Restricts creativity- Having a consistent style can become boring after a while. A reader may lose interest. They may become unhappy and dissatisfied because with what they are reading. Having a consistent style can kill the creativity and cause predictability. With having one consistent style, you leave almost no room for creativity. If you changed things up from time to time, you would not be considered as having a consistent style. When talking about being a journalist for a newspaper or magazine, and you relatively write about the same way from week to week, people may begin to question whether you are able to expand on your thoughts and branch out to another style of writing.
Enhances creativity- As stated in the text, “Consistent style is the hallmark of a professional.” Having a consistent style makes it easier for the reader to recognize what they are about to read and keeps them focused into the material. Being able to have creativity in your writing to me is another way of showing that you are a professional. Not only does having creativity in your writing show that you are versatile, but it also keeps the reader asking for more. It will spark the interest of the reader and always keep them guessing exactly what your next piece may be about.
The feelings on both cases can somewhat contradict and clash with one another, but ultimately, it is based on your own personal opinion on the issue.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Blog #3
The author makes a strong case for knowing the rules of grammar, but some people do not think that this knowledge is very important. They believe that you can write well without knowing these rules. What do you think?
I am somewhat torn about my opinion. To be able to write with clarity and get the message across to the reader is the goal of a writer. As stated in the text, good grammar, precise word usage and correct spelling are all elements involved with writing with clarity. I believe to be a strong writer you need to know the rules of grammar and how to use them. Of course knowing the rules is just one part of writing. Another part in writing is getting the message your writing about across to the reader. I do believe that without being strong in the aspect of the rules of grammar, you are still able to get the message you want across.
“Writers need to have an interest in the language and how it is used. But that interest should be secondary to the more important goal of using language so that it will convey the information and ideas that a writer must convey.”(Chapter 2 of Writing for the Mass media by James Glen Stovall) I feel that being able to get the message across and be weaker when it comes to grammar is possible.
Some people thinking that knowledge is not very important is shocking to me. I do not understand how someone could feel that way. Without the wisdom of knowledge, how would you expand throughout your life? How would you gain opportunities and learn about yourself as a person. Knowledge connects you with the world just as journalists do. It all goes hand in hand.
I am somewhat torn about my opinion. To be able to write with clarity and get the message across to the reader is the goal of a writer. As stated in the text, good grammar, precise word usage and correct spelling are all elements involved with writing with clarity. I believe to be a strong writer you need to know the rules of grammar and how to use them. Of course knowing the rules is just one part of writing. Another part in writing is getting the message your writing about across to the reader. I do believe that without being strong in the aspect of the rules of grammar, you are still able to get the message you want across.
“Writers need to have an interest in the language and how it is used. But that interest should be secondary to the more important goal of using language so that it will convey the information and ideas that a writer must convey.”(Chapter 2 of Writing for the Mass media by James Glen Stovall) I feel that being able to get the message across and be weaker when it comes to grammar is possible.
Some people thinking that knowledge is not very important is shocking to me. I do not understand how someone could feel that way. Without the wisdom of knowledge, how would you expand throughout your life? How would you gain opportunities and learn about yourself as a person. Knowledge connects you with the world just as journalists do. It all goes hand in hand.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Objectivity
The concept of objectivity is a controversial one in the field of journalism. Why do you think it causes so much controversy?
When using the word objectivity, one is usually referring to the element of fairness and balance within journalism. It is vital that journalists keep their personal opinions out of their work. The focus should only be on getting the information out to the readers. As stated in “Writing for the Mass Media” written by James Glen Stovall, many have an issue with the concept of objectivity because they feel it prevents the journalist from completely informing the readers about the issue at hand. It is often a difficult task to write as a neutral opinion while still trying to inform the views of both sides.
I believe it causes so much controversy because when dealing with the element of objectivity, it is assumed that there is no problem with the journalist being able to separate their views from their work. Sometimes it is not that easy. It is a very difficult to write with your own opinion about a matter, but never letting your ideals show on the paper. Referring to the information found in Stovall’s work, another issue I feel that makes this so controversial is the thought that objectivity limits the journalist from fully informing the readers about all the information at hand. If given a task that was the complete opposite on how you felt, I would imagine it would be very difficult to write fairly on the matter. A journalist would have more ideas and concepts regarding the side they leaned towards more than the opposite side. This is why many believe that when put in this difficult situation, objectivity is a very hard concept to work with.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
San Gennaro Feast
I am not sure if I want to go into journalism or not. I did enjoy writing this piece in class. It was in the form of an IP news story.
Little Italy’s San Gennaro Feast
New York City’s oldest and biggest street festival, the feast of San Gennaro, will begin on Thursday, September 11, 2008 and continue through Sunday, September 21, 2008. This will be the 81st annual feast of San Gennaro in Little Italy.
