An example of my writing using a piece from "The Future of News" :
The creation of the iPhone has also been another way for media to reach people. There are different applications for different niches such as for sports, whether, celebrity news, fashion, world news and local news. The Weather Channel and MLB are two of many media applications that are being used. The MLB application has scores, states, video, and other tools for the baseball fans. I own an iPhone and I installed The New York Times and I really like it because when I don’t have the chance to pick up the latest copy this application does gives me the latest news through my phone, which I think is more convenient for me.
The FOG Index:9.6
What I learned from this exercise is I could work on cutting my sentences and increase my vocabulary. However I do like that my writing is easy to read. To help my writing I need to read more.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Got What it takes to be a Reporter
Talent
1. I enjoy reading. I consume a lot of books and magazines.
Mostly true
2. For me, writing is rewarding. And I am confident that people genuinely enjoy the stuff I write.
Not true
3. I don’t pay much attention to spelling.
Not True.
4. I’m generally adept at computer technology: spending e-mail, downloading files, shooting digital photos, etc.
Mostly True.
5. I can organize my ideas and write quickly when I need to.
Not True
6. I’d make a good game show contestant because I’m pretty good at remembering facts and trivia.
Not True
7. I am efficient and self-sufficient when it comes to doing extensive library research.
-Mostly True.
Temperament
8. I’m generally more curious than most people I know.
Mostly True.
9. In public situations, I’m pretty shy; I avoid asking questions in class, for instance.
Mostly True
10. I think it’s unpatriotic to question or criticize our government.
Not True
11. When I choose a career, I’ll require a stable 9-to-5 job where my workday is routine and I make big money.
Mostly True.
12. If I really want something, I’m tenacious until I get it.
Not True.
13. When I’m under pressure, I can keep my cool and stay focused without losing my temper.
Mostly True
14. When strangers or teachers criticize what I write, it really bugs me.
Not True.
This test was insightful and accurate on how I feel about being a reporter. The statements asked for both talent and temperament I think really demonstrated what it takes to be a successful journalist. My results were what I expected them to be and that is a score below 20. I learned more about the life of a reporter and I did know that journalism is about being an excellent writer, working at different hours of the week and asking questions. I don't see myself having a career in journalism, but the skills I am learning in the journalism class are going to be a helpful for whichever career I decide.
1. I enjoy reading. I consume a lot of books and magazines.
Mostly true
2. For me, writing is rewarding. And I am confident that people genuinely enjoy the stuff I write.
Not true
3. I don’t pay much attention to spelling.
Not True.
4. I’m generally adept at computer technology: spending e-mail, downloading files, shooting digital photos, etc.
Mostly True.
5. I can organize my ideas and write quickly when I need to.
Not True
6. I’d make a good game show contestant because I’m pretty good at remembering facts and trivia.
Not True
7. I am efficient and self-sufficient when it comes to doing extensive library research.
-Mostly True.
Temperament
8. I’m generally more curious than most people I know.
Mostly True.
9. In public situations, I’m pretty shy; I avoid asking questions in class, for instance.
Mostly True
10. I think it’s unpatriotic to question or criticize our government.
Not True
11. When I choose a career, I’ll require a stable 9-to-5 job where my workday is routine and I make big money.
Mostly True.
12. If I really want something, I’m tenacious until I get it.
Not True.
13. When I’m under pressure, I can keep my cool and stay focused without losing my temper.
Mostly True
14. When strangers or teachers criticize what I write, it really bugs me.
Not True.
This test was insightful and accurate on how I feel about being a reporter. The statements asked for both talent and temperament I think really demonstrated what it takes to be a successful journalist. My results were what I expected them to be and that is a score below 20. I learned more about the life of a reporter and I did know that journalism is about being an excellent writer, working at different hours of the week and asking questions. I don't see myself having a career in journalism, but the skills I am learning in the journalism class are going to be a helpful for whichever career I decide.
Playing Editor
A sophomore at Springfield University claims a chemistry professor has sexually harassed her.
