General Information

[Journalist]

Staff

Editor-in-chief: Pippin LeBeau
Associate editors: Emmeline Vance, Imogen Sauveterre
News: Emmeline Vance (editor), ________, ________
Sports: Imogen Sauveterre (editor), ________
Arts: Michaela Petrova (editor), ________
Photographers: Benjamin Burke (editor), ________, Jayden Flynn
Interviews: ________
Advice Column: Anandani Aeknov
Editorials: managed by associate editors

Positions

Editor-in-chief
In charge of running the newspaper. He or she organises the meetings, holds records, designates assignments, sets deadlines, approves articles and decides the final print of the paper. He or she may choose to be a news reporter in addition to the three already assigned.

Associate editors
Help keep records of meetings and members. They edit the articles, checking for factual and technical errors, and ensure that everything stays organised and insightful. They’re usually appointed by the editor-in-chief, but this requires approval from the sponsoring professor. They can be members of any other section of the newspaper.

News Reporters
There are three positions open in this section. They report on the goings-on at Hogwarts and in Hogsmeade. This includes wizarding bands that might play in Hogsmeade or other attractions; reporting on updates or changes to school rules; coverage of the attacks on students and ways to stay safe; special events (such as the Tabula Rasa Tournament and Family Fright Fest); information on Hogwarts’ clubs; and, if Hogwarts is directly affected, anything relating to the Ministry of Magic or the outside world. (*Please note – if there’s anything else that a school newspaper would logically report on, please let me know.) Out of the three reporters, the longest member will most likely be editor, and all reports must be approved by him/her. If that member is found unworthy of the position, the other two members can make their case as to why they should be editor instead.

Sports Reporters
There are two positions open in this section. They report on the sports at Hogwarts. This includes Quidditch matches and practices (without giving details away), as well as any other sport Hogwarts students participate in (such as the In Air Sports Group, Cheerleading and the Riding Club). They can report on house teams, certain players, previous games, predictions for upcoming games, or anything else (within reason) sports related and significant to Hogwarts. One reporter also acts as the editor, and all articles must be approved by him or her.

Arts Section
There are two positions open in this section, the editor and another writer. As it's name suggests, this section will include anything about the arts, whether it's about literature, music or, well, art! The section will be split into two, smaller sections: the wizarding and Muggle world. The wizarding section will include reviews of books by wizard authors, productions running in the wizarding theatres at present, and concerts performed by bands such as The Weird Sisters. Similarly, the Muggle section will include book reviews and movie reviews except, obviously, those that are in the Muggle world. There will also be reportings of any concerts, plays, exhibitions or gallery openings that students could look out for during the holidays and the upcoming summer, both in the wizarding and the muggle world; this way, students can be more aware and knowledgeable about the finer arts, in hopes of developing their personalities and their understanding of liberal arts.

Photographers
There are three positions open in this section. Photographers work with all other sections of the newspaper, providing images to correspond with the articles. They may choose between an ordinary Muggle camera or a bewitched camera, though if the writer of the article has a different opinion, they must peacefully work it out with them on which is artistically better. Those who wish to be photographers for the paper must present a portfolio to the editor-in-chief and associate editors containing their ten best photos; of the three appointed, the editor-in-chief will decide who becomes editor. All photographs must be approved by the editor, and the editor must allow the other members to provide constructive criticism for his or her work as well.

Interviews
There is one position open in this section, and the interviewer acts as his or her own editor. For each issue, the interviewer picks either a student or a professor and does an insightful, in-depth interview with him or her. The interviewee and all questions to be asked must be approved by the editor-in-chief and associate editors before the interview is conducted, and the interviewee must consent to be interviewed and published. The interviewee has a right to refuse to answer any question with which they may be uncomfortable.

Advice Column
There is one position open in this section, and the columnist is his or her own editor. Readers may submit one question anonymously to the columnist (who may use a pseudonym) and have it published. A maximum of five questions will be answered in each issue. If more than five were submitted, do not submit again: they will be answered in the next issue. Please use discretion when submitting a question; anything immature will be ignored, anything sexual will be directed to either the library or Madam Pomfrey, and anything that suggests the asker or anyone else is in some sort of danger will not be published, but reported to the Headmaster immediately. The columnist reserves the right to not answer a question (within reason). All answers must be approved by the editor-in-chief and associate editors.

Editorials
Students who are not members of the newspaper can still submit articles or opinions to the paper, and they may do so anonymously if they wish. The Associate Editors manage this section. Discretion must be used when submitting to the paper; absolutely no hateful or prejudiced articles will be published, and any submissions considered “dangerous” will be reported to the Headmaster immediately.

