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October 24, 2005
Criminal Jargon and Reporting Purpose
Since beginning our unit on crime reporting, I've had several complications deciphering between the various criminal terminologies. In particular the legalities, those wonderful words we use to define whether a suspect "allegedly" committed a crime or police arrested "so-and-so" for committing "Crime A."
I suppose I've been leery about the entire process because, although we mean to carefully cover the crime beat, it's often seen as a narrative. As the Dave Krajicek stated in "Covering Crime and Justice: The Crime Beat"...
The dramatis personae for even routine crime tales likely will include a protagonist and antagonist, if not outright heroes and scoundrels.
Granted, I understand that (for the use of a looser term) "bad guys" and "good guys" exist; yet, I question if this notion contradicts coverage of a particular crime. If journalists are held under such scrutiny for news events, wouldn't writing in narrative style put them under further scrutiny?
Although Edna Buchanan, a Miami Herald crime reporter, noted that...
the crime beat "has it all: greed, sex, violence, comedy and tragedy."Isn't it placing a biases against the victims and (potential)criminals within the story? I feel that in a way it does. If we're going to focus primarily on the sensationalism of the story, or the dirt, it only unjustifies the people in the story.
Then again, I suppose that's way editors use crime reporting as a "sink or swim" test. It immediately clues them in on the ethics and standards of future employees.
Posted by BethanyHutira at 10:37 PM | Comments (0)
October 13, 2005
Wildcard
I've debated back and forth whether I should submit these thoughts in a public forum. However, Evan's blog regarding grace inspired me to share some thoughts.
I believe that despite the low points in life, a person possesses the ability to evolve. These lyrics below remind me of deep pits we may often find ourselves in. Although it may appear that we'll never rise from these moments, a future lies ahead of each and every one of us. Thus, it is our individual duty to pursue what lies beyond.
From Stephen Schwartz's "Children of Eden"
CAIN:
We will never know, We will never grow, if we never go beyond-
I never made this world
I didn't even lose it
and I know no one said it was fair
but they had a garden once
they had the chance to choose it
they gave it away including my share
and now, we're lost in the wilderness
lost, crying in the wilderness
and if anyone's watching it seems they couldn't care less
we're lost in the wilderness-
you follow all the rules
you swallow all the stories
and every night you wish on a star
dreaming a day will come, trusting in allegories
and every morning, boy, look where you are-
lost in the wilderness
lost, slowly dying in the wilderness
with no chance of living boy
until you confess you're lost in the wilderness-
Don't you ever watch the eagle fly to the sun?
And, wonder how he got to feel so free?
If you ever have, you known your journey's begun
what have you got to lose, boy, when already
we are lost in the wilderness-
and where we are headed boy, I couldn't even guess
but off we go without a warning
running as we hit the ground
where our future lies aborning
where our hearts our outward bound
till one bright and distant morning
we may stop and look around
and there in the wilderness finally we'll be found!
Posted by BethanyHutira at 09:42 PM | Comments (2)
2nd Blogging Portfolio
Wow! It's hard to believe that we're in the middle of the semester and that another blogging portfolio is due. This time around, I'm pleased with the amount of comments and visitors which have graced my site. I really appreciate everyone's thoughts and can't wait to hear more. Enjoy!
