Observation: 125 points Draft due: 8 p.m. DST Sept. 25 (25 points) Final version due: 8 p.m. DST Oct. 9 (100 points) Objective: To practice using the senses to observe a physical location, then to wri

Observation: 125 points

Draft due: 8 p.m. DST Sept. 25 (25 points)

Final version due: 8 p.m. DST Oct. 9 (100 points)

Objective: To practice using the senses to observe a physical location, then to write a 250-300 word description using only verifiable, factual information.

As the text points out, journalistic writing is direct, precise and concise. It is pared down to bare bones; it is not poetic or flowery. Words need to paint the picture clearly so the audience has no doubt about what you mean. Vague adjectives (some, huge, large, noisy, beautiful, etc.) don’t convey meaning. Describe exactly what makes something huge or noisy – and do so without using “I, we or you.” You are not part of the story, and the audience is not with you!

A mastery of these key components is critical. They will continue to be an important part of the writing in this major. If any of this is not clear, it is imperative that we have a conversation before an assignment is submitted.

This assignment relates to three course objectives:

Think critically, creatively and independently. This is demonstrated as students present information in original and thought-provoking ways that are void of clichés and generalizations.

Conduct research and evaluate information by methods appropriate to the communications profession. This is demonstrated as students engage in newsgathering to produce informative, accurate stories.

Write correctly and clearly in forms and styles appropriate for the communication professions, audiences and the purposes they serve. This can be demonstrated as students produce well-written stories specific to their audiences. Our audience is the metro Atlanta area.

This assignment also relates to three areas of College to Career objectives: critical thinking, written communication and work ethics.

Method: Select a location you have not visited before. This could be a park, a cafe, a shop, a museum – anywhere you feel safe visiting. It’s important that you not have any familiarity with this location: Previous knowledge may limit your observations. For instance, if you frequent a specific coffee shop, it’s possible your senses have been dulled, and you might overlook many details you see/hear/smell on a regular basis. Find a spot you haven’t been to before. If it’s one you’ve always wanted to explore, even better!

Samples of this assignment from previous classes are listed below the rubric.

Specific steps:

1/ Plan: Devise an action plan and timetable. Factor in time to visit a location, review notes, draft, revise and file before deadline. Setting specific dates to accomplish each of these steps will be extremely helpful in managing the assignment.

2/ Go: Visit your selected location. Take detailed notes of what you see. Employ your senses. Film or take photos for your reference AND take a selfie that shows your face and the name of the location. Note: A selfie is not a portrait or a shot taken by someone else. It is not a shot of the back of your head. It is your photo that clearly shows your face and the signage identifying the location.

3/ Draft: Think of specific ways to describe the location without using vague language. For instance, rather than saying a space is big, describe in a way readers can picture – as long as a football field, as tall as a three-story building. Rather than saying the place is crowded, describe what made you think ‘crowded.’ This is part of the ‘show, don’t tell’ approach that brings writing to life. Write a draft, aiming for 250-300 words. Note: A draft is a complete story; it is not an outline or a few grafs. Points will only be awarded for complete drafts.

Use this slug for the draft:Observation draft

By: (your name here)

Exact address of location visited:

Date(s) and time of visit(s):

Word count: XXX

Remember: Journalists do not use MLA headers!

4/ Read: Review the rubric below. Make sure each line is covered in your draft.5/ Upload: Turn in the completed draft and the selfie to Assessments/Assignments/Observation draft by 8 p.m. DST Sept. 25. This element is worth 25 points.

6/ Revise: Macroedit your draft to get it in the order you want. This might involve more than one reworking. Allow enough time in your schedule to do this critical work.

7/ Revise again: Microedit your draft for grammar, punctuation and anything underlined by Word (that’s a hint something needs attention!). Rewrite sentences that repeat words or information. Plan on more than one reworking. Allow enough time to do this extremely critical work.

8/ Use this slug:

Observation final

By:

Word count:

9/ Save: Save your story as an original Word doc only. If I cannot open it, it will not be graded. If it’s the wrong doc, it will not be graded.

10/ Run the copy through ZeroGPT (zerogpt.com) and be sure it shows a zero for AI content. Take a screenshot and include it with the final submission. Without a screenshot, the story will not be accepted.

11/ File: Upload the final version and screenshot to iCollege: Go to the Assessments/Assignments/Observation final. The deadline is 8 p.m. DST Oct. 9.

Observation rubric: 100 points

Assignment requirements: 5 points5 points: _____Story fulfills requirements for word count (250-300) and includes the header above.

Organization (lede, body): 20 points

10 points: _____The first few sentences include the most important info about your location. Consider what is most exciting, unusual or odd.

10 points: _____The piece tells the story of the subject in a cohesive manner. Each sentence and paragraph smoothly link to the next.

Journalistic writing style: 35 points

5 points: _____The story is written in brief paragraphs.

10 points: ____Sentences are short and precise, without fluff, wordiness, vague adjectives/adverbs or repetition.

10 points: _____Verifiable, concrete details are used; information is not generalized, judgmental or opinionated.

10 points: _____ Information is presented without addressing the audience (you, your) or written from the first person (I, we).

Grammar and punctuation: 40 points

20 points: _____Standards of grammar are in place.

10 points:_____ Standards of punctuation are in place.

10 points:_____Copy is free of extra/missing words and misspellings.