September 2007 Archives

The wrong, the write and the innocent.  Have you ever been involved somehow in an incident.  Maybe not the suspect or the victim, just a innocent bystander who had to be interviewed by a local reporter or even by a news reporter.  Many people everyday are interviewed in a pushy unwanting kind of way by reporters.  Cameras in there faces nosey reporters invading "personal" space when the bystander might have had a personal connection with the suspect or the victim.  I thought that some of the points presented in chapter 5 about presenting ones self to people as a reporter were very important.  As a reporter these are key facts to follow as to not invade the bystanders space to far.  I think madelyn picked out a great quote pointing out the exact point. 

In my reading, I found out a lot of new information, that will better my writing.  I found all three chapters to be very interesting and helpful.  My favorite chapter however was chapter 5, Journalese.  At the very end of chapter 5 it says, "To write well means to choose the right words for each occasion, not to fit the occasion to precooked words."  I feel this is a very strong statement, and everyone needs to follow it wisely.  The example on page 45 is great.  It clearly expresses how not to write in journalese.  I feel in a few of my stories from the past I have fallen into the trap of "journalese," but now i am very aware of what to watch out for.