8/26 Assignment

Respond to the following questions in a complete paragraph. Remember, I and your classmates will be reading your post, so be thoughtful. Remember to post with your FIRST name and LAST INITIAL ONLY!!!

Prompt:
Television networks are assigning reporters to a new beat this election year: people who don’t watch the evening news. With polls showing a surge in primary-season ballots cast by voters under 30, media outlets are out to convert the newly energized voters into viewers.

Are you following the presidential campaign? If so, how—on television, in newspapers and newsmagazines, and/or online? What are your preferred sources for news? Have you watched any television news during the campaign season? If so, what have you watched, and was it interesting to you? If not, why not? What do you think TV news shows and cable news networks can and should do to appeal to younger viewers? Why do you think a majority of young voters prefer Barack Obama over John McCain? Why do you think that voters aged 65 and older are more evenly divided between the two?

Welcome!

The beginning of a new school year is so exciting...at least to me! Each new year brings with it a new opportunity to start fresh. Each of you can decide what you will make of the year. The decision is yours, and I hope that you each decide that your English class deserves your best efforts and best work.
Ralph Waldo Emerson (an author we will read later in the year) once said, "The secret in education lies in respecting the student." I believe this whole heartedly. This blog will be a place where ALL of your opinions are respected and valued. You will interact with your classmates, as well as with students in different classes. The primary rule to live by when posting to this blog is to be sure to respect the postings of other students. You are allowed and encouraged to disagree with others, but expressing your alternate opinions must be done in a way that is not demeaning in any way.
I so look forward to the conversations that will take place here. Again, welcome!