Tuesday, August 24, 2010
On The Media Reaction
I was unaware that there were 2 plagiarism scandals earlier this month. I watch the news--where were these stories?? This seems to happen a lot in journalism, one of the worst examples being Stephen Glass who just completely made things up. It's clearly a problem so I was surprised to hear that there is actually software out there to stop this and newspapers AREN'T using it!
We use things like this in academics a lot (as Silverman says) and it is considered a really serious offense. Students are familiar with things like TurnItIn.com, yet the testing stops in the professional world--why?
I love the use of the term "accidental plagiarism" and Silverman's response that it is "BS most of the time." In the professional world, I'd have to agree. These people are supposed to be professional, responsible reporters who pay attention to details. Forgetting to credit a source is simply inexcusable.
But spending $5,000- $10,000 a year on these services?? Wow! With the states most newspapers are in it's no wonder they can't afford and thus do not use these services. Still, something needs to be done about this problem, the question is: what?
Article Comment Two
AIG Repays Loan
This is a very cut and dry article. The lede perfectly follows the classic 5 W and H format. It's not exciting, but if you consider the audience of this kind of article, it makes sense. Just by reading the first brief paragraph, I have a lot of information:
Who: AIG
What: announces they will repay loan
When: Monday
Where: Press release or interview
Why: they need to pay up!
How: Using proceeds from a debt sale
The article is pretty short overall and contains a lot of numbers, which can get a little confusing. This is the kind of article that is a quick, easy read for business persons who already have some knowledge about the bailout. There is very little explanation.
There are no quotes in this article, and I don't really see a need for them either. Since AIG "announced" this information, I am assuming that the writer culled the information from a recent press release and past articles.
This is a very cut and dry article. The lede perfectly follows the classic 5 W and H format. It's not exciting, but if you consider the audience of this kind of article, it makes sense. Just by reading the first brief paragraph, I have a lot of information:
Who: AIG
What: announces they will repay loan
When: Monday
Where: Press release or interview
Why: they need to pay up!
How: Using proceeds from a debt sale
The article is pretty short overall and contains a lot of numbers, which can get a little confusing. This is the kind of article that is a quick, easy read for business persons who already have some knowledge about the bailout. There is very little explanation.
There are no quotes in this article, and I don't really see a need for them either. Since AIG "announced" this information, I am assuming that the writer culled the information from a recent press release and past articles.
Article Comment One
Digital Diversions...
I love the use of humor in the lede--especially the question that the mother asks at the end. I wonder how the reporter found this source though, as it is not something obvious about the person that you'd be able to find via an internet search. The personal anecdote works well here, it both draws me in and makes me relate to the plight of the mother.
In addition to these anecdotes, the writer has also used statistics and scientific data which makes the piece a lot more than just fluff and speculation. When she says that "80%" of teens don't get enough sleep, it make the reader realize that this is a real problem, not just an annoyance for tired mothers. However, none of this information really feels new or different to me. I've heard many times before that people don't get enough sleep, so in a way this subject feels a little "old."
The article then shifts focus from effects on family life to effects in school. Again, I feel like this makes the issue seem more real and important to readers as they see how it effects all areas of life. But then I feel it gets too broad and loses some focus. The title suggests that the article is about technology and sleep but the writer begins talking about the effects of after-school jobs and homework which seems to be getting too broad.
The article wraps up nicely because it echos the beginning. Both the beginning and end show parents "patrolling" after hours to make sure that their kids are actually asleep. This is a good technique to make the piece feel like it has ended rather than just stopping mid-thought.
Overall, this is well written and there is a great variety of sources, but I am left wondering "Okay, what do I do with this information now? What good does it do to my life." Nothing about the article felt like a revelation or offered new solutions to an age old problem which leaves me wondering "what's the point?"
I love the use of humor in the lede--especially the question that the mother asks at the end. I wonder how the reporter found this source though, as it is not something obvious about the person that you'd be able to find via an internet search. The personal anecdote works well here, it both draws me in and makes me relate to the plight of the mother.
In addition to these anecdotes, the writer has also used statistics and scientific data which makes the piece a lot more than just fluff and speculation. When she says that "80%" of teens don't get enough sleep, it make the reader realize that this is a real problem, not just an annoyance for tired mothers. However, none of this information really feels new or different to me. I've heard many times before that people don't get enough sleep, so in a way this subject feels a little "old."
The article then shifts focus from effects on family life to effects in school. Again, I feel like this makes the issue seem more real and important to readers as they see how it effects all areas of life. But then I feel it gets too broad and loses some focus. The title suggests that the article is about technology and sleep but the writer begins talking about the effects of after-school jobs and homework which seems to be getting too broad.
The article wraps up nicely because it echos the beginning. Both the beginning and end show parents "patrolling" after hours to make sure that their kids are actually asleep. This is a good technique to make the piece feel like it has ended rather than just stopping mid-thought.
Overall, this is well written and there is a great variety of sources, but I am left wondering "Okay, what do I do with this information now? What good does it do to my life." Nothing about the article felt like a revelation or offered new solutions to an age old problem which leaves me wondering "what's the point?"
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