This feast is commonly known as the best Italian celebration in the United States. The festival has been predicted to once again attract more than one million people to the streets of Little Italy. The festivities throughout the 11-day festival include parades, food stands, musical entertainment, fair games, merchandise, carnival rides and religious processions to the statue of San Gennaro. The feast hours run as follows: 11:00 am to 11:00 pm Sundays through Thursdays and from 11:00 am to 12:30 am on Fridays and Saturdays.
The feast of San Gennaro is a celebration of the Patron Saint of Naples, who was martyred in 305 A.D. The first celebration of this saint took place on September 19, 1926 by immigrants from Naples new to the United States. The immigrants who settled along Mulberry Street in Little Italy celebrated their arrival with a one-day celebration. With its growing popularity throughout the years, the feast has expanded from a one day celebration to an 11-day festival. There are more than 200 vendors lined up along Mulberry Street, Canal Street and Houston Street. Everywhere you look there are the colors of red, white and green from the banners hanging overhead to the amount of merchandise surrounding you.
The party-like fashion is not the only reason why this feast is so popular. The religious aspect of it also attracts people from all different areas.
“It’s taken on a more religious aspect since 9/11,” says Father Fabian Grifone, an 82 year-old priest of the Most Precious Blood Church in the center of Little Italy.
“People have been reminded that San Gennaro is the patron saint to invoke against disaster, since disaster did visit us [six] years ago. They want to get back to a real spiritual side of the feast.”
With the religious aspect playing an important role in the feast, there are many ceremonies taking place throughout the two weeks. A special memorial mass will take place in the Most Precious Blood Church at 5 pm on Thursday September 11 marking the seventh anniversary of 9/11. The Blessing of the Stands will take place right after the mass at 6 p.m. where Father Fabian Grifone will walk through the whole feast blessing the merchants and vendors. The Grand Procession will occur on Saturday, Sept. 13 at 2 p.m. The famous Celebratory Mass, which honors San Gennaro, will take place on Friday, Sept. 19 at 6 p.m. at the Most Precious Blood Church and will be followed by the Religious Procession with the statue at 7 p.m.
While Little Italy has been shrinking for years, slowly being consumed by Chinatown and the Soho district, the festival still lives on strongly with the crowd increasing as the years pass.
“Each year the beloved Feast of San Gennaro brings the world to Little Italy, and Little Italy to the world,” says Joseph Mattone, President of Figli di San Gennaro, Inc. Other members on the board include Vice President/Treasurer Vivian Catenaccio; Secretary Emily DePalo; and Anthony Cannataro, Charles DiRenzo, Robert Marshall and Jean Samma.
Through the feast, the Figli di San Gennaro, Inc has been able to donate some of the profits to charity. The charitable donation from the feast is up to 1.7 million dollars. The donations are spread throughout the children of Little Italy, charities within all five boroughs and the tri state area. No other public festival in the United States gives more to charity than the San Gennaro Feast.
“The Feast is a time for remembrance and reconciliation, and a time for celebration. The excellent food, the free musical entertainment and the excitement will all be there again this year, bigger and better than ever. On behalf of Figli di San Gennaro, I invite people of all backgrounds and ethnicities to join us in September in New York City’s Little Italy to help celebrate Italian culture and heritage.”
I thought that was pretty good and enjoyed writing it very much. I used to write for my city's newspaper until I had to go away to college. I have been told that I could go into the field of journalism, but I still haven't decided. There is so much to choose out there!
Little Italy’s San Gennaro Feast
New York City’s oldest and biggest street festival, the feast of San Gennaro, will begin on Thursday, September 11, 2008 and continue through Sunday, September 21, 2008. This will be the 81st annual feast of San Gennaro in Little Italy.
This feast is commonly known as the best Italian celebration in the United States. The festival has been predicted to once again attract more than one million people to the streets of Little Italy. The festivities throughout the 11-day festival include parades, food stands, musical entertainment, fair games, merchandise, carnival rides and religious processions to the statue of San Gennaro. The feast hours run as follows: 11:00 am to 11:00 pm Sundays through Thursdays and from 11:00 am to 12:30 am on Fridays and Saturdays.
The feast of San Gennaro is a celebration of the Patron Saint of Naples, who was martyred in 305 A.D. The first celebration of this saint took place on September 19, 1926 by immigrants from Naples new to the United States. The immigrants who settled along Mulberry Street in Little Italy celebrated their arrival with a one-day celebration. With its growing popularity throughout the years, the feast has expanded from a one day celebration to an 11-day festival. There are more than 200 vendors lined up along Mulberry Street, Canal Street and Houston Street. Everywhere you look there are the colors of red, white and green from the banners hanging overhead to the amount of merchandise surrounding you.
The party-like fashion is not the only reason why this feast is so popular. The religious aspect of it also attracts people from all different areas.
