Lincoln

Kristen Nieslawski

November 3 2011

Comm 337

Abraham Lincoln was an American President whose name will never be forgotten.  Springfield, Illinois is known as the home of Lincoln during most of his life.  The home he shared with his wife and sons is a historical tourist attraction. In 2005 the Abraham Presidential Library and Museum was opened to the public. The museum has many artifacts dating back from when Lincoln was a boy until his death in 1865. For an understanding of experience at the museum I would interview teachers and students who have used the museum as an educational field trip. Also tourist who have travel far from home to visit the great museum. Last but not least I would interview the Mayor, creators, and those who see what the museum has done for the city of Springfield. For my article I would start with a few history facts of Lincoln his presidency and his time in Illinois. I would then introduce the museum and other historical attractions that Lincoln has in Springfield.

Evicted

Tim Harrower presents tips on how to write an editorial. One that stands out to me is the “attack issues not personalities.” I feel that as a writer the police and surrounding neighborhood did just this to the Harris family. To simply explain, the police attacked the personalities of the Harris family by assuming there were gang related issues with the family, dog fighting, and simply because they were not up to code on their house they were poor and needed to be pushed out. This is morally and ethically wrong. To make assumptions and accuse a family who has lived here for nearly 41 years is just mind boggling. The way they charged into the house as if there was a serial rapist or killer inside is just plain wrong. When Mr. Harris quotes “all you had to do was knock,” makes me think why didn’t they try that first? This entire situation is absurd.

The writer of this article Mary Schmich states the facts that “The police did arrest two family members on animal-related misdemeanors, and took away four dogs. But they found no evidence of the crimes some neighbors had suspected, the kind that typically call for 40 officers. No drugs. No guns. No dog fighting.” This entire piece is a good example of stereotyping. Schmich’s article talks about how the neighborhood around the Harris house is an urbanized “neighborhood of new mansions. It clearly was very distinguished with its” bedraggled American flag, the window fan, the brown wooden steps that sloped straight to the sidewalk.” The community around them is stereotyping their living arrangements just because they are not rich and living in luxury. However, the Harris’s have been at 1850 N. Sheffield Avenue for four decades. Don’t you think they have the right to stay and be there? They have raised their children, grandchildren, and made themselves a hard earned living there before any of these others came into the picture.

            “I have never seen so much hate build up in one minute,” Mr. Harris states. The hate towards his family and now the hatred his family more than likely has for the neighbors in charge of making opinions, the police for raiding their home, and the city for allowing it to happen. There is no doubt about it that whomever this happened to there would be a buildup of anger and hate. Mr. Harris worked hard for years to give his family this home and they destroyed it within minutes.

            Don Murray is an ingenious writer. His opinion, I believe, on how Schmich wrote this article would be a form of craftsmanship. She glues together piece by piece (fact by fact) to finish her story and get her voice out there. She did each step in making sure her piece was successfully stitched together for the final outcome. Schmich gave the details and opinions from three different sides of the story. First the side of the Harris family and how they felt about what embarrassment they had just gone through and how they did not understand it. The Harris’s feel as if they have done nothing wrong and it was outrageous how the raid went down. Schmich then gives the view of how a neighbor reacted. The neighbor blogs her observations of the incident as, “I felt like I was on 'The Wire!' Fantastic," she wrote. "... The neighbors hung out near our fence, trying to appear as nonchalant as possible, you know, as if this sort of thing happens every day in Lincoln Park. I watch 'Breaking Bad,' yo, I know about meth. I bet they were totally cooking in there." The final perspective of the incident is the police’s point of view. There were apparent complaints from neighbors around the area about “about unleashed dogs and drugs in tiny Privet Playlot Park.” Another issue was that the dogs living in the Harris home were being malnourished and mistreated.  This was apparently enough incentive for the police to conduct the raid.

            As for Schmich’s entire piece as a whole, I feel she did an outstanding job. She went step by step with details, perspectives of each party, and clearly stated her opinion in an orderly manner without being a bully, she controlled her anger, and took a stand on what she believed in. She also started and ended with strong leads. The quote from Harris about what had happened early that morning was a great way to get the reader to keep on track and interested throughout the entire piece.

Harris Home Raid

Kristen Nieslawski

October 16, 2010

Comm. 337

            Tim Harrower presents tips on how to write an editorial. One that stands out to me is the “attack issues not personalities.” I feel that as a writer the police and surrounding neighborhood did just this to the Harris family. To simply explain, the police attacked the personalities of the Harris family by assuming there were gang related issues with the family, dog fighting, and simply because they were not up to code on their house they were poor and needed to be pushed out. This is morally and ethically wrong. To make assumptions and accuse a family who has lived here for nearly 41 years is just mind boggling. The way they charged into the house as if there was a serial rapist or killer inside is just plain wrong. When Mr. Harris quotes “all you had to do was knock,” makes me think why didn’t they try that first? This entire situation is absurd.

The writer of this article Mary Schmich states the facts that “The police did arrest two family members on animal-related misdemeanors, and took away four dogs. But they found no evidence of the crimes some neighbors had suspected, the kind that typically call for 40 officers. No drugs. No guns. No dog fighting.” This entire piece is a good example of stereotyping. Schmich’s article talks about how the neighborhood around the Harris house is an urbanized “neighborhood of new mansions. It clearly was very distinguished with its” bedraggled American flag, the window fan, the brown wooden steps that sloped straight to the sidewalk.” The community around them is stereotyping their living arrangements just because they are not rich and living in luxury. However, the Harris’s have been at 1850 N. Sheffield Avenue for four decades. Don’t you think they have the right to stay and be there? They have raised their children, grandchildren, and made themselves a hard earned living there before any of these others came into the picture.

