Thoughts on COMM207 and Modern News Editing

While there may be disputes as to who said it first, Mary Poppins said it best. “What’s well begun is half done.” This statement works well, too, when applying it to course curriculum. More often than not, students will have less trouble with upper level courses once they have completed the appropriate prerequisites. In a sense, their work will be half done because they have already been exposed to the information they need in order to understand new material in higher level courses.

In my opinion, COMM207: Editing for Publication should be used as a prerequisite or introductory course to the communication program at Benedictine University at Springfield. This is because this course and its textbook, Modern News Editing, provide much needed background knowledge about the world of publication and different within it. While it focuses on print publications, it also looks at the growing area of online publications as well as the different jobs of editors, reporters, photographers, copy editors, and the like. Additionally, the book has chapters that deal with the law, ethics, and responsibility in journalism and publication. Therefore, students are given a taste of various areas that they may come into contact with when in a job in the field of communications.

This book and course may expose students to many of the different aspects or jobs within the communications realm, which could help them decide which one they prefer. The text does a nice job at highlighting what it is like working at news organizations of various sizes as well as what it might be like for a day in life of an editor or reporter. Another plus for this textbook is that it shifts from “what it’s like in the newsroom” to technical and practical information needed in publication and writing in general. And it is in the multitude of examples that this text stands out from the rest. Modern News Editing is a quick read that is supplemented with relevant examples. Authors Mark D. Ludwig and Gene Gilmore give examples of newspaper page layouts, online publication layouts, dummy sheets, different types and sizes of headlines, how to write straightforward versus clever headlines, proper punctuation for headlines, how to edit an article, and so much more. There are also tons of quick tip lists that are helpful in reference situations. Some fun lists include: Commonly Misspelled or Misused Words, Standard Copyediting and Proofreading Marks as well as Words and Phrases Often Mistakenly Used.

Honestly, I was very impressed with this book and its ability to layout material that could be very foreign to some in such a user friendly manner. It is definitely a book that students should be encouraged to keep after the class has ended. The text contains information that they will use later on in their studies within the communication program. It is also a simple, easy-to-read and easy-to-navigate book for times when students need a quick refresher on some editing point or whether they should use further or farther in their paper.

Another reason that this book was good for this class was that it came with a disc that contained many, many different practice exercises for editing articles, designing dummy pages, creating headlines, etc. And there weren’t just one or two exercises for different topics in the book, such as editing articles and writing headlines. There were tons of examples and activities for each topic that professors could choose from. These activities were really what helped pull the class together. This is because you can only read about something so much in a textbook before it becomes dull. With these exercises, students can read study the skills that the book talks about and then practice those same skills in a hands-on format. This really adds quality training to the course. Students can try out what they are reading about in the book, what actual people in the publication business do on a daily basis.

Finally, COMM207: Editing for Publication should be used an introductory course or prerequisite to the communication program because it provides basic information on a variety of communication related topics. Early introduction to these common principles and ideas can help students when they begin to work in higher level required courses, such as News Writing and Reporting, Advanced Journalism Writing, Print Media Layout and Design and Mass Media Law and Ethics.

For the two news writing courses, students will have already been exposed to how to work with stories before they begin to write their own. They will have been introduced to the very basics of news writing such as editing marks, news story structures, and general tips for writing and editing news stories. This background information can then help them when they begin to develop their own writing as they should be familiar with much of the information. With Print Media Layout and Design, students will have been somewhat exposed to what it is like to develop and work with different layout formats. Though the book does not cover layout in great detail, it does discuss tips for designing publication layouts and how a layout can reflect the message put out to an audience, which is an important point to know. Thirdly, if taken before many core communication classes, Editing for Publications will have given students some background knowledge for Mass Media Law and Ethics. Modern News Editing does a nice job at summarizing major points of publication in regards to both law and ethics. Therefore, students can have a basic understanding of how law and ethics relate to the field of communications. As law and ethics can often be tricky subjects to grasp, Mass Media Law and Ethics can build on information presented in the Editing for Publication’s textbook.

COMM207: Editing for Publication (especially in conjunction with its textbook, Modern News Editing) should come before many core classes in the communication program at Benedictine University at Springfield. This is because it presents, in a simplified, easy-to-understand way, some of the basic concepts and ideas, which students will inevitably come into contact with not only in their future coursework, but in the world of communications as well.