Karen Hart, 123 Hill Hall, says the professor, George O.T. Jungle, has touched her during tutoring sessions in his office and has invited her to his apartment several times. She said she declined his invitations.
"I am having trouble in the class and I have to go see him to get help with my papers and projects," Hart said. "But I am scared to go in his office now."
Jungle denied having an improper contact with the student and threatened this newspaper with a libel suit if it published the story.
Hart said she is thinking of filing a formal complaint with the university.
"I don't know how to do that," she said. "I don't know what to do."
There are certain libelous passages that need to be omitted starting with the the name of the students and professor. There is not enough information to prove that the professor has sexually harassed her. Hart would need to file charges then the story could go under further investigation. Another passage I would omit is the part where it says he touched her during a class session in his office. If the accusation is false that statement could be libelous to the professor. Because the professor is not a public figure it would create a complication in putting his name in the article. Therefore, I would not even publish the article until the facts become concise.
Karen Hart, 123 Hill Hall, says the professor, George O.T. Jungle, has touched her during tutoring sessions in his office and has invited her to his apartment several times. She said she declined his invitations.
"I am having trouble in the class and I have to go see him to get help with my papers and projects," Hart said. "But I am scared to go in his office now."
Jungle denied having an improper contact with the student and threatened this newspaper with a libel suit if it published the story.
Hart said she is thinking of filing a formal complaint with the university.
"I don't know how to do that," she said. "I don't know what to do."
There are certain libelous passages that need to be omitted starting with the the name of the students and professor. There is not enough information to prove that the professor has sexually harassed her. Hart would need to file charges then the story could go under further investigation. Another passage I would omit is the part where it says he touched her during a class session in his office. If the accusation is false that statement could be libelous to the professor. Because the professor is not a public figure it would create a complication in putting his name in the article. Therefore, I would not even publish the article until the facts become concise.
Making Ethical Decisions
Scenario 1
If I saw documents on a desk that were related to my investigation on a government officials involvement in a bribery scheme I would read them, although the proper thing would be to ask. My job as a journalist is to get all the facts possible to write my story and have a different story from other journalist who are investigating the same case. Also, the Americans deserve to know the truth on any incriminating information that the official is withholding even if that means breaking certain privacy laws. Asking to read the questions would be out of the question because I would feel that the response would not be truthful and that important details on the documents would not be told. As far as taking the documents I would not to avoid lawsuits, but to tell the official that I read the documents. From there I could for my questions and get all the answers I need for my story.
Scenario 2
If my editor asked me to get a job as an orderly and write a story on substandard conditions at a local nursing home I would accept the request on two reasons. The first being on the phrase “business is business” I have a story to write and a job to keep, and if going undercover is the only way to get the truth I would do it. The second reason would be to inform the people and those families who have residents in those homes. I feel like information is being hidden since the nursing home is denying any information to be said.
Scenario 3
If I was writing a feature story and found excellent quotes from a written source or website I would use them and the cite them. To be a credible journalist it is important that I cite all the quotes I use. Plagiarism is what all writers learn starting in middle school, so it is important to cite any quotes used regardless if those quotes are coming from material that is not published.
If I saw documents on a desk that were related to my investigation on a government officials involvement in a bribery scheme I would read them, although the proper thing would be to ask. My job as a journalist is to get all the facts possible to write my story and have a different story from other journalist who are investigating the same case. Also, the Americans deserve to know the truth on any incriminating information that the official is withholding even if that means breaking certain privacy laws. Asking to read the questions would be out of the question because I would feel that the response would not be truthful and that important details on the documents would not be told. As far as taking the documents I would not to avoid lawsuits, but to tell the official that I read the documents. From there I could for my questions and get all the answers I need for my story.
Scenario 2
If my editor asked me to get a job as an orderly and write a story on substandard conditions at a local nursing home I would accept the request on two reasons. The first being on the phrase “business is business” I have a story to write and a job to keep, and if going undercover is the only way to get the truth I would do it. The second reason would be to inform the people and those families who have residents in those homes. I feel like information is being hidden since the nursing home is denying any information to be said.
