Story Assignments for Nov. 3rd

1.) I Learned that in profile journalism the goal is for the particular story to be small sample of a larger issue. Like when Banaszynski talks about the gay AIDS victims, he might be only talking about these two people but the story brings to light the AIDS epidemic and how people cope with it. Most newspaper articles are not like this, they are more mundane with no clear people or overall theme to them, which makes them different than a profile.

Also with profiles, the writer has to ask uncoventional questions to the subject, asking different questions will get better responses which makes for a better story. The writer should get the subject out of their comfort zone by asking them a question that they were not expecting.

Even after eliciting these personal responses, when you sit down to write you have to be able to turn off your emotional attachment to the subject. Now your loyalty lies with the reader, not the subject.

I learned that travel writing needs to be the exact opposite of newspaper travel writing. In most newspaper travel writing sections, advertisers run the show. Cruise lines, and travel agencies dicate the news--much like T.V. When writing for travel, don't just describe the hotels--which can be boring. Go into detail about what you experienced while there-- the places that are different, that would be interesting if the audience visited there. In order to do this, keep a diary on your travels. Write down anything that catches your eye.

I found it interesting that in a personal essay the use of the word "I" can be unuseful. I never realized that "I" is to generic and doesn't give enough substance to the reader. Just like a movie, you need to set the stage for the character--even if that character is yourself. The writer must be able to dissect himself-- to tell the audience exactly who he is without any qualms. However, you shouldn't bash yourself either. You should have a good balance, even if that means making your negative qualities comical.

2.) After i finished reading "The Stalking of Kristen", I was terribly horrified. How could the legal system not have helped this girl, when it was obvious that the boyfriend was a lunatic with a mile-long rap sheet. Her death was unneccessary. However, I also have the feeling that someone else should have written the article besides her father. I kept thinking that he might have been too bias to give the full cut and dry story. Also, if it was a personal essay shouldn't it have been more about kristen and the writer and less about her killer? I am probably all wrong abou this :-/