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Arrive, Survive and Thrive in Prof. Nixon’s Classes, Spring 2012 Edition

"Tilework at Florida Botanical Gardens" by Barbara B. Nixon

An Open Note to All of Prof. Nixon’s Students:

Welcome back to our Communication Department at Southeastern University; I hope your Christmas break was a blessed one. I spent a lot of much-needed time with family.

Syllabi for my two Spring 2012 on-campus classes are available at my Scribd site. If a syllabus is updated during the semester, you’ll find out in class, and the current version will always be available at Scribd.

Materials for COMM 3333 Journalism (Online Class)

Materials for COMM 4333 Writing for Public Relations and Advertising

Materials for COMM 4633 Social Media for Public Relations and Journalism

Getting Inside My Head

So that we can make the most of this semester, please (Please, PLEASE) take some time to read through the blog posts I’ve included here. I promise you, it will be well worth your time. (How often do professors let you get inside their heads, letting you know their tips for success and their pet peeves?)

Additionally, here are a few more tips:

  • When communicating with me via e-mail (or Facebook), always put your course number (such as COMM 4333) in the subject line to help me immediately identify who you are and frame your questions or comments. Do your best to write in full sentences, paying attention to standard English grammar and spelling. Always sign your e-mails with your first and last name, as your e-mail address will not make that readily apparent to me.
  • When submitting an assignment in BlackBoard, always put your last name as part of the file name, and also include your name in the document itself. Papers submitted without your last name as part of the file name cannot earn full credit.
  • If an assignment is due in BlackBoard, the only way to get full credit for the assignment is to submit it in BlackBoard. (E-mailing an assignment to me can be risky; I receive 250+ e-mails a day, and there’s a chance I will not even see it in my inbox.)
  • Follow me on Twitter, if you really want to get inside my head. (What’s Twitter?)

Let’s make this a great semester together!

(PS: If you’re one of my Spring 2012 students reading this post, please leave a reply to this post so that I can know you have read it. If your reply doesn’t show up immediately, no worries — I may need to approve it before it appears, if you’ve never commented on my blog before.)

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The ABCs of Public Relations by My #COMM2322 Class

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The ABCs of Writing for Digital Media from #COMM2423 Class

My Southeastern University class created this list of 26 things people should know about writing for digital media. Some focused on writing for digital media in general, while others focused on succeeding in her class of the same name. (Note: A couple of the letters are missing, as Twitter is being a wee bit wonky this morning. I will do my best to add in D and M as soon as I can.)

What other tips would YOU add to this list?

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Creating a Rockin’ Presentation for #COMM2322

In Public Relations Applications this semester, students will be delivering five-minute presentations on an assigned public relations field or industry. Three students are assigned to each chapter; they can divide up the material in the chapter as they see fit.

The subject areas are:

  • Events & promotions
  • Global public relations
  • Corporate public relations
  • Entertainment, sports & tourism
  • Government & politics
  • Nonprofit, health & education

We want to be sure to avoid the dreaded Death by PowerPoint, so ably described by comedian Don McMillan below.

Instead, we will aim for presentations that are more like the TED Talks, with slides to accompany them as Jesse Desjardins describes in “Steal This Presentation!”

STEAL THIS PRESENTATION!

View more presentations from @JESSEDEE
In class on October 27, we’re discussing how their favorite movies can make them better public speakers. (For example, I learned in The Wizard of Oz that being the loudest one in the room — the Wicked Witch of the West — doesn’t necessarily make me a speaker who people want to listen to.) Students will share their thoughts in the comments below.
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Feature Story Package #1 Planning

For COMM 2423: A Reminder of the Assignment Requirements (found in your syllabus)

Report, source, write, edit and post one news story on an approved topic. The article must have or rely upon at least three human sources. The more timely, the better, and the story should hit demonstrate impact or consequence. Beware, however, of conflicts of interest. This means avoiding friends, family members and business associates as sources, and stories that could materially affect those companies and entities with which you are affiliated.

