So, we went on this fieldtrip. It was really 'fieldy'...but that's not really a word. Basically we got out of the classroom, which is always awesome.
And this is what happened.
Elena...yay.
Ahhh..go team.
Tigertown Pride?
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Click.
Pictures. Everyone loves a nice picture, right? Or at least I hope you do.
So, we went on this fieldtrip. It was really 'fieldy'...but that's not really a word. Basically we got out of the classroom, which is always awesome.
And this is what happened.
Elena...yay.
Ahhh..go team.
Tigertown Pride?
So, we went on this fieldtrip. It was really 'fieldy'...but that's not really a word. Basically we got out of the classroom, which is always awesome.
And this is what happened.
Elena...yay.
Ahhh..go team.
Tigertown Pride?
Sunday, March 15, 2009
I'm so much more interesting on my other blog.
I mean yea it's shameless promo, but whatever. You like it.
(RE)Volution Stret
I better see you there. And comment.
(RE)Volution Stret
I better see you there. And comment.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Tips...not tricks
When Writing a Lede
Use thirty words or less
SVO/Active Voice. Never Passive Voice
Always get right to the point
Remember the 5 W's: Who, What, Where, When, Why.
And the lone H: How
When Creating a News Story
Explain all facts relelvant for story
Use 5 W's and H.
Inverted pyramid. Most important info at the beginning. Less important at the end.
Check all quotes and sources
Paragraphs should be no more than 3 sentences each. Short and to the point.
When Covering an Event
Be prepared
Have interview questions ready
research event and people involved beforehand
ask questions during event
write everything that occurs down
double check all information and sources
Use thirty words or less
SVO/Active Voice. Never Passive Voice
Always get right to the point
Remember the 5 W's: Who, What, Where, When, Why.
And the lone H: How
When Creating a News Story
Explain all facts relelvant for story
Use 5 W's and H.
Inverted pyramid. Most important info at the beginning. Less important at the end.
Check all quotes and sources
Paragraphs should be no more than 3 sentences each. Short and to the point.
When Covering an Event
Be prepared
Have interview questions ready
research event and people involved beforehand
ask questions during event
write everything that occurs down
double check all information and sources
Monday, March 2, 2009
Ben Franklin....100 ya Dig?
A girl almost drowned yesterday after being trapped in a washing machine while playing with her sister at a local laundromat, said Rockland Police Chief.
3-year old Jennifer Childs climbed into a washing machine before her sister Elizabeth, 7, closed the door, without knowing a customer had placed money in the machine.
The machine quickly filled with water, while Elizabeth sought help. Her aunt Janice Childs could not open the door due to the automatic locks. Bystander Paul Hecker, freed Jennifer by smashing the glass with his hammer.
Childs was listed as in good condition by a Rockland Hospital spokesperson.
3-year old Jennifer Childs climbed into a washing machine before her sister Elizabeth, 7, closed the door, without knowing a customer had placed money in the machine.
The machine quickly filled with water, while Elizabeth sought help. Her aunt Janice Childs could not open the door due to the automatic locks. Bystander Paul Hecker, freed Jennifer by smashing the glass with his hammer.
Childs was listed as in good condition by a Rockland Hospital spokesperson.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
The Lede Story Part 2
4) The U.S Department of Justice reports that identity theft is the crime of the 21st Century with the Towson theft rate 77 victims per 100,000 people.
5)The Maryland commission on crime and delinquency has named Towson as a leader in helping at-risk youth with its Community Helping Hands Program.
5)The Maryland commission on crime and delinquency has named Towson as a leader in helping at-risk youth with its Community Helping Hands Program.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Lede Story
1) Mayor Datolli's Husband Injured in Multiple Car Accident Thursday Afternoon
2) City Council members seek to establish board for overseeing changes in the downtown historical buildings
3) The Head of the Energy Department reports the Senate has approved a plan to store 77,000 tons nuclear waste material in Las Vegas
2) City Council members seek to establish board for overseeing changes in the downtown historical buildings
3) The Head of the Energy Department reports the Senate has approved a plan to store 77,000 tons nuclear waste material in Las Vegas
Monday, February 9, 2009
English 101
1. Punctuation- Very few people know how to properly punctuate. Many use the 'feel good' method. Do not punctuate excessively, as the story may become less clear
Example: The tall, dark, handsome man hailed, lauded, and applauded Ben, George, Maude and Rebecca.
2. Subject and Verb Agreement- Subject must ALWAYS agree with verb, regardless of the subject being singular or plural. Many writers get confused use wrong verb types for the subject.
Example: Anyone is capable of helping the homeless; Everyone is fond of Jerry.
3. Correct Usage of Pronouns- Words such as "he", "she", "they", "I" that stand for proper nouns. The pronouns should always be in agreement with the antecedents.
Example: Baltimore became a model city after it (Baltimore) successfully restored the waterfront.
4. Sentence Structure- Besides fragments and run-on sentences, the two categories that cause most adults problems with sentence structures are faulty parallelism and modifier placement.
Example: A successful host always is sure
- To send invitations early
- To greet guests personally, and
- To supply abundant food and drink. (infinitives are parallel)
5. Word Usage- Using words correctly that are similar but not identical. Good word usage can prevent misunderstandings by the reader.
Example: The effect by the fire was devastating
Fast food affects our bodies negatively.
Example: The tall, dark, handsome man hailed, lauded, and applauded Ben, George, Maude and Rebecca.
2. Subject and Verb Agreement- Subject must ALWAYS agree with verb, regardless of the subject being singular or plural. Many writers get confused use wrong verb types for the subject.