ENTRIES-
Coverage: "responses to the assigned readings"
Spurlock Workshop
A Picture's Worth
Chapter 9
Depth: "ability to critically examine concepts"
Spurlock Workshop
A Picture's Worth
Homecoming Article
Chapter 9
Interaction: "interacting with peers through weblogs"
Morgan Spurlock Article
Spurlock Workshop
Homecoming Article
Discussions: "personal blog that generated conversation"
Spurlock Article
Spurlock Workshop
Timeliness: "a blog written early enough which sparked discussion"
Morgan Spurlock Lecture
Spurlock ArticleSpurlock Workshop
A Picture's Worth
Xenoblogging: "created works which help other people's weblogs"
Morgan Spurlock Lecture
Spurlock Workshop
A Picture's Worth
Homecoming Article
Chapter 9
Lyrics
Wildcard: "a blog entry of pure craziness"
Lyrics
COMMENTS-
Primo: "launching an intellectual discussion"
Mike Sichok's "Tribune-Review 10/11/05 Observation"
Grande: "a long, thoughtful comment"
Katie Lambert's "Adventures in reading the newspaper"
Informative: "passing references and offering details"
Michael Diezmos' "Elements of Journalism 6 to 8"
Gracious: "giving credit where credit is due"
Spurlock Workshop
Posted by BethanyHutira at 06:36 PM | Comments (0)
Chapter 9
While reading chapter 9 from The Elements of Journalism, I found the authors example of journalism as cartography intriguing.
Journalism is our modern cartography. It creates a map for citizens to navigate society. That is its utility and its economic reason for being.
The exact way we journalist craft our stories guide our readers through the events which occur around us. Proportional facts enhance and reveal truth within an article. Yet, I question how this structure relates to the whole layout of a paper.
In an earlier blog, I discussed the effect a picture has over a front page's layout (i.e. headlines, captions, etc). It got me thinking: "Granted, proportionality exists within an individual story. But, should it relate to an entire paper?"
As Mike and several other students debated during Wednesday's class, the Tribune Review markets its self to the conservative reader. I fully understand that liberals aren't ostracized from that particular audience. However Kevin's shared experience regarding his hometown paper in Virginia helped me to realize that, despite the political leanings of a region, we shouldn't "draw England or Spain the size of Greenland because it [is] popular" in an area (Kovach and Rosenstiel, 164).
By failing to balance different views, the news potentially restricts the people from their individual right to choose.
After reviewing the chapter, I wonder how proportional I was during my previous homecoming article. My quotes were proportional since they consisted of one from the coordinator, a tour guide, an alumna, and a freshman. Each individual had something positive to say about the lantern tour.
Interestingly, I learned from other classmate that their interviewees had mixed feelings regarding a homecoming event they covered. In a paper layout, would or could my story balance the views set through my classmates' articles? Or, are The Elements of Journalism authors more so singling out individual stories?
Posted by BethanyHutira at 04:43 PM | Comments (0)
Homecoming Article
I recall discussing with several classmates about the spirit surrounding homecoming. Sadly, I wasn't surprised when many revealed the lack of "pep" the student body had over that weekend. My experience actually wasn't horrific or boring. The lantern tour entertained and informed me about Seton Hill's vast (and ever-growing)campus. I highly recommend that many of you attend next year.
*This article, although drafted before "Chapter 9", helps to reiterate my blog's topic.
Lantern Tour Unites Alumnae and Students
Greensburg—During Seton Hill’s (SHU) weekend Homecoming festivities, the first annual Lantern Tour commenced on Friday, September 30, 2005. Amidst music echoing from Sullivan Lounge, the quiet event allowed attendees to relax and enjoy fellowship among the university’s current and past students.
Matt Zielinski, Graduate Assistant of Student Services and Head Coordinator for the Lantern Tour, described the event as “early evening, autumn scenery, and a walk around campus with friends.” Beginning outside Lowe Dining Hall, tour guides lead students and alumni throughout the campus by lantern and frequently halted to share facts and personal stories surrounding SHU’s various buildings.
Senior Andrea Martin, a tour guide along with Senior David Slampak and Zielinksi, felt that “the tour rerouted me and reminded me how much I appreciate Seton Hill: We’re not Pitt or Penn State. [Seton Hill] has kinship and traditions. The tour refreshed that.”
Alumna Ryanne Forcht, from the graduating class of 2004, returned to campus and celebrated with other SHU alumnae. Forcht, sharing Martin’s feelings, stated, “It’s been early [since graduation], but you don’t notice the level of connectedness you have with Seton Hill till after you leave.” Forcht, who was glad to return for Homecoming weekend, continued saying that the tour was “a bonus…You get [together] with students and reminisces.”
