Hello, and welcome to The Cracked Pot!
Please read the position descriptions below and fill out the application at the bottom. After titling your application with your first name, last initial, and TCP position applied for (e.g. ElainaB_SpotlightEditor.doc), save it as a PDF, .doc, or .docx, and email it to us at [email protected], reciprocating the file name in the email’s subject line.
Please note that only current TPS students may apply.
We look forward to seeing your name in our inbox. :)
Happy applying,
Aberdeen Livingstone and Haley Moore Senior Editors TCP 2016-17
A Note to Columnists
In writing for The Cracked Pot, columnists will be required to produce one polished, roughly 500-word article per month and submit it to their editors by a given deadline. Beforehand, writers will submit a topic description aligning with the month’s theme, if applicable, to editors by a given deadline at the start of each month. Articles may regularly require conducting research and/or interviews.
Note: The columns presented below are merely ideas. We’re very open to new columns and twists on the old. In fact, doing so increases your chances at acceptance into the staff. A Note to Editors Only students in the tenth grade or higher may apply for any Editor position. Those devoted to and passionate about proper usage of English grammar and mechanics and who relish dissecting others’ writing will receive priority.
All section editors will work under the senior editors and be in charge of organizing all the columnists under their sections. Editors will become uplifting analyzers of their writers’ works. They must be available on a weekly to daily basis to maintain regular communication with, answer the questions of, and offer feedback, ideas, and encouragement to their writers via email. Regularly throughout each month, editors should send reminder emails to their writers of upcoming deadlines and important information. They will edit each of their writers’ articles and ensure all guidelines have been met.
Humor: This section features various comic strips and a humor column.
1. Cartoonist: Do you love to draw comics? Are you constantly making your friends and family laugh? We’re looking for someone who can put TPS humor into a comic.
2. Humor Column: Unique to each writer, this column could cover a wide range of ideas. Kaleb Moten introduced this column with a series of joke interviews with fictional characters, but applicants are welcome to bring their original ideas to the table.
News: This section features global and TPS news, reporting, and opinion articles.
· News Section Editor Needed! The News Section Editor heads up the TPS News, Global News, and International Correspondents columns.
1. TPS News Column: Updated StudyPlace, new classes, forum debate explosion? The TPS News writers will report on it all. Their primary job will be to relate and explain TPS-related news as well as report on TPSers in the news when applicable.
2. Global News (Subsection): This sub-section will feature several reporters and no set columns. Reporters in this section will summarize and comment on current events from a Christian perspective. Rather than simple relating of events, reporters in this section will seek to provide a framework for and perspective on the news they relate. Emphasis on Christian response and student/youth related news.
3. International Correspondents (Subsection): Do you live outside of the United States and enjoy observing culture and current events? You may be a perfect match for the TCP International Correspondents subsection. Correspondents will have their own column and submit articles each month about anything from their country's response towards a recent event to their observations on the culture and life. Entertainment: This section features articles about popular media and news in the entertainment industry.
· Entertainment Section Editor Needed! The Entertainment Section Editor edits all articles in the Music, Film, Books, Internet Media, and Theatre columns.
1. Music Column: This column deals with music news and reviews from a Christian perspective. The columnist will cover important events in music news (for example, death of a famous musician, or a music awards ceremony) or spotlight on a certain artist or album. He/She may also give music history of genres or instruments: for example, an article about the history of jazz.
2. Film Column: This column features movie reviews, news, or the latest trends in movies. The columnist will write articles from a Christian perspective, and also focus on the positive and negative characteristics of the film. He/She may also feature movie news or trends such as the top blockbusters of the month or an annual movie awards convention.
3. Books Column: This column basically consists of book reviews and book-related news. The columnist should write from a Christian perspective and feature books that could possibly be of interest to the TPS students. He/She may also write articles on recent publications, bestsellers, the-film-versus-the-book, or book recommendations.
4. Internet Media Column: This column is a new feature—the columnist should write articles about useful or popular sites on the Internet; for example, social networking sites such as Facebook or Twitter, or student-help sites such as online encyclopedias or Bible search sites. They could also compare and contrast websites to help TPSers better understand what Internet sites to use to complete a task. The columnist could also write articles about the history of Internet media, why Mr. Gilbert likes Wikipedia, the death of MySpace, and more.