Modern News Editing: Chapter 8

Chapter nine, “Editors and Design,” of Modern News Editing was very informative mostly because of the numerous examples it had to accompany the information it presented. Also, this chapter was interesting to me because it talked about how technology has benefited the mass media and society. One thing that was interesting was how the Poynter Institute used eye tracking system to track where the eye moved across the page, what the eyes focused on, and how long the eyes focused on a certain portion of the page. A second exciting use of technology that has been beneficial to the mass media involve how they are able to instantly upload new material to the webpage once they write and file their stories.

Two main points that I took away from this chapter were 1) the news media may not tell us what to think, but they most definitely tell us what to think about, and 2) editors need to make the design of the pages work for the news of the day not the other way around.

It was just discussed in my Mass Communication class that the news media are the gatekeepers of information. They are the ones who decide what is worthy to be considered news of the day. The Modern News Editing book says a similar in stating that “another function of design is to tell the reader what editors consider the days most significant stories” (Ludwig and Gilmore, 2005, 127). So, the news media not only decide what is news, they then tell us which of that news is the most important and least important. With print media this is done through page placement. According to the text, “placement cues the reader. A story on page one rates high . . . But if it is three paragraphs long and deep inside a section, the reader realizes that the editor considers the item little more than a filler” (Ludwig and Gilmore, 2005, 131).

I think the previous quote is an example of why someone needs to understand the personality and values of the publication they choose to read. That way, if they agree with the publications values or ideologies, they can have more trust in the editors that they are not downplaying or overplaying one side of an issue over the other (even though newspapers shouldn’t do that anyway). Just having the same ideologies and values of the publication you read gives you more trust in the information. Still, you need to consider multiple sides of a story before forming an opinion. If you don’t, your opinions will not be well received because they are not back up by logical support and facts.

Then second main point of this chapter is that editors need to use the design of the page to enhance the stories. The text book states that “no matter how clever the makeup, the editors must be willing to scrap or revise it when ever news events demand” (Ludwig and Gilmore, 2005, 131). Similarly, the text stated that an editor should build a newspaper around a particular news package such as a feature story. Therefore, editors must not get too caught up on using a certain style of page design. He or she needs to make the page design work for the news and not force the news into a specific design that could be displeasing to readers.

In conclusion, I think the main thing to take away from this chapter is that editors need to understand that news comes first and that they have a responsibility to present the news in a way that is appealing to readers. Also, the news should be presented in a way that readers can understand and use to see which pieces are perhaps more important than others. This is important in today’s often hectic life style where people may have little time to get the news throughout the day.

Modern News Editing: Chapter 7

Again, I would like to point out the good points of the book Modern News Editing by Ludwig and Gilmore. First off, the book is a quick read, supplemented by pictures and graphics that illustrated points. Along with those graphics and illustrations, the book also gives ample examples for different topics discussed in each chapter. This helpful and useful technique the writers employed was no different in chapter 7, “Writing Headlines.”

(I supposed I should follow the writing rules and write chapter seven as numbers fewer than ten are written out).

Either way, this chapter was interesting for a variety of reasons. One thing that I found interesting (yet complicated) was the numerical aspect of setting the headlines and picas and points sizes, etc. While it was a different aspect of headline writing to learn about, I am not completely sure I understand it. Okay, I don’t understand it, but I understand its value. (I like writing and English because of its general lack of numbers.)

One quote from the chapter that stuck in my mind was: “If the heads do their most important job – rapid summary – the careful skimmer will get the general drift of events and slow down for a story that may be worth careful reading” (107).

I see this in two ways. One: We are living in a fast paced, mobile society where people want information, and they want it now. People today need to get information quickly and can then make the decision – based on what they read in the headlines – whether or not the story is worth their time. However, this brings us to side number two: How many people in our society will actually take the time to read an article once they have read the headline? If the headline summarizes information, why would the readers think they need to read the article further?

