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Readers Expect a Good Intro – Find a Mentor!

The best way to learn how to write introductions is finding a mentor. A mentor is an experienced advisor, a person you can trust and rely on. You should like his/her writing and accept him/her as a teacher so he/she can teach you. This way you can improve your writing as a mentor teaches you about the “do’s and don’ts.”

It is true readers are impatient; if they want to read a story, they want to know what it is about. They want to know Kipling’s Six Strong Men – the what, when, who, where, why and how. Hence, writing the introduction is the most import summary of your report to attract the reader; it is the only chance to “seduce” him/her. Since I did an internship at a website platform for x-change programmes, I have experienced how difficult it is to write a good introduction; and I still struggle with introductions since I have not found my mentor yet.

I have difficulties in writing introductions because I think too much about what the reader wants to read. Due to the fact that there so many individual readers, I am not able to please them all. Thus, I have to focus on one readership and develop my own writing style and news voice. That means I should find another way to write introductions. If I know what I want to communicate, I should say/write it straight away; meaning that I should decide what news value is the most import in order to start my introduction. Otherwise, I spend too much time to please all the readers in the world. In other words, my job is to report facts – what has happened and not to write a novel. That means I have to choose some of Kipling’s Six Men in order to use them for the introduction. Kipling’s other Six Men appear later in the news.

If There Is no Evidence Do Not Write About It

No, I would not include the balancing comment. One rule of journalism is, if you are not sure do not write about it. Otherwise, you could get into trouble and you might admit that you made a mistake later on. This could be really embarrassing for you. Hence, if I do not know how to prove the comment, and I know that the comment is untrue it would be unfair to the reader to include it. The reader does not want to read on false facts he wants to know the truth.

The Hard Work of a Reporter Does Not Apply to the Reader

I would publish my story since I’ve worked hard for it. However, if I knew that another newspaper wanted to compete in order to reduce my news value, I would change my mind. The reason why I would not publish the story is that I do not like to lose my reputation and the same time my readership; even though I knew that my story was hard work the reader does not care; he or she wants to read a good story.

Uncontrolled Fire Threatens People’s Life in a High Rise Building!

It is important to look for dangers such as collapse of buildings, the danger of fire, and injured victims. Further, it is important to see whether there are enough men to help or to assist like fire workers, ambulance men, police men and psychologists; psychologists are important as many people might get injured and some might even die. Curious people mean danger, too. By watching the scene they could jeopardise the investigations like the fire works, ambulance men and police efforts who want to manage the situation. Another aspect is that aid men could be injured as well; or assistance could come too late if the assistance network does not work properly.

I would interview different experts like fire men, police officers, ambulance men, psychologists and architects. In addition, I would interview victims who experienced the danger, pedestrians who witnessed the fire and relatives and friends of the victims. Finally, I would ask everyone for copyright permission in order to publish my story.

To publish the story as soon as possible or to be the first reporter who reports on it, I would write the story write right away. Additionally, I would take some pictures.

The inverted Pyramid Remains the Most Effective Method

Yes, I do believe that the inverted pyramid is the best structure as it sums up the news. Readers need quick information and they want to know what the story is about before they continue reading. It works best for most newspapers like the Herald, for instance.

Inverted Pyramid Model

The inverted pyramid model applies to me because I think it is import to report the most important facts, and then the less important facts. As a reader I do not want to figure out what the most important news fact is, I want to read and to absorb it. Otherwise, I would be really annoyed. It is my nature, I am impatient, and thus, I want to be informed in the easiest and quickest way.

New journalism, on the other hand, which is characterised by reporter’s subjective view and fictional dramatized features, is fine if the reader wants to know the reporter’s subjective interpretations. However, it should not apply to newspapers sections. I prefer to read the objective facts at first, and then in an extra report the statement of a journalist. News journalism is fine for magazines or digital journals which deal with this technique predominately. However, in general, subjectivity overlaps somewhat objectivity.

Balancing Comment

A report which includes only one-sided comments is like a flat character. It is not fully developed. If you write a story you should create a “round” story which is fully developed. Otherwise, the story has too much influence from one party. The reader wants to know the positive and negative elements, in black and white. However, it is really striking to create balance in a story, it is important for criticism.

Read local, plus global

Reading the newspaper is a good way to be well informed.

