Justin Riray
2/28/09
Jour 61
The Future of News
Word Count: 464
We are the future of news. One could argue that news relies on events; accidents, conflicts, touching stories. I believe that news relies on its reporters and journalists. Without us, people wouldn’t get news. We are the link between the human race and their knowledge of that is going on around them.
It seems as if almost every journalism graduate that doesn’t get an internship feels like they are ‘settling’ for being a freelancer. If you think about it, many of the free content websites were created and developed by a nobody - a freelancer. Google, Youtube, and Myspace were all produced by smart people who chose to do their own thing with their skills instead of working an entry-level job at some well known company. The world of journalism will always rely on freelancers to do the ‘guerilla inventing.’ While large and prosperous companies stay doing what they do best, it is usually the freelancers who come up with ground breaking technology or methods of news media.
Even if new journalists do work for a large company, in a way, they are all freelancers. Veterans will always be able to get the job done, but it is the interns and the rookies that always have the opportunity to bring something fresh to the table; and opportunity to change the world of news. Mindy McAdams emphasizes the importance that we know how to work as many programs and properly use as much equipment as possible. The more we know how to manipulate media and news, the better journalists we will be. Many young aspiring writers and broadcasters may have the notion that journalism is just writing; I was one of them, and boy was it shocking to know that knowing how to write extremely well was just the tip of the iceberg.
In the “recovering journalist “ blog, the author reminds us to do our best to concentrate on concentrate on projects and products that are groundbreaking. The faster we learn how to adapt to new programs and methods, the more prepared we will be to become a journalist of the future.
Why shouldn’t we just sit back and perform the way all of our college textbooks instruct us to? If anyone thinks news is just delivering facts, and that it is a piece of cake, the truth is that creativity and organizational skills need to be of the highest caliber in order to stay with the ever-changing world. We are all striving to play a part in the future of news, so damn right this business is competitive. Writers pull-over, because up and coming journalists are equipped with so much more than a pencil and paper.
My favorite excerpts from the blog links:
http://mindymcadams.com/tojou/2009/advice-for-journalism-students-now/
*Browse through some of the links listed below and read some blog posts and/or articles on the changing face of journalism. Then pick two or three pieces that you find interesting and write your own blog post on "The Future of News." In your blog post, discuss some of the ideas and innovations you've read about and what promise you think they may hold for the future of journalism. Also, do they give you any new ideas about your own career options?
Would you recommend that college students/recent grads become a freelancer — either as a way to get experience before becoming an employee, or to make a career of it?
1. Yes: 71 (provides experience/clips; gets your foot in door; proves yourself valuable to decision-makers for hiring)
2. Hedged response: 11 (difficult to make a living; not as a career; only as last resort)
3. No: 4 (difficult to make a living; cannot hire experienced writers in entry-level positions)
At a minimum, new hires need to know how things like blogs, rss feeds, twitter and google alerts work just to leverage them in reporting and to monitor the beat online. But you also have to be confident and competent enough to grab a camera and a laptop and run to the scene of a fire when you’re the only one around. Oh, and while you still need to be able to craft that compelling narrative for tomorrow’s front stoop, you also need to write cleanly and quickly on deadline for the Web.
I don’t use my Web skills in my day job every day. But I do use them. And when there’s a new idea I suggest or they want to try, because I have those skills and exploit them more than any other reporter here, I’m the go-to person on experimenting with the cool new things we’re doing. I can’t complain about that.
http://recoveringjournalist.typepad.com/recovering_journalist/2009/02/whos-doing-.html
I'm going to skim over a few things, like Twitter, that have quickly become mainstream, and try to concentrate on products and projects that are breaking new ground–and hopefully can become examples for others to replicate. Some are fairly well-known; others have been too obscure, in my view. But all of them should be more widely adopted. Just about every news site should be doing versions of every one of these, and more.
“Concentrate on projects and products that are breaking new ground.”
