Throughout the course of the semester there have been many stories and blogs that I have written that have challenged me. Whether it be an advanced obituary or a story covering a local government meeting, these assignments have helped me broaden my writing style and improve my news writing ability.
On the first day of class I thought that I had a pretty good sense of news writing style, but I was definitely wrong. I did not know proper AP style when it came to leads, interviewing techniques, and simple writing style. I have learned so much about how to write proper leads, how to write different styles of stories, and also how to keep myself out of the news writing process.
There have been a couple of distinct habits that I was so accustomed to using in my writing style that I have had to change this semester. They have been simple changes, but they make a difference in the overall quality of my writing. Here is a list of 25 of those bad habits that I have learned to change, therefore improving my news writing skills.
1. Do not use the term "spoke" in the lead.
2. Do not use the term "met" in the lead.
3. Do not use the term "gathered" in the lead.
4. Web site, not website.
5. Never use a hyphen in place of a dash.
6. Do not use semicolons if possible.
7. Tri-State, not tri-state
8. Always use a strong verb in the lead.
9. Use a direct quote in every story.
10. Who= subject of sentence
11. Whom= object of sentence
12. Internet, not internet
13. e-mail, not email
14. Ph. D., not PH.D.
15. Only use the term "very" in direct quotes.
16. Do not use the term "several".
17. Keep the lead short and concise, about 25 words.
18. If a person has more than one title, make sure to use them both.
19. Do not say obvious things, only what is important and crucial.
20. Do not use "said that", just say "said".
21. Use the term Faculty instead of Staff.
22. People are "who", not "that".
23. You can only report from your 5 senses.
24. Only use the actual date if an act of God happens, like Jesus coming back.
25. Attribute every sentence.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
2009 H1N1 Virus Presentation Takes Place at Marshall University
Harry K. Tweel, Director of the Cabell-Huntington Health Department, said on Monday that the 2009 H1N1 virus, also known as "Swine Flu", is a true pandemic.
"A true pandemic is one that is worldwide, with little or no immunity, and this strain of the virus fits both of those descriptions." Every year, people everywhere rush to get the seasonal flu vaccine, but that vaccine will do nothing in helping fight the H1N1 virus.
"This strain of the virus is predictably unpredictable", Tweel said. Every year 200,000 people in the United States are hospitalized from the seasonal flu, with 36,000 of those hospitalizations resulting in death. Most of those that are affected from the seasonal flu are older, usually over 60 years of age. The difference with this strain of the H1N1 is that is mostly affects people between the ages of 6 months and 24 years old.
According to Tweel, "22.9% of the cases in Cabell County were with people between the ages of 0-4 years old and 26.7% were with people between 5-24 years of age." He stressed the importance of people under the age of 25 getting the vaccine, saying that its "safety profile is identical to the seasonal flu vaccine."
There are six main target groups for the vaccine, and the federal government has purchased all of the vaccines from the manufacturers to try and help contain and control the spread of the virus. Pregnant women, parents or caregivers of children younger than 6 months old, health care workers, all people between 6 months and 24 years of age, and people over 25 who have other health complications such as heart disease, diabetes, or asthma are all eligible to receive the vaccine.
There have been over 10,000 vaccines given in Cabell County this year, with more to come in the upcoming months. Tweel said that there are things everyone can do beyond the vaccine to help prevent the spread of H1N1 as well. "Simple things like washing hands, coughing into your sleeve, and using hand sanitizers are all important."
There has been a decline in the amount of cases in Cabell County in the past month, but Tweel said that this is just the "end of the beginning", and that all eligible people should get the vaccine if it is available to them.
The Cabell-Huntington Health Department will conduct H1N1 clinics for high-risk individuals who live or work in Cabell County or the City of Huntington Dec. 1-2 at Marshall University. The clinics will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 1-2, at Cam Henderson Center on Marshall’s Huntington campus.
"A true pandemic is one that is worldwide, with little or no immunity, and this strain of the virus fits both of those descriptions." Every year, people everywhere rush to get the seasonal flu vaccine, but that vaccine will do nothing in helping fight the H1N1 virus.
"This strain of the virus is predictably unpredictable", Tweel said. Every year 200,000 people in the United States are hospitalized from the seasonal flu, with 36,000 of those hospitalizations resulting in death. Most of those that are affected from the seasonal flu are older, usually over 60 years of age. The difference with this strain of the H1N1 is that is mostly affects people between the ages of 6 months and 24 years old.
According to Tweel, "22.9% of the cases in Cabell County were with people between the ages of 0-4 years old and 26.7% were with people between 5-24 years of age." He stressed the importance of people under the age of 25 getting the vaccine, saying that its "safety profile is identical to the seasonal flu vaccine."
There are six main target groups for the vaccine, and the federal government has purchased all of the vaccines from the manufacturers to try and help contain and control the spread of the virus. Pregnant women, parents or caregivers of children younger than 6 months old, health care workers, all people between 6 months and 24 years of age, and people over 25 who have other health complications such as heart disease, diabetes, or asthma are all eligible to receive the vaccine.
There have been over 10,000 vaccines given in Cabell County this year, with more to come in the upcoming months. Tweel said that there are things everyone can do beyond the vaccine to help prevent the spread of H1N1 as well. "Simple things like washing hands, coughing into your sleeve, and using hand sanitizers are all important."
There has been a decline in the amount of cases in Cabell County in the past month, but Tweel said that this is just the "end of the beginning", and that all eligible people should get the vaccine if it is available to them.
The Cabell-Huntington Health Department will conduct H1N1 clinics for high-risk individuals who live or work in Cabell County or the City of Huntington Dec. 1-2 at Marshall University. The clinics will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 1-2, at Cam Henderson Center on Marshall’s Huntington campus.
Thanksgiving: A Time for Family
This Thanksgiving was one that brought a new and exciting challenge for me that every man seems to dread. I was blessed with the opportunity of going to meet some of my girlfriend's extended family for the first time in Pennsylvania. It brought a nervous anticipation that I hadn't experienced in a long time and I was unsure of what was to come.
With all of the excitement that comes from a family gathering during the Thanksgiving holiday, it was hard to find time to relax and catch my breath. Many family members that I had never met before were asking questions about my life and the direction it was headed.
The meal was delicious and the dessert was perfect, and the barrage of family questions and introductions was over. It was a relief to know that I was accepted and that now I could take part in some of the family traditions, such as "black friday" shopping and thanksgiving day football.
With all of the excitement that comes from a family gathering during the Thanksgiving holiday, it was hard to find time to relax and catch my breath. Many family members that I had never met before were asking questions about my life and the direction it was headed.
The meal was delicious and the dessert was perfect, and the barrage of family questions and introductions was over. It was a relief to know that I was accepted and that now I could take part in some of the family traditions, such as "black friday" shopping and thanksgiving day football.
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