5. Theatre Column: From musical reviews to artist spotlights to tips for fellow performers, this column encompasses all aspects of theatre, musical or otherwise. The columnist may provide anecdotes and advice learned from personal experiences in the realms of theatre. Furthermore, he/she may review plays or musicals and reveal the applicable morals and lessons presented.
Sports: This section features sports news, sports profiles, and more.
· Sports Section Editor needed! The Sports Editor edits the articles in Sports News, TPS Sports, Athlete’s Life, Athlete Spotlight, and Health columns.
1. Sports News (Subsection): Reporters for this sub-category will relate important recent results or events in the sports realm. They may also write more extended articles on certain tournaments, athletes, or trends.
2. TPS Sports Column: Although TPS doesn't have sports teams, many TPS students are involved in and excel at sports. The columnist's primary job will be to create community amongst TPS athletes and reveal cumulative information regarding the sport-related activities in which TPS athletes participate. The columnist will also present interesting facts and research. (Example: 73% of polled students agree that curling should not be considered a sport.) 3. Athlete’s Life: This column strives to enrich student-athletes’ lifestyles off the field to produce efficient performances on the field. The columnist may present workout ideas, exercises, and stretches; recipes and nutritional information; or advice on mental health. Filled with health tips and stress solutions, Athlete’s Life will help both full-time student-athletes as well as those simply aiming to maintain a fit lifestyle. 4. Athlete Spotlight: New to TCP, this column features one athlete each month, inspiring TPS athletes to emulate these professionals and providing interesting information about them. The columnist may report on players from any sport and can take this column in a number of directions, from describing a single fascinating event in the person’s life to listing lessons readers can take away from the athlete’s story.
5. Health Column: For those with a passion for science and an interest in natural remedies, this is for you! Columnists can instruct readers on diseases and cures and offer advice on how to fix common ailments, such as acne or car-sickness, at home. For those striving to stay healthy and pharmacy-free, this column will provide God-centered, wholesome insights into health.
Arts and Culture: This section focuses on creative arts through showcasing and reporting on all things related to art.
· Arts and Culture Section Editor needed! The Arts and Culture Editor heads up the Poetry, Creative Writing, Serial Story, Photography, Art, and Fandom columns.
1. Poetry Column: This column will feature poetry, poetry reviews, and other poetry-related topics. The columnist may take this in a number of directions, mixing it up with poetry submissions one month and poetry news the next. The columnist may also feature TPS students' or others' poetry, providing a Christian perspective.
2. Creative Writing Column: Everything from short stories to personal narratives will appear in this column! The columnist could take submissions from other TPSers, feature their own creative writing, include tips on writing better, and so on. This column should feature original and interesting creative writing people on a variety of topics.
3. Serial Story Column: This column will feature a full story with a new piece or chapter added weekly until its conclusion in the May issue. In his/her application, this writer should submit samples of his/her story writing and then a full outline of the story at the beginning of the year.
4. Photography Column: Interested in photography? Come here! The columnist will feature and critique different types of photos, from showcasing photography skills to discussing different aspects of photography and how to improve as a photographer. This column may feature students’ photography as well.
5. Art Column (Drawing, Painting, etc.): This column features art that is hand-drawn, painted, or created. Articles can feature TPS students' creations or simply some talented works chosen by the columnist. The columnist should analyze the art they feature every month and be on the lookout for helpful tips as well.
6. Fandom Column: A new addition last year, this column taps into all the geeky things TPSers love from The Princess Bride to Doctor Who. Including highlights of fandom news, exceptional fanart, and anything else fandom-related, this column can be whatever you want it to be. Spotlight: This section features reports on classes and spotlights on TPS students and personnel.
· Spotlight Section Editor needed! The Spotlight Editor heads up the Class Reports, Bible, Student, Alumni, and Teacher Spotlight columns.