Tribune Co. has taken a lot of heat for some of its management's wacky ideas, but a couple of the Chicago Tribune's ongoing projects are real pathbreakers. TribLocal is probably the strongest effort yet at creating a hyperlocal site that combines professional and user-generated content; as a co-founder of Backfence and close follower of all things hyperlocal, I've watched TribLocal closely and with much admiration. It's expanded to more than 40 Chicago suburbs and seems to be getting traction with readers and advertisers. Tribune's other interesting endeavor is Colonel Tribune, maybe the single must unusual thing being done online by any major newspaper. Col. Tribune is a fictional character created by the Tribune as a sort of host of and guide to the newspaper site and, more significantly, a participant in social networks like Facebook and Twitter (where the colonel has 5,400 followers). If nothing else, the colonel gives a somewhat drab news site a touch of personality.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Revised - News Story #5: Runaway Truck
People were injured in a freak accident when a runaway big-rig in an El Cerrito residential area destroyed cars, a house, left drivers trapped in their vehicles, and knocked power out for three cities.
On Moeser Lane, around 1:30 p.m., the 10-wheeler hauler snapped a power pole and badly damaged five vehicles before overturning and smashing into a house. This caused the power to go out in areas of El Cerrito, Richmond, and Berkeley.
A freak accident occurred on Moeser Lane in El Cerrito, around 1:30 p.m., when a runaway an asphalt truck in a residential area destroyed cars, a house, left drivers trapped in their vehicles, and knocked power out for three cities.
The 10-wheeler hauler snapped a power pole and badly damaged five vehicles before overturning and smashing into a house. This caused the power to go out in areas of El Cerrito, Richmond, and Berkeley.
El Cerrito police detective, Sgt. Shawn Maples heard cries coming from under the debris of the house and the truck. He and two of his colleagues found the driver lodged between two tires. Maples said, "We dragged him out in a heartbeat while the truck went up in flames. I just wanted to get him out of there."
Ruben Sharma, who lives across the street from the damaged house said, “First, I thought it was a major earthquake.” His front yard was littered with bricks, broken glass, car parts, and pieces of trees.
A man and a boy ended up stuck in their SUV in some shrubbery. Rescue workers had to slice open a Honda sedan, hit by the truck was so crumpled that the driver was trapped inside.
The driver, a San Jose man whose name was not released, broke both of his legs. He is listed in serious, but stable, condition at John Muir Medical Center.
On Moeser Lane, around 1:30 p.m., the 10-wheeler hauler snapped a power pole and badly damaged five vehicles before overturning and smashing into a house. This caused the power to go out in areas of El Cerrito, Richmond, and Berkeley.
A freak accident occurred on Moeser Lane in El Cerrito, around 1:30 p.m., when a runaway an asphalt truck in a residential area destroyed cars, a house, left drivers trapped in their vehicles, and knocked power out for three cities.
The 10-wheeler hauler snapped a power pole and badly damaged five vehicles before overturning and smashing into a house. This caused the power to go out in areas of El Cerrito, Richmond, and Berkeley.
El Cerrito police detective, Sgt. Shawn Maples heard cries coming from under the debris of the house and the truck. He and two of his colleagues found the driver lodged between two tires. Maples said, "We dragged him out in a heartbeat while the truck went up in flames. I just wanted to get him out of there."
Ruben Sharma, who lives across the street from the damaged house said, “First, I thought it was a major earthquake.” His front yard was littered with bricks, broken glass, car parts, and pieces of trees.
A man and a boy ended up stuck in their SUV in some shrubbery. Rescue workers had to slice open a Honda sedan, hit by the truck was so crumpled that the driver was trapped inside.
The driver, a San Jose man whose name was not released, broke both of his legs. He is listed in serious, but stable, condition at John Muir Medical Center.
Top News 5: AIDS blood sent to President Obama
Man charged with mailing HIV-tainted blood to President Obama
This is good news because out of the forty to fifty articles I scanned, this is the only one that intrigued me enough to spend more than 10 seconds on reading it. I found it on the Chicago Tribune website via Google news.
This is an important story because it discusses a possible assassination attempt on out President. In all honesty, I was expecting President Obama to be assassinated shortly after winning the Presidency. I just thought to myself, even thought America has grown so much in integrating races and cultures there are still a lot of people who don’t agree with civil rights and human equality; is it really that hard to assassinate someone who is constantly in the public eye?
