Picture of Natalie Moore

Picture of Bradley Boleware

picture of Julia Davis for Class Profile

Profile of Briscoe

"Life is not about how you fall but how you get back up." This is a quote that senior marketing communications major Michael Briscoe lives by.
When Briscoe was asked how Ole Miss has enhanced him as a person, he said, "It has allowed me to step out of my element, especially with my major. I am now able to easily talk to people I don't know."
Briscoe said he does no take no for an answer.
"I like to finish what i start. I'm really competitive," Briscoe said.
When asked if he could go anywhere in the world for a semester, Briscoe chose Europe.
"I would just take a backpack and go," Briscoe said.

Class Profile

Lucy Cross

Why did you choose Ole Miss?

What is your family like?

Why do you enjoy journalism so much?

What is your favorite thing about Ole Miss/Oxford?

Do you enjoy the Oxford Square?

As the oldest sister of three girls, Julia Davis comes from Atlanta, GA. Although Ole Miss was not her first choice in college, she has fallen in love with the university. Davis originally wanted to attend an art school. Her parents disagreed with her choice and advised her to try Ole Miss, because they said they have never heard of anyone who disliked this school

Davis claims that her family is “super close” and would describe them as “constantly traveling.” She claims that her favorite vacation spot is summer time in Cody, WY. There, she and her family spend time together on their ranch where they can play with their horses and hunt.

Apart from her friends and the Oxford Square, Davis loves the size of Ole Miss…”not too big, not too small” she said. The journalism school caught her eye because she is obsessed with magazines. She was offered an internship with In Style Magazine. This opportunity was “eye opening” Davis said. She has been turned onto it ever since.

'Most Popular' news article response

This article on using ‘most popular’ in content is very interesting. If I were to search a topic I was interested I would definitely look at the article that had the most hits or was being frequently searched. Breaking stories up categorically is also a good idea because then readers wont be frustrated by trying to search everywhere for the topic they are most interested in. I also love when sites have a most popular page as written in the article. It makes it easy for me to find the latest news about what is going on in the world.

Classmate Profile

Jordan Wulforst

Jackson

Journalism 271

20 September 2011

University of Mississippi graduate student Sharon White proves her passion for journalism as both a television and radio host. Hailing from Chicago, Ill. White has lived in California, Georgia and now calls Mississippi home. Her love for journalism began in 2000 when White relocated from Atlanta to Mississippi for an opportunity as a radio host at Rust College in Holly Springs.

Upon graduating from Rust in 2009, White earned a degree in English and decided to continue with broadcast. Her decision to attend UM was “easy “ White said.

“I had heard the school had a wonderful journalism program.”

Aside from journalism and broadcast, White also enjoys teaching the word of God as she is an active minister at Grace Bible Fellowship in Memphis, Tenn.

While being also being a minister, White continues to host for radio and expands her broadcast knowledge by taking daily classes at UM.

Article Response

The "Most Popular" feature is something I almost always use when I am getting my daily news fix. I was happy to see CNN's New's Pulse feature mentioned as that is one site where I use the "Most Popular" feature especially. It is a great way to see what is perhaps top news stories for that day as well as find some things that I might not necessarily find upon first glance at the website. It's my way in some sense to see what might be important to keep updated on.

However, as also mentioned in the article sometimes the feature isn't all that reliable- probably due to the similar third party services as mentioned. I know some sites where that feature isn't updated very well and it's very frustrating to find things that you want to read.

Classmate Profile

Jessica Lynch is a senior just starting her last year in Oxford as an Ole Mis student. Lynch is a marketing and communications major from Benton, Ark., a small town that is a suburb of Little Rock. She chose to go into marketing because "business is a broad degree and you can do pretty much anything with it," she said. She enjoys hanging out with friends and playing tennis. She hopes to take her degree and work in a nonprofit by helping plan charity events.

She has followed in her aunt and uncle's footsteps by becoming a member of the Ole Miss family. Her parents went to the University of Arkansas. Lynch did not want to go to Arkansas though.

"If I went to Arkansas it would be a lot like high school," she said.

