COMM 209: Next week's assignments

You'll have two:

1. Obama's presidential announcement. U.S. Sen. Barak Obama, D-Chicago, will announce his candidacy at 10 o'clock Saturday morning at the Old State Capitol downtown. The national and international press will be there to cover it. Your assignment: Compare the coverage of the event in The State Journal-Register and The Washington Post. If you are able to go yourself, compare your observations to both. This paper should be 750-1,000 words, including quotes. It is due at the beginning of Class Monday, Feb. 12.

2. Profile an event. You will have several to choose from. Senator Obama's presidential campaign announcement Saturday morning, two rallies for his supporters Friday night and the poetry slam in the Presidents Room on the SCI/Benedictine campus Friday night. Details below. This will be due at the beginning of class Wednesday, Feb. 14.

I will post more suggestions to the blog between now and Monday.

To get ready for the Obama announcement, read the stories in the J-R. Today's says "gates will open at Sixth and Adams streets at 9 a.m., and ... the Obama campaign has said the program will begin about 10 a.m." Springfield Mayor Tim Davlin is quoted:

“We’d invite everybody to carpool as much as they possibly can because parking in the street is going to be at a minimum,” Davlin said, although several downtown garages will be open, providing more than 1,000 spaces. The parking lot below the Old Capitol, however, will close at 5 a.m. Saturday.

The mayor said the forecast indicates it will be cold, but it is “99.9 percent certain” that the event will be outdoors, on the lawn of the Old State Capitol.

He encouraged people to dress warmly but avoid bringing backpacks or large bags.

“More than likely they’ll have to go through somewhat of a checkpoint,” he said, although he said he doesn’t expect metal detectors to be employed.

Most of the crowd will have to stand for the event. Handicapped seating will apparently be available.

Other events you may choose to profile instead include two receptions for supporters in town Friday night and the poetry slam on campus. There are bound to be other events taking place in the area, too. So the subject matter is open. I think you'll get the most, however, out of going to the Obama announcement and watching the national press corps. They'll probably be herded onto a flatbed trailer with a clear TV shot of the candidate and the Old State Capitol in the background.

On writing profiles, read this tip sheet linked to my faculty page. Especially the part on "Gathering your information" toward the bottom. But it's all brilliant. Has to be. I wrote it.