This is where the problem lies because, I believe, that many people may not choose to read the article for more information, or they may not read the article carefully. This relates back to one of Neil Postman’s theories in Amusing Ourselves to Death. In his book, he thought that we, as Americans, knew lots of little bits of information, but were really uneducated on the hearts of the matters. We could tell you what we knew about an issue but it would usually have no depth. I agree with this in that the majority of Americans can regurgitate what they hear on a 30-second radio broadcast or read in a newspaper headline, but they can’t tell you anything in depth about the event or situation. In that respect, we are a very uninformed society that pretends otherwise.

A final aspect of this chapter that I found interesting was that they mentioned a few different times that a specific publication’s style lends to its personality and identity. And often, “a sudden, drastic change in heads may make a reader feel that a familiar friend has moved away” (108). Similarly, Ludwig and Gilmore stated that “readers become accustomed to these appearances and often express alarm when they are changed” (117). I think this all has to do with forming niches and brand loyalty. A reader will come back to a certain publication day after day because of how they do things (i.e. types of stories they cover, variety, aesthetic style, etc). Those are the specific things that draw those readers to that publication; therefore, editors should not change them unless readers express concern or their audience changes. In that way, editors need to know and understand the demographics of their audience and produce what appeals to those persons, while still serving the best interest of their publics by providing them with accurate, needed information.

Those are my thoughts on this chapter. Chapter seven did a very nice job of going over the basics of headline writing with relevant examples and supplemental graphics without getting overly technical with journalistic jargon.

And, the example they used of a clever headline, “Gift Wrap Goes Over the Top”, made me smile. Well done.

Modern News Editing: Chapter 6

Chapter six, in Modern News Editing, is (like chapter five) one of the most valuable I have found in the book. This is because it takes you out of the life of an editor and gives you specific rules and examples to go by when working with stories. This chapter gave lists of words that were mistakenly used as well as lists of grammatical points journalists should review and commonly misspelled words.

Honestly, I love lists! I love lists of facts and information that I can learn and then put to use in some situation in the future. I am positive that all of the random information and tidbits of knowledge that I have in stored in my mind will come in handy one day. And, these types of lists, regarding the English language and writing, fit perfectly with my talents and aspirations. I will definitely be keeping this book to refer back to when I am writing, creatively or journalistically or what not. Also, I can refer back to the list when I will, inevitably, get in word fights with other literary friends. It happens, all in good fun.

So, here are a few of my favorite examples from the lists:

Misused words

Sudden explosion is redundant. Um, yes. When is an explosion not?

Thief. A person who steals without threatening people or breaking into buildings. I did not know this. This is a great piece of information for me to use sometime.

Foreseeable future. Who can see into the future? This one made me giggle.

Alumna, alumnus, alumnae, alumni. One female graduate is an alumna. More than one, alumnae. One male graduate is an alumnus. More than one, alumni, which is also the plural for a group including both men and women. This was VERY helpful. I had no idea there were such distinctions.

Grammatical Points

Farther refers to distance; further refers to thoroughness. “He wanted to check further on the flood damage, so he walked farther onto the bridge.” I NEVER understood this distinction until I read this. Then, it clicked. Finally!

Beside/Besides. Besides means “in addition to,” while beside means “next to.” That clarifies that!

Complement means “to accompany” or “to enhance.” Compliment means “to praise.” I never knew there was a distinction. Now, I do.

Misspelled Words

Guillotine is one of the most commonly misspelled words. Although, I just have to wonder how often it comes in writing for it to be misspelled. Hmmm . . . .

Sizable, lovable. I always want to add an “e” before the “able.”

Necessary. I can never spell this right! I mean I just did, but I had to.

So, there are some of my favorite examples from chapter six. This chapter has been my favorite so far, and I will definitely refer back to it when questions arise.

Modern News Editing: Chapter 5

In Modern News Editing, Chapter 5, “Working with Stories,” is a very valuable one. The other chapters have done a very good job at getting into the mind of the editor and what goes on in most newsrooms across the nation. However, I think those are things that can only be experienced on the job in order for someone to really learn something from them. While there is no doubt that information will prepare us on what to possibly expect in real life, there is a difference between reading it in a book and experiencing it first hand in an actual newsroom with actual assignment, and actual deadlines.