Article Response

I totally agree that the "Most Popular" feature is useful to viewers. I know that I always view the most popular lists on the websites I visit on a daily basis. This feature also uncovers some stories that readers would not have seen otherwise. It keeps viewers up to date on the most recent and important stories.

Classmate Profile

Sports, sports, and more sports. Nineteen-year-old, Matt Sigler from Madison, Miss. lives and breathes sports. Sigler aspires to live a life and career similar to Dan Patrick, a humorous sports news reporter.

“He adds comedy to his stories and looks at things from a different angle,” Sigler said.

In 10 years, Sigler hopes to be established and on his way to achieving his dream job as a sports broadcaster for ESPN.

When he is not watching ESPN and looking up football statistics, Sigler can be found looking at the old rips and tears in his high school football jersey. Sigler remembers the glory days of playing football with his friends.

“I get made fun of for it, but I like to relive the memories,” Sigler said.

One day, when Sigler has an established career he can look back at the support system his family provides, especially the time spent as his grandma’s house every Christmas.

He said he will always remember the family’s tradition of putting up the Christmas tree two days before Christmas with the whole family.

Classmate Profile

Olivia Rearick, 19, is not your typical southern Ole Miss girl. She was born and raised in Chicago.

When asked about her the best experience of her life, she said it was coming to Ole Miss. Her grandmother lives in Mississippi, and Rearick has been coming to visit her every summer.

"I wanted to come to Ole Miss to escape the cold weather and the Chicago lifestyle I was accustomed to," says Rearick.

She was caught in a tornado while at camp one summer. Rearick, along with several other people, had to run from their cabin to shelter in the cafeteria. WHile she was running outside there was debris being thrown everywhere along with strong rain and wind. One of her shoes came off while running to safety. Rearick had to stop and look for her shoe, while in a panic to get to shelter. Once she found her shoe, Rearick looked up to realize she was the only one outside. She kept running straight, luckily in the direction of the cafeteria. Rearick was safe from the tornadoes.

Rearick was a part of a mission trip to Xijpui, Mexico.

"That was the only time I have been out of the country," Rearick said "I hope to be able to more mission work in the future."

Response To Article

I agree with the author on the "most popular" features. I think it is very helpful to people when searching the web. I know when I search the web for different things, I always click on the first, or "most popular" item that has been searched. It can be helpful to people and help them get going in their web search.

Classmate Profile

Paris Crawford is a sophomore major from Calhoun City, Miss. She attends the University of
Mississippi. It was never a question for Paris whether or not she was going to attend college after high school; she doesn't want to make minimum wage, and she wanted to further herself and her education she said. "I never take no for an answer and am a very ambitious person," said Crawford.
Paris would love to someday make well-known documentaries, and to become an on-air anchor for a big company. This, however, has not always been her childhood dream job, until her junior year in high school she always wanted to be a fashion designer. Now her careers dreams have changed, and she is ready to make an impact in the world of journalism.

Response to Article

I also think the "Most Popular" feature on websites is very useful. All of the information available on sites can seem a bit intimidating, but utilizing this feature gives the user a very good starting point. Everyone wants to know the news that most people are looking at so they up to date on the most popular news. I think news websites should continue improving this feature, so users can get the most customized search possible and find what they want to read.

Student Interview

Bradley Boleware, a sophomore from Seminary, Miss, entered college as a pre-med major, but he decided it was not the major he was meant to pursue.

“Being a pre-med major was more for my parents,” Boleware said. “I had always enjoyed writing, especially creative writing, so I thought journalism would be a good choice.”

Before entering college, Boleware worked for a pipeline company, where he began learning the art of whittling. Whittling is cutting small bits or shavings from a piece of wood to fashion or shape into something.

“I had a lot of free time in the wilderness to practice it,” Boleware said.

Classmate Profile

                Ashton Brownlee, a marketing communications major, is a brown-haired girl from Laurel, Miss. who loves to learn new languages and travel.

                Brownlee found her way to Ole Miss after her junior college career and an extended amount of time in Europe and Asia, where she visited her mother.