This story is newsworthy because not only is it about the most prominent figure in the world, the President of the United States, but it is about a potential attempt to kill him. It just happened in December, but the press just caught wind of it this week, so the timeliness applies. This story is also slightly bizarre. We’ve had snipers, anthrax envelopes, and hijacked planes to harm and terrorize America. It is new for someone to mail their AIDS infected blood to the president; important, recent, weird.
This is good news because out of the forty to fifty articles I scanned, this is the only one that intrigued me enough to spend more than 10 seconds on reading it. I found it on the Chicago Tribune website via Google news.
This is an important story because it discusses a possible assassination attempt on out President. In all honesty, I was expecting President Obama to be assassinated shortly after winning the Presidency. I just thought to myself, even thought America has grown so much in integrating races and cultures there are still a lot of people who don’t agree with civil rights and human equality; is it really that hard to assassinate someone who is constantly in the public eye?
This story is newsworthy because not only is it about the most prominent figure in the world, the President of the United States, but it is about a potential attempt to kill him. It just happened in December, but the press just caught wind of it this week, so the timeliness applies. This story is also slightly bizarre. We’ve had snipers, anthrax envelopes, and hijacked planes to harm and terrorize America. It is new for someone to mail their AIDS infected blood to the president; important, recent, weird.
Revised - AP Stylebook exercise M-R
Justin Riray
2/28/09
JOUR 61A – AP Style Exercise (M-R)
(20 points)
1) He hopes to make a billion dollars by the time he’s 40 years old. Already, he figures his net worth is between $2 million and $3 million, depending on current stock prices. (3)
2) Lt. Cmdr. John Carpenter was a midshipman at the U.S. Naval Academy and served in the 7th Fleet. (4 pts. - this one's tricky, so give it some thought)
3) Twenty-one winners were named two days after the third annual Procrastination Awards ceremony. (3)
4) It was a one-sided game, and he was a poor loser. After losing the playoff when his ball went out of bounds, he made an off-color remark that could be heard in the stands. (4)
5) Hundreds of people attended Sunday’s race to watch 75 top bicyclists pedal across the finish line. (3)
6) Every winter, the Joneses and the Kinneys pore over travel brochures, planning their summer trip together. This year they’re hoping to go to Panama City, Fla. (3)
2/28/09
JOUR 61A – AP Style Exercise (M-R)
(20 points)
1) He hopes to make a billion dollars by the time he’s 40 years old. Already, he figures his net worth is between $2 million and $3 million, depending on current stock prices. (3)
2) Lt. Cmdr. John Carpenter was a midshipman at the U.S. Naval Academy and served in the 7th Fleet. (4 pts. - this one's tricky, so give it some thought)
3) Twenty-one winners were named two days after the third annual Procrastination Awards ceremony. (3)
4) It was a one-sided game, and he was a poor loser. After losing the playoff when his ball went out of bounds, he made an off-color remark that could be heard in the stands. (4)
5) Hundreds of people attended Sunday’s race to watch 75 top bicyclists pedal across the finish line. (3)
6) Every winter, the Joneses and the Kinneys pore over travel brochures, planning their summer trip together. This year they’re hoping to go to Panama City, Fla. (3)
Thursday, February 19, 2009
AP Stylebook Exercise I-L
1) The last time she played soccer, she received a serious injury to her knee. Sometimes, it’s hard to understand why she wants to keep playing.
2) He was indicted for an assault charge, but his lawyer said the case against him is circumstantial and she is sure the inquiry will exonerate him.
3) He knows it isn’t kosher, but green Jell-O is his favorite dessert. This admission has prompted his friends to question both his taste and his judgment.
4) Now that he has DSL, he finds it much easier to go online to check his e-mail and download files.
2) He was indicted for an assault charge, but his lawyer said the case against him is circumstantial and she is sure the inquiry will exonerate him.
3) He knows it isn’t kosher, but green Jell-O is his favorite dessert. This admission has prompted his friends to question both his taste and his judgment.
4) Now that he has DSL, he finds it much easier to go online to check his e-mail and download files.
Revised - Two Feature Leads: An Alarming Event
TULSA, Okla.- Here's a formula they don't teach you in chemistry class: a 95-year-old’s birthday + 95 candles on birthday cake = firefighters to the rescue.
