Scrolling randomly down the list of blogs we were supplied with, I closed my eyes and clicked on a blog called Confession of a Journ Student (http://confessionsofjournstudents.blogspot.com/ ). Aesthetically, the blog is rather plain. I’d even venture to use the word dour to describe it. It seems that the bloggers chose to merely retain the basic template they initially chose, opting not to alter it in any way. Unfortunately, it makes the blog itself look rather average and not at all eye-catching. In comparison with the vibrant and well co-ordinate aesthetic structure of a blog like Revolution Readers (http://revolutionreaders.blogspot.com), this blog is lax in its presentation.
In terms of content, I was pleasantly amused. A lot of the posts (primarily by one of the bloggers) are about drinking at Rhodes. Not a critique of it, but rather his own drunken exploits. And interesting read, I must admit. In terms of entertainment I’d have to commend this blog. However, in terms of irony and hypocrisy they would rank far higher. There is another post on the blog entitled “Stereotyping Stereotypical Stereotypes is a no no!”. After reading this I felt the insatiable urge to find this particular blogger and ask him if he did not consider himself to be a ‘stereotypical’ Rhodes student. Such inconsistencies in thought-processes leads one to become slightly sceptical about the blog.
However, a lot of the blog is entertaining and, on occasion, well researched. A post which stands out among the rest (in my opinion) is “Market value degrees will result into a total screw up of life…Ubuntu”. While not exactly full of grammatical genius (the title itself shows some grammatical inadequacies), the article itself, while being critical, is cleverly written and well thought out. If only the entirety of the blog was like this.
Sleeping for 16 hours...so much for life-changing.
Have you ever wanted to just lie there, unconscious? Just to forget – or at least be oblivious to everything? Maybe even create illusions in your mind of “what is and what will never be” (yes, I quote Led Zeppelin often). I thought that sleeping for about 16 hours would achieve just that. I thought I’d be able to empty the bucket of my mind and refill it with something quite different for once. But no, I was mistaken. All that happened was that I woke up feeling drowsier than before with the intense sensation of dry mouth. It didn’t help one tiny bit. Everything I’d been trying to shut out promptly swarmed back into my mind upon my return to the conscious world (whether real or not), defeating the very purpose of my (lack of) exercise. I felt unchanged, as if I had only taken a brief sabbatical from the harshness of reality. I was still the same person. I still had the same thoughts. I remained unchanged. There was no altered state of mind. There was no life-changing vision. There was nothing. So much for sleeping for 16 hours…it cleanses nothing.
The Great Adventure!!!
I had survived, the whole of my first year at Rhodes University, I had survived without entering into a world I was admittedly clueless about, the library. I had successfully managed to avoid at all costs entering into this unusual world, where dorks and nerds flourished, books were cool, and photocopiers were my own worst nightmare.
However, the time had come, it was my the second to last week of lectures before the November exams started and my time as a first year would come to an end, but the time HAD come for me to make my first terrifying adventure into the world of the strange and unknown (the library). As usual my Friday sociology tutorial was sneaking up on me, and it was time that I started doing my usual rounds, trying to borrow the readings that were needed for the tut from a friend, but oh no, this time was different, this time there were no readings to be found...What was I to do, I scurried around trying to find anything I could possibly use, but my mission was a failure. This Friday sociology tutorial defeated me, it forced me to take the adventure of all time, my first adventure into... the library.
I prepared myself, gathered all the necessary materials, materials that could save my life, and I took the long and treacherous journey to... the library. As I entered the humongous doors, doors which lead me to a world filled with unknown creatures and untold triumphs, I was determined not to be defeated once again. I walked with my head held high and my smart face on; this was going to be one for the books... I marched up and firmly asked for the two books I needed, luckily the unfamiliar creature behind the desk understood me (as I had no idea what hog pog he was spitting out) and got the books I needed. But oh no, he asked me for my life card (Student card) so that he could do this thing he called “initialising your card”, what this meant I had no idea, and I didn’t even have the card with me. However, thanks to my swift intelligence and pure charming powers I was able to convince him to hold my drivers card as hostage, whilst I quickly photocopied the books, instead.
I left the creatures station and started my journey to the photocopying room, which was thankfully clearly marked and close by. As I entered this loud room I watched the mortals scurrying around making more noise on these machines, swiping cards and magically producing photocopies, and through my intense craftiness I figured out exactly what needed to be done.
