Analysis of a News Source 3.1

Basics: 10p on Monday, Feb. 11, KARE 11, with anchors Julie Nelson and Randy Shaver

Story 1: Boy killed in Oakdale shooting; local/crime; Rena Sarigianopoulos

Story 2: Residents protest mayor’s new job; local; Julie Nelson

Story 3: Experts predict next pope; world; anchors

Newsworthiness

Story focus statement: Boy killed in Oakdale shooting

1. Timing: This happened very recently (earlier that night), so timing is an important element to the newsworthiness

2. Proximity: This shooting happened in Oakdale, which is in the metro area, so proximity is important

3. Significance: Although the suspect is in custody now, he shot several people and killed a 10 year old boy, which is pretty significant

4. Human interest: This story definitely makes you sad, so human interest is a factor in the newsworthiness 

5. Oddity/Uniqueness: This story isn’t hugely unusual, though an apparently random shooting is somewhat odd

6. Prominence: No celebrities were involved, so this isn’t important.

Weekly Response 3

One thing I really liked in this week's section of the book was when Bob Dotson explained about twisting cliches to make them at least a little bit new and interesting again.  Cliches are so easy to use without even thinking about it, but it makes the writing so much better if you use original ideas or at least use the cliche differently than everybody else has.  The idea about having a surprise in your story reminds me of poetry, especially haikus - you want to give the reader a twist that keeps them interested rather than letting them assume they know where the story is headed.  If you're predictable, people stop listening, so having a twist in the story will keep them from changing the channel.

In the first story, the surprise is that the family decides to give the money back.  It makes the story a lot more interesting right away -  a family that wins $50,000 and returns it is a lot more unusual and interesting.  The author is also using an "active voice" throughout the story, making it seem more alive and current than if he wrote in the past tense.  He also writes conversationally, as if he's speaking to the reader, saying with a nudge,"You've already guessed what happens next."  It feels like the author is telling us personally, rather than spewing out facts for the masses, and that, too makes the story more readable.

In the second story, one of the things the reporter does to make the story more interesting is talk about how cold it was.  It makes the viewer feel like they were right there with there nose being frozen by the bitter wind, too.  He also has an element of surprise at the beginning of the story to capture the reader's attention - we want to know why the woman in the stands is crying.  He also writes in threes, describing how the couple is " screaming like teenagers, cursing like true Minnesotans, cheering on each child.  This rule of three gives a rhythm and pleasing sound to the story.

Analysis of a News Source 2.2

Basics: 10p on Wednesday, Feb. 6, with anchors Julie Nelson and Randy Shaver

Story 1: Gun control debated at capitol; law; anchors, plus Scott Seroka

Story 2: Maple Grove hockey coach suspended; local; Julie Nelson

Story 3: Felon bought 10 guns; local/crime; Randy Shaver

Newsworthiness

Story focus statement: Gun control debated at capitol

1. Timing: The debates happened over the last couple days in response to the Sandy Hook shooting, so time is a main factor in making this story newsworthy.

2. Significance: Gun control laws affect everyone in the state who owns or wants to own gun, so this is pretty significant.  The significance is further proven by the fact that the hearings were overflowing with citizens.

3. Proximity: This happened at the state capitol, so proximity is important.

4. Human interest: Gun control discussions elicit a lot of anger on both sides of the debate.

5. Oddity/Uniqueness: This story isn’t particularly unusual.  Gun control is being debated all over the country right now.

6. Prominence: No celebrities are involved in this story.  This factor isn’t relevant.

Weekly Response 2

Bob Dotson writes in a very familiar way, almost like he's talking to you rather than writing.  He uses first person and tells you anecdotes about how his grandmother thinks he needs a real job.  This familiarity makes you feel connected to him and builds his credibility, and therefore makes you more interested in what he has to say about journalism.  As a journalist, he also gives the most important, general points at the beginning of the section, explaining the rule of threes, telling us "silence makes people uncomfortable," and that you should "ask the Non-Question/Question" for the best soundbites.

From pages 9 to 27, I learned the basic helpful tools for writing an interesting story in a short amount of time.  He talks about keeping a journal with ideas like friendship and your thoughts about them, so that when you need to say something about friendship in a story, you can pull it from the journal and save time that way.  He also reminds the reader to point out the little details that make a story feel more alive and real, like the smell of the air during a wildfire.

On the left column, it tells you what visual shots will be on screen, and on the right it has the dialogue and narration for the story.  The two are separated so that you can see what is going on with the images and video during each section of the story.

For my long-form story, I watched a story about two girls with a rare disease called Progeria.

