I have to write an article on Valentine's Day for my Comm class...

orangecrush32 · February 2011

So I was hoping you guys could help me out!

If you could plan the perfect Valentine's Day, what would it be? Why?

What was your best Valentine's Day?

What was your worst?

Any words of wisdom to share?

I'd need first and last names to go with this as well as ages, but I'm sure most of you don't want to post that for everyone to see. You can email me at rea5059@psu.edu

I'd really appreciate your responses

(And if this is not cool go ahead and let me know. I need to be talking to people that have had this experience and my man on the street interviews haven't found many people with experience on VD so I was thinking what better place to find it than a message board with commited couples.

)

Thank you ladies!

jeanacorina · February 2011

Considering you need first and last names, I think you're asking a little much on an internet forum. You may get a few responses, but I think you'd be better off asking folks you know, or friends of friends. Have you tried asking on Facebook? How about going to a mall or something and hitting up shoppers? You could try family members who are married or in relationships, too.

I've had to do many interviews for my journalism classes. I know it can be frustrating, but I really can't imagine many people will be willing to give their first and last name to someone on a forum. It's really a privacy concern. No offense or anything.

orangecrush32 · February 2011

I've tried places all around campus and the mall here doesn't really have much traffic. And we aren't allowed to use people we know or family members because there's potential for bias or some such thing. I've tried some people on facebook but haven't gotten responses. I did get a couple useful ones from people on campus, but after 2 days of trying to get responses I thought I'd try something different.

bsidebella · February 2011

Do you HAVE to use names? I was a Comm major and when I had to do data research, we were not required to provide names. We were allowed to keep our survey takers anonymous, or they could give us initials, or just their first name.

"T.K., a 24 year old female, says her favorite thing about Valentine's Day is getting roses from her boyfriend."

"One 32 year old participant loves to cook for her husband on Valentine's Day."

Things like that?

I mean, I did my thesis research on a message board and people were very helpful. All I required was their age and gender. Names, first only, were optional.

jeanacorina · February 2011

It's the names thing that's going to hold you back online. I guess you could always ask for a first name and then make up last names. It's a privacy issue, and it's not like your teacher could follow-up with internet forum sources, anyway.

[Deleted User] · February 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_write-article-valentines-day-comm-class?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:fc254dd5-d260-4f2a-a758-63871118ac18Post:118b4491-55b8-44fa-ace2-8067076dd5ba">Re: I have to write an article on Valentine's Day for my Comm class...</a>:
[QUOTE]It's the names thing that's going to hold you back online.<strong> I guess you could always ask for a first name and then make up last names.</strong> It's a privacy issue, and it's not like your teacher could follow-up with internet forum sources, anyway.
Posted by jeanacorina[/QUOTE]

This was going to be my suggestion. Who will know if you make up last names? I am surprised that your class requires full names for this.

orangecrush32 · February 2011

My professor is a little ridiculous about this stuff because he's a writer himself (like he writes for the local newspaper and teaches). I guess made up names would work because he really wouldn't be able to find the sources.

And bside, if it was just data collection like a survey or whatever names wouldn't be needed, but since I would be using quotes I would need to cite the person. But the suggestion of fake names is totally good with me.

SeaTea02 · February 2011

I agree, make up name.

SKP82 · February 2011

GO STATE! That's all I have to say.

marleylikeair · February 2011

Sent you an email, orange.

kimberlygo · February 2011

If you don't want to give her your name, don't give her your name, or make one up, or don't participate. No need to lecture her how to collect quotes for her writing class.

bsidebella · February 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_write-article-valentines-day-comm-class?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:fc254dd5-d260-4f2a-a758-63871118ac18Post:8898c962-fccd-4aea-a0e1-c4c499d51c77">Re: I have to write an article on Valentine's Day for my Comm class...</a>:
[QUOTE]If you don't want to give her your name, don't give her your name, or make one up, or don't participate. No need to lecture her how to collect quotes for her writing class.
Posted by kimberlygo[/QUOTE]

Whoa. No one's lecturing, okay? As someone who has a degree in Communications, I was just trying to help her out and tell her she does not have to ask for full names, there are alternatives. She can still write an informative paper without getting personal information. Calm down, yo.

bourgehm · February 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_write-article-valentines-day-comm-class?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:fc254dd5-d260-4f2a-a758-63871118ac18Post:8898c962-fccd-4aea-a0e1-c4c499d51c77">Re: I have to write an article on Valentine's Day for my Comm class...</a>:
[QUOTE]If you don't want to give her your name, don't give her your name, or make one up, or don't participate. No need to lecture her how to collect quotes for her writing class.
Posted by kimberlygo[/QUOTE]

It's not safe to just give strangers you full name. So, it's smart to tell her it's not safe and to give her ideas on how to do this a different way.

jeanacorina · February 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_write-article-valentines-day-comm-class?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:fc254dd5-d260-4f2a-a758-63871118ac18Post:8898c962-fccd-4aea-a0e1-c4c499d51c77">Re: I have to write an article on Valentine's Day for my Comm class...</a>:
[QUOTE]If you don't want to give her your name, don't give her your name, or make one up, or don't participate. No need to lecture her how to collect quotes for her writing class.
Posted by kimberlygo[/QUOTE]

Yeah, since I'm a Mass Communication major, I have NOTHING of value to say to this person who is writing something for a Communication class. Her teacher probably didn't intend for her to go online seeking subjects for her story, but that's the world we live in. I didn't tell her she was wrong, I gave her suggestions on how she could make this assignment work without jeopardizing people's privacy.

Privacy is a BIG ethical concern in communications. It was a completely legitimate response intended to be helpful. OP took it as it was intended and hopefully she'll have better luck with responses if people know their real names won't be in the hands of a perfect stranger.

Back off, cupcake.

orangecrush32 · February 2011

Thanks marley!

heyitscarla · February 2011

My best VDay would be
a couple of years ago
my boyfriend
and I just walked
in Central Park together.
I was really stressed out with my studies at the time
The small break to take a walk
felt so incredible.

bourgehm · February 2011

Why do you write your posts in poetry format?

heyimbren · February 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_write-article-valentines-day-comm-class?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:fc254dd5-d260-4f2a-a758-63871118ac18Post:cc19684e-1eeb-4fe0-b6dd-6076cd1a625d">Re: I have to write an article on Valentine's Day for my Comm class...</a>:
[QUOTE]Why do you write your posts in poetry format?
Posted by bourgehm[/QUOTE]

Is it weird if I kinda like it? It makes the posts more interesting... and I read them as freestyle poetry now. I like the rhythm.

jeanacorina · February 2011

Dang, I just read it out loud as if I were reading poetry. Maybe she's got a new thing there.

I have to write an article on Valentine's Day for my Comm class...

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