That's what happened when a women's group at the First United Methodist Church decided to throw a birthday party for 95-year-old Mabel McCullough. Of course, there were 95 candles on her cake.
“There wasn’t an inch to spare. By the time we had them all lit, it looked like a torch.” explained guest, Eddi Carlin. With some help from her friends, McCullough blew them all out.
The result: a big cloud of smoke set off a smoke alarm that quickly brought five fire engines, two ladder trucks and 25 firemen to the church.
Fire Chief Lonnie Lamb exclaimed, “In my 23 years on the job, I’ve seen a lot of things set off a fire alarm, but I don’t think I’ve ever heard of one going off because of a birthday cake.” The firefighters did not stick around to have some cake, but they did have their pictures taken with the 95-year-old celebrant.
That's what happened when a women's group at the First United Methodist Church decided to throw a birthday party for 95-year-old Mabel McCullough. Of course, there were 95 candles on her cake.
“There wasn’t an inch to spare. By the time we had them all lit, it looked like a torch.” explained guest, Eddi Carlin. With some help from her friends, McCullough blew them all out.
The result: a big cloud of smoke set off a smoke alarm that quickly brought five fire engines, two ladder trucks and 25 firemen to the church.
Fire Chief Lonnie Lamb exclaimed, “In my 23 years on the job, I’ve seen a lot of things set off a fire alarm, but I don’t think I’ve ever heard of one going off because of a birthday cake.” The firefighters did not stick around to have some cake, but they did have their pictures taken with the 95-year-old celebrant.
Revised - News Story #4: Just Married, Nearly Carjacked
Just Married, Nearly Carjacked
Hours after their wedding, a couple was almost carjacked outside a Taco Bell on East Fourth Street in San Mateo, late last night. The suspect was high on methamphetamines for three days straight, say police.
San Mateo County spokesperson, Sheryl Wolcott explained that the couple stopped for a late-night snack still sporting a tuxedo and wedding dress during the incident. Shortly after the groom got out of the car, Alan Ticas-Soto jumped into the driver's seat, but had trouble getting the car into reverse. The 22-year-old bride began to scream and opened the passenger door and stumbled out of the car just in time, shaken but uninjured.
Alan Ticas-Soto clumsily crashed the couple’s car into the Taco Bell sign then ran off after jumping into the driver’s seat immediately after the groom got out of the idly-running car.
Police caught the suspect shortly after he ran from the scene on South Delaware Street and Ninth Avenue. Ticas-Soto is facing felony carjacking and misdemeanor drug charges.
Hours after their wedding, a couple was almost carjacked outside a Taco Bell on East Fourth Street in San Mateo, late last night. The suspect was high on methamphetamines for three days straight, say police.
San Mateo County spokesperson, Sheryl Wolcott explained that the couple stopped for a late-night snack still sporting a tuxedo and wedding dress during the incident. Shortly after the groom got out of the car, Alan Ticas-Soto jumped into the driver's seat, but had trouble getting the car into reverse. The 22-year-old bride began to scream and opened the passenger door and stumbled out of the car just in time, shaken but uninjured.
Alan Ticas-Soto clumsily crashed the couple’s car into the Taco Bell sign then ran off after jumping into the driver’s seat immediately after the groom got out of the idly-running car.
Police caught the suspect shortly after he ran from the scene on South Delaware Street and Ninth Avenue. Ticas-Soto is facing felony carjacking and misdemeanor drug charges.
Revised - News Story #3: San Francisco neighborhood Upset
Gas Pipe Rupture Disturbs Hundreds of San Francisco Residents
A ruptured gas pipe disrupted the day for hundreds of people near Folsom and 11th. From about noon to 5 p.m., yesterday, over 100 people were forced to leave the area south of Market, including residents, business owners and their customers.
A PG&E employee said a private construction crew was trying to repair sewer lines when they severed a two-inch, high-pressure, underground gas pipe in the process. The mishap also forced traffic to a halt on the heavily traveled roads.
Crocker’s Lockers manager, Carlann Lauria grumbled, “Ask my customers. They were pretty irate.” The employees had to go outside police perimeter to collect payment checks from customers.
