The Good Housekeeping article by Sari Harrar gave an in-depth description on how to go about eating out while being healthy too.
Even though it was kind of long, it was a pretty quick read. The structure was simple and self-evident, nothing too deep or needing to be revealed. The quotes were short and added to the main idea.
There was quite a bit of technical data and hard facts which was ok. I did feel like this information was something I had heard before. No new angle or spin was given to it. It was pretty standard and basic.
This makes me think of one of the larger issues with these types of articles. Its hard to make a how-to article sound interesting and relevant and this one, to me does not do that.
Published at: 3:46pm April 5, 2011
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Working on our stories
Possible lead:
The sustainability movement is gaining momentum and not surprisingly college students are the frontrunners for change. Not quite as heavy or abstract as environmental justice but not as light as the green movement, sustainability is nestled right in the middle. The environmental protection agency (epa.gov) says that sustainability calls for policies and strategies that meet society’s present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
has mass appeal because it is easy to get involved. Minor changes in everyday living is all it takes to get started.
(to be continued.)
The sustainability movement is gaining momentum and not surprisingly college students are the frontrunners for change. Not quite as heavy or abstract as environmental justice but not as light as the green movement, sustainability is nestled right in the middle. The environmental protection agency (epa.gov) says that sustainability calls for policies and strategies that meet society’s present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
has mass appeal because it is easy to get involved. Minor changes in everyday living is all it takes to get started.
(to be continued.)
intro to how-to, goes global
How to goes global.
This ridiculous article is a horrible attempt at breaking down step by step how to seduce a girl no matter how you are in the world. It is simplistic and dumb. The writing is not necessarily weak, but the subject matter and content and organization and treatment of the topic is the bad part. Seduce her with Food, Seduce her with technology, etc. It is so silly.
On to the organization or structure. It is clear, with dividers in obvious places. Not overwhelming with large blocks of texts which I liked. Small interjections with quotes.
I could not tell if this was a satire or real life.
This ridiculous article is a horrible attempt at breaking down step by step how to seduce a girl no matter how you are in the world. It is simplistic and dumb. The writing is not necessarily weak, but the subject matter and content and organization and treatment of the topic is the bad part. Seduce her with Food, Seduce her with technology, etc. It is so silly.
On to the organization or structure. It is clear, with dividers in obvious places. Not overwhelming with large blocks of texts which I liked. Small interjections with quotes.
I could not tell if this was a satire or real life.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Musical genius among us
Joshua Bell.
A social experiment by the staff of the Washington Post.
This article had so many moments that were memorable and creative. The writing was elaborate without being boring which I enjoyed.
The style of it, with detail and a pace setting tempo of the sentences made me keep reading. There are questions posed and then all caps sentences which show the break of a section.
The lead and first few paragraphs were kind of in a story-telling type of way so it set up a scene. I am a visual person so it was so interesting for me to continue on and paint a visual in my head.
The style of it, with detail and a pace setting tempo of the sentences made me keep reading. There are questions posed and then all caps sentences which show the break of a section.
The lead and first few paragraphs were kind of in a story-telling type of way so it set up a scene. I am a visual person so it was so interesting for me to continue on and paint a visual in my head.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Outline (with edits)
Outline of Article
Concept: How-To Green Your Space. This will be a list of steps someone can take to green their lifestyles in a collegiate setting.
Sources: For the people I want to interview, I was thinking Lauren Kastner who is the President of Coal-Free IU, Bill Brown the Director of the Sustainability Office, I also want to use myself as a source if that is possible because I’m really passionate about this stuff.
I. Lead
a. I do not have the specifics of the lead in mind yet like how I want to word it, but I do know how I want the article to begin.
i. I want it to start of kind of like a trend piece
ii. It will grab the reader with probably an anecdote or relevant rationale as to why the green movement is a legitimate trend
iii. After introducing the trend I want to create a pull for the reader, which I am assuming to be around my age, to want to be involved.
iv. I am also debating whether to include what IU’s Sustainability Grade is (we got a C+) as recent as 2009
II. Body of the article
a. In order to avoid being boring and bland which can happen sometimes with the green movement I want to bring in very simple but innovative and fun ways to be eco-friendly.