However, much to my dismay what needed to be done required my life card, so I left the room of noise and asked the man behind the desk to keep the books for me, but what I didn’t know was that he was actually an evil creature and would not keep than for me, he just left the books on the shelf... to get taken. I could not let this happen, my sociological future rested in the pages of those books, so I ran, so fast I felt as though time stood still, to get my life card. Finally I had it and the race back to the library began, but this time I was not fast enough and an enemy sociologist had taken one of the books, what was I to do now... then I remembered my supersonic scanning powers, I ran back to the room of noise (the photo copying room) and scanned every mortals book until I found the one that had been unrightfully stolen from me. Huh, I found it, now all I needed to do was come up with a mischievous, yet brilliant, plan to get it back... however, I was mistaken earlier the mortal was not an enemy, she was a k
ind and loving soul, who offered the book to me, without me even having to use any of my special powers on her.
I now had my two books, which magically turned into two photocopies, once my life card had been swiped, triumph!!! I then handed those books in and left with my head held high, I had done it; I had fought the brave fight against this strange world, AND WON!!! But oh no... My driver’s card, the evil in that strange dimension had stolen it, so I was off; once again, to another battle, but this time, it was personal.
However, the time had come, it was my the second to last week of lectures before the November exams started and my time as a first year would come to an end, but the time HAD come for me to make my first terrifying adventure into the world of the strange and unknown (the library). As usual my Friday sociology tutorial was sneaking up on me, and it was time that I started doing my usual rounds, trying to borrow the readings that were needed for the tut from a friend, but oh no, this time was different, this time there were no readings to be found...What was I to do, I scurried around trying to find anything I could possibly use, but my mission was a failure. This Friday sociology tutorial defeated me, it forced me to take the adventure of all time, my first adventure into... the library.
I prepared myself, gathered all the necessary materials, materials that could save my life, and I took the long and treacherous journey to... the library. As I entered the humongous doors, doors which lead me to a world filled with unknown creatures and untold triumphs, I was determined not to be defeated once again. I walked with my head held high and my smart face on; this was going to be one for the books... I marched up and firmly asked for the two books I needed, luckily the unfamiliar creature behind the desk understood me (as I had no idea what hog pog he was spitting out) and got the books I needed. But oh no, he asked me for my life card (Student card) so that he could do this thing he called “initialising your card”, what this meant I had no idea, and I didn’t even have the card with me. However, thanks to my swift intelligence and pure charming powers I was able to convince him to hold my drivers card as hostage, whilst I quickly photocopied the books, instead.
I left the creatures station and started my journey to the photocopying room, which was thankfully clearly marked and close by. As I entered this loud room I watched the mortals scurrying around making more noise on these machines, swiping cards and magically producing photocopies, and through my intense craftiness I figured out exactly what needed to be done.
However, much to my dismay what needed to be done required my life card, so I left the room of noise and asked the man behind the desk to keep the books for me, but what I didn’t know was that he was actually an evil creature and would not keep than for me, he just left the books on the shelf... to get taken. I could not let this happen, my sociological future rested in the pages of those books, so I ran, so fast I felt as though time stood still, to get my life card. Finally I had it and the race back to the library began, but this time I was not fast enough and an enemy sociologist had taken one of the books, what was I to do now... then I remembered my supersonic scanning powers, I ran back to the room of noise (the photo copying room) and scanned every mortals book until I found the one that had been unrightfully stolen from me. Huh, I found it, now all I needed to do was come up with a mischievous, yet brilliant, plan to get it back... however, I was mistaken earlier the mortal was not an enemy, she was a k
ind and loving soul, who offered the book to me, without me even having to use any of my special powers on her.I now had my two books, which magically turned into two photocopies, once my life card had been swiped, triumph!!! I then handed those books in and left with my head held high, I had done it; I had fought the brave fight against this strange world, AND WON!!! But oh no... My driver’s card, the evil in that strange dimension had stolen it, so I was off; once again, to another battle, but this time, it was personal.
I found a good one!
Now I am not the type to analyse, it’s never really been a strong suit of mine, I hate to make people feel inferior, or point out their faults, but I suppose it is needed for personal growth and development, so here goes.
