When browsing through Perez Hilton’s website, I came across an interesting article about Harry Potter author, J.K. Rowling. I expected to read about her continual fame because of the success of her books and the movies. This was about sued because she supposedly stole ideas from another author and used them to create Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Some people do not enjoy reading what Perez has to say but I find it to be interesting. I think it is effective that he makes rumor through writing on the picture and he makes the claim that “everyone is out to get her money!” He also is brief but concise about what each news report is about. When looking at the Jam! Showbiz article that Perez linked to, the other website decides to write several paragraphs about J.K. being sued. There is more detail in the second article but for someone like me, I like to know enough about a story without having to read the entire article.
Stovall 4.7
1. Marilyn Wall, president of the Walls Tire Co., said that the year has been good for the company. There are plans to hire back laid off employees and add 20 new jobs in the factory.
2. Marsha Moss, director of the local symphony orchesta, said the response from the audience last night was amazing. Moss said that it is more enjoyable to play in front of them than critics and that the audience appreciated their hard work.
3. Jerry Butts, member of the city council, claims that there were only two options involving the police force. They were either to get a raise and raise property tax or not give them their raise and leave property tax alone. Butts said that he does think they deserve the raise but other people may not feel the same way.
4. Laura Stewart, president of Stewart Advertising Agency, said that business is blooming in the city. Stewart said with the growing number of local and other business, the economy will start looking better.
Description
Photo courtesy of Flickr user ricky_1989
The bright and golden sun is flashing down on the ground below. It looks like it may have just come out so it could be morning. The sky is bright blue and it appears to be sometime in the middle of winter. There are many white clouds in the sky at this time. The large trees have no leaves and are bare. Some of the branches appear to be weak and close to the ground. The other tree, on the right, has some dark leaves hanging off of the ends. The ground is covered in white snow. This snow appears to be glistening from the sun shining down on it.
Even though it is winter, it is a nice day. The trees are still standing and the snow on the ground is not overpowering. In the background, there are some bushes that are starting to show out of the surrounding snow. There are also barely noticeable foot-prints in the snow in front of the bushes. Another tree, similar to the two large trees, is barely visable behind the tree with several leaves hanging from it.
Famous Fashion Designer Died
I first found out about famous fashion designer Alexander McQueen’s death through Perez Hilton. I thought that this was a rather tragic story and this wasn’t because of his celebrity status. He was found dead in his London home on February 11. The death was ruled as a suicide. It doesn’t make sense to me why someone with his success would want to take their own life. When I read more about the story, there were rumors that he was under pressure to outdo himself in the next month or it was because his mother died earlier in the month. I never understand why people commit suicide. I didn’t think that life was so hard that it wasn’t worth living in. He will be forever missed and loved through his clients and everyone who knew him.
Stovall Exercise 3.11
1.) The United States comprises 50 states.
2.) How would you write “In the year of the Lord 33”? A.D. 33.
3.) What is the correct title for Russian leaders before 1914? czar
4.) What is an acceptable abbrev. for the ocean liner Queen Elizabeth II? QE2
5.) Which of the following is incorrect: court-martials
6.) What is the long name for the machinists’ union? International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
7.) How should the term NROTC be used correctly in journalism? Navy ROTC
8.) Which of the following is not an acceptable term for the journalist to apply to a religious group: liberal
9.) Which of these words has to do with flowing water: pour
10.) Where are the headquarters for Delta Airlines? Atlanta
Celebrity Snow Days
The snow story that I chose was written by Monica Hesse. This story was uploaded to the Washington Post’s website on February 7th. It appears in the ‘Arts & Living’ section. The name of the story is “Celebrities’ snow days are just as mundane as ours”. It discusses how the region’s celebrities are spending their days during the blizzard of 2010. This story has an interesting take on the storm because it discusses how the region’s “celebrities” are handling the snow. When I first read the story, I expected to hear about A-list celebrities or at least people who I knew of. However, these celebrities consist of news anchors, White House chief of staff, and others.
The writer of this story used exclamatory sentences in the first paragraph to get the reader’s attention. These sentences caught my attention immediately and brought me interested in the story. She also relates many of these “celebrities” to us. They are shoveling their driveways, their houses are without electricity. Their days are spent reading books and eating comfort food. The news value of this piece is that well-known people are having many of the same difficulties as we are and doing many of the same activities that we are. The title of the story “celebrities’ snow days are just as mundane as ours” proves to be true in this story. I was interested especially since my family lost power for over 24 hours. It is nice to know that some popular Washington DC celebrities are dealing with the same problems.
Lady Gaga & Elton John
I was flipping back and forth from the Grammys and MTV. I am not into many award shows but I was excited to hear that Lady GaGa was performing. In my mind, I knew that she would deliver a shocking and amazing performance. It turned out to be both of these. She was dressed in an outrageous outfit and was thrown into a fire at one point after performing her hit song, “Poker Face”. The amazing part was when she collaborated with Elton John on her song, “Speechless”. Watching Lady GaGa perform usually always guarantees a live performance(unlike other pop singers) and promises a good show. This was no exception. Many people think she is weird for her choice in style but no one can deny that she is a talented performer. In my mind, this performance was highly important in this past week of media entertainment.
Stovall Exercise 4.2
” ‘Good Guy’ Holds Teacher, Students Hostage”
1.) The most important news values that are present in this story are conflict, impact, and proximity. This story appears to be a story that would be covered by the news located in that area.
2.) WHO: Eli Dean, 18-year-old student
WHAT: Dean is suspected of holding a teacher and about 15 students hostage.
WHEN: Monday from 11:10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. No exact date is given for when this crime took place.
WHERE: Central High School
WHY: Dean was twice suspended from the school in the last two weeks for setting off a fire alarm and breaking a window.
HOW: He used a .44-caliber revolver taken from his stepfather’s room.
3.) People are the most used type of sources of information in this story.
4.) Sgt. Martin Jenkins is the main source used through the story. It was unclear whether the writer interviewed him directly or not. The reporter/writer could have taken notes during a press conference on the event. A student, Amanda Garr, was also interviewed but her words seem to be paraphrased.
5.) It seems that most of the information in this story is accurate. The writer did some background research on the suspect and talked to more than one source. If I were the editor, I might have suggested to the writer to try and get interviews from friends of the suspect or family members. It would be important to get more information on why a “good boy” would choose to hold up a teacher and his fellow classmates. It would also be important to know if Melody Money was particularly targeted by Eli Dean and why. I would want the writer to double-check the times and information about the specific events that occurred in the school.
Movie Review: “The Hangover”
“The Hangover” is a comedy about four friends who have wild adventures in Las Vegas. The movie was a rollercoaster of laughs from start to finish. Four stars.
Wordiness Assignment
There was never any doubt that Hannah would one day become a famous jazz singer.
Midville is not a large town, but offers safety and security to its residents, especially families with small children.
Erin could not see a point in continuing to pay tuition where she was convinced that she was not receiving the best education.
During most of February, Laura stayed cooped up in her room trying to fight off the effects of a bad cold.