Chapter five, though, goes into more technical aspects of an editor’s job when they work with the stories they write and the ones that they assign. This chapter concisely gave examples of common errors and problems for which editors need to be on the lookout. This ranged from structural errors to pesky grammatical problems, homonyms, and word choice issues. And, honestly, one of my favorite things about this chapter was that it gave examples of actual errors that have either gotten through to the presses or that have been “good catches.”

Giving examples was extremely helpful, because I don’t know how many books list the dos and don’ts of one thing or another, but then do not give examples to show what they mean. That leaves the reader wondering, “Okay. But what do you mean by that? How do I do (or avoid) that?” With this chapter, it explained why something was correct or incorrect and then gave examples to support it and show what has occurred in the field in real life. Also, the examples were amusing and pointed out that even simple mistakes may be funny to readers, but they are embarrassing to the publication when they get through. For example, I would be kind of embarrassed if a story of mine got through with something like “killed to death” in it. I would be embarrassed that I wrote it, and equally embarrassed that it got through.

Another thing that I think was very important in the chapter was that they mentioned how an editor must know their community. This seems so obvious, but it is vitally important to serving the best interest of the readers. By knowing a community, an editor can avoid basic errors that may annoy loyal readers. This enhances the validity and reliability of the publication in the eye of the reader when an editor knows that it is Devonwood Drive instead of Devonwood Street. It also enhances the relationship between reader and publication when readers realize that the editors and staff care about their publication enough to avoid such errors or correct them when they do occur.

In conclusion, I think that chapter five is one that gives a great overview of who editors work with stories. It is definitely one that I will be referring back to as this course continues and as I work with my own and the writing of others. From what I can tell, I think the book is now going to shift into the more technical aspects of an editor’s job. It is going to shift into information that is valuable in a different way than that which came before it.

Modern News Editing: Chapter 4

Some of the information in chapter four, “Editors as Managers,” related back to thoughts I had about a previous chapter in regards to the importance of praise within a news organization.

A section of chapter four expounded upon this idea by discussing the importance of staff evaluations. It talked about how they can be used appropriately to better the work of staff members in a positive way, instead of being that dreaded thing that happens once a year. One really important thing the book said about evaluation is that “it should be a continuing process” (63). I believe this to be true, and I think it emphasizes the main theme of this chapter: An editor must always strive to develop the talents and potential within their staff in order to produce the best quality publication.

In this way, I think it is true that editors should also be considered coaches. They need to know where it is they want their publication to go, and then find out the best ways to motivate their employees so that they can do their best work, which will ultimately head the paper in the desired direction it needs to go.

And, I think that it is important to discuss the direction and goals of the paper with your staff. Reporters, photographers, and artists will feel more motivated if they know they are part of team working for the same goal. Also, they will feel invested in the paper because they know that their thoughts and decisions are valued. According to the book, “the publication then becomes ‘our newspaper’ or ‘our Website,’ not merely ‘the paper’ or ‘the site’” (62). Thirdly, another benefit (I suppose it could be called that) of all staff having an understanding of the goal of the paper (as well as the desired writing style, etc.) is that it can make it easier for staff to decide if this is indeed the right publication for them to be working on. This is because I believe the organization (and its goals, style, etc.) have to mesh well with the works own goals, values, and style in order for them to do the best work.

Along the same lines, I think that any reporter, photographer, artist, or other staff member needs to understand that they will not end up in their desired section or beat over night. They are going to have to prove to their editors that they are capable of handling such tasks by adequately performing what tasks are given to them, even if those stories or assignments are perhaps less than desirable.

Similarly, though, an editor needs to listen to the concerns and thoughts of an employee and recognize when their talent could be better put to use, perhaps covering stories in another section or taking a crack at a beat they have always wanted to try. They also need to consider assigning a different type of story or a different beat to a reporter whose writing may have been slipping lately. This could be just what he or she needed to get out of a rut.

All in all, what this comes down to is that communication is key in any newsroom. Staffers need to know that they can come to their editor with thoughts, ideas, and concerns without fear of being criticized or rebuked. Also, editors need to monitor what is happening in the newsroom to assess what, if any, changes need to made for the betterment of the staff, and in turn, the organization as a whole.

