Resources

Communications Coaching Center

The college offers free writing assistance in 1088 Weimer. The coaches are members of the Journalism & Communications Ambassadors, upper division students in the college who have completed MMC 2100. They can help you when you're working on articles outside of class -- coaching you on developing interview questions or determining people to interview. They also can help you with specific grammar concerns (how to use commas, for instance) or AP style (like abbreviating street addresses). They will not proofread your work for you. The JCAs also can provide advice about your schedule and internships.

Career Assistance

UF's Career Resource Center provides workshops and online materials to assist you in developing a resume, preparing for interviews, and determining what career options are available. You should bookmark the CRC Web site -- http://www.crc.ufl.edu

The site includes a helpful resume checklist.

Grammar Help

If you need some help on grammar issues, you can find some very useful sites on the Web. Copy and paste the URL into your browser to link to the site.

NewsU - Free online training courses developed by the Poynter Institute for Media Studies. These courses are used by media professionals and college and high school students. A great resource. We are requiring you to complete "Cleaning Your Copy."
http://newsu.org

National Punctuation Day - Handy reference to rules for various punctuation forms.
http://nationalpunctuationday.com/

Online Writing Lab at Purdue (OWL) - One of my favorites on this site is the PowerPoint presentation on comma use. You can look at this presentation at your own pace. I think you'll find it very helpful. On the front page, click on PowerPoint presentations and then scroll to Conquering the Comma.
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/grammar/

Grammar Girl's Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing - http://grammar.qdnow.com/
Grammar Girl also has a free podcast that you can download from iTunes. You can select the grammar tips that you would like to listen to. Her podcasts can be a great way of reviewing grammar issues while you wait for the bus or for class to start.

The Writing Center at the University of North Carolina - Site is designed for assisting students in English classes. Check the comma link and the FANBOY tips for using commas.
http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/

Newroom 101 - More than 600 practice items on grammar, usage, spelling and AP style
http://www.longleaf.net/newsroom101/

Wonderful World of Editing (University of Kansas) - This site is maintained by Prof. Malcom Gibson, who is the former editor of the Gainesville Sun and a grad of our College's master's program.
http://www.ku.edu/~edit/

University of Oregon's Emergency Test of Grammar http://jcomm.uoregon.edu/~russial/grammar/grambo.html

Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary and Thesaurus
http://www.m-w.com/

Newspapers on the Web

To become more familiar with the style of writing used in the media, you should be reading the newspaper 20-30 minutes a day.

News Link – Link to some Florida Newspapers – http://newslink.org/flnews.html
Directory of Newspapers across the United States - http://www.omninternet.com/news/news.asp

The Independent Alligator - http://www.alligator.org/
The Gainesville Sun - http://gainesvillesun.com
The Miami Herald - http://www.miamiherald.com
El Nuevo Herald - http://www.elnuevoherald.com/
St. Petersburg Times - http://www.tampabay.com/
The Tampa Tribune - http://www.tampatrib.com/
Florida Times Union - http://www.jacksonville.com/
Orlando Sentinel - http://www.orlandosentinel.com/
The New York Times - http://www.nytimes.com/
Washington Post - http://www.washingtonpost.com/
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - http://www.ajc.com/

Links to Newspapers around the World –
http://www.kidon.com/media-link/index.shtml
http://www.onlinenewspapers.com//index.htm

Directory of Spanish Newspapers around the World and in the U.S. - http://www.spanishnewyork.com/spanish-newspapers-in-spanish.html

The Newseum's Web site displays dozens of front pages every day so you can compare coverage and design. http://www.newseum.org/todaysfrontpages/

Knight Division for Scholarships, Career Placement and Multicultural Affairs

Information on college scholarships, internships and jobs is available from the Knight Division, which is located in 1080 Weimer Hall. The Knight Division conducts the college's annual Career Expo and coordinates campus visits by media organizations interested in interviewing applicants for internships and jobs. If you go to the Knight Division's Web site, you can register to have access online to job and career information.

Career Resource Center

The University provides free testing and counseling about careers and will critique your resume. The Career Resource center is located in the Reitz Union (392-1601). http://www.crc.ufl.edu/

Office of Student Services

If you have special learning problems that may affect your performance in the course, contact the Office for Student Services (392-1261) to receive assistance and to have documentation prepared for instructors on your special situation. Once we receive official notification from the Office of Student Services, lab instructors can make some accommodations for students with documented learning problems. You will need to meet with your lab instructor to discuss possible accomodations.

The Office of Student Services also can be a great aid if you are having a personal situation that is affecting your class performance -- such as an ongoing health issue, a serious illness or death in your family, etc. By talking with a counselor in Student Services, your situation will be documented. Then, if you have a crisis during the semester, Student Services will contact your instructors and help you make arrangements to complete your class work.