b. Some things I have are as simple as turning off your lights when you are not using them, others are a little more heavy like putting up a clothes line by your bed and hanging dry the bulk of laundry instead of using a dryer to conserve energy.
c. Refilling a harder shelled water bottle instead of the plastic ones from Wal-Mart, although probably equally cost effective, one is just obviously worse for the environment.
d. I want to expand on certain points with either anecdotes or more statistics and facts, because simply throwing away a water bottle can have an adverse effect to the human body and environment alike
e. I want to be creative and interesting without over-doing it or pushing my excitement for this topic on to others.
i. People are easily turned off by over excitement for abstract topics
f. I will also be using plain English rather than lofty terms and anything too technical or focused.
g. This will also hold the quotes from my sources, my expert, a student leader in a related organization and a student that has maybe tried out some of these things.
______
III. Conclusion
I would finish by bringing in ways to start asap. Like "as soon as you finish this article do _____)
Providing a call to action would be helpful.
f. I will also be using plain English rather than lofty terms and anything too technical or focused.
g. This will also hold the quotes from my sources, my expert, a student leader in a related organization and a student that has maybe tried out some of these things.
______
III. Conclusion
I would finish by bringing in ways to start asap. Like "as soon as you finish this article do _____)
Providing a call to action would be helpful.
Written by the same guy who wrote the flowery novels about life.
So Mitch Albom wrote this article called The Courage of Detroit. I immediately recognized his name as the author of those self-help and inspirational type books which my parents continually buy for me as if I'm in a quarter life crisis or something (which I am, but I don't want to read his books).
In any case, I tried looking past his name and giving this article a chance.
I think America, or at the very least I, consider Detroit to be like Britney Spears. Britney was in the depths of failure and has risen again, like a phoenix. And we were all routing for her, well at least I was. Thats how I think of Detroit. We are ready and supportive of their triumphant comeback.
The article was written in his usual chant-y type of you-can-overcome spirit that is always present in his writings.
I found it interesting how he used the phrase "and yet" which honestly reminds me alot of being back home in my Black Baptist church. The preacher would say that alot when he was all revved up (no pun intended)
Although the writing was still kind of flowery for my taste, I did want to keep reading. Overall I enjoyed it, which I'm surprised to say.
posted at 3:44pm 3/24
In any case, I tried looking past his name and giving this article a chance.
I think America, or at the very least I, consider Detroit to be like Britney Spears. Britney was in the depths of failure and has risen again, like a phoenix. And we were all routing for her, well at least I was. Thats how I think of Detroit. We are ready and supportive of their triumphant comeback.
The article was written in his usual chant-y type of you-can-overcome spirit that is always present in his writings.
I found it interesting how he used the phrase "and yet" which honestly reminds me alot of being back home in my Black Baptist church. The preacher would say that alot when he was all revved up (no pun intended)
Although the writing was still kind of flowery for my taste, I did want to keep reading. Overall I enjoyed it, which I'm surprised to say.
posted at 3:44pm 3/24
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Article
Green Living and green dorms would be relatively simple to turn into a how-to type article. After our in class discussions I'm considering a trend story or some type of mix between green living trends and how to green your living space.
I will think about this more in the coming days.
I will think about this more in the coming days.
Sources
So for sources, I am still fuzy on this subject.
I might ask my internship director and interview the volunteer in sustainability (IU) director.
I do not know if we can use ourselves or my own research as a resource or if that doesn't work.
I might ask my internship director and interview the volunteer in sustainability (IU) director.
I do not know if we can use ourselves or my own research as a resource or if that doesn't work.
Boys vs. Girls: sexual selection and science
The south is probably not the first place I would think about great scientific discoveries coming from. And that is precisely why this article is really interesting.
First we meet a cowboy who exemplifies certain stereotypes with the boots and lots of land and southern drawl, juxtaposed to his advancements in science when choosing a boy or girl for parents. To his surprise, it led to an increase in the selection of girls over boys.
The article takes time to situate the reader in some of the major theories between selection of sex, and how seemingly from the beginning of time males have been preferred.
The article immediately grabbed my attention and I was so invested in the outcome of certain situations that were brought up that I had to keep reading.