Modern News Editing: Chapter 3

In Modern News Editing, chapter three (“The Editor in the Newsroom”) reinforced some basic ideas I had taken away from other journalism/communication classes. The main concept that this reading reinforced was teamwork.

When working in a newsroom, you basically need to be able to play well with others. If not, then the entire publication could suffer, and that would not be good for anyone. You need to understand that no one could do this job alone and that your job, whatever it may be, is a vital part of the organization.

And a mainstay in maintaining that teamwork and positive morale within the newsroom is the staff or section editors. One thing the chapter brought up multiple times was the importance of positive reinforcement. While it doesn’t have to be anything drastic, just simple things like telling someone that they have written a good headline is important. One example of praising workers came from the San Francisco Bee where they send out newsroom wide emails to reward excellence (48). I think this is a good way to let staffers know about accomplishments happening amongst the employees. It is also very simple, yet effective. I believe whole heartedly that supervisors need to praise their staffers for excellent work. While it shouldn’t be over the top and so frequent that it becomes routine, positive reinforcement can go alone way. I think it is especially important nowadays when people are so bogged down by the economy, personal problems, financial worries, running a home, etc.. A few words of praise could brighten someone’s day and remind them that their work is appreciated and respected.

Another concept that was reinforced in this chapter was considering and covering all facets of a story. You need to look for your angle in a story that will make it the most interesting to readers. You also need to consider all of the different aspects that could be covered a given story, so that you can reach a variety of readers. I think the chapter did a good job of applying it to sports writing. I liked how it talked about how sports editors are starting to broaden the scope of sports on which they are reporting. Instead of just covering the basics like basketball, baseball, and football, they are putting together features on noncompetitive sports as well. This is good because it offers variety and can attract new readers. I also thought it was interesting that sports editors are working to make sure they cover a sport and not promote it. That goes hand in hand with keeping bias out of writing as much as possible and giving readers the information with which they can form their own opinions.

And, I still say that the job I would like to have at a newsroom would be that of a copy editor. With this position, I would get to utilize my writing talents and read a variety of news copy. I think it would be fun and interesting to be “the reader’s eye” for a newspaper. I had never considered that to be a key importance of the copy editor, but I think it is a vital one that I could handle.

Modern News Editing: Chapter 2

After reading Chapter Two (“Deciding What’s News”), I had a bunch of thoughts swirling around in my head that I will now formulate into a coherent presentation. Hold on to your hats (scarves, gloves, and other belongings that may not be entirely secure)! These thoughts encompass two overall points that I took away from the chapter: 1) changing demographics concerning newspaper readership, and 2) shifting views in regards to what news matters to readers.

One area that has newspaper executives worried is demographics. According to the text, “their audiences are getting older, and younger people are not replacing them” (32). Therefore, newspaper executives are faced with the daunting task of appealing to a new generation of readers. To do this, they have to understand the difference between these generations. I think, personally, one of the best things a newspaper (or news organization in general, such as MSNBC or CNN) can do is have a web based component/supplement for their main news source. This is because the generations and demographics that news executives are now trying to reach are the ones that are more mobile than ever. We are always on the go. Specifically, people of my generation can be found juggling many things at once –everything from work, school, and families to hobbies and volunteering. So, we need a news source that we can access instantly for the latest coverage. We may not have time to pick up a newspaper, but we may have time to check the news on our BlackBerry or sneak a peak at CNN.com on our lunch break.

Another reason that I think news organizations would attract new readership with web supplements is that that generation has practically grown up with the Internet and see it is as something that connects them with others in their community, across the nation, and across the world. We are use to the interactivity the Internet offers, and we no longer want to be a passive audience that simple receives the news. We are no longer complacent with linear communication. We are children of mass and web communication where we receive the news, but then expect and want to be able to interact with it, to share our opinions on it, and then send the news further to other in our social circle. Social media sites, like Facebook and MySpace, have been especially helpful in this endeavor.

Similarly, the book talked about how young readers “wanted stories that helped them connect with the world. This involves both increased international coverage and stories about people around the world, to help them relate to a global community” (32). That was not surprising at all because we have used the Internet to foster interconnectedness with people around the world that we never otherwise would have met. Therefore, international news has become more important. Also, I see our changing economic times as possibly leading a shift in what news readers see as important.

