Reflective Thoughts about Media and Government and Me

Nikkie Prosperini
Media and Government
11/24/08

Before this course, I really do not know what my attitudes were towards media coverage of government. I suppose, I would have thought it negative, just because then I was not at all fond of our government. All that I really heard about before hand was about scandals involving political figures or something about how Bush’s approval ratings were dropping (not exactly a shocker, but it was in the news).

After this course, I have sort of come away with a new mode of thinking in that perhaps there is some difference between government and politics. So, while media coverage of politics can be negative, media coverage of the government could be positive, or vice versa.

But even after this course, I think that our media is not doing its job as well as it should! Postman’s book and looking at so much of the election coverage brought that home for me this semester. Our media really needs to step up and take a stand in the types of stories they choose to feed our nation. It is like we have said in class: The media may not tell us what to think, but they tell us what to think about. And, I think our society needs to be thinking more about real issues in our world not celebrity gossip or rumors about political figures.

Also from this course, I learned more about politics and elections than I ever knew before. Studying everything that was talked about and looking at how things were covered and how the coverage shifted during different times of the election was interesting as well. It was interesting to look at the trends in coverage, and I think I learned how to better spot those trends from taking this course. I think we are all very lucky to have been taking this course during the 2008 Presidential Election. This course has also taught me that’s it is okay to stick to your beliefs if you have sound reason behind them, regardless of what others think.

I don’t know that I wished I had learned any more from this course. I am very pleased with what was learned. I took a lot from this course and will continue to use the knowledge that I have gained in the future. I definitely feel like I am more of a well-rounded person for having taken this course. It gave me more insight into politics and government and media, which were some areas that I was lacking sufficient knowledge in. Thanks, Doc.

The How To Blog About How To Get Started in Freelance Writing

So, you have the degree, that little piece of paper that's hung in a nice frame on your wall or suffocating under books, bills, and spare change on your desk. You're out of school, and nothing in the local classifieds seems to be calling your name. What's the next step? Well, for you, and other professionals looking to make it in the writing world, my advice is to consider freelancing.

What? You don't know how to get started? Well, here are my top 3 tips on how to get started in freelance writing.

1. Make sure you have everything you need to stay on top of the game. And you don't even have to spend thousands of dollars on top of the line gadgets, leather brief cases, or cool looking fountain pens. (Although any of those things could make fantastic holiday gifts, so spread the word to your family around shopping time.) Still, you need to find what works for you. What is the best way for you to organize your ideas, emails, contact information, drafts, etc.? Once you consider those things, check out dailywritingtips.com for a list of what every freelance writer needs to get started.

http://www.dailywritingtips.com/top-tools-to-get-started-in-freelance-writing/

2. Practice writing. I know you've just got done writing all those papers and projects from college, but this is the real world now. And you if you don't practice, you're freelance writing career will fall faster than Little George Bush's approval rating. Start off small and talk to your local paper. Also, don't be afraid to practice writing different versions query letters for your stories. Then ask a friend or colleague what they think! Do some exploring on Aboutfreelancewriting.com for some more information.

http://aboutfreelancewriting.com/articles/gettingstarted/bestwaystogetstarted.htm

3. Consider all of the different types of writing opportunities available. Sure, everyone wants that Time magazine cover story, but you need to think realistically when just starting out. There are tons of different writing jobs out there. You just may need to think outside the box a little bit. Consider writing for free or writing greeting cards to build up your clip file. Associated Content and E Working Women both have excellent information on various types of writing that could get your started in the freelance world.

Associated Content

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/382589/five_tips_on_how_to_build_your_freelance.html?cat=3

E Working Women

http://www.eworkingwomen.com/experts/writer.html

Finally . . . . think positively about the baby steps you may have to take to get to where you want to be with your writing career. Everyone walks before they run. You just may write greeting cards before your Newsweek cover.

Feature Story Query Letter

Jane Doe
Editor
Woman’s Day Magazine
1633 Broadway, 42nd FloorNew York, New York 10019November 14, 2008

Dear Jane Doe,

Proposed Article:
Ballot for the Unborn: The Story of One Mother’s Vote

A little over a month ago, a young woman stood behind a small, black voting booth to cast her ballot for the next President of the United States. To anyone else, this ballot, with its bubbles colored in meticulously with black ink and then hidden within a confidential folder, didn’t seem at all different from the ones cast before it and the tens of thousands to be cast after it. To 26-year old Elizabeth Kerns, however, this vote meant much more. This is because it was cast not for herself, but for her children.

My article will feature the decision behind one woman’s vote, while also looking at how different aspects of society have changed over the course of her life. This section will include information on economic changes, such as food and gasoline prices, and cultural changes such as the #1 television shows and movies.

I believe that my article would be a great addition to your “Family” section in Woman’s Day. This is because, in addition to my story, I will include a sidebar with money saving tips for those families looking to stretch their paychecks in our currently struggling economy.

With my article, your readers will find themselves learning about another family like theirs, one that shares many of the same values, concerns and hopes for the world as they do. They will also be able to take comfort in knowing that families all over the nation are trying their hardest to give their families the love and support they need to thrive in our world today.

As your publication prefers electronic correspondence, I will be in touch via email within the next few weeks to see how my proposed article was received. Thank you for your consideration.

Regards,


Nikkie Prosperini
1111 Street Ave.
Springfield, IL. 62704.
123-456-7890

Feature Story

Ballot for the Unborn
The Story of One Mother’s Vote

By Nikkie Prosperini

SPRINGFIELD, IL - - A little over a month ago, a young woman stood behind a small, black voting booth to cast her ballot for the next President of the United States.

To anyone else, this ballot, with its bubbles colored in meticulously with black ink and then hidden within a confidential folder, didn’t seem at all different from the ones cast before it and the tens of thousands to be cast after it.

To 26-year old Elizabeth Kerns, however, this vote meant much more. This is because it was cast not for herself, but for her children.

She and husband Matthew, who works with home mortgages at Wells Fargo, reside in Chatham, Illinois, just a few miles south of Springfield.

The two are awaiting the arrival of their second child, who they affectionately refer to as ‘Peanut,’ in April of 2009. Their first son, Caden Matthew, is just over a year old.

“I want them to be able to look forward to a long, healthy life without worrying if money will be there when they retire,” Kerns said. “I also want them to be able to afford to go to college.”

And college is something that holds a special place in Kerns’s heart.

Both of her parents were college professors, and Kerns herself works part time as a communications professor at Springfield College-Benedictine University in Springfield, Illinois.

“I’ve just grown up around it,” she said. “And I really love working with the students I meet.”

But mother and college professor aren’t the only time cards Kerns punches throughout the week.

She is also the Director of Local Chamber Relations and Event Coordinator for the Illinois Chamber of Commerce as well as the incoming President for the Illinois chapter of the Public Relations Society of America.

However, it’s not only Kerns’s love of keeping busy that has her taking on so many posts.

“It all helps because day care is so expensive, especially with the second baby coming,” Kerns said.

And perhaps it was her busy schedule that had Kerns voting earlier for Barack Obama as our next President.

“I’m a registered Democrat, but very independent in my thinking,” she said, going on to describe herself as “fiscally conservative, but socially liberal.”

And it was her “socially liberal” views that had Kerns relating more to Illinois Senator Barack Obama than Arizona Senator John McCain.

“Personally, I feel that he (Obama) represents me better if you look at the large scope of things,” Kerns said.

“I’m not for big government, but, I especially believe in issues like education and our image to foreign countries and companies,” she continued. “I think Obama will represent our country better than McCain.”

While some questions had risen during the campaign about Obama’s qualifications to be President, Kerns does not see his lesser amount of experience as an obstacle to his adequately governing the nation.

“His passion spoke to me first,” Kerns said. “I then looked at where he had done in the past and where he wants to take us. That’s what qualifies him for me.”

Even if the amount of Obama’s experience was an issue for Kerns, she believes that his choice of Joe Biden for his Vice President was a wise decision.

(Although, she was hoping that Hilary Clinton got the part.)

“It was a good choice with Biden because Obama’s weakness is foreign policy,” Kerns said. “Biden is established in Washington, but forward thinking. They compliment each other well.”

It is the Obama/Biden approach to foreign policy that makes Kerns want to vote for that ticket.

“I think their approach to foreign policy will get us on the right track,” she said. “Within the last ten years, Middle Eastern and Muslim hatred toward the United States has grown.”

And even Kerns’s own career has been disrupted by this tension between the Middle East and the United States.