Along with heart-felt feelings, students and tour guides were able to crack some jokes and laugh when discussing student frustration over on-campus parking while touring through Parking Lot “A.” However, the comedy didn’t end. After visiting Reeves Library and Brownlee Residence Hall, students learned the history behind which structures previously stood upon both grounds. Zielinski made some playful connections regarding these class-gifts: “If [finished] before graduation, they’re demolished. If completed after your graduation date, they stay.”
Despite the campus’s architectural changes, SHU’s atmosphere hadn’t according to Freshman Nicole Edwards, from Canton, Ohio: “The vast amount of people treated me well. [Activities] help when you’re homesick.”
The university’s landscapes also left an impression with the first year student. A nightly view of downtown Greensburg from McKenna Recreational Center left Edwards uplifted because “going up the hill and viewing [Greensburg] makes you feel closer to heaven.”
Although numbers were few, Zielinski was “happy” with the event. “I had no clue what to expect, but it was everything I hoped. Students took away information, learned about campus, and had a good time with friends.”
Based on its success at Penn State University, Zielinski decided to bring the festivities to SHU hoping to establish more student tradition while remembering the past.
“That’s what it’s all about—the Seton Hill family,” said Zielinski
The tour left Lowe Dining Hall around 7:15 pm and continued from Lynch Hall to; Reeves Library; three of SHU’s residence halls, Brownlee, DeChantal, and Havey; Sullivan; McKenna Recreational Center; St. Joseph’s Hall; the courtyard; Admissions; and Maura. A second Lantern Tour is scheduled for Saturday, October 1, 2005 from 9:00 pm to 10:00 pm.
Posted by BethanyHutira at 04:29 PM | Comments (0)
October 12, 2005
A Picture's Worth
After Monday's class, I found myself in a slump. The readings due provided me with several new insights regarding the "art of sensationalism." However, I wasn't able to concretely create a worth while blog regarding chapters 6-8 in The Elements of Journalism. Interestingly, today's class period reminded me about a past Tribune Review discussion.
On September 21st we debated the significance of the Sept. 20th's front page layout. The middle of the copy showed a picture of a burning object and to the immediate right lay a headline detailing Hurricane Rita's possible (including destructive) path through New Orleans. During the class period, Dr. Jerz reiterated that this design "coincidence" was possible done purposefully. The picture stirred up the audience's emotions and reinforced our panic (in connection to the headline) about the destructive effects caused by hurricanes this year.
The October 11th edition of Trib similarly "got the reader" again. Yet, whereas the Sept. 20th picture and headline worked in context together, this paper's center picture detracted the reader from the news surrounding it. The sensationalism surrounding the game led me to first look at the sports section of the paper rather than the front page articles.
Upon returning to the front page, the headline was quite conservative rather than screaming the story's angle across as the Sept. 20th edition did. Although I read "Modern quarantine would break stereotypes," the headline didn't grab my attention as quickly as the Rita story did. Both articles appeared speculative in the paper and I question the purpose for Sept. 20th's headline which provoked a greater emotional reaction.
I do commend "GTECH attorney tied to Rendell" gigantic font. It and the picture lead the reader more so towards the right, detracting us from the "Quake victims still wait for aid." They’re still waiting for someone to read this story, before jumping to learn more about Bettis.
What amazed me about both papers was that the front page articles reflected the mood/tone set by the center picture. The Steelers joyful expressions weren't discouraged by the depressing news around it. Likewise, the flames helped evoke danger alongside Rita's copy.
Granted, this might simply be coincidental; but, I'm positive that I'll look at the paper differently from here on out. Are there more issues which are subjected to the emotions evoked by a picture? Or has my imagination gotten the better of me?
