Describes a project undertaken at New Mexico State University in which students set up and operated their own ad agencies. (FL)

Notes an often-ignored important step in opinion writing: gathering facts and data to use in supporting arguments. Presents specific 50-60 minute classroom activities to help create a unit for students. Includes a lesson plan for three days, tips for writing a good editorial, and an article by Cat Kasko entitled "Forgiveness is a beautiful thing."…

Describes a three and one half hour class in which students must rewrite stories for four editions of a daily newspaper, with updates on a fire in progress, press releases, and obituaries added during the class period. (HTH)

Argues that writing for the media is utilitarian (not formal) writing, and that slang is acceptable when it conveys meaning. Argues that student journalists need to learn how to analyze slang so they know when to use it and when to avoid it. Offers advice for teachers, and includes two exercises for students on slang. (SR)

Presents an exercise in which students must write five broadcast leads from five of the major newspaper stories reported on the day they were born. (HTH)

Describes several activities that can be used to involve students in class and prevent them from becoming merely passive observers of the teacher. (FL)

Describes a newswriting exercise to teach coverage of public speaking events in which students were asked to report on Jesus Christ's Sermon on the Mount. (HTH)

Suggests that "gatekeeper" studies about subjective judgments can be useful in helping graduate journalism students appreciate the role that personal preferences and prejudices play in the selection of news. (HOD)

Discusses "crazy world" stories, stories that are dramatic, usually violent, and contain no clues to the motivations of the people involved. Suggests how these stories can be used in the classroom to discuss the motives that news stories ascribe to actors. (MS)

Presents an editorial assignment that addresses students' inability to formulate and stick to a theme, and their lack of tight writing, by highlighting the similarities between editorial writing and magazine writing. (HTH)

Describes writing exercises that release students' imaginative powers and help their news writing become fresher and more descriptive. (RL)

Suggests that writing a resume as a classroom exercise is invaluable in promoting media writing by emphasizing editing in all areas of media. Contends that the resume will teach future journalists and media specialists that accuracy and clarity are intrinsic to success in the communications field. (JK)

Suggests having students write short summaries using the principles of the journalistic news "lead" to help them sharpen their abstraction skills. Includes samples of data blocks from which students would compose their summaries, kernel sentences from the samples, "kernel" kernel sentences, first draft summaries, and 30-word…

Recommends teaching journalism as an English course or in combination with an English course to ensure the continuation of journalism education in the face of more stringent graduate requirements. Describes such a course, which includes literature, a research paper, and regular composition assignments. (HTH)

Describes how two objectives--enhancing public relations thinking and producing an attractive showpiece of writing talent for the student--form the basis of a course in public relations at the University of Florida. (HOD)