the World Wide Web and find a blog. Any blog will do, but I would encourage you to avoid the super-popular ones. Technorati.com can help guide you to blogs on any topic.

I like chickens and Technorati it to find a blog about raising chickens in the city!
In your critique, please tell us:
- what you like and dislike about the blog;
- how often it is updated (avoid "dead" blogs);
- whether the Comments indicate anyone is reading it;
- what media elements beyond text does it use.
Post your critique on your own blog.

Class blog URLs

Post the URL of your blog here, as a comment.

Multimedia examples

Please post the URLs of your multimedia examples here, as a comment.

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