“It’s taken on a more religious aspect since 9/11,” says Father Fabian Grifone, an 82 year-old priest of the Most Precious Blood Church in the center of Little Italy.
“People have been reminded that San Gennaro is the patron saint to invoke against disaster, since disaster did visit us [six] years ago. They want to get back to a real spiritual side of the feast.”
With the religious aspect playing an important role in the feast, there are many ceremonies taking place throughout the two weeks. A special memorial mass will take place in the Most Precious Blood Church at 5 pm on Thursday September 11 marking the seventh anniversary of 9/11. The Blessing of the Stands will take place right after the mass at 6 p.m. where Father Fabian Grifone will walk through the whole feast blessing the merchants and vendors. The Grand Procession will occur on Saturday, Sept. 13 at 2 p.m. The famous Celebratory Mass, which honors San Gennaro, will take place on Friday, Sept. 19 at 6 p.m. at the Most Precious Blood Church and will be followed by the Religious Procession with the statue at 7 p.m.
While Little Italy has been shrinking for years, slowly being consumed by Chinatown and the Soho district, the festival still lives on strongly with the crowd increasing as the years pass.
“Each year the beloved Feast of San Gennaro brings the world to Little Italy, and Little Italy to the world,” says Joseph Mattone, President of Figli di San Gennaro, Inc. Other members on the board include Vice President/Treasurer Vivian Catenaccio; Secretary Emily DePalo; and Anthony Cannataro, Charles DiRenzo, Robert Marshall and Jean Samma.
Through the feast, the Figli di San Gennaro, Inc has been able to donate some of the profits to charity. The charitable donation from the feast is up to 1.7 million dollars. The donations are spread throughout the children of Little Italy, charities within all five boroughs and the tri state area. No other public festival in the United States gives more to charity than the San Gennaro Feast.
“The Feast is a time for remembrance and reconciliation, and a time for celebration. The excellent food, the free musical entertainment and the excitement will all be there again this year, bigger and better than ever. On behalf of Figli di San Gennaro, I invite people of all backgrounds and ethnicities to join us in September in New York City’s Little Italy to help celebrate Italian culture and heritage.”
I thought that was pretty good and enjoyed writing it very much. I used to write for my city's newspaper until I had to go away to college. I have been told that I could go into the field of journalism, but I still haven't decided. There is so much to choose out there!
Friday, August 29, 2008
Post #1
As clearly and cuscintly as possible describe your academic background, future plans and most importantly how this course fits into those things.
My name is LaToya Brooks and I am currently a Junior at Manhattanville College.
In the year 2006, I graduated from Thomas R. Proctor High School (located in Utica, NY) with an Advanced Regents Diploma. I was a member of the National Honor Society throughout my four years at Proctor and graduated within the top 15% of my class.
Going into Manhattanville, I was unsure as to what I wanted to major and minor in. That turned out to be a great thing because then I was able to take a variety of classes and experiment with them. A couple of classes I have taken here at Manhattanville include Asian Religions, Malcolm X, Dance Classes, Italian and Spanish, Communications, Sociology classes and the lists goes on and on. Classes I thought I would hate I ended up loving and it made me discover elements about myself I never knew existed.
My future plans are up in the air at the moment. I am a Communications Major and obviously hope to have a career in this field when I graduate from Manhattanville. I am currently taking several courses within the Communications field like Public Relations and Video Production to see what genre of Communications I am most interested in. I anticipate after this year I will have a better understanding of these courses and have a secure focus on one field.
The course Writing For The Media is a requirement for a Communications Major. Information learned in this class benefits all the other Communication classes I am taking. They all revolve around one another and with the knowledge of the history of Communications it will better prepare me for a career in the field.
My name is LaToya Brooks and I am currently a Junior at Manhattanville College.
In the year 2006, I graduated from Thomas R. Proctor High School (located in Utica, NY) with an Advanced Regents Diploma. I was a member of the National Honor Society throughout my four years at Proctor and graduated within the top 15% of my class.
Going into Manhattanville, I was unsure as to what I wanted to major and minor in. That turned out to be a great thing because then I was able to take a variety of classes and experiment with them. A couple of classes I have taken here at Manhattanville include Asian Religions, Malcolm X, Dance Classes, Italian and Spanish, Communications, Sociology classes and the lists goes on and on. Classes I thought I would hate I ended up loving and it made me discover elements about myself I never knew existed.
My future plans are up in the air at the moment. I am a Communications Major and obviously hope to have a career in this field when I graduate from Manhattanville. I am currently taking several courses within the Communications field like Public Relations and Video Production to see what genre of Communications I am most interested in. I anticipate after this year I will have a better understanding of these courses and have a secure focus on one field.
The course Writing For The Media is a requirement for a Communications Major. Information learned in this class benefits all the other Communication classes I am taking. They all revolve around one another and with the knowledge of the history of Communications it will better prepare me for a career in the field.
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