Dog Days of Summer Article

This past week (Aug. printing 21st) I wrote an article called "Chamber lets the dogs out in New 'Canine'" about the dog days of summer. That article itself went on the bottom of the front page that day. Here is the over view for edits:

Questions:

Originally asked basic questions on how dog days of summer began and what's going on this year. Ashley added other questions that: focused on the 'family friendliness' of the event and the change of location. Also, I specifically asked about how and why specific speakers/ venders will participate in the event.

After the article was written - going by AP Style Guide:

PR should be spelt out: Public Relations

co-chair: co-chairwoman/man

Numerical numbers 1 to 10, above those numbers - spell out

Spell out 'percent' instead of using '%'

Ellipses: word (Space)...(Space). Word of new sentence

Style of New Canaan News:

No Mr. or Ms. - just last name.

Information not in the lead (ex. Aug. 29th from 1 to 4) - the lead needs to be 'cute' to grab people into the article. Also, it should be conversational because the event itself is meant to be fun.

Instead of using the word 'previously' to start a sentence use 'the first.' In general, use transitions often in new paragraphs.

Hit enter so a quote stands alone when framing them.

Later on, I will be taking photos of this event.

In the past year, I really have only written three articles this being my fourth. I felt very confident with my finished product. It was intimidating speaking to adults about their business and professions, but overall I was able to get good quotes for the article and successfully frame quotes with out bias. After writing this and reflecting on my question asking skills, I feel more confident looking for good quotes in articles and understanding how it would be difficult for a first year journalism student to come up with questions. Also, I can totally understand why a student would be intimidated by a teacher or any other adult while interviewing. I literally felt like I was back in J-liz 1 while interviewing, but when you interview more often you get more comfortable with it. Overall, because I had to take a step back and go on interviews instead of just edit articles - I can understand and remember how hard it is to put together an article. This will help me next year because I will be more understanding with first year students and can advise them with issues pertaining to interviewing and nerves.