Based on our class discussion on Tuesday I would categorize this as possibly a human interest and trend piece. It is very well rounded with facts, figures, people, quotes, and anecdotes. It is a trend because it talks about how the economy and social interactions are even starting to reflect this trend.
First we meet a cowboy who exemplifies certain stereotypes with the boots and lots of land and southern drawl, juxtaposed to his advancements in science when choosing a boy or girl for parents. To his surprise, it led to an increase in the selection of girls over boys.
The article takes time to situate the reader in some of the major theories between selection of sex, and how seemingly from the beginning of time males have been preferred.
The article immediately grabbed my attention and I was so invested in the outcome of certain situations that were brought up that I had to keep reading.
Based on our class discussion on Tuesday I would categorize this as possibly a human interest and trend piece. It is very well rounded with facts, figures, people, quotes, and anecdotes. It is a trend because it talks about how the economy and social interactions are even starting to reflect this trend.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Check your morals at the door
The newsweek article titled, "So Long, Gideons" is about Gideons Bibles in hotel nightstands, or lack thereof.
As of recently the trend has been to remove the Bibles in nightstands and some controversy has ensued as a result. Seemingly always at the forefront of making statements, a boutique-styled Manhattan hotel is used juxtaposed to even more conservative hotel chains like Marriot doing the same things like taking these Bibles away.
Instead of religion, these nightstands are now being filled with things that would encourage a little more wild lifestyle. Condoms, sexual toys, etc., now stock the bars within rooms, late check-outs for hangovers and a general catering to a younger generation is on the rise.
This article makes me think of how political correctness and cultural and religious sensitivities have had a huge role in this change.
The author Roya Wolverson kept my interest the entire article which is always a plus. The first few articles automatically provide human interest which is something that I usually look for. It also had appeal to my age group.
The writing style was descriptive and fluid, nothing seemed out of place necessarily. I did wish, however that the article was a little longer because I was actually intrigued with this subject.
(posted at 2:15pm March 8, 2011)
As of recently the trend has been to remove the Bibles in nightstands and some controversy has ensued as a result. Seemingly always at the forefront of making statements, a boutique-styled Manhattan hotel is used juxtaposed to even more conservative hotel chains like Marriot doing the same things like taking these Bibles away.
Instead of religion, these nightstands are now being filled with things that would encourage a little more wild lifestyle. Condoms, sexual toys, etc., now stock the bars within rooms, late check-outs for hangovers and a general catering to a younger generation is on the rise.
This article makes me think of how political correctness and cultural and religious sensitivities have had a huge role in this change.
The author Roya Wolverson kept my interest the entire article which is always a plus. The first few articles automatically provide human interest which is something that I usually look for. It also had appeal to my age group.
The writing style was descriptive and fluid, nothing seemed out of place necessarily. I did wish, however that the article was a little longer because I was actually intrigued with this subject.
(posted at 2:15pm March 8, 2011)
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Almost a Mile Below South Dakota continued
So I decided to write more on this because within our class discussion I have more things that I was thinking of.
There is so much techy and sciency-y lingo that it was distracting from easy readability. Sentences like the following: " the entire assemblage will eventually contain 31 gallons of –154°F liquid. xenon—the medium that will actually detect the dark matter— so precision is essential. "
was such a distraction because I felt lost with the constant usage of terms like that.
It was my least favorite article that we have read because it seemed like weak writing, I can not identify the exact thing that made me feel that way but it was jus
There is so much techy and sciency-y lingo that it was distracting from easy readability. Sentences like the following: " the entire assemblage will eventually contain 31 gallons of –154°F liquid. xenon—the medium that will actually detect the dark matter— so precision is essential. "
was such a distraction because I felt lost with the constant usage of terms like that.
It was my least favorite article that we have read because it seemed like weak writing, I can not identify the exact thing that made me feel that way but it was jus
Story Ideas
My current story ideas are How-To articles:
I either want to do how to green your dorm room, because that is a huge part of my current internship or, how to survive as a recessionista.
I will be developing these further at a later date.
______________________________________
Edited today 7:00pm
How-to articles are hard because they have to be skillfully written and not be cheesy so while I'm still exploring that idea, I also want to consider other options.