Example: Anyone is capable of helping the homeless; Everyone is fond of Jerry.
3. Correct Usage of Pronouns- Words such as "he", "she", "they", "I" that stand for proper nouns. The pronouns should always be in agreement with the antecedents.
Example: Baltimore became a model city after it (Baltimore) successfully restored the waterfront.
4. Sentence Structure- Besides fragments and run-on sentences, the two categories that cause most adults problems with sentence structures are faulty parallelism and modifier placement.
Example: A successful host always is sure
- To send invitations early
- To greet guests personally, and
- To supply abundant food and drink. (infinitives are parallel)
5. Word Usage- Using words correctly that are similar but not identical. Good word usage can prevent misunderstandings by the reader.
Example: The effect by the fire was devastating
Fast food affects our bodies negatively.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Summary Lede
A summary lead is a quick synopsis of a news story in two or three sentences. A summary lead is supposed to be as specific as possible, avoid backing in, be concise, and to use the active voice. It should immediately grab the reader's attention.
From Baltimore Times
"Clay Aiken spotted in Baltimore
The former 'Idol' contestant watched the Super Bowl at Regi's American Bistro "
I like this lead because it quickly establishes who the story is about, what they were doing and where they were. It has enough information to teach the reader and to make them want to read more.
"Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has surgery for pancreatic cancer"
It's a very short summary lead, but it specifically let's the reader know what the story is about, and who is involved. In this case, reading the article is not as necessary because the lead is very straightforward
"Iraqi prime minister's party big winner in provincial elections"
As a major news headline, it's not always easy to put all the pertinent information in a short lead, but this headline clearly talks about the Iraqi elections, the outcome, and gives the reader enough background info to be able to read it later on without confusion.
From Baltimore Times
"Clay Aiken spotted in Baltimore
The former 'Idol' contestant watched the Super Bowl at Regi's American Bistro "
I like this lead because it quickly establishes who the story is about, what they were doing and where they were. It has enough information to teach the reader and to make them want to read more.
"Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has surgery for pancreatic cancer"
It's a very short summary lead, but it specifically let's the reader know what the story is about, and who is involved. In this case, reading the article is not as necessary because the lead is very straightforward
"Iraqi prime minister's party big winner in provincial elections"
As a major news headline, it's not always easy to put all the pertinent information in a short lead, but this headline clearly talks about the Iraqi elections, the outcome, and gives the reader enough background info to be able to read it later on without confusion.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Chp 14 Discussion Questions
1. Objectivity- Objectivity is the idea that journalists rely on/only publish facts that are observable while not putting their own opinions into the story. Objectivity can be acquired by having a proper balance of both sides of a story in addition to providing a proper backstory. It can also be gained by not promoting the views of one entity at the loss of an opposing view. It can also be implemented by requiring journalists to double check the accuracy of their sources
2. Thoroughness- Thoroughness is the idea that journalists will fully investigate all aspects of a story, including cross checking facts, sources, and providing the most helpful information. It can be gained by giving the reader as much background information on the story as possible. Having journalists take the extra time to re-check all of the notes they have taken on a story can ensure thoroughness. Finally, a detailed observation of the subject of a story will help ensure thoroughness
3. Accuracy- Accuracy is the idea that all facts and sources connected with a story have been checked multiple times for reliability and truth. Accuracy can be ensured by proofreading articles before publication. It can also be ensured by proper testing and checking of all sources used. Websites that are used to track an article's truth are ways to ensure the article is accurate
4. Fairness- Fairness is the idea that all sides of a story have been represented without bias,and represented fairly. Fairness can be achieved by carefully studying leads/tips to ensure they lead to a real story. It can also be made by explicitly acknowledging both sides of a story, despite the view of the article. Fairness can be gotten by giving all sides of an issue relatively equal amounts of exposure in the article.
5. Transparency- Transparency is the idea that journalists gain public trust by being honest about their stories,their biases, and even the mistakes they've made in a story. Transparency can be gotten by providing links to a story for confirmation, having a writer acknowledge their sources, problems, and reasons for writing an story present in the article. A final way transparency can be achieved is by having journalists openly admit their mistakes to the public instead of sweeping it under the rug and having it come out later in a nasty light.
2. Thoroughness- Thoroughness is the idea that journalists will fully investigate all aspects of a story, including cross checking facts, sources, and providing the most helpful information. It can be gained by giving the reader as much background information on the story as possible. Having journalists take the extra time to re-check all of the notes they have taken on a story can ensure thoroughness. Finally, a detailed observation of the subject of a story will help ensure thoroughness
3. Accuracy- Accuracy is the idea that all facts and sources connected with a story have been checked multiple times for reliability and truth. Accuracy can be ensured by proofreading articles before publication. It can also be ensured by proper testing and checking of all sources used. Websites that are used to track an article's truth are ways to ensure the article is accurate
4. Fairness- Fairness is the idea that all sides of a story have been represented without bias,and represented fairly. Fairness can be achieved by carefully studying leads/tips to ensure they lead to a real story. It can also be made by explicitly acknowledging both sides of a story, despite the view of the article. Fairness can be gotten by giving all sides of an issue relatively equal amounts of exposure in the article.
5. Transparency- Transparency is the idea that journalists gain public trust by being honest about their stories,their biases, and even the mistakes they've made in a story. Transparency can be gotten by providing links to a story for confirmation, having a writer acknowledge their sources, problems, and reasons for writing an story present in the article. A final way transparency can be achieved is by having journalists openly admit their mistakes to the public instead of sweeping it under the rug and having it come out later in a nasty light.
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