More on your final project

I’m going to spend some time in class today going over your final projects. Based on this earlier post, you should know what is required. Today I will try to answer any questions and get a feel for what you’re thinking about doing.

Here are the deadlines and requirements:

• This Wednesday, Nov. 19, you will give me a one-page, single-spaced, printed-out memo explaining what example of Web journalism you plan to write about. There is great flexibility in this. It could be an expansion of what you did in your class presentation; it could be based on one of our speakers; or it could be anything else. Successful final projects in the past have included everything from the Web operations of the Nashua Telegraph, to a prominent local sports blog, to a profile of a blogger who specializes in African-American celebrity gossip.
• On Wednesday, Dec. 10, you will post your final project on your blog. I am looking for a 1,000-word post with at least five interviews and relevant background research — in other words, a medium-length news-feature story.
• This is Web journalism, and I’m looking for a significant online component. Your post should contain at least five links. I am also looking for one of the following: (1) a Flickr slideshow consisting of at least 10 photos taken by you, with titles and captions; (2) a three- to five-minute video shot and edited by you; or (3) a presentation built on a Google map. I realize that requirements #1 and #2 would make a local story virtually a necessity. But if you opt for #3, you’ll be able to write about anything in the world.
• I am willing to discuss with you, on an individual basis, the possibility of writing a shorter post and instead producing a more ambitious video.
• I am going to do everything I can to send you an e-mail with comments and a grade by the end of Sunday, Dec. 14. If you wish to rework your post for a higher grade, your deadline will be Tuesday, Dec. 16, at 10 a.m.
• I will expect a high standard of accuracy, including getting all proper names correct — people, places, companies and the like. Mistakes on such basic factual matters will have a significant effect on your grade.

If you have no idea of what to do for your final project, you’ll have a chance to talk about it in class today.