I intern with the IU office of sustainability and I really love it. I have 3 main responsibilities, the most important is arguably the creation of a stable green dorm room certification program. As a part of my work I have developed multiple lists and even a website for this subject and I think it could be relevant and interesting.
The green movement, namely sustainability have become huge topics of discussion recently and I would like to draw on that.
Secondly I know that there have been many takes on the recession and how to deal with it so I thought why not make a list of things that a woman can do to make her life recession-proof. This would have a slightly smaller audience of females, or I suppose it could also include males. I'm still trying to work with it.
I either want to do how to green your dorm room, because that is a huge part of my current internship or, how to survive as a recessionista.
I will be developing these further at a later date.
______________________________________
Edited today 7:00pm
How-to articles are hard because they have to be skillfully written and not be cheesy so while I'm still exploring that idea, I also want to consider other options.
I intern with the IU office of sustainability and I really love it. I have 3 main responsibilities, the most important is arguably the creation of a stable green dorm room certification program. As a part of my work I have developed multiple lists and even a website for this subject and I think it could be relevant and interesting.
The green movement, namely sustainability have become huge topics of discussion recently and I would like to draw on that.
Secondly I know that there have been many takes on the recession and how to deal with it so I thought why not make a list of things that a woman can do to make her life recession-proof. This would have a slightly smaller audience of females, or I suppose it could also include males. I'm still trying to work with it.
More interesting lead
In a small town in North Dakota, dark matter is casting a dark shadow on scientific opportunity
“If it ends up that dark matter is not made of WIMPs, it will be much more disappointing in a philosophical sense than in a personal sense, in that humankind won’t know what dark matter is,” Shutt says.
__________________
Above was some random brainstorming...
Possible lead that I hope is more interesting?
Physicists in South Dakota are attempting to shed light on a dark matter. Dark matter could potentially hold the key to theories on the universe.
Today, most (but by no means all) physicists agree that dark matter exists, and that it is probably made up of what they call WIMPs, or weakly interacting massive particles. “Massive” doesn’t mean that the particles are large, but that they have mass and therefore both respond to and cause gravitational pull. “Weakly interacting” means that the particles, despite having mass, nonetheless only rarely interact with matter. Scientists also assume that WIMPs are electromagnetically neutral, which is why we can’t see them.
As revolutionary a concept this is, the truth is that no one has ever directly observed the stuff.
from there I have writers block ...
Retroactive post
So I might have had the worst week in the history of awful weeks. Probably just a case of re-occuring bad luck. I had my car broken into. Things totaling $400 were taken from my car and on top of that my computer has a virus, the kind that can not be fixed or if it is fixed will equal the cost of a new computer. How did this happen? I am not sure however, I am now in the market for a new laptop, I have told my parents that it would make a great early graduation gift.
Anyways...
A Race to Find Dark Matter
The reading for today was a sciency one. I will be completely honest I read the first few paragraphs multiple times to orient myself with the subject because I was extremely confused.
It did not catch my interest at all and being that I do not come from a science background I found it a little troubling to have to stop and reread parts so often. I think while a writer must always be aware of their audience it is equally important to consider who might just happen to read the article.
Even with the lengthly explanation of certain terms, I felt a little lost. It did not have a Colonel Troutman moment for me. The fact that these discoveries are happening a mile below the earths surface could have been really interesting but I did not feel that way.
The lead was week and standard, more of a newspaper sound that a magazine article. The use of sources was appropriate and added a little bit of depth. Some of the explanations or descriptions of people were insightful, witty and literature-like. Other than the dialogue, I just feel like the piece in general lacked an anchor of the story or a central theme. Including facts and figures like millions of dollars or ounces of matter is irrelevant if the writer has not been able to connect some of the dots for us in regards to why we should even care.
Anyways...
A Race to Find Dark Matter
The reading for today was a sciency one. I will be completely honest I read the first few paragraphs multiple times to orient myself with the subject because I was extremely confused.
It did not catch my interest at all and being that I do not come from a science background I found it a little troubling to have to stop and reread parts so often. I think while a writer must always be aware of their audience it is equally important to consider who might just happen to read the article.