“They pulled an internship to Prague that I was supposed to go on.” Kerns said. “And, I was supposed to intern in Alexandria, Egypt in 2002, but they pulled that because of fears that I could get abducted.”

Along with foreign affairs, Kerns lists the current economic situation as the biggest problem or challenge facing our country today.

“This is a global recession, and we need to bring the country back to equal ground,” Kerns said. “If we can’t play nice with the rest of the world, no one will help us. And this is when the whole world needs to come together.”

And Kerns admits that she isn’t exactly sure what needs to be done to help our country in the midst of the recession or to help the United States rework the image it projects to the rest of the world.

“I do know,” she said. “It will take the whole world working together.”

And while it is uncertain, at this point, if the whole world will be able to work together for change, it is certain that virtually the whole world has changed since Kerns was born in 1982.

There have been changes in everything from life expectancy to the rate of inflation to the price per gallon of gasoline.

But what do all these changes mean in terms of the type of world ‘Peanut’ Kerns will be born into in 2009?

Well, Peanut can expect to live a little longer than his or her parents as the average life expectancy has increased a few percentage points since mom was born.

But, Peanut’s parents will be paying more for food than his or her grandparents did. Eggs in 1982 cost $.84 per dozen where now they cost over $2. And the price of a gallon of milk has increased from $2.24 in 1982 to around $4.28 in 2008.

Peanut will grow up with the Internet, and probably prefer WALL-E over E.T.

He or she will probably be bombarded with more reality T.V. shows than ever, while only encountering Cheers and Taxi in reruns on channels like Nick at Nite or T.V. Land.

Kerns will most likely be the first to admit that the world her children will grow up in will be different from the one she knew in the 1980’s.

The voting of this past presidential election has already told us that.

On November 4th, 2008, the citizens of the United States of America elected the first African American president to office.

And Kerns helped that historic moment come to fruition.

It was done quietly and alone.

It was done by the darkening of an oval on the Illinois ballot next to the name that read: Barack Obama.

Even as prices change and rates for this or that increase or decrease, Kerns believes that Barack Obama will lead our nation to a better place, where we as a nation will be economically stable and in better standing with the rest of the world.

In short, the hope Kerns sees in the presidency of Barack Obama runs deep.

She sees hope for her family’s future: for herself and her husband, for their son, Caden, who toddles around exploring his world with bright, blue eyes, and hope for their Peanut, the one who still awaits his or her entrance into these changing times.

Query Letter 11.12.08 or Sparkle and Three-toed pandas!

Query Letter:

1. Sparkle: Will more often than not look a lot like your story lede. Could be a rhetorical question. To hook interest and demonstrate that your story is right down their alley. This should be the best example of how you can right, throughout the entire query letter.
2. Credentials: Mention the previous publications in which you have been published.
3. Showcase your skills: - Rite reall good Your query letter should sparkle without.
4. Close letter: Set a follow up

Other helpful tidbits that will no doubt help you and your query letter sparkle:

1. Before writing your query letter, read two or three copies of the magazines to which you wish to submit.
2. Generally, keep query letters to one-page in length.
3. For email queries, write no more than a single screen, and do not send email attachments. (Doc recommends copying and pasting any attachments into the body of the email.)
4. Include date.
5. Should be addressed to the appropriate editor.
6. Stay away from, if at all possible, from titles such as Mr., Ms., Mrs.
7. Use formal address, such as Dear Mike Smith, but not Dear Mr. Smith because hey, Mike Smith could be a girl named Mike.
8. Don't stress if perhaps they "steal" a story idea you sent to them. Just don't query to them anymore. They aren't worth it.
9. That void where unanswered query letters go is the same place as where the lost socks from the dryer end up. Who knew!

Links to helpful websites about query letters (that sparkle!):

http://www.poewar.com/how-to-write-a-query-letter/

Media and Gov. 11/7/08 discussion - draft

1) How much of the election news has been packaged as entertainment?

I think the majority of the election coverage has played off of emotions rather than as entertainment value. Their were many ads that were negative while there were few ads that actually had the candidates telling America what their policies were or what they were going to do as President.

2) Whose fault is this? The candidates? The media? Everyone else?

Media chooses to show certain things. But, the cadnidates also choose to place negative ads on TV that tells you why NOT to vote for the other guy as opposed to why you should should vote for them. Still again, it is also the fault of the Americans who do not take the time to do any real research into the candidates's policies and ideas or do not take the time to research any attacks on the candidates to see if they are grounded in truth or not. Certain people in my family are an example of this. I don't want to get into all of it right now, but: They have only read the emails with excerpts from Obama's book that supposedly show he is evil; they have never read the whole book in context. That makes me sick.

3) What does this do to America's ability to gather information?

4) How important were the debates to the election turnout?

5) How did the media do in covering race within the election?

Postmodernism (Med. and Gov)

Postmodernism:

I think it's a word people throw around without really knowing what it means. But, here is a link to a favorite little book of mine by Andrew Boyd. It's called Life's Little Deconstruction Book:Self-Help for the Post-Hip. And it is a bunch of quotes and one liners to get you thinking and smirking.

Link: http://www.wanderbody.com/pomotogo/index.html

CLICK: "Read the book" for excerpts! It's wonderful fun, it is!

Jon Margolis – Instead of a definition, it has attributes, one of which, according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, is an air of “ironic self-reference and absurdity.”

Nikkie's research - Reacting against modern attributes and style by returning to classic and traditional perspectives or taking modern practices to extremes. (That's what I took from dictionary.com's definitions)

Katie's research gives us - decline of absoulte truth . . . fragmentation . . . no answers . . . playful celebration of chaos.

Began at 5:29 a.m. July 16, 1945 when first atomic bomb went off? i.e. end of mondernism, decline of progress, death of progress. Interesting tidbit for thought.

Studs Terkel Assignment

In reading the obituary from the Chicago Sun Times, I felt as if I had come away knowing a lot about Studs Tekel, not only about his life about his personality and ideals as well.

This something that has to be done in writing obits. You need to get to know the person by talking respectfully with his or her family, and then present that information in a way that honors and remembers them and makes others feel as if they knew them or what kind of a person they were. The obit writer for Studs Terkel did this wonderfully, but part of me thinks that Studs Terkel was just the kind of guy that made eveyone feel good about themselves andwas just a guy that everyone would love to be around.

A qoute from Terkel that I really liked in the Chicago Sun Times article was:

"A tape recorder is a revolutionary instrument. It's no good for a talk with a movie actress or a politician, because they're so plastic. But a tape recorder on the steps of a housing project is something else again. There a person who a moment ago was just a statistic starts talking to you and becomes human, becomes a person."

~ This shows me that you really need to consider who you talk to for an interview for a story. I reaffirms that you need to look at from where you can get your own, different angle on the story. And, Studs is saying that you need to be the voice of those who may not know how to be a voice for themselves or their own people. He also shows in this statement that some of the best stories come from the places where you least expect them. And, I think that it is the journalist's job to look beyond the normal interviewees with their packaged quotes and talking points. This is because you have a job to not only get the truth to the poeple, but to be a voice for those people who want to speak the truth and have a story to tell. And, in doing this, I think it can add to a greater understanding between people of different cultures, races, religions, and socio-economic backgrounds as well. I tihnk people need to listen to others more, to people who are different than they are in some way because, in the end, the things that bring us together are that we are all human and every human has a story. Studs Terkel devoted his life to telling those stories.

In my own writing and interviewing, I know I have to look deeper for my sources and for the ones I interview because those are the stories that need to be told. Also, I believe that Studs Terkel understood the art of really listening to someone and hearing what they had to say. And, when someone knows that you are taking a genuine interest in what they have to say, they will be more open towards you. You also need to show respect for all people, and I think that can be done as well by true listening and honest, decent communication skills. In my opinion, that is one thing that our society is lacking today: Decent communication skills that show respect for someone else's opinion.

Another interesting qoute that taught me something was:

Studs credited his blacklisting experience for his future prominence as a writer.
"In a strange way, it helped me," Studs recalled. "I probably would never have gotten into writing books otherwise, or into WFMT. I was never publically pilloried; I was able to continue to make a living."

