Are you interested in one week's work placement in The Irish Times?
Transition Year students can learn first-hand about the workings of this newspaper if their submission is published in Media Scope's weekly 'Over to You' column.
Just send us a 200-word piece on a media-related topic - if it's published, a representative of The Irish Times will be in touch with you about organising the dates for your placement.
Anne-Marie Gough, Muckross Park College, Dublin
Wannabes - I was watching television the other day and I saw a girl being made over as Britney Spears because she was, apparently, the "number one fan".
When did the world become such a fame-obsessed place? Honestly, if we're not making ourselves over to look like popstars, models or actresses - whether it be by dying our hair blond to get that Britney look or wearing those jeans Christina wore at that award show - then we're dashing off to seek fame and fortune, with a one-in-a-million chance of success, of making it and of living the dream.
These days everyone auditions for stardom, no matter what the cost - for example, living in a house with 10 strangers for eight weeks and being scrutinised by millions of people 24 hours a day on the TV and the internet.
Everyone's favourite quiz shows are a source of comic relief. For most people, getting one up on Anne Robinson is enough fame for them! Why do we subject ourselves to such humiliation in public? Is it the fun we have in the process? The lessons we learn along the way?
Or have we just been reduced - or should I say brainwashed? - by the desire to be one of those "pretty people", who don't have to go to school or work every day, who never get wet when it rains and who always look perfect first thing in the morning?
Helen McCormack, Portmarnock Community School, Portmarnock, Co Dublin
In the aftermath of the recent terrorist attacks on the United States, there has been much talk by leaders of America, such as George Bush and Rudy Giuliani, of returning to normality.
But the truth of the matter is that America will never return to normality.
Despite what President George Bush and other American leaders may say in their patriotic and morale-boosting speeches, the tragic events of September 11th have changed forever the American way of life.
First of all, it brought down the economy. It will take years for the economy to recover, if indeed it ever does.
There is now enormous and heavy security in a country that was a symbol of freedom to the rest of the world.
Americans cherished that freedom. It is the core of the American Declaration of Independence.
Not only that, suspicion is rampant all over America. A suspicion of foreigners from Arab or Muslim countries, of packages left in the street. A suspicion of car bombs. A suspicion which could be compared to that in Northern Ireland.
Any crime, any mysterious illness will cause people to ask: "Is this linked with the terrorist attacks?"
After the horrific events of September 11th, who can say what normality is?
Media Scope is a weekly media studies page for use in schools.
Write to Media Scope by posting your comments to Newspaper in the Classroom, The Irish Times, 11-16 D'Olier Street, Dublin 2, or faxing them to (01) 6792789. Be sure to include your name, address and school, plus phone numbers for home and school. Or you can use the Internet and e-mail us at mediapage@irish-times.ie.
Faxback: Worksheets and other materials on each week's topic, designed to assist classroom discussion, are available to teachers who place group orders through their schools. The worksheets are sent to all subscribing schools by fax. This system will re-try an engaged line up to four times. If you have problems, telephone (01) 6792022, ext 8568 or 8580.
For group orders, FREEPHONE 1-800-798884.
Media Scope is edited by Harry Browne.