Signing Up

[color=Black][blockquote][b]Position:[/b]
[b]Brief description as to why:[/b]
[b]Brief description as to why you should be editor:[/b] (if applicable)
[b]Small sample:[/b] (small article, between 300-500 words; ten photos* if you wish to be a photographer)[/blockquote][/color]

*photos can be photoshop edits, pictures you’ve taken yourself, or ten “in-character photoshoots”

Remember!
If a member with a certain position, especially when it is the only position available, is inactive for a month, the spot will open up and become available again.

^{thank you to Jooj for the suggestion and blurb about the Arts section}

[Benjamin Burke]

Position: Photographer
Brief description as to why: Photography had always been a favourite past time of Benjamin, and he's been practicing it for the past few years; at the risk of sounding conceited, he does think that he's gotten pretty good at it. He's not particularly good at drawing, but he likes the idea of capturing moments and memories, and that's why photography has always appealed to him. He's almost always aware of his surroundings, so he's pretty good at capturing moments at the correct time. Still, as fun as freelancing is, he would love to be assigned actual events to cover or to showcase interesting images he's found. While he's not exactly a professional, he's still managed to teach himself a lot about things like lighting and angles and what-not, and he's read a few books on professional photograph out of curiosity, and thus believes he can be a useful addition to the Hogwarts Herald.
Brief description as to why you should be editor: (if applicable)
Small sample:

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[Emmeline Vance]

Position: News Reporter
Brief description as to why: Being who I am, I know pretty much everyone around Hogwarts. I have contacts with the best Quidditch players, the top students, the teachers; you name it. My parents have resources, and I can pretty much get whatever I want from them. The industry, or whatever. I have news on social life, on public events, and school events, and honestly, I think I’d be pretty great at this because when I set my mind to something, I achieve it. I’m an amazing writer, of course, and you can ask any teacher; I’m organized enough to do this. I’ll get the first news on anything going on, and publish it. I’ll make the best addition to the newspaper that you could get.
Small sample:

It had taken Emmeline about a week of mental preparation before she sat down to write what she knew she was supposed to, even though it was going to be hard, not only for her, but for other people reading it, a couple in particular, and she had gone over it over and over again, not fully satisfied with the result, even at the end, as she stood there in front of the Editor with the resulting report in her hand; but well, that’s what the editors were for, right? If anything, she could make some changes, right? The article went like this:

HOW TO ACT SAFE, FEEL SAFE, AND BE SAFE by Emmeline Vance

As you all know, it’s no big secret that a war is building up outside the castle. We’ve all heard it on the news, on the radio, on television if you live around muggles, or in passing conversation with fellow students, or even adults that you’ve overheard. It’s no big secret that people have been getting hurt, muggles and wizards alike, and that it’s become harder and harder to feel one hundred percent at ease on the streets as it used to be, for the older students who lived before You-Know-Who gathered support. It’s no big secret that this has been going on, but it’s now coming closer and closer to our doorstep.

Hogwarts, as has been continuously stated in half of the library books on the school’s history, is one of the safest places in the world; protected not only by magical enchantments against muggles, and dark magic, and fully impermeable to an invasion, it is not the castle which is susceptible to an attack, but us, the students; especially when we leave this stone sanctuary. As some of you may have become aware, two students were physically hurt three weeks ago, on the last Hogsmeade visit of November, both by the same man, who has now been confirmed a Death Eater, one of You-Know-Who’s followers, and captured by aurors. The man is now in Azkaban, and away from the possibility of harming anybody else ever again, but that’s not to say he was alone, or that there will not be others out there with the same evil intentions.

This report is not aimed to scare you, or frighten you from leaving your homes, but merely as a warning that there is danger outside, and that we must accept it and acquire the techniques in order to protect ourselves against possible future harm. It is aimed mostly at Death Eaters, but any of these may be useful to ward off any other unwanted offenders. Though I don’t pretend to be an expert on the matter, or on any and all protective enchantments, here are a few manners in which you can add a little more to your security.

Do not leave the school on your own. Both of the students who suffered the attack in Hogsmeade were alone when it occurred, and might have been prevented had they been accompanied by somebody else. Remember, another person does make a difference.
Always have your wand on you. Be ready to use it to protect yourself, and remember that in the case of an attack, any and all spells may be performed outside the school grounds, and during the upcoming holidays.
Try and learn some protective enchantments. Protego, Rictumsempra, Impedimenta, Expelliarmus, and Petrificus Totalus are some particularly useful spells that may be conjured when under danger. However, it is important that you realize that they are not invincible, that you are not invincible, and that you should still take great care as to when and where you are.
Avoid interacting with strangers. A basic rule, right? You’d be surprised at how many muggles have been lured out of their homes, which had been protected by neighboring wizards and attacked by a stranger. Be on your guard.
Physical defenses. Do not underestimate the power of muggle fighting. Poking out eyeballs with your fingers, an elbow to the gut or a knee to the groin may also be useful.