~This helps me as a writer. It sort of connected with me, in that, Terkel never (as far as I can tell) regretted any associations or outcomes because of those situations. I think he realized that he would do what he was meant to do, and that he would do great things. Studs Terkel has then taught me that you have to live your life the way you want to, by your own standards because only then will you be lead you to where you are supposed to be. Basically, you have to learn from evey point in your life and know that, if you are true to yourself, you will end up where you were meant to be. (I think I just said the same thing twice). Anyway, back to how this connects with me: I was born three months premature with a 30% chance of survival. I am here to do something great. I know it. I am supposed to be dead right now, but I am not! So, therefore, I have to have faith in myself and my abilities to know that I will get to where I am supposed to. And, if some people do know agree with my ideals or decisions or values or anything else, that is okay. I will live my life, learn from my mistakes, and basically hang on for the ride knowing that things will happen as they are meant to and that everything makes good copy.

Creative Non-Fiction Analysis

Link to story:

http://www.literarymama.com/creativenonfiction/archives/000589.html

My Analysis:

For this analysis, I chose a piece entitled “Screaming Mornings: Living with Autism.” I found this story on the Internet when I searched for creative non-fiction essays. Written by Leslie Bonner, it was published in the online literary magazine Literary Mama, whose core audience is, well, mothers. Also referred to as an E-Zine, this publication caters specifically to creative non-fiction written by mothers and the “maternally inclined.”

According to the characteristics found on Wikipedia, pieces of creative non-fiction differ themselves from other types of non-fiction, such as technical writing, in that they contain accurate facts while the story reads as a piece of fiction. This story includes both of those elements. It is written as any fictitious short story might be written, but the information in the story is true and factual. Wikipedia goes on to say that this subject matter is something that can be verified as existing in the natural world. However, I believe this is a bit too vague because even events written about in pure fiction stories can happen in the natural world. Therefore, in the creative non-fiction realm, the subject matter is that which has been experienced first hand by the author. And, the creative non-fiction pieces recount a specific event in the author’s life.

Bonner’s subject matter comes from her everyday life and experiences and is not something that she, as the writer, made up in her mind. A blurb ran in the magazine, before the piece itself actually begins stating that this story is a “snapshot of a typical morning” for the author. Thus, it is something she experienced, not an event she created. This characteristic is one that, as Wikipedia suggests, distinguishes creative non-fiction from regular fiction and other types of writing.

Wikipedia states that in creative non-fiction, “the narrative form and structure disclose the writer’s artistry." In regards to literary style and technique, the story is beautifully written. Bonner uses an interesting tense and tone that sets it apart from other pieces of creative writing. The reflective, thoughtful tone is strong throughout the length of the story. There is an almost a haunting, surreal feeling throughout the work as she only uses simple nouns and pronouns, such as “I,” “you.” and “Daddy.” I think that when you are reading this piece, you can tell that the author has really experienced these crazy, intense mornings with her husband and son. It is as if the story was written with Bonner speaking to her son. To me, it almost feels like a memoir, like it could be a part of a larger work.

Bonner also uses very little dialogue, except to emphasize the emotions felt by herself and her son. Also, I think the lack of dialogue was used to emphasize, perhaps symbolize, the lack of communication she has (or had) with her son and possibly with her husband. In longer pieces of fiction or creative non-fiction, this technique could be a very dangerous one. This is because most audiences, or readers, expect a story to be told, and for dialogue to occur between the characters. However, there are certain situations where this is acceptable as long as the author can keep the readers engaged. Bonner does this with ease. She grabs you attention with two simple, yet intense sentences in the first paragraph. And Bonner holds your attention throughout with her delicate imagery that paints a picture dripping with many different emotions such as despair, guilt, anger and resentment. All in all, her lack of dialogue does not take away from the story. It, in fact, is used in such a way that its scarcity only adds to the overall tension.

I feel that the way Bonner chose the best way to write about her family’s struggle with Autism. Instead of just writing an informative, researched based article about the symptoms or signs of the Asperger’s Syndrome, she really captured what it was like to live day to day with her autistic son. She was able to use literary styles and techniques to delve into what she experiences and, in turn, draw readers into those same experiences. Also, short story writing has greater emotional appeal and more chances for readers to put themselves within the story.

Still, Bonner’s story has many of the elements Donald Murray says belong in effective pieces of journalistic writing. Her story is rife with tension and conflict, which both fiction and journalistic writing should have in order to be compelling stories that the intended audience will read until the end of the story or article. The main, external conflict within the story – between Bonner and her 7 year-old son – as well as the various internal conflicts are the obvious forces that drive the tension until the very end of the story.

Bonner’s work, “Screaming Mornings: Living with Autism,” shares many of the characteristics of creative non-fiction writing as described by Wikipedia. Her story deals with a topic that could happen in the natural world, and it is based on actual life experiences rather than something Bonner created in her mind. Also, this actual life experience gives Bonner credibility, just as relevant, logical examples lend opinion pieces credibility.

One thing I have learned in class and that I have learned in reading about creative non-fiction is that it, like other pieces of writing – journalistic or otherwise – is often hard to define with certain set of boundaries or characteristics. Also, any given characteristics must be taken more as guidelines or boundaries as opposed to steadfast rules. However, all pieces of writing generally need to have tension and conflict and impact in order to hold reader’s attention or make connections with readers.

Public Affairs Analysis

The link to my Public Affairs Analysis article "Two Families Named McCain":
http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB122419511761942501-lMyQjAxMDI4MjE0NjExOTY1Wj.html

My Analysis:

The article that I chose for my public affairs analysis was “Two Families Named McCain” from the Wall Street Journal. Within the piece, its author, Douglas A. Blackmon, explored the descendants of presidential candidate John McCain. It focused on the white McCain family and the black McCain family, the descendants of two slaves owned by the white McCain family. Blackmon also interviews Lillie McCain, a now 56 year-old descendant of the black McCain family. This falls within the realm of public affairs writing in that it deals with the social and cultural issue of race. It also has a political aspect as it relates to presidential candidate Senator John McCain.

One strong feature of the article is just the subject in general. It takes a look at the presidential campaign from a whole other perspective. While other articles spend 100s or 1000s of words talking about the candidates’ policies or campaign funding and spending, Blackmon draws the reader in with a more social or cultural piece having to do with McCain. But one of the best parts of the article is that it is not very political at all and has little to do with the actual man running for president. It talks briefly about McCain in the beginning. No doubt this is to grab the reader’s attention. But, the headline took care of that already. Then, the article delves into the history of the McCain family and takes a look at the life of Lillie McCain, a descendant of the black McCain family.

It has always been stressed by Donald Murray that voice is an important element of journalistic writing. To me, I think of voice as how I would hear the story being read out loud by the author. Also, I think of it as how the story reads, and that it can vary between friendly, easy to read or complicated and technical. Voice also has a lot to do with the tone of the article. Blackmon’s writing style or voice in this piece is spot on for the subject matter. He tackles some tricky lineage information with ease. In my opinion, the actual reporting of the voice article reads a bit like a junior high history book. But, I do not necessarily think that this is a bad thing. That type of voice definitely lends itself to the story. The short informative sentences don’t have the readers trying to comprehend too much information at one time.

A second plus for Blackmon is that he remains extremely neutral in the reporting of the story. I don’t feel that his political preference, if he has one, comes across in the article at all. And I think Blackmon isn’t really trying to tell the readers anything but the story of these two McCain families. He treats both sides equitably, which needs to be done in any piece of writing that isn’t an opinion piece. And you can tell he has done his homework in interviewing and researching also which lends to his credibility as a reporter.

While Blackmon’s writing style may appeal to many readers, I think the article lacks a balance between reported material and quotes. In some instances, Blackmon goes four or five paragraphs before using another direct quote. The information in each of the paragraphs is interesting and pertinent though. But, this imbalance may turn readers away as they begin to comb through the somewhat lengthy article. In addition, some of Blackmon’s quotes lack depth. On in particular, given by a former sharecropper on the McCain land, seems very weak. 90-year-old Frank Bryant is quotes as saying “That’s how I remember it” when asked about the white McCain’s treatment of their laborers. To me, it seems as if this would have worked better as a lead in to something else Bryant might have said in the interview. It could have been written something like: And that is how Frank Bryant, a black former Teoc sharecropper, remembers it. Then, he could have used a more substantial quote from Bryant. Even though he is 90 years-old, I am doubtful that the most useful thing Blackmon got him to say was “that’s how I remember it.”

Another example of where some quotes could use some polishing involves a paragraph where Blackmon discusses how Lillie McCain remembers seeing Martin Luther King Jr. speak, how she and her siblings were arrested for protesting, and how their church was burned down by the Ku Klux Klan. While all of this information is interesting and helps link the history aspects of the article together, I would have rather read a direct quote from Lillie McCain about the events of being arrested or seeing Dr. Martin Luther King speak. That way, the paragraph could have been turned into lead-in sentences for more direct quotes. Basically, I think Blackmon could have done less telling of the some parts of the article and let the interviewees tell it for themselves.