When asked to review a fellow journalism students blog I chose “cowANDchickenANDcoward”, first of the name of the blog is not nearly as compelling and interesting as many of the other blogs, such as “F[read]om Writers”, however, it does offer some great aspects. Let’s start at the beginning, before seeing/reading this blog, a reader should expect a wide range of different story types and genres, with a very stimulating visual canvas. When first arriving at the blog there is a background which is very comical and whimsical, this suits its cartoon inspired title, with three main colours, blue, white and black. Whist a constant coloured background can be very decorative the use of only three colours on the whole blog makes it very one dimensional. However, the blog does include many pictures, which sometimes breaks the constant colour code of black white and blue. These pictures are very complimentary to the blogs, offering the reader a helpful visual when reading. The stories/blogs themselves are mostly well written, with very incising headlines, such as “ Dope time or Doped out?” and “ Fruitless Feminism, but you gotta love Friedan”, these are very successful in drawing in readers, and are insightful and well structured.
I found this blog to be a well rounded and interesting, I would advise any person who was interested in knowing about the adventures of journalism students, or even to just read a good story to take the time and go view this blog.
When asked to review a fellow journalism students blog I chose “cowANDchickenANDcoward”, first of the name of the blog is not nearly as compelling and interesting as many of the other blogs, such as “F[read]om Writers”, however, it does offer some great aspects. Let’s start at the beginning, before seeing/reading this blog, a reader should expect a wide range of different story types and genres, with a very stimulating visual canvas. When first arriving at the blog there is a background which is very comical and whimsical, this suits its cartoon inspired title, with three main colours, blue, white and black. Whist a constant coloured background can be very decorative the use of only three colours on the whole blog makes it very one dimensional. However, the blog does include many pictures, which sometimes breaks the constant colour code of black white and blue. These pictures are very complimentary to the blogs, offering the reader a helpful visual when reading. The stories/blogs themselves are mostly well written, with very incising headlines, such as “ Dope time or Doped out?” and “ Fruitless Feminism, but you gotta love Friedan”, these are very successful in drawing in readers, and are insightful and well structured.
I found this blog to be a well rounded and interesting, I would advise any person who was interested in knowing about the adventures of journalism students, or even to just read a good story to take the time and go view this blog.
Blunt Red Pencils Still Produce Great Journalism
By Kate Couzyn
As we were all told to create our blogs under the same circumstances, it goes without saying that most of them fall into the generic “journalism this – journalism that” genre. What else can one expect when the posts we submit are greatly dictated by the department itself?
Bluntredpencil is one of these blogs – having posted the pieces they have been told to, the bloggers at first glance seem to have fallen into the generic trap. However on closer look we see the development of the journo students as they have broadened their site. Their writing has become mature and (dare I say?) professional compared to their initial posts.
What stands out here are two things; the blog’s use of layout and imagery as a solid source of eye-catching, attention-grabbing skill, and works very well to encourage us, as the readers, to take up an interest in actually reading what the bloggers have to say. The photos and images used are relevant and well thought out, such as the “Right Left” picture on the post “The Hour of Opposites”.
The posts themselves are diverse and entertaining, with a mixture of current news affairs, fun and entertaining opinion pieces and relevant social commentary. All in all we find with bluntredpencil a prime example of not only what was expected of us as journalism students with our blogs, but of skilful penmanship and innovative ideas ranging from the basics – such as layout and design – to the more intricate writings and up keepings of any blog. I give two thumbs up.
As we were all told to create our blogs under the same circumstances, it goes without saying that most of them fall into the generic “journalism this – journalism that” genre. What else can one expect when the posts we submit are greatly dictated by the department itself?
Bluntredpencil is one of these blogs – having posted the pieces they have been told to, the bloggers at first glance seem to have fallen into the generic trap. However on closer look we see the development of the journo students as they have broadened their site. Their writing has become mature and (dare I say?) professional compared to their initial posts.
What stands out here are two things; the blog’s use of layout and imagery as a solid source of eye-catching, attention-grabbing skill, and works very well to encourage us, as the readers, to take up an interest in actually reading what the bloggers have to say. The photos and images used are relevant and well thought out, such as the “Right Left” picture on the post “The Hour of Opposites”.
The posts themselves are diverse and entertaining, with a mixture of current news affairs, fun and entertaining opinion pieces and relevant social commentary. All in all we find with bluntredpencil a prime example of not only what was expected of us as journalism students with our blogs, but of skilful penmanship and innovative ideas ranging from the basics – such as layout and design – to the more intricate writings and up keepings of any blog. I give two thumbs up.