My German local newspaper “Weser Kurier” is clearly divided in front page, politics, economics, world news, culture, entertainment, sports and local sections. Hence, I often read the front page at first, as it presents the headline news. Later on, I often read current affairs on politics which are followed by world and sport news. Further, I read about economics, culture and entertainment. However, it always depends on the news value; if the front page reports on a disastrous wave such as the tsunami I would read the world news at first to get more details about the impact. After that I would read about other affairs.

In other words, I usually try to read all sections because they form the society in which I live. It is good to have an overview about local and global affairs.

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Australia worries!

The Indian Ocean Tsunami affected million of people and shocked the whole world, especially Australia. Australian newspapers illustrated the natural phenomenon on the front page of nation’s metropolitan newspapers. Further, the Indian Ocean tsunami disaster was diverged in broadcast news bulletins, and online news. Indeed, it was the headline event since many people have died due to a “monster wave.”

The Australian news communicated about the “where” which is essential if it comes to proximity. In addition, the tsunami disaster had a wide interest to the society because it represented a hook; it was an unexpected event which also could occur in Australia.

Indeed, Australians could easily identify with the tsunami-disaster as most of their population lives along the coastline, too. Further, the “place of disaster” was a favourite holiday destination for many Australians. It could be possible that many Australian tourists had been among the victims. Similarly, the tsunami catastrophe not only opened discussions about the environment, but also formed fundraising campaigns, and finally united a nation in sympathy for the victims and their families.

It is beyond all questions that the tsunami was an upsetting event. It caused many inquires about the environment. Further, it arouses question how it affected economic affairs such as economic aid, jobs, health, laws and societies security. In other words, the disaster has stimulated the society to think about environment and its consequences.

Play on Reader’s Heart Strings

What a story. A mentally ill Australian women is arrested by Queensland police because she was a sick old German?

At first, I would call attention to proximity. It seems as if the government has violated against human rights; the police men have arrested her as she was apparently a German citizen. In addition, they have not cared about her health. Isn’t that discrimination, too?

The story could affect others, especially internationals. I wonder why there have not been more investigations on that old woman. The government could have addressed the German government to ascertain who the old woman really was; or they could have tried to find her family.

The second story would consider conflict value. I would criticize the government’s health system. Since I have been wondering why an old woman was found alone. It seems that she was unable to live by herself; so why does not her family or the government care about her? It is the fact, that she was German or a mentally sick woman? Further, I would address the society because it seems as if nobody had missed her. In my view, the government should introduce a better healthcare system to support and protect older people.

The third story would deal with human interest. “Old sick Australian survived 10 months in an immigration detention” would be the headline for my story to dramatize the issue. Reporting on a mentally sick woman who was charged due to the fact that police men made a mistake would catch the reader’s interest, too. I would try to get an interview with the sick women. Hence, an interview would make the story more vividly and involve the reader emotionally.

My decision would depend on the press, if I worked for a yellow press newspaper, I would rather write a human interest article about the mentally sick woman; otherwise I would prefer the other two stories.

Prince Charles Comments Australian Crimes

Prince Charles would honour the Australian society, the crime problems announcement would not.

Since Prince Charles is a well-known prominent royal, he would have aroused most public interest. Crime problems, on the other hand, are everyday talk so they would not catch the reader’s interest at first hand. Readers would pay more attention to Prince Charles because they like to hear a prominent voice that is interested in their local issues; even though Prince Charles might not be an expert or politician of their country.

It is truth, what matters is that a prominent or even more than that, a royal, shows concern about ordinary people. In addition, Charles’s comment would also include the announcement about the inner-city problems because his comment is based on the crime issue; hence, two stories would be reduced to one story.

In other words, the Charles story would “kill two birds with one stone” and it would be a hook as it does not happen every day that Prince Charles states his point on Australian crime issues.

News Is a Hook

News is a curious, straight to the point communicator of a contemporary event which the reader can understand easily.

Kipling’s Six Strong Serving Men a Guideline for News?

If a journalist writes a newspaper, he should appeal Kipling’s “What, Why, When, How, Where and Who” because they present the essential of a story.

It is true, Kipling’s Six Strong Serving Men communicate the understanding of the matter; however they can appear in multiple combinations. They do not have to be in the same order; neither do all six members of the Six Strong Serving Men have to appear in one paragraph.

Their usage depends always on a particular story. If a journalist addresses prominent, the reader wants to know who it was, what he/she did or what event it was. These “men” matter at first, because prominent events involve well-known people, institutions or organisations. On the hand, if a journalist reports on proximity, the “where” is the most important, then the “what”, the “how” follow; as proximity concerns events geographically which are emotionally close to the reader.

