Rapidian Article Project
You will write one complete article for the hyper-local news site, The Rapidian. This project will be introduced in the first several weeks of class, and we'll visit with the Rapidian editor in week three to learn more about this news source and generate topics.
A draft (or at least clear plans and evidence that you have been in The Rapidian account and created an article or other content as a basic start) of your article is due in week five (Sept. 27). This fact will put some pressure on you, but there's nothing gained by waiting: you'll need to be aware that between our third and fourth class meeting you'll need to make a visit to Grand Rapids and conduct some research or interviews and gather material for your article. Articles are typically between 600 and 1100 words.
This article will fit the genre I would describe as a profile. The profile may be a person, place, or activity relative to one of the four Grand Rapids city quadrants.
The final content and design of this article should reflect your understanding of the material in Chapter Six of our text--particularly the structural advice beginning on page 102.
And just what is a "profile"? Rise Axelrod and Charles Cooper, authors of the St. Martin's Guide, put it like this: "In writing a profile, you practice the field research methods of observing, interviewing, and notetaking commonly used by investigative reporters, social scientists, and naturalists. You also learn to analyze and synthesize the information you have collected."
We include people, places, or events as legitimate topics for this profile. The deeper requirements, however, have to do with the purpose and audience of The Rapidian. Our profiles will be "hyper local" and reflect our on-site interviews, investigation, and research. The length and style will align with the very best examples that we see in The Rapidian.
Important Rapidian documents (MUST READ!)