To set the scene, they had a shot of Lindsey giggling with her father, with the natural sound of her laughter, then Barbara Walters' narration of Lindsey's disease.  Then they have a wide shot of the area where Kaylee, another girl with Progeria, lives nearby.

For foreshadowing, Barbara Walters hints that Progeria is a rare condition that only nine girls in America have.  We also see shots of Kaylee and see the physical toll Progeria takes on the people that have it.

The clear conflict in this story is Progeria itself, but they also interview Kaylee's brothers about how the disease is difficult for her in that it makes her different from her peers.  We learn that people with Progeria tend to live short lives, which is clearly a huge, awful conflict on its own.  In addition to this, they talk about how expensive the medications for Kaylee are.

To demonstrate character growth, they show how Kaylee wants real hair, but knows she has to be content with a wig for now.  We also see literal character growth when Kaylee is measured during a drug trial and is taller and heavier.  This isn't a major part of the story, though.

For conflict resolution, Barbara Walters explains that Kaylee and Lindsey are both in a drug trial that hopes to slow down the effects of Progeria on their bodies.  We see that the drug is working when Kaylee has gained weight and grown 6 centimeters.  We learn that some aspects of Progeria are being treated for the first time with this new drug, and that money is being raised for the families with an annual walk, ending the story on a hopeful note.

Analysis of a News Source 2.1

Basics: 10p on Sunday, Feb. 3, KARE 11, with anchors Rena Sarigianopoulos and Blake McCoy

Story 1: Two drown in Lake Minnetonka; local; Lindsey Seavert 

Story 2: Banning cars on Lake Minnetonka unlikely; local/weather; Blake McCoy

Story 3: Injured senate aid thanks supporters; local; Rena Sarigianopoulos 

Newsworthiness

Story focus statement: Injured senate aid thanks supporters

1. Prominence: He became prominent after his affair with Amy Koch, and that is why his tweet is on the news now.

2. Proximity: This is an important factor because it happened in the metro area.

3. Significance: While a tweet isn’t a big deal, Michael Brodkorb was important because he was in a scandal with the former Minnesota Senate majority leader and because he was then injured in a car crash.

4. Timing: While the aid was in the car crash 11 days ago, the story is relevant because of his tweet today thanking everybody for their support as he recovers.

5. Oddity/Uniqueness: It’s kind of odd that he ended up in a bad car crash while in the public eye because of the affair, but not that weird.

6. Human interest: Some people may feel disgust at his affair or be happy to hear he’s doing better, but this isn’t a huge factor.

Analysis of a News Source 1.2

Basics: 6PM on Thursday, Jan 31, KARE 11, with anchors Julie Nelson and Randy Shaver

Story 1: Expect frigid temperatures tonight; weather; Jerrid Sebesta

Story 2: Icy sidewalks causing injuries; weather/local; Boua Xiong

Story 3: Proposed bill would prevent criminals from having guns; local; John Croman

Newsworthiness

Story focus statement: Icy sidewalks causing injuries

1.Timing:  The sidewalks have been causing people to slip and get hurt in the past couple days, so timing is important.

2. Proximity:  This is happening in the metro area, so proximity is a main factor in the newsworthiness.

3. Significance:  A few people getting minor injuries isn’t a huge deal, but the slippery ice is impacting everybody in the area.

4. Oddity/Uniqueness:  It’s been unusually icy lately, but ice on sidewalks in a Minnesota winter isn’t really that special.

5. Human Interest:  This story doesn’t really appeal to emotions and so human interest isn’t a big factor.

6. Prominence:  Nobody famous has been hurt – just ordinary people.  This isn’t a relevant factor.

Weekly Response 1

Like a good journalist, Alton Brown begins with the most important information in his introduction to his cookbook.  He lists off the "engine parts" of baking, such as basic ingredients, time, and temperature in the second paragraph, while he discusses the way he abbreviated the measurements for this cookbook towards the end. 

He also illustrates his points with little anecdotes that give him more validity as an author and make the introduction more interesting to read.  For example, when explaining that baking must be done precisely, he talks about his grandmother's biscuits and how he couldn't replicate them until he realized he should pat the dough rather than knead it.  

The way he heads each section of the introduction is similar to the caption statement that reporters use as well.  In a short phrase or sentence, he sums up the basic idea of the section.  Headings like “Details: Don’t turn your back on them” and “Classifying the Results” quickly give the reader a basic idea of what information will be provided in the section.  Like a reporter’s statement, these headings are short and sweet, allowing the reader to quickly search for information they want to refer back to later on.