In other words, the story and the journalist determine how many “men” appear in a story. However, journalists should always remember Kipling’s guiding men as a changeable variety.

Paris Hilton a Business Genius?

It is amazing how dynamic software news can be if it comes to Lindsey Lohen, Nicole Richie or the queen of entertainment Paris Hilton. Especially, then, if you think Paris Hilton cannot shock us anymore. Holly cow, she always finds her way to “bejewel” the front pages! Then, who could better copycat Paris’ talent unless Nicole Richie, or Lindsey Lohen? – It is impressive; they are excellent students if it comes to entertainment. How do they do that?

Students of my “Introduction to Journalism Tutorial” who like Paris Hilton, argue she were a business genius. “How come that she makes money out of nothing?” they said. Only a genius comes up with such an idea. If you really think that Paris Hilton is a genius, I have to disappoint you. She isn’t the true genius who deserves all the credit by herself. She is just an actress of a well-elaborated concept.

To throw light on the business-genius sort of thing, you have to acknowledge Paris’s management, and the Hilton parents. I suppose you’ve have forgotten about them. They have been the key to her success. Her management has developed her identity. As a child of a very wealthy and successful family, the Hilton’s, she was forced to make some money, too. Even though, she is an heiress. Since she has acted like a teenager, celebrating and clubbing around, and has not shown a tiny interest in real business, her lifestyle has become a new profession by the help of her management.

Indeed, it is possible that Paris has matured since she has tried out different business. She has promoted her own perfume “Paris Hilton”, recorded her own album “Paris”, and acted in many films such as The House of Waxes, Meat Pie, and so on. By writing an autobiography “Confessions of an Heiress” and performing in “One Night in Paris”, “Simple Life” and so on, she has really provided an insight of herself. Congratulations.

Believe it or not, but a bunch of people were behind Paris’ projects, otherwise she would not be such a ‘good’ business woman. If she really had been a serious business woman, she would not have ended up in jail for drunk-driving. As icon she has really the power to enflame naivety and to get into trouble. However, the society is addicted to her simplicity and there is no wonder that she can gain money out of nothing. It’s in your hands to stop her. Otherwise, we the society thank Paris and her management that her portrait of nature becomes accessible to us.

The Most Important Media Function……

The reader can decide whether he wants to be informed, educated or entertained by choosing the right news; however, a journalist should be able to fulfil all three media functions to please the readership.

A journalist’s duty is to gather news and to inform the society about politics, economics and culture. He is the forerunner of history; thus, we – the society – depend on him and his broad general knowledge, his interest in current affairs, his investigation and so on. By explaining political affairs and its impact on society, a journalist provides us with news. At the same time, he educates us how our system works. Another educative factor is the recording of all kind of news – whether hard or soft news. By storing that news we are able analyse recent and latest news. Hence, a journalist helps us to make decision on elections or other political affairs. Finally, a journalist should be able to entertain us by reporting soft news such as the latest releases in cinema.

Indeed, all media functions stand somehow in relation to each other. Hence, the central function is to communicate to the reader by all three media functions: informing, educating and entertaining.

The Quality of Journalist Identifies a Newspaper: A balance Between Reporting and Profit

Both the employer’s profitability and readership play an important role. The journalist’s responsibility is to inform the readership and, at the same time, to make profit. A journalist acts in the public’s interest. He influences society to make decisions in politics, economics, and culture and so on.

On the other hand, a journalist has to serve his commercial interest. The more readers a journalist attracts, the better is his reputation. Hence, the journalist can become more independent of management. At the same time, the newspaper gains more power and bias because a greater community is reading the newspaper. Further, the newspaper can gain more sponsors noticing that the newspaper circulates a greater community. If the newspaper is sponsored, it saves money, and at the same time makes more profit; then the journalist could gain more money.

However, a journalist should primarily stay loyal to himself and to his readers rather than to operate for profit. His duty must be motivated by a social gain. He has to explain the society to itself by newsgathering, so that individuals of the society can understand themselves. A journalist’s reporting identifies a newspaper so that he needs to find a way to please both the readership and his boss.