Even with the lengthly explanation of certain terms, I felt a little lost. It did not have a Colonel Troutman moment for me. The fact that these discoveries are happening a mile below the earths surface could have been really interesting but I did not feel that way.
The lead was week and standard, more of a newspaper sound that a magazine article. The use of sources was appropriate and added a little bit of depth. Some of the explanations or descriptions of people were insightful, witty and literature-like. Other than the dialogue, I just feel like the piece in general lacked an anchor of the story or a central theme. Including facts and figures like millions of dollars or ounces of matter is irrelevant if the writer has not been able to connect some of the dots for us in regards to why we should even care.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Classroom Neighbors
This room is structurally in the middle of the relatively small journalism school. The narrow cylinder of the room and thin walls makes the room susceptible to hearing involuntary sounds. The rooms white bare walls and desks with Macs on them and desk and dry erase board and printer are all typical, but the Jersey Shore soundtrack is an intruder.
Reminiscent of Freshman year, when you would have neighbors who decided to play their loud (and bad) rock music exactly as you were sitting down to study. Any other time but now would be great, for you to obnoxiously and carelessly play bass-heavy tunes. It seems obvious, that if you play music or soundtracks or film or even YouTube videos at a high enough volume others outside of the neighbors room can hear.
Its loud, intrusive, but somewhat comical, this rave-like music that permeates the walls seems oddly out of place even in a school known for pushing "normalcy" boundaries. After the quiet laughter dies down of students hearing the music from the familiar inconsiderate class next door, things somewhat return to normal.
Hearing unsolicited noises is funny ... only the first few times, and then it becomes a nuisance.
Reminiscent of Freshman year, when you would have neighbors who decided to play their loud (and bad) rock music exactly as you were sitting down to study. Any other time but now would be great, for you to obnoxiously and carelessly play bass-heavy tunes. It seems obvious, that if you play music or soundtracks or film or even YouTube videos at a high enough volume others outside of the neighbors room can hear.
Its loud, intrusive, but somewhat comical, this rave-like music that permeates the walls seems oddly out of place even in a school known for pushing "normalcy" boundaries. After the quiet laughter dies down of students hearing the music from the familiar inconsiderate class next door, things somewhat return to normal.
Hearing unsolicited noises is funny ... only the first few times, and then it becomes a nuisance.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Jingle His Coins
Mr. Bitner possessed many qualities one would associate with a science teacher. He had a high-pitched nasally voice, he wore high-water slacks and tight v-necks, routinely acted like animals, and he liked to touch himself in class.
Mackenze Webber had Mr. Bitner for sixth-grade science. She knew she was in for an interesting year because his reputation as being a strange person preceded him.
"He was your typical science teacher, just crazy." Webber said.
Webber recalls one occasion in particular involving bizarre role-play. Mr. Bitner was describing his beloved dog,named Sputnik, as he so often did, and got down on all fours on the carpet. He crawled on all fours and a student jokingly threw a pencil down. Bitner proceeded to pick up the pencil in his mouth as if it were a bone. "Bitner didn't understand that we were laughing at him, not with him." Webber said.
Mr. Bitner had student-assigned nickname as Bitter-balls. Webber laughs as she recounts all the times Bitter-balls would reach down into his tight pants pockets and jingle his coins. He always carried spare change in his pockets and would turn his back to the class and jingle them. The students tried holding back laughter, but often could not.
"There was a jingle sound, but we all knew when he reached his hands into his pockets it served a double purpose," said Webber.
Webber and her classmates will always remember the jingling sound of Mr. Bitner.
Mackenze Webber had Mr. Bitner for sixth-grade science. She knew she was in for an interesting year because his reputation as being a strange person preceded him.
"He was your typical science teacher, just crazy." Webber said.
Webber recalls one occasion in particular involving bizarre role-play. Mr. Bitner was describing his beloved dog,named Sputnik, as he so often did, and got down on all fours on the carpet. He crawled on all fours and a student jokingly threw a pencil down. Bitner proceeded to pick up the pencil in his mouth as if it were a bone. "Bitner didn't understand that we were laughing at him, not with him." Webber said.