Post with the story the questions you asked your sources, a list of the facts you checked and verified, and a list of the sources you attempted to contact (not merely those you were able to include in your story). Also identify your intended audience(s).

As you are completing this assignment, think about what might be added to your main story for publication online, including multimedia and interactive features. Because online you would have all the space you would need, consider the range of added features that could be developed, including fact boxes, a FAQ list, a podcast or video extra, interview notes and transcripts, maps, charts, a glossary, slideshow, animated graphic, poll, related stories and opinion, and perhaps an area where readers can contribute reactions, story ideas, photos and comments. For Feature Story #2 you will add at least one photo and two other multimedia/interactive elements that might make a strong story package online. (For Feature Story #1, one photo is the only multimedia element required.)

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A College Student’s Guide to Getting Started with Twitter

Image Credit: "Montreal Twestival 2009 Cupcakes" by Clever

This week, spend some time learning on your own about using Twitter. Here are a few ways to learn. We’ll talk more about Twitter next week in class. Be sure to follow the directions in Step 4 so you “take attendance” for class this week; you can send the required tweet/message anytime before midnight on Saturday.

Step 1: Watch

If you haven’t seen it already, watch Twitter in Plain English, made by the folks at Common Craft:

Step 2: Watch

Then watch the Inbound Marketing University webinar titled “Twitter for Business,” led by Laura Fitton (@pistachio on Twitter) OR “Twitter for Business” led by Paul Gillin (@pgillin on Twitter). You don’t have to watch both, unless you’d really like to see two different perspectives on using Twitter.


Twitter for Business from Paul Gillin on Vimeo.

Step 3: Read

Read my post 10.5 Ways for PR Students to Get the Most Out of Twitter.

Step 4: Subscribe

Set Up Your Twitter Account

  1. Go to Twitter. Click Get Started, and sign up. I prefer it if you use some version of your first and last name as your Twitter ID. (Avoid putting numbers in your Twitter ID, or you may appear like a spammer.)
  2. Upload a photo or avatar.
  3. Write a brief (160-character or fewer) bio. It’s good to mention that you’re a PR student. Consider mentioning your university.
  4. Send a tweet saying “I’m a student in @barbaranixon’s #COMM2322 /#COMM2423”. (Use the correct number for your class.) Be sure to include the #xxx1234 indicator, with no spaces between the hashtag (#), letters and numbers. It is by you sending this tweet that I will “take attendance” on Monday/Tuesday.

Step 5: Follow

Follow the people I recommend in my Starter Pack for PR Students list:  — at least for the duration of this semester. I will also create lists for students in each of my classes (but I cannot do this until I have all your Twitter IDs.)

Additional Information

  1. If you already have a Twitter account that you use primarily for social (not educational or professional) reasons, you may wish to create a fresh, new account for this class and professional reasons.
  2. Review your notes on Twitter: What’s In It For Me (a presentation I shared in class with you in September).
  3. Review my tips on Choosing Whom to Follow on Twitter: My Strategy.
  4. Review Prof. Sam Bradley’s College Student’s Guide: Twitter 101.
  5. Review The Anatomy of a Tweet: What Do All Those Symbols Mean?
  6. I find using the web interface for Twitter to be clunky. I prefer using TweetDeck, a free Adobe Air app that works great on PCs and Macs. TweetDeck makes it really easy to send URLs via Twitter, as it automatically shortens them for you.
  7. I’ll occasionally post information on Twitter and use the hashtag for your class (#COMM2322 or #COMM2423).By using this hashtag, I’m indicating that I want students in this class to pay special attention to the tweet.
  8. If you’d like to publicize your blog posts via Twitter, you can it automatically in WordPress.

If you’re a college student, especially a college student majoring in public relations, I’d love to hear how you have benefitted by using Twitter.

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Website Critique :: COMM 2423 Assignment

Image Credit: "Statler & Waldorf" by The Muppets

In pairs or triads, consider the website provided in class during Week 6. (Note: You can work on this assignment individually, if you wish.)