All in all, this article’s subject matter puts it at the top of my list of the best articles that take a deeper look within this presidential campaign and its candidates. And it does that in barely mentioning the candidate at all, but providing readers with another way to consider a lot of issues that have been brought up within the campaign, such as race and family history. Still, I feel that Blackmon did a bit too much reporting within the piece. I would have liked some more direct quotes from the people he interviewed. One thing that Donald Murray says is that people like to read about other people. And, in the same sense, I believe that extends to people like hearing what other people have to say about whatever is going on. I think more quotes would have given the article even more depth and perspective. I think it also would have given more insurance to holding a reader’s attention as well as given readers a more personal connection to the people within the story.

Newspaper Feature Analysis

Here's a link to my Newspaper Feature:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/17/business/17student.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=Families%20Strain%20to%20Pay%20Tuition&st=cse&oref=slogin

And, my analysis:

While browsing through various online newspaper sites, I came across the article “In Downturn, Families Strain to Pay Tuition” from nytimes.com. This article, by Jonathan D. Glater, takes a look at how the current economic crisis is affecting one particular group of people – college kids as well as their parents and families.

Glater’s article was of interest to me because, well, I am a college kid and see in my own circle of friends how the economic crisis is affecting their school, their funding, and their debts. And I found this article most interesting because it took a look at our economic crisis from a unique perspective. In a way, it was like the article about the Indian call center that showed the crisis from the eyes of a specific group of people. I think it is important to write feature stories that show how the economic crisis is affecting different segments of the population because only then will everyone be able to see how truly devastating it is. People will then become more aware of how this crisis is affecting everyone, not just some people. Also, breaking the article down into different perspectives could also break a complicated topic, such as this crisis, down into a more understandable form.

As Donald Murray would say, your story needs to have conflict and tension. With any article that has been or will be written about the current economic situation, tension is there no matter how you spin it. With sixteen days until our country chooses it next president, people of all sorts sit in their offices, classrooms, and kitchens unsure of what will happen with our economy. Writers of these articles need not write with tension, the tension is already there. All they need to do is tell the stories of those affected by this crisis. The tension and conflict is apparent. Basically, sometimes you just need to let the story tell itself. And, this is what Glater used to drive his feature story. He simply told the stories of the people the interviewed, and let those stories, rife with tension, drive the article.

Along the same lines, the first sentence in the story grabbed my attention, specifically the first four words: “In difficult dinner-table conversation.” In campaigning for the presidency, both candidates have used some form of that phrase when talking about the struggles average American families face in their day-to-day lives. By using those four words, Glater made me think of what people really are facing nowadays. It also served as a reminder that this upcoming election is one of the most important and historical elections in our nation’s history. I am not sure if Glater was trying to allude back to the election with his opening line, but I think it may resonate as well with other readers who have been following the campaigns.

Donald Murray feels that the voice of a text is very important. According to Murray, “the good writer seeks a voice that is consistent throughout the story but varies its volume and rhythm to the meaning” (72). I believe that Glater does this within his story. He lets the readers “meet and hear the people in the story” (72). He also used a balanced amount of quotes between struggling families and university officials and other experts. Also, his tone within the rest of the story is one of concern. I believe in his writing style, he is letting everyone know just how distressing this economic situation really is. Glater then tries to explain what exactly is going on with regards to how this crisis is affecting college students and their families. I think by both the interviews and quotes used and Glater’s writing style, this piece’s voice and point is consistent. Both show the tension and struggles of American families trying to send their children to college in the midst of an economic meltdown.

He was able to, as Murray puts it, “(weave) context throughout the story” (72). In between quotes from stressed out families and students, along with quotes from university officials and lending institutions, came explanations of the trouble they are facing, the credit crisis, and different types of student loans. All of the technical or complicated information was broken down into easily digestible paragraphs within the story. Glater did not try and throw all of the facts at the reader at once, which could cause them to become overwhelmed and possibly stop reading the article. Quotes from university officials and lending institutions also, I think, make what is going on within their end of the problem seem easier to understand. I would call what this author did, by weaving quotes and facts together throughout the article, a quote kabob! And, as I have learned, good writers use this form of writing to keep their reader engaged.

This article would have been nearly as effective or engaging if Glater had only used interviews or only reported facts about the problem. His balance between fact and quotes worked nicely with one another. Likewise, the article would not have been as effective if he had only quoted one side of the story. Hearing from all those involved with how the economy is affecting college students gave a more well-rounded edge to the story.

One thing I did notice in the print-friendly version is that some paragraphs of this article run a little long. And in newsprint, those paragraphs might seem to drag on. Some of his sentences are a bit lengthy, causing three-sentence paragraphs to feel much longer than they are. These paragraphs could be broken up into a two-sentence paragraph and a one-sentence paragraph so that not as much information has to be taken in all in one time. Also, paragraphs that contain both quotes and explanations could be broken up. This way the quotes stand out, and the paragraphs as a whole do not seem so long.

Author Jonathan D. Glater has a grasp on how to write effectively to engage readers. He lets his interviews’ stories tell themselves which, in turn, allows the readers to relate to those people featured in the article. And his quote kabob writing format allows for his readers to fulfill their need for meaningful quotes while explaining the technical side of the economic crisis in as simplified way as he can. Still, in simplify what is happening to college students and their families, Glater does not take away at all from the importance or severity of their struggles or the economy as a whole. In fact, his tone and voice of concern remains strong throughout the entire piece of writing.

Politico Coverage and the Voter or What I Learned this Election Year

(Posted Sunday, Oct. 19th)

We have been looking at articles from http://www.politico.com/ for a good chunk of the semester so far. Now, admist our technology and Internet addicted society, we repeatedly turn to online forums for political coverage. And, this has never been more true than it is now, during this historic election which is only a mere 16 days away. But, do these politically driven websites give us the information we need to cast an informed vote? This 5 foot tall, blonde democrat's answer: Maybe.

Articles that can be found on websites like Politico's main page definately can be informative when wanting some 2008 election coverage to read. However, with the speed at which new information can be uploaded and added to these pages, what was news yesterday may not be the same type of news featured there tomorrow. (Perhaps this is where the gloriousness of archiving abilities comes into play!)

Still, despite the fact that Politico does cover campaign coverage, no voter should limit themselves to one source of information. Sure, favoring a website or newspaper's site is fine. We all do it. What? You don't? LIAR. Anyway, you need to have a well-rounded wealth of information in order to make the decision that you deem best for yourself. Learn all you can by reading articles (NOT mass emails), watching the debates, researching on your own, talking to mentors, etc.

But, be careful, voters!! Single issue voting, identity voting, or voting based on information in mass emails is not the way to go. That kind of voting not only hurts you, but it hurts society as well. It only perpetuates the idea that our society is a small-minded, me-me-me nation. And, honestly, it makes you look intolerant, close minded and dumb. I don't care how you vote as long as your vote is cast because you believe this person is the best one for the job because of his qualifications and policies and ideas.

You have an obligation to yourself and your children, to be an informed voter!

I already know who I am voting for. I've known for a while. And, the more I learn about the candidates, the more my decision is strengthened.

This is what I've learned this election year:

• Vote!
• Encourage your friends to vote! Annoy the hell out of your friends who aren't registered!
• Don't wear jeans to a political rally in August.
• Take action: Walk door to door or call people to remind them to vote! DO something!
• Your family and friends may surprise you. Some will be good. Some will be bad, almost scary. But, they still love you.
• Learn all that you can, so that when your Republican parents and family harp on you for your decisions, you can articulate yourself as a well informed, issue-based voter.
• Talk to your truly undecided friends and family about why they should vote FOR the candidate you believe in, not why they should vote AGAINST the other.
• Be nice to those who don't agree with you. Otherwise, you're only as good as the ones who believe the bullshit they read in mass emails.
• It's okay to be a Democrat in a family of Republicans who think you're just young, ill-informed and easily swayed by "celebrity." You know yourself. You know you're still a good person with values and intergrity. Take comfort in the fact that you were able to grow into a young adult who is able to make his or her own decisions and stand up for his or her beliefs. You will do great things one day.

Phill Rally Article Reaction

NIKKIE WAS HERE TODAY! NIKKIE WAS HERE TODAY!