1. Class Reports (Subsection): The columnists in this section should feature a different class every issue, explaining the classes and the learning/teaching style of the class, teacher, etc. They will try to cover a class from every category (Literature, Science, etc.) by the end of the year.
2. Student Spotlight Columns: This column features a different TPS student every issue. The columnist will interview them and find out about their life, hobbies, plans, and so on. There will be two student spotlight columnists (one for a guy and one for a girl) every issue.
3. Teacher Spotlight Column: This is like the Student Spotlight column, except it features a TPS teacher or faculty member. The columnist should interview the teacher and craft an informative article aimed to help students get to know their teachers a little better.
4. Alumnus Spotlight Column: Like the Student and Teacher Spotlight columns, this columnist will interview and produce articles on graduated TPSers. The columnist can write on alumni’s favorite TPS classes, their advice to students, what they did/are doing after senior year, etc.
5. Bible Spotlight Column: This column features devotionals and analysis of Scripture, written to instruct and encourage through Scripture. Each month, the columnist should spotlight different stories, verses, or studies of the Bible, analyzing and applying it to everyday life.
Open Mic: The Open Mic section is a free-for-all dedicated to featuring TPS students’ work. For example, if a student wishes to have something published but cannot write for TCP full time, they may submit their article, story, or photograph to the Open Mic section.
· Open Mic Section Editor Needed! The Open Mic Editor will be in charge of publicity for this section, gathering submissions, and organizing and editing them.
TCP General Application
Name: Age: Grade in 2016-2017: Position Wanted: Phone Number*:
1. Have you had any previous experience with TCP? In what capacity? Please describe.
2. What are some reasons you want to write/edit for The Cracked Pot?
3. Is English your first language? If not, please describe your exposure to and fluency in English. 4. What other writing experiences have you had? What TPS writing classes have you taken (if any)? What were your class averages?
5. How many classes will you be taking in the 2016-2017 school year? What other demands and/or extracurricular activities do you expect for this next year? Have you considered the time and energy that this will take?
6. In the past we’ve had trouble with articles being submitted late or not at all. What do you plan to do to make sure you meet deadlines? Have you had trouble in the past not meeting deadlines?
7. On a scale from 1-10, how open are you to criticism, with 10 meaning you are least open?
8. We want The Cracked Pot to be an e-zine reflecting a Christian perspective in life and truth. In what way are you planning to participate in this through the articles you write?
9. Please submit two writing samples. These can be something you have written from a class recently, preferably non-fiction (essays or articles), and the other should be a sample article for the position you are applying for. For those applying for a Columnist position, please also include a sample article for the position you are applying for. If you’re applying for an Editor position, we may ask you to edit a test article, as well. Please include these writing samples below this application.
Thank you for your interest in The Cracked Pot!
*We request your phone number to simply have on hand, although the vast majority of our contact will be through email.
TCP Application for Cartoonist
Name: Age: Grade in 2016-2017: Position Wanted: Phone Number*:
1. Have you had any previous experience with TCP? In what capacity? Please describe.
2. What kind of artistic experience do you have? Have you taken TPS classes that cover photography/graphic design/drawing?
3. How many classes will you be taking this year? What other demands and/or extracurricular activities do you expect for this next year? Have you considered the time and energy that this will take?
4. On a scale from 1-10, how open are you to criticism, with 10 meaning you are least open? 5. What are some reasons you want to work for The Cracked Pot? 6. In the past we’ve had trouble with articles being submitted late or not at all. What do you plan to do to make sure you meet deadlines? Have you had trouble in the past not meeting deadlines?
7. We want The Cracked Pot to be an e-zine that reflects a Christian perspective on life and truth. In what way are you planning to participate in this through the pieces of art you create?
8. How do you plan to use integrity/present a Christian worldview in the photos/illustrations you provide?
9. Please submit 1-5 photos of your work. Attach these as .jpegs in the same email you send this application with. You may either scan in your comics to the computer or email digitized copies. Do not send five separate emails, each with one attachment. All in one email, please!
Thank you for your interest in The Cracked Pot!
*We request your phone number to simply have on hand, although the majority of our contact will be through email.