Media Act’s in The Public’s Interest

News is the interest of democracy, meaning that a wide range of polictical and cultural viewpoints must be represented in the media. An unlimited freedom of expresssion is dangerous because it can become too dominate. So, as long as the owner of the media outlet acts in the public’s interest, he has the right to protect the newsroom. Otherwise, he should not have the right.

Every media, e.g. the newspaper, represents its personal viewpoint on political, social, cultural issues that has a subjective perspective; it can be leftist or rightist. Therefore, human affairs and authorities must be challenged carefully and with some respect. It is not reasonable to discriminate another viewpoint. Although, news has a personal impact, it rather needs a non-perspective view.

It is the owner’s duty to take action. He has to decide whether a particular issue has been communicated to the reader or not; whether particular news, such as political affairs or political decisions, has been explained fairly. By reporting that news, the outlet always represents a particular subjective opinion. It is then his duty to decide in what extend an issue needs to be discussed and if it is composed in the media’s viewpoint and not in the viewpoint of a particular politician.

If the news has to much personal input, he has to decide whether he can bear the duty to publish it. It is not in his hands to change the policy if he gets into trouble with the law.

Further, he should not be authorised to run a campaign for a political party or receive money from politicians to influence the readers in “choice-making;” this would be corruption.

If the news has enough quality to throw light on society, and the owner of the outlet does not act in his personal viewpoint, then it can be fair to direct editorial policy. However, the devil somewhat overlaps the good.

Breaking News is Attractive

Investigation matters. It is a good “recipe” to report breaking news to attract the reader. It uncovers suspicious facts or something hidden such as illegal business, injustice, murder or defraud.
However, for news-gathering journalists rely on informants who reveal effective information. This might be a dangerous duty because most journalists do not have legal protection. The information of an informant could set the agenda for an aggressive public debate. This could endanger the journalist’s life if he has violated against an authority. Consequently, he could be imprisonment. Therefore, a journalist has to be independent, and be able to trust his on code of ethics in all aspects.

Indeed, breaking news is a risky business but it is the key to success. Breaking news provides headlines that catch the reader’s interest. Hence, the information makes a newspaper unique and interesting so that readers want to buy it.

All in all, it is a good way to be different from other newspapers. At the same time, the newspaper can make more profit, by selling more newspapers than others do. Well then, what can be more attractive than breaking news is?

To Violate or Not to Violate

In general, it is difficult to find a new sponsor right away, who reduces the cost of producing a newspaper. As a journalist, of course, I do not want to be dishonest as it is my duty to inform the society in all aspects. As the woman of duty I have to save the newspapers existence, as well as mine. It is my responsibility to tell the editors to look for a new sponsor, or several new sponsors, to replace the “criminal” advertiser. Hence, I decide to publish the advertiser’s drink-driving conviction as soon as another advertiser is found to replace the old one. However, unless the newspaper gets another sponsor, I have to violate the companies’ policy.

Internet Is the future - Radio, Television and Newspaper Are Now

The internet is the most important media function; especially here in Australia. The internet gives me access to different texts; whether it is hard or soft news. It gives me a wider chance to choose the news. I can decide, whether I want to read the European News, or the Australian News, or even both the European and the Australian news. If I speak more than one language, which I do, I can decide if I want to read in German, or in English. However, if I do not like to read, I am still able to listen to the radio-online news, or to watch online news because the internet provides different media functions. Finally, the internet offers access to old and latest news.

However, in the morning radio is the most important media function. In Germany, I am usually listening to the radio because it provides me with the latest news. Besides, if I wake up late, it is a quick way to receive information. Especially, if I am still tired or late for school, I am able to listen to the news, and at the same time, to get ready for school.

Indeed, the news on television is important, too. However, I rather listen to television news because I tend to do other stuff by the way. However, if an event catches my interest, I tend to watch the television news in order to see the results more clearly.

Reading newspapers on the way to school keeps you up-to-date and entertains you. To kill time, I tend to read newspapers on the bus. Nevertheless, I really get bus sick if I read something during a bus drive. Furthermore, I prefer the internet to the newspaper. It just too expensive to carry a notebook with wires LAN.

In fact, the internet is the most important media function as it has multiple functions. It is a mix of radio, television and text. However, radio, television and newspapers play an important role, too. It only depends on my time, mood, and current residence.

HOW CAN I AVOID THE BIG SPACES BETWEEN THE PARAGRAPHS ???

Dear Mr. Scott, I’ve tried my best to get rid of the spaces between the paragraphs. -It does not work. I apologize for the bad design.