Mark Danner seems, to me, to be an accomplished writer. His style and voice within this article flows well throughout the entire piece. I enjoyed and appreciated his imagery and descriptive writing as well. It enhanced the story for me because I was able to imagine what it would hvae been like to attend the event. As Doc said, this article could be hard to place in the categories for types of stories. But, just in reading it, it seemed to have a features story feel to it. It has great color. His writing style was one that you might find in certain novel or creative writing. It is the type of writing I am drawn to that keeps my attention. And, to be able to use this type of writing - with description and color - in political pieces is very cool. In the way he writes this story, I think that most people who start reading the article would finish it completely. One concern I have is that some of the wordiness and length of the sentences may not be appreciated by all readers.

Opinion Analysis

Here is the link to my opinion article:
http://www.sj-r.com/opinions/x282360906/Alice-Armstrong-Teachers-First-Amendment-rights-don-t-exist-in-classroom

And, my analysis:

The editorial/opinion article that I chose to analyze was “Alice Armstrong: Teachers’ First Amendment rights don’t exist in the classroom,” which appeared in the State Journal-Register’s October 6th issue. In searching for an article, I wanted to find a topic that I had some background knowledge in or experience with. This way I would not have to struggle to understand the content and would be in a better position to analyze the article as a piece of writing.

This particular article is about how one teacher feels that teachers lose their First Amendment rights when they are at the front of their classroom. The first thing that jumped out at me when reading this article was how the author used first person P.O.V. at the very beginning. This was intriguing because it told me something about the author before she began stating facts and opinions on the article’s main issue. When someone is writing an opinion piece about something, I want to first know a little about who they are, whether they do this with a biographical type of introduction or an anecdotal introduction that then relates to the theme of the piece. You also know that Armstrong is a credible source right off the bat because she states that she is a teacher right away. This is another fundamental thing that I feel should happen at the very beginning of any opinion article. The author needs to state how they are connected to this topic, whether they are directly affected by it or if someone they know is or even perhaps why they care so deeply about this topic to write an opinion article on it. Even if you are not directly involved in something and just feel strongly about it, letting the audience know why will most likely justify your standing with readers. I think in opinion writing, knowing a little bit more about the author lends to their credibility and helps readers understanding their point of view.

In regards to structure and form, the article holds up well. Sentence structure is varied with clear and concise writing. Donald Murray believes that good stories should be reported with concrete information. This is true even for opinion writing. And Armstrong’s opinions are backed up with fact, and lengthy bits of information regarding court cases are summarized nicely. Also, there is a good balance between her supporting examples and her opinion. I think she chose the most pertinent examples and the right amount of them to support her thoughts. In using the most relevant examples, Armstrong is able to show a trend in Supreme Court decisions that supports her main idea.

Armstrong also uses these examples to create tension in her writing as she describes the conflict between teachers and the Supreme Court rulings. Donald Murray suggests that presenting and describing the tension is crucial for a writer, in order to develop a well-written, meaningful story (64).

Murray, also, believes that “we should never forget that people like to read about people” (72). He also states that journalism “presents ideas by . . . showing the people who are affected by them” (72). The main supporting example that Armstrong uses deals with a specific person who was affected by the issue of First Amendment rights in the classroom. Armstrong chronicles Deborah Mayer’s story briefly but also with a good amount of depth to show that this is a real issue that teachers have to deal with in today’s society. In doing this, Armstrong gives readers a real-life example of how this issue is affecting teachers.

In addition, I find it appealing that the article started off with a well-written introduction, a statement of the author’s opinion, supporting facts, and then went back into opinion. Donald Murray would say that Armstrong “(found) a form that gives the reader a satisfying sense of completion, a feeling that everything in the story flows toward an inevitable conclusion” (73). Armstrong’s ability to go through opinion, fact, and back to opinion shows that she was able to connect her thoughts together in a way that flowed. The article was read as one cohesive piece not just chunks of opinion, fact, and opinion again. The ideas in each section related to one another. Armstrong also brought back in the Stepford Wives analogy at the end of the article, which I found to be a nice touch. It brought her point and the analogy/theme full circle.
Murray says that one quality of a good story is “significance,” that “it is (the writer’s) duty to show the significance in the material that first appears insignificant” (71). Armstrong does just that. She goes further than just saying how this topic relates to her and other teachers. She offers opinions on how this could potentially affect not only teachers, but students and, in turn, our nation as whole. This shows that Armstrong is not just thinking of herself when speaking about teachers losing their First Amendment rights in the classroom. She sees how certain problems can have long term implications for various groups of people, not just one. And, this way of looking at things may get other people to agree with or consider her point of view. People will be more likely to consider her opinion when she explains that the problem affects others, including our nation’s children. And, at the very end, she gives people information on what they can do to learn more about this issue. So, there is almost a call to action on the part of Armstrong. This is a strong point because it takes the opinion piece to the next level. Readers now have a way to respond and act on this issue.

This opinion article by Alice Armstrong is superb. She is able to craft a succinct, thought provoking piece by using only the most relevant of supporting examples as well as personal associations to create an over-arching theme or image to relate to her readers. As I see it, Alice Armstrong earns an A.

Gordon Productions

Articles and Markets

http://www.freelancewriting.com/guidelines/pages/

(a) Two markets that I could use for the story I am writing for class are Women's Day magazine and I also might be able to swing it in SKIRT! Magazine as it is a feature on one woman and her experiences and thoughts. Both magazines cover a variety of topics relating to women. My article would fit because it is looking at a current issues from a women/mother's perspective. It could strike a chird with the audience of those two magazines I think.

(b) and (c) Two markets that I could publish in would be APPLESEEDS MAGAZINE and COBBLESTONE because they are history/social studies based children's magazines. I have a writing background and a minor/middle school emphasis in History. So, that works for me too! YAY!!!

Wisdom of Crowds (Med&Gov)

http://www.randomhouse.com/features/wisdomofcrowds/

I liked all of the questions posed at the home page on the website. Yeah, why is that quart of orange juice waiting for me??

But, basically what is being said is that the wisdom of crowds is a theory that groups of people can solve certain types of problems better than a single expert.

Also, I thought the four qualities of smart crowds were interesting and made a lot of sense when you thought about them. To be a smart crowds, they have to be diverse, decentralized, have a way of summarizing their decision(s), and be independent of the larger group at the same time (I assume to not be easily swayed by others' opinions).

I also like that bias and paying too much attention to what others think can lead to group stupidity. This shows that you need to figure out what you think but still consider others' opinions on something. You can't not include someone's thoughts just because they don't agree with yours. I think that's why our nation is so f***ed up - no one will stop and consider anyone else's opinions if they aren't just like our own. They need to realize that this will ultimately lead to stupidity or self-destruction. Yes, being an intolerant, biased a**hole is very self-destructive behavior. This could end up killing us all.

So groups are good at solving factual problems and compromising? I suppose that's understandable. But, I'm defintely not letting even a smart crowd fly me to Greece next year or perform surgery on me.

I liked this quote: "And in a broader sense, I think the book suggests that the more diverse and free the flow of information in a society is, the better the decisions that society will reach." This is because they have more information and more accurate information at their disposal when making critical decisions that affect all people of their nation. And, in doing this, I think they would be more likely to take other's opinions into account and perhaps overlook their own biases.

All together we will know more than the individual because everyone in thei group has their own diverse information and experiences to bring to the table - i.e. they are adding to the flow of information in our society.

My feature story idea

My feature story will revolve around one or two expectant mothers whose babies will both be born under the next president of the United States. It will either be one or two, depending on if one allows me to interview her or not. Either way, I will definitely interview Elizabeth Kerns, who teaches part-time at SC-BU. She has a 10 month-old son who was born under the Bush Administration. I want to focus my article on who she wants her next child to be born under and why. I will also do a comparison of who was President when she was born compared to the current president and to Obama and McCain. I think this story will be interesting as it can look at a lot of different issues from the prospective of an expectant mother while also seeing how our nation has changed, struggled, and thrived since she herself was born. I think it will be a good feature story because it will be able to look back at our nation’s history and at our nation’s future as we are in the midst of an historic presidential election.

Thoughts on "In Search of Rational Voters" (Med. & Gov)

"In Search of Rational Voters" by Alan Ehrenhalt said a lot in only three pages. However, I think one of the most important things that was said was that " . . . the vast majority of voters go to the polls with only the haziest of notions about what the candidates plan to do." I think this is an extremely valid and true point. As it was documented in the 1960s, I still feel that it is true nowadays. But, this election could have sparked more of an interest because of its historical significance. Ehrenhalt also quoted another author who said that "we peiece together scraps of knowledge gleaned from personal events, historical events, media coverage . . . "

I think all of this relates back to what Postman was saying in his book: that we, as Americans, are receiving only bits and pieces of information that only hurt our decision making process. We also are only unlikely to know about anyone thing in depth. We don't actually have a completel understanding of things. Therefore, we often have misconceptions about important social, political, or economic events. And these misconceptions can lead to skewed voting at the polls.