Wa-Ha-Ka restaurant manager, Samantha Feldman stated that her employees and patrons were forced to leave resulting in a loss of about $500 worth of business due to the abrupt shutdown.
A ruptured gas pipe disrupted the day for hundreds of people near Folsom and 11th. From about noon to 5 p.m., yesterday, over 100 people were forced to leave the area south of Market, including residents, business owners and their customers.
A PG&E employee said a private construction crew was trying to repair sewer lines when they severed a two-inch, high-pressure, underground gas pipe in the process. The mishap also forced traffic to a halt on the heavily traveled roads.
Crocker’s Lockers manager, Carlann Lauria grumbled, “Ask my customers. They were pretty irate.” The employees had to go outside police perimeter to collect payment checks from customers.
Wa-Ha-Ka restaurant manager, Samantha Feldman stated that her employees and patrons were forced to leave resulting in a loss of about $500 worth of business due to the abrupt shutdown.
Top News 4: Our Pictures Belong to Facebook.com
Facebook backs down
I heard about the new facebook.com policy: all pictures uploaded by facebook.com users are owned by Facebook. As expected, this generated a huge outrage by thousands of account owners. There is a Facebook group against the new policy that is 35,000 strong and growing. This week, Facebook took back the policy for the time being, allowing for a trial-like period to discuss the new rule.
Facebook, aside from Myspace is the most popular social networking website in the United States, so it should be ruled democratically. This story has several newsworthy aspects to it. The impact on American internet users is huge; to have their pictures become the property of a extremely large and global website is stripping them of their privacy. One of the reasons Facebook is more prolific than Myspace is because of its more private security options. By Facebook declaring that all uploaded pictures belong to them, their reputation does a 180.
This has been going on for less than a couple weeks, so the timeliness and currency are still applicable, especially because there is still a good possibility that they will return the policy. Facebook is very prominent, being a household name for kids, teens, and even adults. Lastly, this has become somewhat of a social, daresay a political, conflict between Facebook and its users. I’m surprised I have not seen any of this on a front page.
I heard about the new facebook.com policy: all pictures uploaded by facebook.com users are owned by Facebook. As expected, this generated a huge outrage by thousands of account owners. There is a Facebook group against the new policy that is 35,000 strong and growing. This week, Facebook took back the policy for the time being, allowing for a trial-like period to discuss the new rule.
Facebook, aside from Myspace is the most popular social networking website in the United States, so it should be ruled democratically. This story has several newsworthy aspects to it. The impact on American internet users is huge; to have their pictures become the property of a extremely large and global website is stripping them of their privacy. One of the reasons Facebook is more prolific than Myspace is because of its more private security options. By Facebook declaring that all uploaded pictures belong to them, their reputation does a 180.
This has been going on for less than a couple weeks, so the timeliness and currency are still applicable, especially because there is still a good possibility that they will return the policy. Facebook is very prominent, being a household name for kids, teens, and even adults. Lastly, this has become somewhat of a social, daresay a political, conflict between Facebook and its users. I’m surprised I have not seen any of this on a front page.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Revised - News story #2: Robbed at Gunpoint
A Chinese tourist couple was robbed at gunpoint in the Saint Mary’s Cathedral parking lot in San Francisco. Sgt. Lawrence Price of the SFPD explained the incident.
WeiMing Chen, 28, and his wife Li Lu, 30, left their tour group around 10 a.m. to take photos from the cathedral’s lower parking lot. Then, a man approached them, waving a pistol and demanding money. Chen handed over about $100, but the thief wanted more. Chen, then, gave his Visa card, their passports, camera, and airline tickets. Finally, the suspect ran off.
Police are currently on the look out for the perpetrator. The victims later said he was wearing a black jacket and cap. Chen described their robber as looking about 18 years old.
It is unclear if Chen and Lu made their 1 p.m. flight back to Taipei. The entire tour group, about 30 employees of a Taiwan airline, were scheduled to depart on that flight.
Sgt. Lawrence Price of the SFPD identified the victims; WeiMing Chen, 28, and his wife Li Lu, 30.
