Blog 3

Elaine Shen
P6

1. The Fourcast from the Hockaday School has a modern design and uses iconography and alternative copy very effectively. Their story about the 'hookup culture' shows all of these elements very well. The photo they took looks very professional, and the online format looks very similar to what TPP currently is.

2. The Rider is a good website just because it is filled with content. Not only are you able to access all of the information at the top bar, but all of the highlighted stories are listed right below as well. Each staff member as a picture-day like stock photo. I think the Daily Photo is a cool idea, as is the Daily Instagrams. Overall, the website is filled with content instead of a minimalistic approach.

3. The Lasso, although not the most modern in web design, is effective in its format because it puts breaking news right in the center of the page. Their twitter feed is updated, and they already have an Oscars review, which is quite impressive. The website also has links to a youtube channel and instagram.


1. I thought the homeschooling story (http://bestofsno.com/1396/features/for-these-students-school-continues-at-home/) was interesting because we have never covered this issue before. I have never heard of Bellaire students who only come part-time for the extracurriculars, and then pursue a route of homeschooling as well. I think that the specificity of this story is what really makes it unique and interesting.

2. The story on self-harm (http://bestofsno.com/1050/health/self-harm-is-damaging-but-treatable/) stood out to me because the language used by the interviewee was very raw and uncensored. She seemed very open and honest about her opinions on self-harm and why she did it, as well as defeating misconceptions about it. The article also had many outside facts woven into the story so that it shed light on not only the student, but on the issue as a whole. I think this is how all features stories should be- specificity in the interviewee, but a broader scope in the outside information.