Postman blames television for this, and he may not be far off in his theory. Ehrenhalt lends credence to this by explaining what author Rick Shenkman found in his new book Just How Stupid Are We? Shenkman found that "the American electorate harbors more misconceptions about public life than it did a generation ago, or at almost any period in American history." But what causes these grave misconceptions by so many? A main cause, Shenkman says, is TV spot ads.

So, I agree, television is most probably melting American minds into a pool of misconstrued and misguided fragments of information. And people are willing to make judements about an event just because they've heard something about it, however slight and fragmented that tid-bit of information may be.

Read. People. Please.

(www.ahajokes.com/cartoon/readdum.jpg)

Feature Story Links (Adv. Journalism)

I found my articles in the St. Petersburg Times.

Link to award winning articles from St. Petersburg Times writers. I talk about a couple stories in particular below and discuss why I think they make good feature stories.

http://www.sptimes.com/2006/03/09/Floridian/Award_winning_work.shtml

These articles were written by Kelley Benham who "won first place in feature writing for a portfolio that included her obituary of Terri Schiavo, the story of a foster child who had a child of her own, and her profile of the New Orleans police chief in the days after Katrina."

The one that I think does the best job at featuring a "spin-off" of a larger event would be the article about the police chief in New Orleans. It takes the larger event and shows it from the perspective of one person.

Benhan's story about Terri Schiavo is exceptionally poignant with a striking introduction that tells a story about Terri. This article puts the larger, national event of her stroke and death into perspective by focusing on her life before that tragic event. I think it was a wonderful feature piece because it looked at Terri's life in a way that showed everyone who she was before the accident. It took the focus off of controversy and simply talked about who Terri was as an individual person, that I think many could relate too. It made us all remember that she is a human being, not simply a controversy.

LINK TO TERRI SCHIAVO STORY: http://www.sptimes.com/2005/04/01/Tampabay/Elevated_life_from_hu.shtml

However, I think this article by second place winner Lane DeGregory had a great story-inside-the-story lede. It is very descriptive and well-written throughout. I can definitely see why he won an award for his work. The article brings you into the event.

LINKS TO PARTS 1 AND 2 OF DEGREGORY'S MURDER STORY:
http://www.sptimes.com/2005/09/18/Floridian/The_saint.shtml

http://www.sptimes.com/2005/09/19/Floridian/Part_Two__The_Saint__.shtml

Other articles by DeGregory:
http://www.sptimes.com/2006/03/09/Floridian/Award_winning_work.shtml

Obama and McCain Articles (Advanced Journalism)

As of now, Friday around 2:30, the SCI homepage is down, so I can not get to the Mackerel Wrapper or the links to the Obama and McCain articles. I read them in class and was going to come back and write them up now. So, from what I remember about the questions on the blog:

With the Obama article, I think the author defiantely filled pages of his notebook with descriptions of the event, where it was held, what the stadium was set like, etc. And, I am not entirely sure that he wrote much else down. Sure, he threw in some quotes so he was talking to different types of people like Murray suggests. It seemed like he was fixated on the setting and backdrop of the convention. And he didn't really seem to metion this in the McCain article.

In the McCain article, the author focused on what McCain and others said. So, he took down a bunch of qoutes in his little reporter's notebook, with only a brief mention of McCain's setting. He did talk about some hecklers in the crowd. So, I think he looked for and reported on what he didn't expect, like Murray suggests.

The ledes for the stories were completely different. With Obama, the author played to the senses and painted a picture - to be taken positively or negatively depending. With McCain, it started with a paraphrase of McCain's speech and dwelled on about McCain and his "maverickism." He also focused on how the majority of speeches talked about how Obama was wrong.

All in all, the satrizing for Obama's was more overt about the setting, while the McCain article's satire was more subtle. Perhaps, Milbank just focued on the setting for satire with Obama because he felt that was the only thing wrong with the speech that was worth satrizing. The McCain satire was about his speech, satirzing more his substance - where you have to know something more to understand it.

Some answers are there; the rest is just me. (Advanced Journalism)

Don Murray means that surprise is a contradiction or seeing something you didn’t expect to see or find. It’s your angle or edge that you didn’t think of before the reporting or that you didn’t expect to find in the reporting.

To me, surprise is basically the same thing. But, it is a totally positive thing when you find that one edge that sets you and your work apart. But, to me, surprise is a mix between something you may stumble upon and something you have to be looking for. If your eyes are not open, you will not see. Also, surprise is cool because it can give a reporter the opprotunity to step back and consider something from a different perspective. And, this is never a bad thing.

But what does surprise have to do with writing? Surprise is what is going to get you and your work noticed from the hundreds of similar stories and pieces out there. Looking for surprise can open up new vantage points and experiences that can only expand your horizons and abilities as a writer. Surprise can also expand your ability to be able to come up with new and fresh ideas on stale stories as well as see new ideas for stories before anyone else.

Reporting and writing are linked in some ways, yet entirely different in others. I believe it is possible to say, with justification, that reporting is a craft while writing is an art form. Journalism as a craft can be taught while writing as an artform is perhaps more of an innate ability within the writer. I can write journalistically. While I was taught basic formats, structures, etc. So, I can do it, but I feel that the writing I do otherwise is more of an art form rather than a craft. My journalistic writing is a craft, while my personal writing is an art. To me, anyway. Whatever - I just want to write. I just have to! (I also think there is a difference between a "craft" as a noun and craft as a verb, crafting. But, that's for another blog. Maybe.)

Murray, however, links the two together in that you are writing and reporting at the same time. In reporting, Murray wants you to be able to hold on to your voice in being able to write what you have reported on.

Craft and art are similar in that you can teach someone the craft but the art has to come from the person and is more innate and not necessarily learned.

I think surprise has to be looked for in a variety of ways. You have to have an open mind and try new things. And, in trying new things, I think you need to do that in a variety of ways such as reading different magazines, walking or riding a bike some place instead of driving, or attempting different styles of writing. If ever you get the change to read or try something new, do it! This will expand your knowledge and background information on different topics and open you up to new possibilties and experiences. For example, I bought a bike this weekend and rode to two different places downtown. I LOVED it. I was able to experience so much more than I do when driving. And my experiences were so different.

(And, of course, my first thought was how I could write about this. Oh wow, writing is like my cocaine.)

I am an addict.

Clever Assignment for Advanced Journalism

The assignment was simple: write a piece about how you walk and breathe at the same time - a "how to" guide, if you will.

So, I decided not to get worked up about this writing assignment and have fun with it. I tried to write it as a gag column that could maybe go in something like The Onion. I used my experience of writing gag articles for the joke issue of the school newspaper. This type of writing is very easy because it is not stressful and the writer can have fun with the piece and the audience. It wasn't hard once I got started because I just let the ideas come to me and soon I had a clever piece of writing about one of most common, yet, utter complex things imaginable. It would have been hard to write about how to do it because this is something you do everyday without thinking. You don't think about how you do it, you just do!

That is like me and writing. I don't know if I would be able to explain how to write to someone because it is something that I have done since I was about 7-years-old. I was never taught. I just do it. It is something that is a part of who I am, and you can't necessarily explain to anyone else how to do something like that. So, that is why I think sometimes it is easier to have people explain how they do something as a opposed to just how something should be done.

I've never been able to answer the question: "How do you do it?"

I tell people: "I just do it. I've always just been able to do it."

Here is my piece:

How to Walk and Breathe:
A Step by Step Guide to Staying Alive and Getting Where You Need to Go

By Nikkie Prosperini

The act of walking and breathing are two separate activities that can be done together with careful planning. First, as you have normally been breathing (just like you have been when reading this guide), continue to do so. (Please do not walk, read this guide and breathe all together. That may pose a health risk). As you continue breathing (inhaling and exhaling through the nose and mouth), put one foot in front of the other. This will set you into motion (the relative speed is up to you, but walking generally occurs at a slow to mild pace). With each step, continue your breaths.

This author recommends inhaling with the step of the right foot and exhaling with the step of the left to keep a nice rhythm. After a specific amount of steps, you will then find that you have reached your destination and are in fact still alive. Congratulations. Also, please note that while breathing can be done without walking, it may be difficult to walk if not breathing. Individual results may vary.