                Her mother is a teacher for hire and goes to countries where they need her to teach English. “She just looks online for places that need her and she goes there, said Brownlee, “she loves to travel.”

                Brownlee’s love of travel is apparent considering she has been to Japan, South Korea, Luxemburg, and Germany.

                Brownlee came to Ole Miss mainly because of her brother who now manages a Caterpillar Machinery branch.

Brownlee is unsure of her about her future after she graduates. “I want a job that allows me to travel,” said Brownlee.

Brownlee hopes to never stay in the same place for too long.

Poynter Article Response

I agree with the author completely, there should be
some sort of standardization of the "Most Popular" segment on news
websites. I believe that there are two parts of Journalism: writing articles
and getting people to read them. I know that I'm not the only one who feels a
little bombarded when I visit a website and find all these stories, of
different subjects coming at me. I ALWAYS look for the "Most Read"
link and click it. I want to know what my peers think is important and I'm sure
I'm not the only one. The most popular columns are just another way to get
readers to find the story they want to read and I feel that they are necessary.
I would do almost anything to get people to read my stories, so if that means
giving readers the information they want (how many people have read this, how
many shared it, etc.) so be it.

Classmate Profile

Haley Morgan, 20, a junior at Ole Miss, is considered by many quite the character. Her peppy mood can often be seen putting smiles on the faces of many.
"I can make anyone laugh," Morgan said. "I can always cheer them up. I can make a fool of myself and be OK with it."
Although her passion for comedy is deep, Morgan has also strived to be successful in her life.
"I guesss I would say my most proud accomplishment is becoming the person I am today," Morgan said, "accomplishing all the little goals I've accomplished to be where where I am is great."
Morgan can relate her hardwork to her biggest inspiration; her parents.
"My parents didn't come from wealthy families," she said, "they followed their dreams and both have done very well with their lives. They are great parents and role models."
Morgan differs from many college students because she is still a woman of faith.
"I pray every night before I go to bed," Morgan said.



Story by: Matt Sigler

Peer Interview - Lucy Cross

Lucy Cross is an Ole Miss student from St. Louis, MO. Cross made her decision to come to the University of Mississippi while visiting friends, while she was still in high school, and she says it has been her best experience thus far.

Cross is the youngest of three children. Her parents are still happily married, and her family loves to spend time together. In high school, Cross spent much of her time showing and jumping horses. She no longer shows and jumps but still loves her horse. When asked something she has always wanted to do, Cross replied, "Go skydiving."

Response to Article

As I read through this article I noticed some things that I, personally, do agree with. When a reader goes to an online news source they are usually looking for quick, accessible, "popular" news.

Thus, websites do need to take into account a way to navigate around these new trending things. I believe that these ways listed in the article are catching on more and more everyday and that they are helpful tools for the public when visiting a site with a "most popular" component.

For me, I would have to say the point that really is critical is showing how many people have viewed a story. Despite the fact that this could be a falsehood in some areas, such as people viewing more than once or only a select group viewing multiple times, I believe that knowing how many views something has is a helpful tool in deciding whether or not the story deserves your attention.

Overall this was a good piece and made solid points.

Response to Poynter Article

I had never heard of a Most Popular feature, but I as I continued to read the article, I saw other ways it could be worded. Despite what Rich Meislin says, I believe the variety of different phrases such as “Most Emailed,” and “Most Blogged” are not used as frequently as “Most Popular,” or “Most Viewed.”

I do not believe in what Washington Post Managing Editor, Raju Narisetti, said about being unsure what the value is in sharing page views. I thought of it as YouTube hits, the more hits it has, the more inclined you will be to look at the subject.

I thought this type of article was difficult to write a response on, since it is not a story.

Let's Get Rolling with Our Class Blog

Welcome, All, to our class blog! This is where you'll begin to post your work and where we'll have class dialogues and share other musings. To start things off, I'd like you to read this article and, here, post a brief response to it. What do you think? Here's the article: "5 ways news sites are using ‘Most Popular’ features to help readers surface more content."