Mr. Bitner had student-assigned nickname as Bitter-balls. Webber laughs as she recounts all the times Bitter-balls would reach down into his tight pants pockets and jingle his coins. He always carried spare change in his pockets and would turn his back to the class and jingle them. The students tried holding back laughter, but often could not.
"There was a jingle sound, but we all knew when he reached his hands into his pockets it served a double purpose," said Webber.
Webber and her classmates will always remember the jingling sound of Mr. Bitner.
Change of Plans
Since I could not quite work out my initial idea due to lack of people available for interviews, I am going with option B for my profile story. It is of a friend of mine who had a tragic death in her family. I want it to sound like an episode from Law & Order without being too cheesy.
Note: I will have to revise my query letter as a result.
I seem to have been experiencing the worst of luck with writing this magazine article seeing as my flashdrive lost EVERYTHING and keeps reading an error message, even for a 10-page paper that was due as of 10am today.
However, in spite of it all, I know that I am able to pull off a really interesting profile assignment. I am dreading going first as far as reviewing and workshoping my piece but it could be a positive learning experience, so there's that.
Note: I will have to revise my query letter as a result.
I seem to have been experiencing the worst of luck with writing this magazine article seeing as my flashdrive lost EVERYTHING and keeps reading an error message, even for a 10-page paper that was due as of 10am today.
However, in spite of it all, I know that I am able to pull off a really interesting profile assignment. I am dreading going first as far as reviewing and workshoping my piece but it could be a positive learning experience, so there's that.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Cuddling with the Stanley Cup
For our day back amidst the snow/ice storm we were to read an article on Sidney Crosby, a famous hockey player from the east coast of the US. This story is written in the normal profile format, but what seems to be different is the additions of little details within anecdotes. This adds interest and drama to an otherwise mundane story about a hockey player.
We do have a glimpse into his childish, love-able personality within the first few paragraphs and this is added to within the first story about a prank pulled off where packing materials where put into his teammates SUV. We find that he is a prankster and a fun guy coupled with a very noticeable determination as the youngest captain to with the cup.
The author points out the fact that we are so overcome with obsession with celebrities and athletes, all while adding to the frenzy. Or so we think.
The next page goes into a story about a winning shot and interaction with is teammates. A change from Sid the Kid, to Sid the passionate athlete. All of these stories help to round out an otherwise one-dimensional person that we only read about or hear about.
This was a very skillful piece.
We do have a glimpse into his childish, love-able personality within the first few paragraphs and this is added to within the first story about a prank pulled off where packing materials where put into his teammates SUV. We find that he is a prankster and a fun guy coupled with a very noticeable determination as the youngest captain to with the cup.
The author points out the fact that we are so overcome with obsession with celebrities and athletes, all while adding to the frenzy. Or so we think.
The next page goes into a story about a winning shot and interaction with is teammates. A change from Sid the Kid, to Sid the passionate athlete. All of these stories help to round out an otherwise one-dimensional person that we only read about or hear about.
This was a very skillful piece.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
My magazine piece
My story is about someone I know relatively well. She is a student and a very good one at that. She pretty much excels in life in general and I want to write about that because she intrigues me. Not in a creepy way, but more in a Wow-you-are-awesome-I-wish-I-was-like-you type of way. I hope that the reader understands where I am coming from. This idea came to me because she and I were having a conversation on the Obama presidency and she made a comment, that I'm sure she's forgotten about by now, but I remember it. She said something like 'people really just complain about such unimportant things, try drinking muddy water or hearing gun shots.' I was just in awe. I routinely complain about things that are not important or not bad and I had some prior knowledge of her background but never had I considered the environment that she was rescued from at age 7. Its just shocking in a way. I'm trying to make this important and relevant and interesting.
She is all of 4feet and 10 or 11 inches. She can shoot a rifle. She was overseas for 2 years in the Air Force. She is an amazing student. And she has had all the odds against her. I guess a lot of my impression of her is directly in relation to me. I was afforded plenty of comforting things in life, never had to drink muddy water, never in real fear for my life, never adopted and learned a new language, never served in the military, I do so-so in college, kind of just to get by and after interacting with her I find myself thinking about how much I have taken for granted.