Posted by BethanyHutira at 10:05 PM | Comments (1)
October 07, 2005
Spurlock Article
Super Size Those Laughs, Please
Greensburg– On October 6, 2005, despite an un-air-conditioned Cecilian Hall, “Super Size Me” director Morgan Spurlock addressed the film’s controversial issues without cracking up the heat. Instead, the lecturer from “An Inspiring Perspective,” Seton Hill University’s first 2005 lecture series, filled the auditorium with laughter.
Junior Karissa Kilgore "especially enjoyed the manner which he addressed serious topics, such as obesity...He reached all of us by being light [humored]."
While discussing his inspiration for Super Size Me and exploitation of the McDonald Corporation, Spurlock paraded the stage cracking jokes about the food chain’s new health menu, exercise video, and kid-targeted commercials.
"Who goes to McDonald’s for an apple?...Grimace should have his purple ass on a treadmill...Have you watched the commercials, the clown never eats the food," jested Spurlock.
Although Spurlock’s lecture left the spectators laughing and thinking, others felt that the highlight of the night occurred during the question and answer section. Senior Moira Richardson felt that when Spurlock “started answering the student questions, he shined. [Whereas] beforehand, it seemed rehearsed.”
Throughout the open forum, Spurlock stressed the importance of health within our schools, the power all Americans possess through consumerism, and the individual’s ability to “change the world.” He pleaded to “find the thing that matters most [to you]. Find it, believe in it, [and] fight for it.”
Spurlock’s acknowledgement that “[Americans] place time and money over health” caught Junior Mike Rubino’s attention. “I was impressed by [Spurlock’s] ability to keep things apolitical. He stayed focused on the issues at hand. Health in America was his strongest message,” said Rubino.
Spectators filled the seats in Cecilian Hall Thursday evening. After the lecture, students and spectators could purchase Spurlock’s book Don’t Eat This Book: Fast Food and the Supersizing of America for the author to autograph. In the Administration Building parlor rooms, Spurlock also answered additional questions and posed for pictures.
Posted by BethanyHutira at 03:20 PM | Comments (5)
Spurlock Workshop
I must say that, despite the small numbers, workshop went great! Valerie and Evan helped me organize my article to fit the "Inverted Pyramid." Although it's a daunting task at times, I feel I'm getting the hang of things.
The best part of the entire workshop was when Katie (aka "Lamb"), Ashley, and I left for the 3rd Admin computer lab to complete our articles. While sitting in the lab, I felt like a real journalist who ferociously pounding on the keyboards trying to make deadline. I know that our News Writing class had till 5 pm to complete the assignment; however, the "rush" forced me to concentrate more. Excuse the expression, but I was "in the Zone."
A huge thanks to everyone who gave helpful suggestions!
Because I'd spent the entire previous night covering the lecture, taking quotes after the event, following up during Spurlock's book signing time, writing the article, workshopping, and later revising, I found my self immersed within journalism. Without any other scholarly or recreational break, I found my writing process excelled.
Now that I've breached this point, I have a more defined idea of where I need to take my future articles.
Posted by BethanyHutira at 02:47 PM | Comments (3)
Morgan Spurlock Lecture
I absolutely enjoyed the Morgan Spurlock lecture yesterday evening. His comedic antics allowed him to discuss the issue of health in America, while entertaining the audience. The closing statements Spurlock made, before the question and answer segment, set the standard for the "Inspiring Perspective" lecture series.
Afterwards, while staying to get an autograph, I got nervous and my planned question drifted from my mind momentarily. But, when I got home, I got a brainstorm for somethings I wanted to ask. I think I'll be writing to Spurlock though. So one day, down the road, I may receive a reply.
Ashley took a bunch of great pictures...except for the blurry shot of me and Morgan. I forgive you Ashley! My favorite picture is where Ashley and Morgan are giving the camera "silly face." Plus, I loved when Dr. Jerz brought in a McDonald's hamburger for Morgan to sign. How great is that?
Posted by BethanyHutira at 02:29 PM | Comments (1)