For this entry, I want you to write about a story you've heard, seen or read in the past little while that has changed the way you view things. It can be local, national, international; news, feature, sports--whatever. Just write about a story that has affected you enough to make you want to change your thoughts, beliefs, or actions.
Please post by Monday, Sept. 17.
The dictionary definition of the word profound is: of deep meaning, pervasive or intense, far beneath what is superficial, external or obvious.
For this entry discuss something profound that happened to you this summer. It can be an experience you had, something you learned, a realization that you came to about yourself or the world, etc.
Please post by Tuesday, Sept. 4.
OK...OK...I apologize for being so erratic in posting these blogs. What with Spring Break, the lovely Mrs. Turner's bout with walking pneumonia, or getting ready for the Denver convention, I've been a little pre-occupied. Please forgive me.
I know it's kind of lazy on my part, but since I'm leaving for the airport in 7 hours I'm going to make this blog a free write. You can choose any topic you wish to write about. As I've said before...what on your mind or in your heart?
Please post by Tuesday, April 17.
Occasionally these blog entries will be directly related to content for the Sandstorm. This week I've been thinking a lot about reviews. Everyone likes to write reviews, often because they think they're easier since there is no one to interview. Good reviews, however, can be a challenge to write. Please read the passage below. I picked it up a long time ago--I replaced the word "album" with "CD" if that's any indicator of how long I've had this. Then write a music review on a CD of your choice. It can be old or new, any musical style you wish.
How to write a music review
At its heart a music review is your opinion, meant to answer a simple question-is the CD you listened to worth fifteen dollars of some parent's hard-earned money? It isn't meant to be an epic-length piece on whether your band prefers boxers or briefs --that would be a music feature--but a good CD or concert review needs to incorporate background information and anecdotes as well as criticism of the performance in question.
A music review ought to follow the same basic formula as a news article, though a music article is allowed to bend the rules much more than a news piece.
1. The important information should come up front--is the CD good or would it make your Grandma turn off her hearing aid? A good music review makes the reviewer's opinion absolutely clear.
2. Don't quote more than a few choice lyrics and don't analyze every song in detail. Make your points with one or two good examples. Some potential points to talk about:
a. lyrics --meaningful? inane? A gorilla reference in every tune? the same is every song?
b. quality of performance --does the guitarist sound more like Jimi Hendrix or your three year-old sister?
c. the album as a whole --is it a bunch of slow songs putting you to sleep or is there variety in the material?
d. originality? evidence of change since the last CD?
3. Compare the artist's current work with past efforts (if possible) and to work by other artists in the same genre.
4. Provide background information on the performer you're reviewing. Limp Monkey may be your favorite band, but that doesn't mean anyone else has heard of them. (Background info, however, must not become the focus of a story.)
The preceding laundry list hasn't been handed down on stone tablets, so feel free to experiment.
Remember, the reader is the target of your article and must be kept in mind at all times. A music review isn't simply your random musings/obsessions about your favorite artist. The reader is looking to you as a "professional" to give some helpful insight into whether or not they should shell out their hard-earned money to buy this CD.
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Please post your entry by March 12.
For this entry, read the Pulitzer-Prize winning feature entitled "Final Salute" from the Rocky Mountain News (in Denver). Then simply respond to it however you wish. Copies of the story will be given out in class. In addition you can visit the Rocky Mountain News website to see the powerful photos in full color. Go to http://denver.rockymountainnews.com/news/finalSalute/
Please post your entry by Monday Feb. 26.