She is all of 4feet and 10 or 11 inches. She can shoot a rifle. She was overseas for 2 years in the Air Force. She is an amazing student. And she has had all the odds against her. I guess a lot of my impression of her is directly in relation to me. I was afforded plenty of comforting things in life, never had to drink muddy water, never in real fear for my life, never adopted and learned a new language, never served in the military, I do so-so in college, kind of just to get by and after interacting with her I find myself thinking about how much I have taken for granted.
Blog post for Jan 27
Won't You be my Neighbor?
The article for class today written by Tom Junod was an interesting way to attack a profile. I did not really enjoy it mostly because Mr. Rogers really scared me as a child and still today. My mom would not allow me to watch it. I can however, appreciate the story for what its worth.
Junod wrote the article skillfully almost like he was mimicking Mr. Rogers. He kept repeating "Once Upon a time" like we are listening to a story. This really adds to the power of story telling. The mini-anecdotes could have been a disaster but he's careful to make the anecdotes mesh with the story instead of debunk it.
I remember him talking about the kid with cerebral palsy and then teaching a kid to pray, just like the "God" he is. Like I already mentioned, he does creep me out so this was giving me more ammunition for my beliefs. If you only read the story once, it would be easy to read it as a satire or joke. If you care about Mr. Rogers, then it could, instead, be more nostalgic.
The article for class today written by Tom Junod was an interesting way to attack a profile. I did not really enjoy it mostly because Mr. Rogers really scared me as a child and still today. My mom would not allow me to watch it. I can however, appreciate the story for what its worth.
Junod wrote the article skillfully almost like he was mimicking Mr. Rogers. He kept repeating "Once Upon a time" like we are listening to a story. This really adds to the power of story telling. The mini-anecdotes could have been a disaster but he's careful to make the anecdotes mesh with the story instead of debunk it.
I remember him talking about the kid with cerebral palsy and then teaching a kid to pray, just like the "God" he is. Like I already mentioned, he does creep me out so this was giving me more ammunition for my beliefs. If you only read the story once, it would be easy to read it as a satire or joke. If you care about Mr. Rogers, then it could, instead, be more nostalgic.
Blog for class, Jan 27
Today we are listing off our interview questions and responding to the reading.
I am interviewing a student and her mother, and a faculty member for my profile assignment.
The interview questions are as follows: (this is a sample, not necessarily the full list)
For the student
1. Describe your life in a few sentences for me.
2. What was your childhood like?
--follow up: what are your first memories as a child in Africa?
--what are your first memories after being adopted?
3. What is your family like?
--follow up: with whom are you the closest?
4. Did you have an epiphany moment or any type of identity struggle growing up?
5. What made you decided to join the military?
6. What type of student would you say you are?
For the faculty member:
1. What type of student would you say Kelem is?
2. What is she like in class?
For her mom
1. What was it like raising an African child?
2. What is your background?
(I asked this because she works with adoption agencies and kids)
3. Did you ever have any issues explaining her identity to her?
I am interviewing a student and her mother, and a faculty member for my profile assignment.
The interview questions are as follows: (this is a sample, not necessarily the full list)
For the student
1. Describe your life in a few sentences for me.
2. What was your childhood like?
--follow up: what are your first memories as a child in Africa?
--what are your first memories after being adopted?
3. What is your family like?
--follow up: with whom are you the closest?
4. Did you have an epiphany moment or any type of identity struggle growing up?
5. What made you decided to join the military?
6. What type of student would you say you are?
For the faculty member:
1. What type of student would you say Kelem is?
2. What is she like in class?
For her mom
1. What was it like raising an African child?
2. What is your background?
(I asked this because she works with adoption agencies and kids)
3. Did you ever have any issues explaining her identity to her?
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Adult Entertainers
In the article called the Peekaboo Paradox we are taken into the world of an adult who has obtained success or at the very mimimum happiness. We are first introduced to him as the Great Zucchini and on first glance, one might laugh. But the author carefully and artfully creates a picture of a dysfunctional man who laughs and plays probably in order to mask the realities and pains that are in life everyday. The Great Zucchini makes a living making kids laugh at parties and social functions. He works only a few days a week and yet makes a six figure salary. We learn later that this salary is mostly consumed in gambling. An interesting parallel considering that the Great Zucchini is gambling with adulthood.