Please look for the next installment of “How to Walk and . . .” when this author covers the thrilling combination of walking and chewing gum.

"Amusing Ourselves" Chapter 6 (Media and Govern.)

One thing that struck me when reading this was the quote: "...almost all television programs are embedded with music, which helps to tell the audience what emotions are to be called forth" (Postman, 88).

Does this mean that our society is reaching the point where those in charge of creating our entertainment understand that we need to be told what we are supposed to be feeling? Along the same lines, how does it make you feel that you quite possibly, with television, could be told how to feel about certain things? Sounds a little creepy to me . . . I'd much rather invoke my own emotions about a situation and not have someone else tell me how I should feel about a certain thing.

If they can use music to "help" the audience know what emotion they should be feeling with entertainment, what's next?

It may not be as creepy as what I've maybe made it to be, but is something to think about 9if we really are told what to feel by what music is played on TV).

Writing to Deadline - Chapt. 1 (Advanced Journalism)

If there was one thing I had to specifically pick out from the text that helps me as a writer today, it would be:

"I learned to get out of the way of the story and allow the story to tell itself" (8). I think this also goes along with Murray saying he learned to get out of the way of information. Almost like he let the information and story come to him.

That is one problem I always have as a writer, creative or otherwise. I fret and worry so much over getting and writing the story perfectly from the begining that I don't allow the information to come to me or the story to tell itself. I think that this is a problem that most writers have in every writing field. And Murray basically helped because he was saying that the story is there if the writer would just let it come to them. I shouldn't be so worried about perfection in the first draft. I will most likely always have the opprotunity to fix or rewrite parts of the story. If I am too caught up with that in the beginning, before the story is ever written, I won't be able to tell it to the best of my abilities. This basically said to me: write first, fret later.

In the interview with David Mehegan, I like how he said that he did not outline or organize before writing because those types of things are only "rituals that delay actual writing" (12). I agree, and think that those are perhaps things that writers do because they are scared to start their actual writing. I, too, am guilt of this, especially with creative writing.

I also enjoyed reading about Murray's take on the many voices of writing and how most writers have many differnt writing voices. I do think that a writer has a prefered voice, but that many writers find it hard not to at least dabble in other voices and forms of writing.

Obama Biden Rally (Adv. Journ. & Med. Gov. )

On Saturday, August 23, 2008, nearly 35,000 people were a part of history in the making as Democratic Presidential nominee, Barack Obama, shared the staged with his newly announced running mate, Joe Biden in Springfield, Illinois. And to be one of the thousands of people in the sweltering crowd that stood for hours to see these two together was a wonderful experience. It is certainly something that I will remember for a lifetime.
It wasn’t only Obama’s and Biden’s speeches that made me feel good about where America could be headed (and what our country could become under them); it was also the little things I saw in my four hour wait that bolstered my once-shaky faith in our society. In a word, I saw pure, unadulterated decency. People around me shared food, water and ice with one another. Everyone was making sure that women and children were okay. I felt that most people were genuinely concerned with the well-being of those around them. A really tall man standing next to me even lifted me up into the air so that I could see Senator Obama when he appeared in front of the crowd. These are the people that, along with Obama and Biden, can be a changing and positive force for our nation.
The set-up of the event was actually very organized, reminding me of my departing flight from Heathrow International Airport last winter. Volunteers gave directions to the crowd before they entered the security checks, which led to less hold-ups going through the metal detectors. Inside the event, the biggest problem, however, was the lack of water for a crowd that waited in 80 degree heat for hours on end. With secret service not allowing bottled water in the area, event coordinators didn’t plan well for the combination of not enough water, too many people, including infants and toddlers, and a high of 88 degrees.
In regards to coverage of the event, the State Journal Register offered readers many different angles of the event in its August 24th issue. They not only covered the event itself and the speeches, the SJ-R wrote pieces covering the problems that arose, such as their not being enough water and people needing medical attention. Also, they featured different members of the crowd and their thoughts on the events as well as a brief bit about the competing Blues and BBQ festival. And the SJ-R even featured an article against the Obama-Biden campaign with quotes from U.S. Rep Shimkus. Overall, I think the State Journal Register did a very good job of covering all of the bases when it came to covering such a historical, yet local, event.
Other articles I found, however, spent less space covering the event itself and more space covering what Biden brings to the Obama campaign. An article in The New York Times talked about the process that Obama went through in choosing his running mate. I found that article to be interesting because I had never known about how that worked. I thought it was a little different and slightly more interesting than some other articles I found. Other articles I found came from The Guardian, The London Times and CNN.com. Mainly these articles either analyzed what Biden brings to the table or began to play off of Biden previous remarks of Obama’s inexperience. They also threw back and forth the pros and cons of the Obama-Biden team and whether or not the team will succeed in winning the White House.
In conclusion, I am very pleased about what I saw on Saturday, both on stage and in the crowd. What happened that afternoon gives me hope – hope in people, hope for our country, and hope for change.

Chapters 1 & 2 (Advanced Journalism)

So, the first two chapters of this book were helpful and semi-interesting. Although, I felt some of the information was pretty much common sense. Then again, I am sure there are those wrtier's out there who have threatened editors or not done their research or not read submission guidlines before submitting work.

(In fact, from working on an international literary magazine, I KNOW that people don't read submission guidelines. And, I think that show a lack of respect for the publication on behalf of the writer. I don't care how good you think your work is, if it doesn't fit our specifications don't send it. We have those guidelines for a reason. Shakespeare is about the only writer on Earth who doesn't have to follow submission guidleines- Okay, venting over! :) )

Anyway . . . .I also like that the book includes examples of cover letters and query letters. Looking at those examples and reading the material about them was helpful. I also liked the section on e-querying as the Internet and e-mail hvae become an intergral part of today's society. I like that the authors realized how pertinent that information is in our technology driven society.

In conclusion, the first two chapters were an easy read with a lot of clear and concise information as well as pertinent example. The set up of the book (i.e. bulleted lists, examples, etc.) is also a nice touch.

Intro to "Amusing" (Media and Government)

One thing that I found interesting in reading the intoruduction to "Amusing Ourselves to Death" was that Andrew Postman said that some college kids felt that they had to "defend their culture" and were almost offended by Neil Postman's "assault on television" (pg. xi). I thought this was a very interesting concept. Maybe these students did realize that television and other forms of media and entertainment are dumbing down our society. Maybe they realized that they are not as informed as they should be. Are they defending their culture because they know that Postman was correct in his assertion? I, personally, don't feel the need to defend my culture. I am not proud of the culture and society in which I live. I see and, for the most part agree with, Postman's point: That our society is being overwhelmed by media and technology as well as info-tainment to the point. I think this has caused some of my and most of the next generation to be consumed by entertainment.

I also liked the section where Andrew Postman talked about how, with society changing, communities are at the same time building and collapsing. But, at what cost and at what reward are things things happening? Do certain communities need to collapse, so that others can replace them? Maybe. But, who says that the new community is better than the old one? What are the trade offs?

After reading this introduction, I really want to read the book "Brave New World" and "1984." I found Andrew Postman's contrast between Orwell's "1984" and Huxley's "Brave New World" to be fascinating. I believe, at this point, I agree with Huxley's interpretation.

So, um, here's a quote I love:
“It is not always good enough to continue to hear your voice. You must endeavor to hear the voices of other people, what other people think about you.” -J.O.J. Nwachukwa-Agbada, Nigerian poet and scholar

When Aristotle Met Maslow.

They were two different people, with two sets of ideas (I say ideas, because it's easier to change an idea than a belief). Aristotle believed in the Golden Mean, a middle ground between two extremes (various extremes for various issues). Maslow speaks on the different levels of human needs, the heirarchy in which they exist. Maslow believes that people must first achieve basic needs physiological and safety/belonging needs before moving on to achieve self-actualization. Maslow feels that this self-actualization is how one acheieves their own personal "good life." I feel that the Aristotle had a similar understanding and would agree that you need the basic things to survive. But, he feels that people need to live in moderation in respect to their lives. I think that Aristotle would say that once people meet their basic needs and move on into the higher levels of Maslow's hierarchy that that is when they need to be observant of how they live their life in moderation, not falling to one extreme or the other - and in doing that they can achieve the self-actualization that Maslow speaks of. I think they both warn about a fake, "outer" happiness taking the place of a true "inner" happiness that comes from (and leads to) moderation and self-actualization. It's cyclical.