WeiMing Chen, 28, and his wife Li Lu, 30, left their tour group around 10 a.m. to take photos from the cathedral’s lower parking lot. Then, a man approached them, waving a pistol and demanding money. Chen handed over about $100, but the thief wanted more. Chen, then, gave his Visa card, their passports, camera, and airline tickets. Finally, the suspect ran off.
Police are currently on the look out for the perpetrator. The victims later said he was wearing a black jacket and cap. Chen described their robber as looking about 18 years old.
It is unclear if Chen and Lu made their 1 p.m. flight back to Taipei. The entire tour group, about 30 employees of a Taiwan airline, were scheduled to depart on that flight.
Sgt. Lawrence Price of the SFPD identified the victims; WeiMing Chen, 28, and his wife Li Lu, 30.
Revised - News Story #1: Undetected Smoke
A retired man was very badly burned, yesterday, from a fire in his house that did not have a smoke detector. Robert Kent was rescued from his burning San Jose home.
Kent had second and third-degree burns on half of his body after being found unconscious on the kitchen floor, surrounded by flames. In his single-story home on Annapolis Way the fire began in the kitchen and spread to the attic. The fire was reported around 3 p.m.
Firefighters rescued Kent from his smoke-filled house. There was no smoke detection system in the building. He is currently in grave condition at Valley Medical Center.
Kent had second and third-degree burns on half of his body after being found unconscious on the kitchen floor, surrounded by flames. In his single-story home on Annapolis Way the fire began in the kitchen and spread to the attic. The fire was reported around 3 p.m.
Firefighters rescued Kent from his smoke-filled house. There was no smoke detection system in the building. He is currently in grave condition at Valley Medical Center.
Copy Edit the World #1: McCune
News Story 2 assignment
1st paragraph: "...working on a sotry..."
It should be: "story"
2nd paragraph: "...a couple of tourist..."
It should say: "a couple of tourists"
Top News assignment from Prof. McCune
4th Paragraph: "You ask to Sheryl Wolcott..."
It should say: "You ask Sheryl Wolcott"
Two Feature Leads - McCune
2nd to last paragraph: “‘In my 23 years on the job, I’ve seen a lot of thing set off a fire alarm…’”
It should be: “I’ve seen a lot of things set off a fire alarm”
Even though this isn't, really, published work, may it count for points?
My first one is of Mrs. McCune's assignment jour61 website.
It reads "the boywas found," but should say "the boy was found."
And the second one is a picture of a menu in an Asian boba cafe called "Quickly" that reads "We made fresh Who care? We do!"
It should say "We make fresh! Who cares? We do!"
1st paragraph: "...working on a sotry..."
It should be: "story"
2nd paragraph: "...a couple of tourist..."
It should say: "a couple of tourists"
Top News assignment from Prof. McCune
4th Paragraph: "You ask to Sheryl Wolcott..."
It should say: "You ask Sheryl Wolcott"
Two Feature Leads - McCune
2nd to last paragraph: “‘In my 23 years on the job, I’ve seen a lot of thing set off a fire alarm…’”
It should be: “I’ve seen a lot of things set off a fire alarm”
Even though this isn't, really, published work, may it count for points?
My first one is of Mrs. McCune's assignment jour61 website.
It reads "the boywas found," but should say "the boy was found."
And the second one is a picture of a menu in an Asian boba cafe called "Quickly" that reads "We made fresh Who care? We do!"
It should say "We make fresh! Who cares? We do!"
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Top News 3: Chris Brown beats Rihanna
Chris Brown’s Violence
Rihanna is Fine
I know this is celebrity news, but it is HUGE! Chris Brown has, for sure, beat up his girlfriend, Rihanna. All the other details about why and how probably won’t be cleared up until they issue a public statement; but even that will, most likely, be a twisted truth or a complete lie.
This is much more important than your normal celebrity scandal. Brown is only 19-years-old and Rihanna is just a year older. They are the two most angelic and successful role models and heartthrobs for America’s teens. Domestic violence happens everywhere, and it happens a lot. Now, it has been illustrated by America’s most venerated young celebrity couple.
What makes this news is mostly the prominence of the two star’s names and the conflict between the two. Timeliness is also a good factor in this story’s newsworthiness. This is not literally bizarre, but is was such a shock to have two kids with pristine reputations at the top of their careers fall so far.
