Two interesting pieces to comment on and one for some good reading.
1. In "For Once, CNN Takes New Less Seriously", it's clear that the format of shows such as The Daily Show and The Colbert Report are catching on and even the elusive, "we're the toughest news in the business" CNN is trying to pull on the 18-34 demographic that the comedy/news shows draw on. Of course, this comes only a few weeks before the end of the election, so who knows how the show will fair. But, what do you think of this type of news shows? This is not Comedy Central, so what is CNN's commitment to this show saying about mainstream news outlets and how they're trying to reach viewers? Is this a good move?
2. Rituals is a regular column in the Escape section of Friday's NYT. The content varies, but this one ("1st Down and 3 decades gone by") stuck out as something, topic-wise, we might be able to incorporate into The Voice. Maybe a way to get alums interested in reading and/or writing for us? The style of this piece of quite touching yet avoids sentimentality. How does the author keep us engaged with the narrative? Any style tips to take from this piece?
No need to comment on this final suggested reading, but I thought it a good read on a hotly debated topic in California: Proposition 2. That's the prop about caged animals. A long read, but an interesting one. Lots to learn in "The Barnyard Strategist."
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
Week 9
Sports, anyone? Here are two great stories to comment on.
1. Tiger Woods was back at Torrey Pines, but this time as a caddie. While the topic of this piece is quite feel good, the writing is solid and the intention is well stated. In the current news atmosphere, do you think pieces like this will increase in popularity or decrease? As people tire of the economic situation and presidential fight, they will increasingly turn to news outlets for sources of inspiration and relief. Is this the role of the media in a time of crisis? Or, will pieces like this fall to the background even more? Is there a sports piece in here with an MA twist?
2. Ah, the Rays. Sweet Tampa Bay. Slayer of the evil Red Sox. Winner of the ALCS. Awesome. Here is a great analytical article on the make up of the team that is now headed to the World Series. Not only is this a great example of division/analysis style writing, but it's also quite creative at times. Does this style work? Do you find this article interesting even, if say, you hate baseball or sports in general? What kind of Voice piece might you be able to model after this one? Is this a good way to cover a sports team at MA?
Share yourinsights, brilliance, amazingness and more. Honestly, the comments from the last few weeks have been awesome. Keep up the great work!
1. Tiger Woods was back at Torrey Pines, but this time as a caddie. While the topic of this piece is quite feel good, the writing is solid and the intention is well stated. In the current news atmosphere, do you think pieces like this will increase in popularity or decrease? As people tire of the economic situation and presidential fight, they will increasingly turn to news outlets for sources of inspiration and relief. Is this the role of the media in a time of crisis? Or, will pieces like this fall to the background even more? Is there a sports piece in here with an MA twist?
2. Ah, the Rays. Sweet Tampa Bay. Slayer of the evil Red Sox. Winner of the ALCS. Awesome. Here is a great analytical article on the make up of the team that is now headed to the World Series. Not only is this a great example of division/analysis style writing, but it's also quite creative at times. Does this style work? Do you find this article interesting even, if say, you hate baseball or sports in general? What kind of Voice piece might you be able to model after this one? Is this a good way to cover a sports team at MA?
Share yourinsights, brilliance, amazingness and more. Honestly, the comments from the last few weeks have been awesome. Keep up the great work!
Monday, October 13, 2008
Week 8
Lots going on ...
1. A good read for all of you. This NYT article talk about the economy and how it's already hitting teens. While I think the article is well written and pertaining to a great topic, what do you think of the cartoon? This is a great example of a cartoon complementing an article. Thoughts? Comments? Brilliance?
2. Another article from this weekends NYT Style Section ... this piece talks about overfeeding on news. How does the constant consumption of news effect the media? Does it make the media sharper? more focused? Or might it make the media softer and less effective because the shift is moving to smaller bits of information but at higher rates of release? Could America's obsession with things like the economy and the election be a bad thing? Could over consumption eventually turn people into apathetic blobs? Or is this the way of the future -- news briefs every second of every day, no matter the seriousness or relevancy of the issues?