There has always been a battle between wants and needs. And that is no different within news organizations. Editors have been at odds about whether their audiences want serious, sold news or whether they simply crave celebrity and entertainment. I was always fast to say that editors need to stop spoon feeding our nation sensationalism. And I do agree that “editors should try to help (readers) see and understand (the) significance” of any news story (29). Nowadays, I believe that people are starting to realize that they need to know and understand what is going on around them, not just locally, but nationally and internationally as well. They are seeing the interconnectedness of things. Our nation stands amidst a historic presidency that has the ability to affect positive change in our uncertain economic times. I think, the American citizens now realize that they, too, have the power to affect change. Therefore, their concerns may shift towards learning about serious news issues rather than dabbling in celebrity gossip. I think Americans see what hiding within in sensationalized, celebrity dribble disguised as news has gotten them, and now they are ready to face the challenges and beauty that this country and world has to offer. (That could be too poetic, but I think my point is clear.)

And, so as not to ramble much longer, I offer one final thought. News organizations are given the challenge of deciding what constitutes news. To do this, they consider things like “timeliness, proximity, conflict, impact, prominence and novelty” (30). And while they do not tell their audiences what to think, they certainly tell them what to think about. That is why as readers we need to be able to trust in our news organizations that they will make the best decisions they can. We also then need to be able to discern bias in the media and be able to acquire our own sources of reliable news media, when ones we are used to fall short. There has to be give and take. And just as there needs to be serious, solid news stories, there should also, always, be room for Snoopy.

Modern News Editing: Chapter 1

In reading the first chapter of Modern News Editing, I was struck with a few different thoughts. One involved the level of committment each news orgnization had to serving the interests and demands of their specific audience as well as the importance of keeping up with the convergence of technology. Secondly, my thoughts focused on the pressures of the newsroom.

News reporting and putting out a newspaper is more than just writing, editing, and compiling stories for print and web distribution. In fact, there is almost an art form (or at least, an awareness) that must go into selecting which stories to cover and which of those stories ends up where within the paper and/or their companion websites. And a major factor in deciding what is "news" depends on how it impacts their readers. With the News-Sentinel from Northern Californa, they selected their stories for the front page based on which ones were most appealing and informative to their readers. In one section, the assistant city editor, Jennifer Bonnett, reminded a reporter to "keep in mind why the new school is important to readers" (7).

In Mercury News's newsroom, they accomodate their readers' needs by acting on trends they find within their readership. Specifically, the track the vistors to their website and found that there is a spike in visitors after the stock market closes (1pm on the West coast). In finding this out, they developed new columns and bits of news for the website to give more news to their web readers. Another way that Mercury News focuses on its readers and giving them what they want came about when the television reporter fought to get the city hall story on the air "because of its importance to taxpayers in the city" (19). I thought it was great how reader impact was such a huge factor (instead of say . . . sensationalism) in deciding the importance of news. And, I thought it was in the best interest of both the paper and readers to really take action when they found something interesting in their website visitor statistics. Another really cool thing I liked about this organization was that some specially tagged stories will automatically post to their website. That is definately using technology to their advantage to save time and reach their audience in a timely manner. YAY!

SFGate.com is an online news source that also uses statistics to its advantage in reading readers. Each day the morning editor checks the each story's statistics to which story was viewed the most. This is crucial to finding out what sorts of stories your audience is interested in. Another thing that is interesting about this publication is that the centerpiece (main story) is flipped throughout the day, so that readers can be informed of breaking or important news as it happens throughout the day. They, the readers, can really use this web publication to stay abreast of what is happening.

Finally, one thing I thought about after reading this chapter is that I would rather be an editor than an actual reporter. While I have no doubt that I could write the stories, I think the situation would be too stressful. I would, however, not mind being a copy editor. I would still be working with the paper and would be a vital part of the team. And, I could get to read a variety of stories, which I am always up for. All in all, I wouldn't mind working with a newspaper in some capacity, just not as a reporter. Copy editing might be more my speed, and more my style.

So, this chapter taught me: Know your audience (and there are cool, statistical ways to do that) and, then in turn, use that knowledge to give them the best quality news possible in the format that best suits them (i.e. print or tv or online).

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.

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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.