Rihanna is Fine
I know this is celebrity news, but it is HUGE! Chris Brown has, for sure, beat up his girlfriend, Rihanna. All the other details about why and how probably won’t be cleared up until they issue a public statement; but even that will, most likely, be a twisted truth or a complete lie.
This is much more important than your normal celebrity scandal. Brown is only 19-years-old and Rihanna is just a year older. They are the two most angelic and successful role models and heartthrobs for America’s teens. Domestic violence happens everywhere, and it happens a lot. Now, it has been illustrated by America’s most venerated young celebrity couple.
What makes this news is mostly the prominence of the two star’s names and the conflict between the two. Timeliness is also a good factor in this story’s newsworthiness. This is not literally bizarre, but is was such a shock to have two kids with pristine reputations at the top of their careers fall so far.
Revised - AP Stylebook Exercise E-H
1. His new book on elections and the Electoral College is titled, “Does your Vote Count?”
2. Brianna looked so sad that he wanted to envelop her in his arms and give her a big hug; but he was afraid the attention might faze her.
3. They were so impressed by her flair for decorating that they offered wonderful praise and agreed to distribute her promotional flier.
4. He suspected his neighbor was selling drugs, so he called the FBI. His neighbor, however, cried foul at the accusation.
5. The boys’ stories didn’t jibe, so their father threw down the gauntlet and demanded the truth.
6. My great-grandfather is a real gourmet, so I always let him pick the wine whenever we have dinner.
2. Brianna looked so sad that he wanted to envelop her in his arms and give her a big hug; but he was afraid the attention might faze her.
3. They were so impressed by her flair for decorating that they offered wonderful praise and agreed to distribute her promotional flier.
4. He suspected his neighbor was selling drugs, so he called the FBI. His neighbor, however, cried foul at the accusation.
5. The boys’ stories didn’t jibe, so their father threw down the gauntlet and demanded the truth.
6. My great-grandfather is a real gourmet, so I always let him pick the wine whenever we have dinner.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Revised - AP Style Exercise A-D
1. Mayor Richard Wrigley expressed confidence that the gubernatorial debate, which begins at 7:30 p.m., will have a positive effect on his candidacy. He stated, “Governor Red Davidson is a master of dirty politics, but I won’t take any of his baloney.”
2. For her birthday, the 9-year-old girl invited five good friends over for ice cream and cake. The chocolate cake was so good that any one of the children could have eaten it all, yet they carefully divided it among themselves.
3. Convinced of the bill’s importance, members of the Democratic and Republican Parties came together on Capitol Hill to support anti-terrorism legislation, despite their differences on other issues.
4. ROME – All around the world today, Roman Catholics listened as the pope delivered his homily.
2. For her birthday, the 9-year-old girl invited five good friends over for ice cream and cake. The chocolate cake was so good that any one of the children could have eaten it all, yet they carefully divided it among themselves.
3. Convinced of the bill’s importance, members of the Democratic and Republican Parties came together on Capitol Hill to support anti-terrorism legislation, despite their differences on other issues.
4. ROME – All around the world today, Roman Catholics listened as the pope delivered his homily.
Top News Story 2: 19-year old Boy Runs Neighbor Over
San Jose Woman run over by a neighbor called a community hero
I found this tragic event posted on the Mercury news online site. First of all, the title of the article is very misleading. As I read the story I realized that the victim of the incident was called a community hero, but the title makes it sound like the person that ran her over is the hero. So, of course I was very interested to read about this so called hero’s violent act. Most people would be quite intrigued by the downfall of a good person; they would read this story.
The story happens to be a bad ending to a very common situation. I’m sure most of us know a reckless teenager that illegally drives because parents don’t keep a close enough eye on the teen. With this specific teen, he ran over and killed his neighbor; horrifically ending her life and causing pain to his and her family.
Besides the obvious misinterpretation , this story is newsworthy because of the impact is has on the community. A good woman had been struck and killed by her 19-year old neighbor who did not even have a driver’s license. This is also bizarre that an illegal driver committed the crime. This happened less than a month ago, so the timeliness is still good.