Scenario 3
If I was writing a feature story and found excellent quotes from a written source or website I would use them and the cite them. To be a credible journalist it is important that I cite all the quotes I use. Plagiarism is what all writers learn starting in middle school, so it is important to cite any quotes used regardless if those quotes are coming from material that is not published.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Reporting with Numbers
1) A local college releases figures showing that its total budget is $120 million. Of that total, $80 million comes from the state, $6 million from student tuition, and the remaining $34 million from fees, grants and gifts.
* 67% of the budget comes from the state, 5% come from the student tuition, and 28% comes from the fees, grants and gifts
* The most significant source of funding is coming from the state, second to that is the fees, grants, and gifts, and the least coming from the students.
*Two-thirds of the college budget is coming from the state, more than a quarter of the fees, grants and gifts, and the five percent coming from student tuition.
2) Your editor assigns you to do a story about prison sentences handed down in cases of aggravated assault. He gives you the following figures from an anti-crime group that is lobbying for tougher sentencing guidelines. The cases represent the people convicted for aggravated assault in San Jose in one month in 2006.
* The average prison term for people convicted of aggravated assault is about 2 years.
*The median prison term for people convicted of aggravated assault is 1 year
*The median figure is a more accurate description of prison terms because the list of sentencing shows that most inmates were in for 1 year.
3) Currently the California state tax is 8.25%. If the sales tax were exempted from restaurant food sales a person who pays $5 per meal would save about $21.45 on tax. For the people who spend $20 per meal once a week for a year they would save $85.80.
* 67% of the budget comes from the state, 5% come from the student tuition, and 28% comes from the fees, grants and gifts
* The most significant source of funding is coming from the state, second to that is the fees, grants, and gifts, and the least coming from the students.
*Two-thirds of the college budget is coming from the state, more than a quarter of the fees, grants and gifts, and the five percent coming from student tuition.
2) Your editor assigns you to do a story about prison sentences handed down in cases of aggravated assault. He gives you the following figures from an anti-crime group that is lobbying for tougher sentencing guidelines. The cases represent the people convicted for aggravated assault in San Jose in one month in 2006.
* The average prison term for people convicted of aggravated assault is about 2 years.
*The median prison term for people convicted of aggravated assault is 1 year
*The median figure is a more accurate description of prison terms because the list of sentencing shows that most inmates were in for 1 year.
3) Currently the California state tax is 8.25%. If the sales tax were exempted from restaurant food sales a person who pays $5 per meal would save about $21.45 on tax. For the people who spend $20 per meal once a week for a year they would save $85.80.
AP Style (S-Z)
1) He thought of Smokey Bear every time he got near a smoldering fire or entered a smoky room.
2) The forecast is for lower temperatures, falling to the low 30s by tonight. If the rain continues, as expected, there could be a travelers’ advisory.
3) To celebrate Veterans Day, the anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I, troops of former soldiers will march down Main Street carrying U.S. flags.
4) His weeklong ordeal will be finished when finals week is over. Until then, his well-being is in doubt.
5) A-19-year old youth was arrested Monday for carrying a Saturday night special without a permit. After being released on bond, he disappeared. His whereabouts are unknown.
6) She’d hoped to be able to trade in her car after getting a tuneup, but she totaled it last night.
7) Could you photocopy that invoice for me? I need it for our year-end budget.
2) The forecast is for lower temperatures, falling to the low 30s by tonight. If the rain continues, as expected, there could be a travelers’ advisory.
3) To celebrate Veterans Day, the anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I, troops of former soldiers will march down Main Street carrying U.S. flags.
4) His weeklong ordeal will be finished when finals week is over. Until then, his well-being is in doubt.
5) A-19-year old youth was arrested Monday for carrying a Saturday night special without a permit. After being released on bond, he disappeared. His whereabouts are unknown.
6) She’d hoped to be able to trade in her car after getting a tuneup, but she totaled it last night.
7) Could you photocopy that invoice for me? I need it for our year-end budget.
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