As for students within the confines of the castle, especially those under thirteen, who have not gone to Hogsmeade yet, do not fear. Until the Professor Dumbledore makes the notice himself, Hogwarts is the safest place you can find yourself at, and be certain that you are under its protection for as long as you stay in it.

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[Jayden Flynn]

Position: Photographer
Brief description as to why: Jayden has loved taking photographs ever since he discovered what a camera could do, a couple of years ago. To capture a moment like that is something he loves doing, and he's always had a good eye for things like that. Even though, ironically, sight isn't his strongest sense, what he does with a picture in front of him definitely merits the position. He loves making sure colors go together, what sort of image works best for each article, and, a pretty easygoing guy, he can go along with what the editor of the article wants for their pictures.
Brief description as to why you should be editor: (if applicable)
Small sample:

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[Michaela Petrova]

I deleted Daisy awhile back so you can take her off.

Position: Arts editor
Brief description as to why: Mica lives, breathes, and sleeps the "arts". Her mother is a musician and from a very young age she has played the piano and sung. Michaela composes and spends hours practicing and studying music, so she knows a thing or two. Her passion for the arts does not stop at musical or vocal instruments, and writing about it would be another way to express herself as well as share the gift of the arts to Hogwarts. What better way could that be done than by someone who is obviously passionate about it?
Brief description as to why you should be editor: Mica might be busy, really busy with all the things she does in a day, but she likes it that way. The fact that she can pull it off and still remain a pleasant, friendly person with time to socialize proves that Michaela knows how to organize, prioritize and get things done in an efficient manner. She would make a good editor because she can delegate but do it politely. There is no doubt that Mica also loves art and would take interest in reading others' articles and offering feedback here and there if asked for it. She really is a responsible person, and most of it: She really wants to be an editor.
Small sample: Book Review:

The Adventure of Martin Miggs, The Mad Muggle”

If you enjoy comic books, and I know many of you do, I would suggest that you read some of the great muggle classics, such as “Batman and Robin” or “The Amazing Spiderman”. In these tales you will not only find some very creative stories penned by muggles who explored their imagination to explain the obvious existence of magic, but also timeless pieces that will forever remain popular in spite of many attempts to outshine them by other comic book writers. Why do I bring this up, when I should be writing a review of “The Adventure of Martin Miggs, The Mad Muggle?” It is, after all, written by one of our own. I hope you do not misunderstand me. It is a cute little book stuffed to the brim with many moving and somewhat grotesque pictures, but that’s just it. Where is the flavor, the triumph, the actual storyline? I don’t doubt that there are people who enjoy blood oozing out of every page and muggles behaving as ridiculous as they come, but is there any plot? I think not.

If it goes over well, there are many more comics about Mr. Miggs to follow (and I should hope it stops right there), but I am dismayed to feel like I went through a rather long book in comic standards and right as I neared the end, and I began to see the spark of a storyline, the comic ended abruptly with the death of voluptuous Madam Hurdle Gurdle. Martin Miggs was hanging helpless upside down, seized by a troll, a dragon breathing heavy fire from below. The end. We hope you tune in next time. Don’t mind us, we love to give our readers cliffhangers so they can ponder over Mr. Migg’s fate with the vague belief that at some point, on some undecided fate in the possible future, we will put out a new issue of the comic and explain to you what will happen, only to end that one with a cliffhanger worse and even less fluid than the last.

I apologize if the unknown author of the new comic series is an idol to you. I apologize if you are the author himself, or herself. I have to be honest, especially when a precious ten minutes of reading are on the line for those of you who are considering flipping through it. If you enjoy picture books meant to shock, then perhaps this is the comic book for you. Otherwise, again, I urge you to read Batman.

[Regulus Black]

a c c e p t e d !

Hey guys, there are a ton of spots open! Snatch 'em up while you can!

[Maylene Bell]

Brief description as to why you should be editor:

Emme has got to be one of the most responsible students at Hogwarts. She has slight obsessive compulsive tendencies that allow her to plan everything ahead of time, and like keeping things neat and tidy and in order. She loves being kept busy, and would do a good job in putting all of the news articles in order, looking over them for grammar and spelling mistakes, she'd check her facts properly, and is also good at keeping people in check, which is why she was made Prefect. She has good people skills, and would know how to motivate the other newswriters, due to practicing being cheerleading captain. Emme would have stuck through being a news reporter long enough that it would be logical she acquired the position of editor.