I found this tragic event posted on the Mercury news online site. First of all, the title of the article is very misleading. As I read the story I realized that the victim of the incident was called a community hero, but the title makes it sound like the person that ran her over is the hero. So, of course I was very interested to read about this so called hero’s violent act. Most people would be quite intrigued by the downfall of a good person; they would read this story.
The story happens to be a bad ending to a very common situation. I’m sure most of us know a reckless teenager that illegally drives because parents don’t keep a close enough eye on the teen. With this specific teen, he ran over and killed his neighbor; horrifically ending her life and causing pain to his and her family.
Besides the obvious misinterpretation , this story is newsworthy because of the impact is has on the community. A good woman had been struck and killed by her 19-year old neighbor who did not even have a driver’s license. This is also bizarre that an illegal driver committed the crime. This happened less than a month ago, so the timeliness is still good.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Revised - Leads 5
Fact Set #1: Pipe Fitter
Immediate Identification:
Duane La Chance, 55, a pipe fitter at the Springfield Municipal Power Plant, accidentally touched a power line carrying 15,000 volts with a piece of iron that put him in serious condition with third-degree burns.
Delayed Identification:
A pipe fitter employee from the Springfield Municipal Power Plant is in critical condition at the Springfield Hospital after suffering third-degree burns from being electrocuted by a 15,000 volt power line with a piece of angle iron.
Fact Set #2: Car Accident
Immediate identification:
Wayne Clay, 19, drove his car across the center line going north on U.S. 63 near Blue Ridge Road and collided with a Ford Focus driven by 20-year old James W. Cunning.
Delayed identification:
A teen driver crosses the center line of U.S. 63 and struck the vehicle of a 20-year old male’s car at 11:45am today. The victim is currently at Springfield Hospital.
Immediate Identification:
Duane La Chance, 55, a pipe fitter at the Springfield Municipal Power Plant, accidentally touched a power line carrying 15,000 volts with a piece of iron that put him in serious condition with third-degree burns.
Delayed Identification:
A pipe fitter employee from the Springfield Municipal Power Plant is in critical condition at the Springfield Hospital after suffering third-degree burns from being electrocuted by a 15,000 volt power line with a piece of angle iron.
Fact Set #2: Car Accident
Immediate identification:
Wayne Clay, 19, drove his car across the center line going north on U.S. 63 near Blue Ridge Road and collided with a Ford Focus driven by 20-year old James W. Cunning.
Delayed identification:
A teen driver crosses the center line of U.S. 63 and struck the vehicle of a 20-year old male’s car at 11:45am today. The victim is currently at Springfield Hospital.
Revised - Leads 4
4a.
A landing tower employee claimed he spotted smoke near the wheels of the Northwest Airlines passenger jet, Flight 428. The 40 passengers were evacuated after the sign of possible danger.
The plane landed at the LaCrosse Municipal Airport in Wisconsin, today, following a flight from Minneapolis.
4b.
A 7-year old boy who has been missing for three years was found thanks to a tip from a neighbor from Brick Township, NJ, who had seen the boy’s picture in a movie.
On Thursday night, a local pedestrian saw the movie, Adam: The Song Continues, and recognized the boy in a picture and called the police. This tip led to the recovery of the boy and the arrest of his mother, Ellen Lynn Conner, 27, who is facing charges of kidnapping and interference with a custody warrant.
A landing tower employee claimed he spotted smoke near the wheels of the Northwest Airlines passenger jet, Flight 428. The 40 passengers were evacuated after the sign of possible danger.
The plane landed at the LaCrosse Municipal Airport in Wisconsin, today, following a flight from Minneapolis.
4b.
A 7-year old boy who has been missing for three years was found thanks to a tip from a neighbor from Brick Township, NJ, who had seen the boy’s picture in a movie.
On Thursday night, a local pedestrian saw the movie, Adam: The Song Continues, and recognized the boy in a picture and called the police. This tip led to the recovery of the boy and the arrest of his mother, Ellen Lynn Conner, 27, who is facing charges of kidnapping and interference with a custody warrant.
Revised - Leads 3
Four trains collided at 1:30 p.m. yesterday. Larry Chase, Amtrak spokesman, said that Amtrak and Conrail’s trains were headed northbound when the Conrails ran a stop sign leading to a collision between the trains.
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