3. This article from the NYT's New York section is a great example of a creative lede. While the nut graf still has all of the basic information in it, the style is more relaxed, more story-like that hard news. This is a feature and deserving of a strong lede, but what do you think of its effectiveness? Is it appropriate for the tone of the entire article?
4. This piece is from Slate Magazine and it's all about baseball and the postseason. Now, this isn't hard news and it surely isn't breaking news, but the style and structure is one The Voice can emulate. First off -- what do you think of the piece? Is it well written? Is the tone balanced enough between humor and information? Secondly -- what topic could The Voice take on with this kind of structure and format? It need not be something sports related.
5. Ok, I couldn't resist this one -- it's a great editorial by Ben Stein. What do you think of his writing? or his tone? of his ideas and how he gets them across? Is this editorial too edgy? Too severe? Maybe you think this editorial stinks. Why? or why not? What kinds of structural lessons can you learn from this piece?
1. A good read for all of you. This NYT article talk about the economy and how it's already hitting teens. While I think the article is well written and pertaining to a great topic, what do you think of the cartoon? This is a great example of a cartoon complementing an article. Thoughts? Comments? Brilliance?
2. Another article from this weekends NYT Style Section ... this piece talks about overfeeding on news. How does the constant consumption of news effect the media? Does it make the media sharper? more focused? Or might it make the media softer and less effective because the shift is moving to smaller bits of information but at higher rates of release? Could America's obsession with things like the economy and the election be a bad thing? Could over consumption eventually turn people into apathetic blobs? Or is this the way of the future -- news briefs every second of every day, no matter the seriousness or relevancy of the issues?
3. This article from the NYT's New York section is a great example of a creative lede. While the nut graf still has all of the basic information in it, the style is more relaxed, more story-like that hard news. This is a feature and deserving of a strong lede, but what do you think of its effectiveness? Is it appropriate for the tone of the entire article?
4. This piece is from Slate Magazine and it's all about baseball and the postseason. Now, this isn't hard news and it surely isn't breaking news, but the style and structure is one The Voice can emulate. First off -- what do you think of the piece? Is it well written? Is the tone balanced enough between humor and information? Secondly -- what topic could The Voice take on with this kind of structure and format? It need not be something sports related.
5. Ok, I couldn't resist this one -- it's a great editorial by Ben Stein. What do you think of his writing? or his tone? of his ideas and how he gets them across? Is this editorial too edgy? Too severe? Maybe you think this editorial stinks. Why? or why not? What kinds of structural lessons can you learn from this piece?
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Week 7
Let's learn how to review!
Rachel Getting Married
A movie review of the upcoming film by the same title.
Eco-nomics
Book review equating green business to big business.
Stopping Makes Sense
A review of Vince Young the the struggles he's facing in the NFL.
So, what makes a good review a GREAT review. Which of these reviews is most successful and why? What kind of language does a good review use? What style works best? How can a reviewer express his/her opinion without alienating the audience? What kind of tone must a reviewer maintain? As you can see, reviewing is more than summarizing; it's about capturing a film or piece of music or person, and making it compelling to others. So compelling, that you'd want to jump out the buy the book, see the film, meet the person. As I did when I read this review: A Race Like No Other.
Rachel Getting Married
A movie review of the upcoming film by the same title.
Eco-nomics
Book review equating green business to big business.
Stopping Makes Sense
A review of Vince Young the the struggles he's facing in the NFL.
So, what makes a good review a GREAT review. Which of these reviews is most successful and why? What kind of language does a good review use? What style works best? How can a reviewer express his/her opinion without alienating the audience? What kind of tone must a reviewer maintain? As you can see, reviewing is more than summarizing; it's about capturing a film or piece of music or person, and making it compelling to others. So compelling, that you'd want to jump out the buy the book, see the film, meet the person. As I did when I read this review: A Race Like No Other.
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