I do not think that you can attain this inner balance or self-actualization through the purchase of a product. This is similar to what Maslow warns when he says that there are dangers "based on fame and outer recognition instead of inner competence." Aristotle would, I believe, say that the person needs to look at why they really need this product (brining in Maslow's hierarchy). He would want them to realize what need it would REALLY fullfill or what need they think it will fullfill.

I think there are certain ethical considerations that need to be thought about when placing an ad that can insinuate that a product can give you happiness. Of course, all advertisers need to show that their product fullfills a need (that's why people buy products after all.) However, I think advertisers need to consider their audience in that whether or not the audience is able to decipher why they truly need this product.

WWAD? (What would Aristotle do?)

We have been discussing a court case that sums up our society in a nutshell. It’s a classic look at the struggle between youth and the adults (term used loosely) and their ability (or inherent inability) to understand one another. We have to live together; there should at least be some attempt at compromise. Anyway, we have been looking at the court case affectionately called BONG HiTS 4 JESUS.

But, let’s stop and think. What would our enlightened and philosophical friends Aristotle, Kant, and Bentham have to say about this?

(First, they would all probably be confused about the high-tech, face-paced society in which we live.)

Let’s talk Aristotle.

He was an ancient Greek philosopher who believed in the Golden Mean. By this, he was sort of saying to take the middle ground and not go too far out on either extremes of the issue. Aristotle would probably tell both the kid and the principal to chill. He would tell the kid to not press his luck with the principal because the two already had a history of not getting along. Also, I think Aristotle would tell the kid to pick his battles carefully with the principal. As for the principal, Aristotle would tell her not to abuse her power by making an example of this kid. He wouldn’t want her to go on a power trip with this case. Also, Aristotle would want the Chief Justice to really take a look at the evidence and not jump to either side of the issue – possibly settling somewhere in between so as not to make an example of either party.

Care to consider Kant?

Kant’s theory is called the Categorical Imperative. Not need for further explanation, right? Riiiiight. What Kant meant by this was that you should live as if your behavior became general law or was a general rule. Kant would ask both parties to consider: “would you want everyone to do the same thing you’re doing?” Or, “what if everyone started doing what you did?” I honestly think Kant would tell the kid to go ahead and do what he did. (He wasn’t doing anything illegal. He was making a statement. Kant wouldn’t be against making statements. He would say “do it” so then other people can see they have the freedom to make their own statements.)

Kant would ask the kid to reevaluate his choices and think about why he really is doing this. Kant would ask him why he was doing it – are you doing it because it’s funny or do you really want to take it as far as it could go (i.e. federal court, etc)? After the kid has really thought about why, I think Kant would have him figure out if there would be another more suitable way to do what he really wanted, such as be funny or make a statement.

Another way to interpret Kant is to say that he believes in the Golden Rule – treat others as you wish to be treated. I think he would use this philosophy to talk with the principal. He would have her reevaluate her choices as well. Kant would want her to think about how she would want to be treated if she were in the kid’s shoes. Kant would have her think about if she ever did stuff like that when she was the kid’s age. He would have her put herself in his shoes and think about whether or not she followed all the rules when she was his age. I think that is how he would have the principal reevaluate her choices in the incident.

Bring it on Bentham.

Jeremy Bentham believed in Utilitarianism. The main point of this philosophy is that the outcome should be the one that causes the greatest good for the greatest number. I think this philosophy would apply more to the Chief Justice in charge of the outcome of the case. Bentham would have the Chief Justice consider both verdicts. Then, the Chief Justice would have to figure out who would benefit and who would be hurt the most from it. He would, most of all, need to consider what each outcome would teach the students – about their rights, about the justice system, etc. Bentham would have to ask himself “what am I teaching these kids about America, our society, their rights and our Government by making this decision?”

Final thoughts:
1) Statements aren’t illegal. Actions are.
2) Aristotle would love the iPod.

the.day.it.all.changed.

1. What is the significance of Times v. Sullivan:

In regards to American history, Times v. Sullivan was a turning point in First Amendment and free speech law. With the reversal, freedom of speech and freedom of the press became more protected. Due process also gained significantly more protecting. The case’s decision made it harder for defendants to be discriminated against or given an unfair trail because of a biased jury or corrupt local court system. How it made it harder for an unfair trial has to do with how the verdict affected lawyers.
For lawyers, the Times v. Sullivan switched the burden of proof in libel cases. It also introduced the concept of “fault.” The plaintiff had to now show that the defendant had published a false statement “knowingly or recklessly” or “with a high degree of fault” (Lewis, 157). The plaintiff now had to first show something in the publication was false and that the defendant published the falsehood knowingly with the intention of having it damage the plaintiff. In this sense, the court was giving the defendants some leeway in that false statements that were thought to be true when published (or even insignificant false statements) could not be held against them. There was some breathing room when it came to false statements.
This breathing room was a relief to journalists. The courts thought that self-censorship might occur if people (or the press) thought they could be prosecuted for getting a minor detail or something like that wrong. It allowed for “honest mistakes” (Lewis, 157). Also, this allowance for honest mistakes encouraged the press to challenge “official truth” (Lewis, 158). Journalists now had the freedom and the desire to delve deep into controversial situations and events without fear of being sued for libel is they didn’t have every single one of their facts straight.
This court’s decision means a lot to me, personally. It made great strides for freedom of speech and freedom of the press. I considered myself a journalist and respect and appreciate the freedom this reversal gave to me. I know that I am not going to be sued for insignificant mistakes and that I am free and protected to give my opinions on various issues. I do not have to self-censor my thoughts and writings because I am afraid of getting sued or shot or hanged or made to drink hemlock or something like that. Also, I know that what I read in the news has not been censored by the government, that I am not being fed what only one side to an issue. I am able to make informed decisions based on what it is reported on both sides of an issue and share my thoughts on them. Because of this decision, I can report the truth as well as share my opinions on it and not fear retribution.

2. What were the rules of libel law for working journalists before Times v. Sullivan?

The rules of libel before Times v. Sullivan revolved around the defendant or journalist having to prove that every instance of the story was true. And, in some instances, truth was not even a defense. This meant that journalists would have to be sure that ALL of their facts were accurate. Checking all of these facts of perfect accuracy was/is not feasible in any way for any publication. Before the reversal of Times v. Sullivan libel law was abused and used against journalists. It was used and twisted by officials, judges, etc. to put down journalists who were covering controversial issues (such as racism and discrimination) that Southern officials didn’t want getting out (Lewis, 153).

3. What is "actual malice," and how did it change the rules?

Actual malice was defined in Justice Brennan’s opinion as “knowing and reckless falsehood” (Lewis, 147). This changes the rules because the burden of proof of actual malice was now put on the plaintiff. They had to prove that the defendant knew the information was false and meant for its publication to cause harm. This meant considerable more research on the part of the plaintiff. This way there was room for error on the part of citizens who had the right to criticize the government. The press and the people were given some leeway in their criticism in that their facts did not have to be 100% accurate. Also, this gave people the fall back that there was room for error. That they could make an honest mistake with their facts or facts they thought to be true.

4. How could you cover Illinois statehouse politics if Times v. Sullivan hadn't been decided the way it was?

You couldn’t cover Illinois statehouse politics if Times v. Sullivan hadn’t been decided the way it was. We would not be allowed or willing to publish any views that were inconsistent with the ones the government supported. All of the reporting would be incredibly one sided. And, there would be no criticize of any kind in it. All of the information would also have to be very generic to avoid details that could be proven false or that could be insignificantly false, but used against us in some way. Basically, if the case had not been reversed, reporters would not be able to publish anything critical of the government or public affairs issues for fear of retribution.

Clear, Confusing, etc.

The clearest point that has been made to me in Mass Media Law and Ethics is that freedom of speech has been contested and will continue to be tested throughout history. It was very interesting to learn about the development of certain laws or acts that were created by our Government in times of war to censor the press and freedom of speech. It was equally as interesting to learn about how the press and society fought back in order to keep our democracy (and what that really means) intact.

One of the more confusing points in the course has been the determination of fact vs. law. I feel that sometimes I think too hard about what each part means specifically, whereas I should consider that, more often than not, the two will at some point begin to run together. Facts can lead to the application of a specific law or laws can be reworked or developed based on the facts. (At least, this is what I am getting out of it. See? It’s confusing!)

I would like to continue learning about the history behind the constitution and the different laws and court cases affecting freedom and speech and the press. (This is because I have a history minor with my elementary education degree. History has always been a passion of mine. To see where things began, where they went to, and where they could be headed. I like the Anthony Lewis book). I would also like to possibly discuss more current cases in the media like we have been doing.