Imagine that you have been hired as the site’s new editor-in-chief. Make specific recommendations to improve the presentation of content at the site, integrating and referencing the chapter as much as possible. What elements or features promote use of the site? Again, think of all the elements described in this chapter. How are graphics and visuals incorporated, and do they encourage or discourage use? How do they do this? How much thought was given to navigation throughout the site? Are the elements — graphical, navigational and metaphorical — consistently applied throughout the site? Is the tone or rhythm of the site consistent throughout? Do these dimensions match the audience(s) for the site?

Here is a categorical checklist of site dimensions to critique:

  • Navigation
  • Page layouts (balance | contrast | unity)
  • Consistency
  • Tone and voice
  • Writing quality
  • Site organization

Prepare your written critique and submit it in BlackBoard before the deadline of Oct. 1 at 11:59 p.m.

NOTE: This assignment is one provided by the publisher of the Writing for Digital Media textbook we are using in COMM 2423.
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Topics of the Week for #COMM2322 PR Apps Fall 2011

Image Credit: "Toe truck in West Seattle Seafair parade, 2001" by Seattle Municipal Archives

For Fall 2011

In our PR Applications classes (COMM 2322 at Southeastern University), we’ll all blog about the same general topic each week during the semester. Your TOWs of 300 words or longershould be posted by Saturday at midnight at the end of each week, unless otherwise notified in class. (Posts that appear past the deadline may not earn any credit, so be sure to stay on top of your blogging deadlines.)

If you are unsure how to get started writing these TOWs, many times you can use this three-pronged approach:

  1. What did you learn?
  2. What surprised you?
  3. What do you want to know more about?

WEEK ONE

  • [OPTIONAL]

WEEK TWO

  • How would you define “public relations”? OR What are the similarities and differences of PR and advertising, journalism and marketing? (NOTE: You can post this week’s entry as late as Week Three, as you will not be creating your blogs until that time.)

WEEK THREE

  • Using the three-pronged approach (above), what are your reactions to the NewsU Course you took on Dealing with Difficult Conversations? (NOTE: You can post this week’s entry as late as Week Three, as you will not be creating your blogs until that time.)

WEEK FOUR

  • Write about a public relations crisis and your impression how it was handled. What might you have done differently?

WEEK FIVE

  • If you could work in an era of PR history (from a time before you were born), which one would it be? What interests you most about this era and why?

WEEK SIX

  • Based on what you read in Chapter 5 of your THINK Public Relations book, do you think it’s more beneficial for a new PR practitioner to begin his/her career in a PR department or in a PR firm? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?

WEEK SEVEN

  • One Week of Twitter (details TBA)

WEEK EIGHT

  • What are some ways that a PR practitioner can measure the effectiveness of a campaign? Also, discuss the importance of measurement.

WEEK NINE

    WEEK TEN

    • Chapter 9 in THINK Public Relations discusses Ethics and the Law. Which aspects of law do you believe public relations practitioners need to be most aware of, and why?

      WEEK ELEVEN

      WEEK 12

      WEEK 13

      • Write a post about the aspect of public relations that you have chosen for your presentation this semester. If you have created a PowerPoint or Prezi, embed it into your post.

      WEEK 14

      • This week’s topic was inspired by Adam Vincenzini’s Be My Guest month: post something by a guest blogger. Connect with another blogger (it can, but doesn’t have to, be someone in your class) and exchange blog posts for the week. (You don’t have to write something new for the other blogger . . . share your favorite post you’ve written this semester.) In your own blog, make it really clear that the post is written by another person, and link to your guest’s blog.

      WEEK 15

      • Create a list of the top ten things you have learned about public relations this semester. (Remember that the post still needs to be 300 words minimum, so you will need to elaborate on your choices for the list.)
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      SEU COMM Majors and Minors Meeting :: Slides

      On August 25, more than 100 Communication majors and minors met at Southeastern University to kick off the 2011-2012 year. And it was standing room only in Bolin Studio. What an enthusiastic group!

      As promised in the meeting, here are the slides that were shared by our faculty and staff that night.