The Review: Bloggers nightmare!
Having ones blog evaluated by someone else is not exactly the most desired thing! Not knowing what they may say or write. How critical they’re going to be of the post and so on. Well as a journalist student, we should be open with our ideas and thoughts and be able to write what we think without double thinking, ‘am I being too harsh or too kind?’, ‘am I right in saying this?’ and so on.
I decided to review a blog called RuScandalous. To which I will hopefully be both fair and critical in my review.
To start with, the name ‘RuScandalous’ is very fitting in the overall idea of the blog. The blogs idea is to report and write about all the goings on in the lives of the students at Rhodes University!
The idea is to publish all the gossip that’s so rife amongst the students, which again aims at a certain target audience, the students. Aiming their writing to a certain audience does however have it negative and positive effects. The negative one may be that the audience may not be large thus their posts are read only by few but the positive side of it may be that the information produced and posted will be read by students; as it will be in their interest zone!
The layout of the blog is very simple and easy to use which is a great aspect as not a lot of people are fond of complex sites. The colour usage is plain which is kind on the eye and the background of the site is also cleverly chosen. The overall writing posted on the site is very catchy and draws the read into their world.
I decided to review a blog called RuScandalous. To which I will hopefully be both fair and critical in my review.
To start with, the name ‘RuScandalous’ is very fitting in the overall idea of the blog. The blogs idea is to report and write about all the goings on in the lives of the students at Rhodes University!
The idea is to publish all the gossip that’s so rife amongst the students, which again aims at a certain target audience, the students. Aiming their writing to a certain audience does however have it negative and positive effects. The negative one may be that the audience may not be large thus their posts are read only by few but the positive side of it may be that the information produced and posted will be read by students; as it will be in their interest zone!
The layout of the blog is very simple and easy to use which is a great aspect as not a lot of people are fond of complex sites. The colour usage is plain which is kind on the eye and the background of the site is also cleverly chosen. The overall writing posted on the site is very catchy and draws the read into their world.
Polski
With the journ department pushing us all to do something we’ve never done before, I thought it best to do something really constructive! One hour doing something you normally wouldn’t do, was the task. It seemed trivial to me at first, almost immature, as thought the department was being lazy and couldn’t think up anything interesting for us to do, but it all makes perfect sense to me now.
I chose to learn a foreign language for an hour! Being a language lover and a linguistics student, a new language is always attractive to me. So I got myself onto the internet and I found a lovely little site called http://www.apronus.com/polishlessons/lekcja01.htm . Here I found ten free polish lessons, and after having to quickly look up how to pronounce the different characters, I was well on my way.
Before beginning my task I felt excited and eager. As a language enthusiast I was only happy to embrace a new one. I had just finished reading The Pianist and so my knowledge of Warsaw during the Second World War and of Polish culture was at an all time high. With high spirits and an open mind I sat myself down and started studying.
Fifteen minutes in I began to struggle. Not only was it getting hard to concentrate but I was beginning to realise how important it is to have someone with you who can ACTUALLY speak the language. I kept it going for an hour, but by the end of the experience I had realised that learning a new language is not something you can do on a whim. You need the help of an institution or an actual teacher.
The one valuable phrase I did learn was “Czy pijesz teraz mleko?” – Are you drinking milk now?
I chose to learn a foreign language for an hour! Being a language lover and a linguistics student, a new language is always attractive to me. So I got myself onto the internet and I found a lovely little site called http://www.apronus.com/polishlessons/lekcja01.htm . Here I found ten free polish lessons, and after having to quickly look up how to pronounce the different characters, I was well on my way.
Before beginning my task I felt excited and eager. As a language enthusiast I was only happy to embrace a new one. I had just finished reading The Pianist and so my knowledge of Warsaw during the Second World War and of Polish culture was at an all time high. With high spirits and an open mind I sat myself down and started studying.
Fifteen minutes in I began to struggle. Not only was it getting hard to concentrate but I was beginning to realise how important it is to have someone with you who can ACTUALLY speak the language. I kept it going for an hour, but by the end of the experience I had realised that learning a new language is not something you can do on a whim. You need the help of an institution or an actual teacher.
The one valuable phrase I did learn was “Czy pijesz teraz mleko?” – Are you drinking milk now?