Media Audiences

News coverage is different with every source of media. Through examining the same national story in different media, I was able to compare the news coverage. I focused on the story of John McCain postponing the first presidential debate to focus on the bailout plan.

The first article I read was in the San Jose Mercury News. The article was 24 paragraphs long spanning over the cover page and another page. There were 12 sources quoted throughout the entire article. This article was the only one, accompanied by a tight shot of both candidates and another picture of people setting up for the debate. In this article is focused on the fact that McCain would not be present and his campaigning would also stop. Sources quoted involved political parties from both sides, but mostly Republicans and McCain’s campaign.

The next news story was a broadcast on KTVU. This segment was 2 minutes long and four sources were quoted. This story elaborated more on why McCain postponed the debate and it also included what his terms were for coming back to the scheduled debate. He mentioned that he would only return if an agreement were made for the bailout deal. This story included both McCain and Obama speaking publicly on the issue and also other senators who had opinions of the candidates’ motives. In this form of media viewers could actually see the candidates speaking about the issues instead of simply reading what they had said.

Lastly, an online article on Yahoo news was viewed. This article is 855 words. It had 15 sources and was more like print coverage. All the information mentioned in this article is current and includes everything that was mentioned in both the television broadcast and newspaper article. It also included information that was not mentioned in either of the other two. It mentioned Sarah Palin’s visit to the memorials of those killed in September 11, 2001. This article however, does not include as much political strategy the candidates’ might be doing as the other media outlets did. The online article offered more news coverage than the other two because it included more information on the issue overall. Also on the website were related videos, links to election sights and other political articles.

Articles for broadcast give you a summary of the story, and include the most important parts. Print media goes into more detail and provide more information about the story. Online media offers other information that is related to the story, such as, related videos, political links, and links to other election news as well as graphics. As discovered, depending on what news media outlet I am examining, different coverage will be highlighted.

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Word of the Week #4

Furor

Source: San Jose Mercury News website

How it was used: EPA decision on perchlorate sparks furor.

Definition: 1. An angry or maniacal fit 2. A fashionable craze 3. Furious or hectic activity 4. An outburst of public excitement or indignation

-Noun

Sentence: The pop quiz raised a furor among students.

Telling Details

Entering the quiet, serene doctor’s office, I left the noisy, bustling city at the door. Approaching the cold, marble counter, I was fervently greeted by the receptionist. After checking-in, I retreated to the sofa and let my body sink into the cushions. Playing in the background was jazz music; at a volume so low it could have gone unnoticed. The air conditioning was on and the cool air moved through the room swaying my hair across my back. Every brochure, piece of paper, booklet, and product was placed with such purposeful organization. The immaculate office smelled of sterility, as if it had just been cleaned. Breaking the tranquil silence, another patient tromped into the office. Practically bellowing her complaint that her shoes were too loud, everyone in the room became vigilant of her. Plummeting next to me, she adjusted her black high heels. With grace, the doctor noiselessly opened the waiting room door, and then delightedly called my name for my appointment.

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Word of the Week #3

Fervor

Source: TIME magazine

How it was used: People arrived to hear him out of fervor or mere curiosity, and they stayed for the sense of possibility.

Definition: 1. Intense heat 2. Intensity of feeling or expression

-Noun

Sentence: After September 11 2001, the people of the United States had patriotic fervor.

Word of the Week #2

Pithy
Source: How to Write Television News, by Garth Kant

How it was used: “One is the sort of prose that verges on poetry-something pithy and witty that captures the essence and just says it all."

Definition: 1. Consisting of or abounding in pith 2. Having substance and point: tersely cogent

-Adjective

Sentence: Senator Obama recited a pithy speech at the Democratic National Convention.

Word of the Week #1

Scintillating 

Source: How to Write Television News, by Garth Kant 

How it was used: The lead isn't scintillating.

Definition: brilliantly lively, stimulating, or witty

-Adjective

Sentence: Julia's mom gave her scintillating advice about boys. 

My Favorite Writing

"What other words, we may almost always ask, are memorable and worthy to be repeated than those which love has inspired? It is wonderful that they were ever uttered. They are few and rare indeed, but, like a strain of music, they are incessantly repeated and modulated by memory. All the other words crumble off with the stucco which overlies the heart. We should not dare to repeat these now aloud. We are not competent to hear them at all times."

My favorite piece of writing is this quote from Henry David Thoreau. I stumbled across it while online searching for a quotes for a project. I think this is a good piece of writing because of the language he uses, it is incredible beautiful. He is very articulate in addressing his point as well as extremely eloquent. I found this excerpt to be very true. If we say loving things repeatedly, they will loose their meaning and will no longer be as powerful as they were the first time they were expressed. These words are too magnificent to loose their meaning, so it is important we are conscious of when we say them. 

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All About Me

My name is Raquel and I am a Broadcast Journalism student at San Jose State. I am a junior and this will be my second semester at SJSU. I originally attended San Diego State but transferred because they did not offer broadcasting within the Journalism major. I would like to become a news anchorwoman after I graduate college.

I was born and raised in Santa Cruz, California. I enjoy going to school in San Jose because it is so close to home and the commute is quick. I love the beach and staying active outside. This summer I went on a trip to Yosemite where I hiked gorgeous areas and relaxed in the beautiful outdoors.

A passion of mine is traveling. I absolutely love learning about new cultures and different ways of life. It is so fascinating to me. My dream would be to incorporate traveling within my career. At some point in my life I would like to become an international reporter. I also think it would be an amazing job to write for a travel magazine that required traveling in order to write the pieces. After I retire from broadcast news I think this is something I would really enjoy doing. I have traveled throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico, England, and Belize. I am planning to study abroad in Greece next academic school year and backpack throughout Europe. Thailand and Spain are also two other places I would love to visit.

Through taking 100w I hope to become a better writer and learn to write well under deadlines. I am looking forward to learning useful writing tools and techniques that I will be able to use throughout my career. 

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