“Every text has a con-text,” or so a favorite professor of mine was fond of saying.  Knowing where a piece of writing is going to appear, and something about who is going to read it and how it is going to be used, makes your task as a writer much more real.

The Assignment.  In a group of three or four, you will conceive, plan, create, assemble, and distribute a prototype newsletter.  The newsletter will be designed to solve an organizational problem, that is, it will have a definite purpose beyond self-expression.  Newsletters can be used both internally and externally to build morale, share organizational policy, promote a business, aid recruiting, encourage community, and a host of other purposes.  Topics are wide open, the only restriction is that you have a well-thought-out concept, with a definite audience and purpose in mind.  Target carefully: the success or failure of a new publication depends on whether it makes itself indispensable to a definable group of people.

Step 1. Planning.  Spend a lot of time and effort here; it will pay off.  Think in general terms about purpose and audience, and then think more specifically about the kinds of articles, features, and images that will best meet the goals you have set. Write a proposal to me which explains, in as much detail as you can, your purpose and audience, and perhaps more importantly, why you think there is a need for your particular approach.  Then give me some examples of the contents.  Think in terms of regular features, and possible topics.  Your proposal should include (at least) the following information:

• A description of your organization and your identity and role within that organization.
• The organizational problem which you are seeking to address
• A description of the solution, or part of the solution, which is your newsletter.
• An analysis of the audience you will be targeting, their interests and needs.
• An annotated list of possible story ideas and features.

You should also include a request to produce a prototype issue along these lines which will be presented to ________ (you fill in the name of an appropriate evaluative body) on the day the newsletters are due.

Step 2. Design.  Design is not something which is “added on.” It is integral to the way in which your publication communicates, or fails to communicate, with its readers.  Once you know clearly what you want your publication to be, you can work on a design plan which reinforces your concept and coordinates all the other elements.  Be creative here, and try out several different approaches before you settle on one that best reflects your vision.

Step 3.  Write, edit, and assemble.  Assign articles to each person in your group 8-10 stories or features for a six-page newlsetter).  All writing is to be original.  If you have a photographer or artist among you (or even if you don’t think you do) collect or create some images to complement the text.  Make sure that everyone reads everything for style and correctness.  Nothing damages your credibility faster than surface errors.

Step 4.  Distribute.  Make enough copies for everyone in class (and two for me).  Prepare a presentation to the class which explains your strategy and how you arrived at the final product.  The rest of the class will act as the evaluative body which you identify.  We will be rating your newsletter and your presentation.  Do not be afraid to share problems or disappointments.  Remember this is a prototype.  Talk about what you have learned from the process and what you might do differently the next time.

Oh yes, please have fun with this.  It will enliven your work.

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