The writer, carefully structures a fun and twisted ride which lasts for more that 19 pages, something you don't even realize is happening. The writer also juxtaposes reality to Eric's reality (Zucchini). This is an excellent example of an intriguing profile.
The writer, carefully structures a fun and twisted ride which lasts for more that 19 pages, something you don't even realize is happening. The writer also juxtaposes reality to Eric's reality (Zucchini). This is an excellent example of an intriguing profile.
Assignment
In class, we are to use our knowledge that we acquire to actually get out and write stories of our own, which is exactly what I was looking for. I have choosen to do my story on Kelemwork Tariku-Shotts who escaped from a rough life in the depths of Africa to a 3.5 student in the Kelley School of Business Honors College. She is an incredible inspiration with an unusual story. She and her mother have appeared on the Oprah (Winfrey) Show, and she is surprisingly humble despite her accomplishments and life.
I have already contacted her and we plan to meet Thursday night at 7pm. I have begun speaking with her via telephone already and she and I are both excited for the article.
I have already contacted her and we plan to meet Thursday night at 7pm. I have begun speaking with her via telephone already and she and I are both excited for the article.
Blog post for J342
In this article assigned for class, we the readers are taken on a swift and methodical journey through the life of a professional liar and con-artist. Despite initial reaction to hate this mystery woman, you instead find yourself rooting for her. Through the title you can assume that a woman tricks an ivy league. What unravels later on in the piece is that she not only tricks an ivy league, but also everyone around her, including herself. She lives in constant agony knowing that any misstep could potentially cost her the livelihood and peace that she had come to love.
The article which appears in the Rolling Stone, carries us like a really good episode of Law & Order. The kind of episode that you don't even want to get up and go to the bathroom for fear that the commercials will end too fast and you will miss something incredibly important. Sabrina Edrely captured my attention from the very beginning and never let it go. The tone is clearly similar to a detective trying to unravel a case. The plot is somewhat of a mystery and thriller all rolled into one, with a little action and drama sprinkled on top. Overall this was an incredible piece.
The article which appears in the Rolling Stone, carries us like a really good episode of Law & Order. The kind of episode that you don't even want to get up and go to the bathroom for fear that the commercials will end too fast and you will miss something incredibly important. Sabrina Edrely captured my attention from the very beginning and never let it go. The tone is clearly similar to a detective trying to unravel a case. The plot is somewhat of a mystery and thriller all rolled into one, with a little action and drama sprinkled on top. Overall this was an incredible piece.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Query Letter #1
I'm unsure how to attach this file, as it was initially typed in a word document.
Dear Angela Burt-Murray,
Query Letter – Magazine Writing – Jeremy Shere
ESSENCE
135 West 50th Street
4th Floor
New York, NY 10020
135 West 50th Street
4th Floor
New York, NY 10020
Dear Angela Burt-Murray,
It is my understanding that the demographic of your award-winning magazine is African American males and females ranging in age from 18-75+ in urban, surburban, and rural areas from all walks of life. Your magazine has been a staple in my household for as long as I can remember, and I know the same is true for friends and associates of mine. Your mass appeal to our minority population means that you have a powerful voice in agenda-setting and providing commentary on the world around is in a flavorful and inviting way.
An interest of mine is sustainability and eco-friendly living. I have interned for Enterprise Community Partners, a national non-profit that works in inner-cities to place low-income families into homes that are built up to LEED silver standards. I am now interning at my college with the Indiana University Sustainability Office as the First Year Experience intern, incorporating green living into the first years of college and theoretically for a lifetime. It would be both timely and insightful for you to run a features or news story about how we can green our lives to create more green. This concept of greening an economy is relatively modern but has huge impacts on our communities, and in all honesty African-Americans have the most to gain if we buy into this idea.
I would love to write a story for your magazine with the aforementioned items in mind. I have been trained on concise and effective writing during my time in the Journalism school of Indiana University in Bloomington, and I am available for consultation or further questions and comments. My contact information will be below. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Briana A. Bobo
Senior, Journalism Student at Indiana University-Bloomington
Phone 314-800-7470
Email bbobo@umail.iu.edu
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