The Big Picture and the Little Picture: Spot News

Spot News- the latest news that happens unexpectedly and is reported immediately

In Kelly House's spot news story about layoffs and Golden Gate Park, the news is this:

Gardeners who once tended to a dozen acres now are responsible for about 40, after hiring freezes have reduced their workforce in recent years. Many park construction projects have slowed or come to a halt. The 2009-10 proposed budget suggests an additional 71 layoffs of recreation coordinators to add to four layoffs of administrators earlier this year.

Layoffs are causing big problems.  In order to show this large, regional problem, she focusses on individuals who are suffering from it.  For instance, she follows Robert Cadwell around as he does his job.  She then adds:

But the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department’s massive budget deficit soon will leave Cadwell with one fewer crewmember to care for the trees—with more layoffs likely in the future.

There is the immediate effect.  This is a real problem.  Look.  It effected this man.

Mathew Baker's spot news story is about being eco-friendly when it comes to how you consume your fuel and what fuel you use.  Here is the big picture:

The IndyCar Series switched to 100 percent ethanol last year to offset the enormous carbon footprint of dozens of cars racing in 17 races across the world.

The result? IndyCar uses 20,000 fewer gallons of fuel and emits only trace amounts of carbon monoxide.

 There is a better alternative to gasoline.  Racecar drivers are using it.

Here is how Baker ties the Big Picture with the Little Picture:

Steve Zadig’s auto racing career had never been higher, but his passion for the sport had never been lower..

“I had had a lot of successes the past couple years, but I didn’t think I could continue,” he said. “My racing was in conflict with what I really believed. It was like I was burning gas on an open flame. As happy as I was, I doubted I could still do it.”

Rather than give up his passion, Zadig looked for alternatives to gasoline. And, like many racers worldwide struggling to make 500-mile races eco-friendly, he found ethanol.

 

The Little Picture is Steve Zadig, a racecar driver who wants to be eco-friendly.  The Tie is he "like many racer worldwide...found ethanol."  The Big Picture is the eco-friendly ethanol.

So, what did we learn from this?  A Spot News story has a big picture and a little picture. The little picture is how the author pulls the reader into the story to make it seem more personal.  SInce the topic of the story (the big picture) may not be the latest news or it may not even be newsworthy, the author muct get the reader involved.  The reader must feel a connection to make it seem like a pertinent issue.  Hence, a tie.  

That is spot news.

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