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[Anandani Aeknov]

Position: Advice Columnist
Brief description as to why: Anandani likes to think she's good at advice, and some people have told her she is but she isn't really sure if they're just saying it to make her feel better about her general existence. She's observant and typically extremely empathetic towards people's feelings, so she understands why someone might feel or behave the way they do. She's also good at recognizing people's bullshit, but she has a way with words and can effectively point out issues she has with things HOPEFULLY without hurting too many people's feelings. She's reasonable and down-to-earth, an excellent written communicator, and she's plenty responsible and will be sure to meet her deadlines.
Small sample: Query: "My boyfriend has felt very distant lately. I'm not sure if it's because I've done something wrong, or if he's got feelings for another girl or what. He's been hanging out a lot with other people and kind of pushing me to the side. What should I do?!"
Response: Have you tried talking to him about it? One of the biggest problems couples have is simply not communicating effectively. Maybe he's started to stray away because you hurt his feelings and you didn't notice, so he's still hurt and wondering why you would have said/done whatever may have upset him. Maybe you're being too clingy and he needs space, or maybe you're not giving him enough attention. Maybe he's just trying to spend more time with his friends lately and it's got nothing to do with you! It could be hundreds of things! If I were you, I'd just ask him what's wrong instead of sitting around, moping and over analyzing everything he says and does, whether it's to you or anyone else (any other girl, especially). That's entirely ineffective and is probably making the situation worse. Be patient with him if he doesn't want to come out with it at first, and trust that he's telling you the truth. Hold him to that if it comes up again later down the road. Being honest and communicating are two of the most important aspects of a healthy relationship, and if you can't do that, you should probably reconsider your life choices.

[Imogen Sauveterre]

Position: Associate Editor; Sports
Brief description as to why: First of all, the paper was Imogen's idea in the first place, even if that Lucius Malfoy snake stole it from her. However, since fifth years aren't allowed to be the Editor-in-chief (again, Malfoy's doing) Imogen has applied to be one of the two associate editors. She has a lot on her plate right now but feels like the paper can be a good distraction; plus, she refuses to let it go completely when she spent so much time planning it. Imogen is extremely responsible and has an excellent reputation for getting her work done on time and done right. She's a stickler for grammar, spelling, and punctuation, and she's incredibly thorough when it comes to fact-checking and making sure things are done right. As well, Imogen helped co-found the Riding Club, with which she is extremely involved. She doesn't play Quidditch on the team, but she's knowledgeable about the game, given that her brother plays professionally and the rest of her family is into it. She knows enough people from different houses to be able to get the information she needs to write about, and she's present at all the Quidditch games, so she'd know how to report on those as well.
Brief description as to why you should be editor: Imogen's normally a shy person, but if she's put into a position of authority, she's not afraid to take control. Imogen will tell someone if they're doing their job wrong, but she'll also tell them how to fix it. She's not the most patient person, but she feels that this job could benefit from that, meaning that they wouldn't always be pushing deadlines. She wants to be the editor because, in truth, she can't imagine simply working for the paper she helped create and being the lowest of the low. Maybe it's a pride thing, but she feels like she can handle being an editor... if other reporters can handle her.
Small sample:

Gryffindor Team "Cup Confident"

The start of the year seemed to promise great things for the Gryffindor team. Their first match against Slytherin ended in a victory of 180-nil, resulting in them pulling into a substantial lead for the Cup. With them just coming off a Quidditch Cup victory from last year, it was expected that the team would continue its winning streak.

But when the team faced off against Hufflepuff, fresh from a victory over Ravenclaw, the match turned into a severe disappointment that no one expected.

“We flattened them!” said excited Hufflepuff Keeper, Gideon Prewett, who was unquestionably one of the stars of the game as not a single Quaffle went through Hufflepuff’s hoops. His words are accurate, as Hufflepuff won the game in an astounding 250-0, scoring ten times before former-Seeker TJ Campbell caught the Snitch to end the game.

Captain Maylene Bell was unavailable for comment. Kieran Sullivan, once the Captain before an injury forced him to step down and take some time off, stated that Gryffindor’s biggest mistake was underestimating the Hufflepuffs. “Their new Captain [Adam Quinn] is driving them pretty hard. They weren’t that good last time we played them, but they won fair and square,” he admitted. Chaser Clementine Knight agreed that “sometimes games just happen that way.” Both players are confident, however, that Gryffindor will make up for the loss in their next match against Ravenclaw.

Sullivan added that their team got a little over-confident after their first match, but he promises that Gryffindor is not out of the running for the Cup yet: “Next match, we’re going to flatten our opponents.”

The next Quidditch match will happen on Saturday, and will be between Ravenclaw and Slytherin. Both teams have one loss already. Gryffindor’s next match is against Ravenclaw, which will occur in late-March.

[Professor Albus Dumbledore]

accepted !