Chapter 9 and 10 (AP guide to Newswriting) was about COLORS and cliche. This chapter explained how these concepts could make or destroy a story.
Colors are used to bring out the story. As the author said, "Color is a way of seeing a story." Reporters are able to do this by giving particular details. The example the author used is the viking. One's conception of viking will differ from another. I found this example very effective. In the past, I've assumed that "common" words such as viking or tree should be enough for the audience because they have the general picture. This was my assumption because images associated with certain words have been imbedded in my mind since I was a toddler.
I understand giving details if one were to talk about a specific viking or tree. I also understand the author's point that showing is better than telling (so bias is not present- the reader interprets).
The author admonished against overusing cliches in Chapter 10. Cliches in news writing are spreading like wildfire. Rather than burning the midnight oil in pursuit of excellence, writers resort to cliches because they couldn't think of a better way to express whatever they're writing. Last but not least, it would be a dream come true for writers if they could figure out how to bypass this cul-de-sac. Some pinpointed the cause and attributed it to writer's block. I'm sure that once this problem have been solved or assuaged, who ever solved this, his or her book will be selling like hotcakes.
Posted by Michael Diezmos at November 7, 2005 8:16 AMWow, I never knew how annoying clichés really were, until I read this post!
I'm just joshin' with you, Mike. :P
But really, that was a very creative way to emphasize the point that overdoing the chiché phrases can take the seriousness out of what you're trying to say. If I had read this before reading the assigned chapters of The AP Guide, I would have thought nothing wrong with that paragraph.
Now, whenever I read something that includes cliché phrases, they'll stick out like a sore thumb.
Posted by: Valerie Masciarelli at November 8, 2005 9:43 PMha, ha, thanks Val, you catch on pretty quickly 'quick as rainfall'
Posted by: mike at November 9, 2005 10:23 AM