      Southeastern University COMM Majors & Minors Meeting, Fall 2011

      If you’re a COMM major or minor at Southeastern University, please leave a reply to this post letting us know one of two things:

      • Yes, I attended the meeting  OR
      • I was unable to attend the meeting, but I read through the slides
      Please use your first and last name when you reply so we can better track attendance. And if you want to let us know what you’re most looking forward to in 2011-2012, that would be wonderful.
      Thanks!
      (PS — If you would like to meet with me this semester, you can see my office hours online and sign up for an available slot — or just stop by my office in Bolin 217. Remember: I always have candy in my office!)
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      Topics of the Week :: COMM 2423 Writing for Digital Media

      Old Ford Tow Truck 1 by Cramit.
      "Old Ford Tow Truck 1" by Cramit

      In our Writing for Digital Media course at Southeastern University, we’ll all blog about the same general topic each week during the semester. Your TOWs of 300 words or longer should be posted by Saturday at midnight at the end of each week.

      If a week has more than one topic listed; choose one of the available topics on those weeks.

      If you have a topic to suggest, please add it as a comment to this blog post.

      If you are unsure how to get started writing these TOWs, many times you can use this three-pronged approach:

      1. What did you learn?
      2. What surprised you?
      3. What do you want to know more about?

      WEEK ONE

      • OPTIONAL: Which types of social media do you currently participate in (such as blogging, podcasting, social networking, etc.), which platforms you use, and why? [NOTE: Since you are creating your blog after after Week One, you will go back and add this post in.]

      WEEK TWO

      • Read at least a dozen posts at one mainstream media blog. Briefly review the blog and explain how students in this class can benefit from reading a blog such as this one.

      WEEK THREE

      • Visit Mignon Fogarty’s Grammar Girl’s website. Either read one of her blog posts or listen to one of her podcasts on an area of grammar that is troublesome to you. Write about what you learned (using the three-pronged approach above.)

      OR

      • This week, you took the NewsU Cleaning Your Copy course. There were four main topics in this course: Grammar, AP Style, Punctuation and Spelling. Using the three-pronged approach described at the top of this post, describe your reactions to this course. Remember to include a  hyperlink to the course, too.

      WEEK FOUR

      • Discuss how writing for online reading is different than writing for analog reading. Offer 10 do’s and don’ts for writing for online reading.

      WEEK FIVE

      • Why are comments such an integral part of blogs? What advice would you offer on writing effective blog comments?

      WEEK SIX

      • Offer 10 tips for writing effective headlines for digital media.

      WEEK SEVEN

      • What is Storify, and how can it be used by journalists or public relations practitioners?

      WEEK EIGHT

      • This week’s topic was inspired by Adam Vincenzini’s Be My Guest month: post something by a guest blogger. Connect with another blogger (it can, but doesn’t have to, be someone in your class) and exchange blog posts for the week. (You don’t have to write something new for the other blogger . . . share your favorite post you’ve written this semester.) In your own blog, make it really clear that the post is written by another person, and link to your guest’s blog.

      WEEK NINE

      • Address several of the following questions about infographics. What are they? How could one be useful in a story for your client? How do you go about creating one? Create one if you can, and embed it in your blog post this week.

      WEEK TEN

      WEEK ELEVEN

      • TBA

      WEEK 12

      • Using the CoverItLive service, embed the live blog of an event assignment that you completed this semester. (See CoverItLive Support Center for directions on how to do this.) Provide at least one paragraph of context that will help your readers know something about the event and the organization that sponsored the event. Also, knowing now what you do about live blogging, provide at least five tips for students who may be live blogging an event in the future.
      OR
      • Use Storify to create a story about something of interest to students at Southeastern University. Also, knowing now what you do about Storify, provide at least five tips for students who may be live blogging an event in the future.

      WEEK 13

      • What advice would you offer students who are new to blogging? Come up with your own Top 10 list. (Note: Complete blog is due at the end of this week.)

      WEEK 14

      • Optional

      WEEK 15

      • Optional

      WEEK 16

      • Optional