Critic on Zephyrus

The articles on the front page are totally no front page material. The article about the new bridge design has no human interest in a Highschool, I think. The second article on the front page does also not have human interest for a Highschool. Though, the article are well writing and quotations are in the right spot. In the article about the bridge design, the author uses questions in the first paragraph. Questions should not follow in the lead. I would totally change the first paragraph that there is no question in it. Otherwise, the article is very well written, but something that bothers me is that it doesn't really has proximity. It does not really represent a event that happened in Edina and it doesn't really affect any student. The authors cited everything correctly. The first article could have been better if the author used a picture that he did on his own, but you could argue that it is really hard to make such a picture on your own.
The articles of Zephyrus are losing on interest and proximity and I think there is a big lack of ideas. I think that the newspaper solved the whole conflict with Trevor wrong. I think they are losing an credibility through solving it by putting a response to a letter, addressed to the editor. If a newspaper is losing on credibility they will lose all their readers and will get a lot of problems in the future. I always liked features in the newspaper. The feature in the newspaper is the only that keeps me getting the newspaper. Otherwise, I wouldn't even try to get the newspaper. A plus is this time, the article about the 90's. It was fun reading this article and I hope that they will create more articles like that in future newspapers.
I would totally change the way how the editor is choosing the right articles, because like I said earlier the articles are going in totally different direction. The authors should still use their good english knowledge in writing the news storie, because what I really like is the way their write the articles.

Idea #2

1) Slug:ETSATIS
2) Section of newspaper story would appear (no Op-Ed):NEWS
3) What are the most dominant news elements in the story? Explain in-depth:
News element#1:Timeliness,because everybody still talks about it.
News element#2:Proximity,because it is about EHS and we live in Edina.
News element#3:Consequence,because now everybody looks at EHS as a model school.
4) In a few sentences, describe what the story will be about:
The story would be about how effective the great test scores were, by creating respect in the state. How the test scores underline the good school system of EHS.
5) Specifically, who will you interview or contact? Why those people?
-Dr. Locklear, EHS Principal. It would be reasonalbe to talk to him because he is the Principal of the Highschool and he is new to this school. He could answer all these questions, why EHS is so remarkable.
6) What information do you need to gather before you begin interviews?
Information about previously tests and the scores from EHS from back then.
7) What questions do you definitely need answered in your interviews? Why?
-What does the Edina Highschool differently than other schools? To find out, if that caused the good test scores.
-Ask for past test scores of EHS. To compare with current test scores, to find out if the school improved their scores.
-How does the success in the test, make the Highschool a model in the state?
8) What photo opportunities are available to go alongside this story (give names, places, times, etc.)?
A picture of the Edina Highschool would fit perfectly to the story. A picture of the principal Locklear, because I interviewed him.
9) Who should a photographer contact to set up photographs?
The school would be the right place to find those pictures.
10) What concerns or problems do you foresee in getting this story together?
No concerns or problems in getting this story together.
11) Other information?

Idea #1

1) Slug:AFCWE?
2) Section of newspaper story would appear (no Op-Ed):
SPORTS
3) What are the most dominant news elements in the story? Explain in-depth:
News element#1:Proximity,because it is the EHS football team.
News element#2:Human Interest,because everybody in the school wants to know how the football team did/ or is doing. Probably, some people outside of Edina are interested too.
News element#3:Timeliness,because the tournament is still happening and the EHS football is undefeated and under the favourites for the title. It might timeliness in the future, because Edina did come so far.
4) In a few sentences, describe what the story will be about:
The story will be about the EHS football team and their chances to become the next State Champion and how incredible their season was these far compared to last season. Obviosly, the football team is better in this season, but why is that so.
5) Specifically, who will you interview or contact? Why those people?
-Kim Nelson, Head Coach of the Varsity Football Team. I think, he could answer most of my questions and he is the person who knows the team the best.
-Curtis James, one of the senior players and one of the captians of the team. He would know what the coaches are doing different or what is different in this season.
6) What information do you need to gather before you begin interviews?
Information about the other teams and their chances to become the champ. Gather some information about the previously seasons and the state champions of the last seasons. Information about the Edina team from this year and the last years. Information about the coaches and their methods.
7) What questions do you definitely need answered in your interviews?
-What are the EHS football coaches doing different this season?
-How could the current undeafeded series of the EHS football team effect the tournmant and the moral of the team?
-How does the win over Wayzata effect the tournmant?
-How do the wins of the other sport teams relate to the current football team?
8) What photo opportunities are available to go alongside this story (give names, places, times, etc.)?
I think a picture of the football teams victory over Wayzata would be reseanable. A picture of the last state championships victory from Edina would underline the topic.
9) Who should a photographer contact to set up photographs?
Pictures of the last state championship victory of Edina should already exist and also pictures of the victory over Wayzata should be easy to find.
10) What concerns or problems do you foresee in getting this story together?
There shouldn't be a problem to get this story together, but I have some concerns about getting the right pictures.
11) Other information?

Courage in Journalism

A very important aspect in Journalism is courage. A reporter takes a lot of critism in his or her carrier and without courage you wouldn't stand a chance in this world. You need courage to find the really good stories. In most cases, a reporter doesn't get his stories presented on his table. A reporter should be out there, looking for incredible stories. Courage, could also mean to ask question to people on the street. Our world today, is a confusing and sick place and without courage it is hard to open your mind to let all that information in. Intelligent, isn't enough for a reporter today you need courage to be succesful.

Journal #1

For some students a new year and for others the first year at EHS, but for everybody who likes pop it will be a year of pain. The first thing the school did for the new year, was removing every pop machine in the school. The school says its because of the health, but what about the juices. They have almost twice as much sugar than pops. Additionally, what about nachos, pizzas and so on, they are not even close to be healthy. There is no reason to take those pop machines, because on the other hand the school made probably a lot of money out of them. So why? I dont see a reason. Having that said what about the bathrooms. Almost every bathroom in the school is locked and if the bathroom is not locked its probably at the end of the school. Hey, everybody has to do it and there is no way that we all fit in one bathroom. Somebody has to do something about it.

Chris P. Hour 6