            “I have never seen so much hate build up in one minute,” Mr. Harris states. The hate towards his family and now the hatred his family more than likely has for the neighbors in charge of making opinions, the police for raiding their home, and the city for allowing it to happen. There is no doubt about it that whomever this happened to there would be a buildup of anger and hate. Mr. Harris worked hard for years to give his family this home and they destroyed it within minutes.

            Don Murray is an ingenious writer. His opinion, I believe, on how Schmich wrote this article would be a form of craftsmanship. She glues together piece by piece (fact by fact) to finish her story and get her voice out there. She did each step in making sure her piece was successfully stitched together for the final outcome. Schmich gave the details and opinions from three different sides of the story. First the side of the Harris family and how they felt about what embarrassment they had just gone through and how they did not understand it. The Harris’s feel as if they have done nothing wrong and it was outrageous how the raid went down. Schmich then gives the view of how a neighbor reacted. The neighbor blogs her observations of the incident as, “I felt like I was on 'The Wire!' Fantastic," she wrote. "... The neighbors hung out near our fence, trying to appear as nonchalant as possible, you know, as if this sort of thing happens every day in Lincoln Park. I watch 'Breaking Bad,' yo, I know about meth. I bet they were totally cooking in there." The final perspective of the incident is the police’s point of view. There were apparent complaints from neighbors around the area about “about unleashed dogs and drugs in tiny Privet Playlot Park.” Another issue was that the dogs living in the Harris home were being malnourished and mistreated.  This was apparently enough incentive for the police to conduct the raid.

            As for Schmich’s entire piece as a whole, I feel she did an outstanding job. She went step by step with details, perspectives of each party, and clearly stated her opinion in an orderly manner without being a bully, she controlled her anger, and took a stand on what she believed in. She also started and ended with strong leads. The quote from Harris about what had happened early that morning was a great way to get the reader to keep on track and interested throughout the entire piece.

Germany economy at its worst

Kristen Nieslawski

October 5, 2011

Comm. 337

Mayer’s article was well worth her time. The details and information help inform not only Europeans to the crisis but everyone around the globe. She mentions how the Euro crisis can/is effecting the United States and China. I think it is well worth what is going on especially if it will be affecting us personally. I feel that it would have taken Mayer at least 6 months or more to collect all her information and details for her article. She interviewed with over six interviewees. Some of which are high up there being CEO’s and part of the Parliament. I am sure she had to schedule around their free time and availability. She also interviewed with business owners who are affected by the crisis.        

European Central Bank (ECB) president Jean-Claude Trichet has called it "the worst crisis since World War II." The president of the ECB is making a bold statement by saying this. I feel that her words will speak loud to all who read this article. Another hot shot that Mayer spoke with is Chancellor Angela Merkel. Merkel, like Trichet, makes an intrepid statement to her parliament saying “The euro is much, much more than a currency. The euro is the guarantee of a united Europe. If the euro fails, then Europe fails." These two so far are important people to the German society and Europe for that fact. For Mayer to get statements and direct quotes is well worth her time spent for this article. The readers will more than likely have more interest in this knowing that some very well rounded people who have authority have strong opinions on the matter. Jürgen Stark, the ECB's former chief economist, is another that Mayer’s got a direct quote from. Stark stated "It was expected with the start of European Monetary Union that peer pressure would work, but it has not worked.” These three are just the beginning of interviews that Mayer has. I believe that these threes voices are well rounded and want to be heard throughout the news. It makes since in having those who basically control what is  going on opinions and statements on how they feel about the economic crisis.

Among the three above Mayer also interviews those who are directly affected by the situation. Simple business owners have strong feelings about the whole crisis and share their true feelings. "I'm fed up with working hard so the Greeks can sit in cafes and drink coffee with brandy all day," moans Uli, who is a “traditional beer steins to business-minded Frankfurt's rare tourists.” Jens, a sausage vendor who’s place states that he has "the best Wurst in town." Jen’s being a young business owner at 28 complains "We're slaving while Greece parties." The temperament and feelings among local business owners is taking a toll on their hard work and frustrating them. I feel it is necessary to get both sides of the story from the presidents and CEOs and then the local men and women who are being affected by the situation. Mayer did a good job at getting both sides of the story. In which the two sides both agree.

Mayer’s article I believe is an in between of soft and hard news. The topic is very important and needs to be heard however, it is not breaking news that needs to be heard right now right this instance. The Economic crisis that is going on is a very essential topic and people need to understand what is going on throughout their country and around the world. My opinion , doesn’t mean it is correct, is that Mayer’s tone is a concerned one. She is doing excessive research to allow the people of Germany and Europe to know what kind of economic trouble their country/continent is in. Mayer’s states facts throughout her entire article. She backs her statements up with those who basically run the economy in German/Europe. I did not notice too much of her own opinion throughout the reading. However, I wasn’t really looking for that. I was more into the facts and quotes from her sources.

Murray’s idea of craft is when the writer and/ or reporter is hearing and seeing what really isn’t being said. For example, Murray says he always hears the things he isn’t suppose to and would imagine stories and tell them to him or have others tell him to sleep at night. All throughout the day from going to school, playing outside, etc Murray made stories. I feel that “craft” and “art” are different because craft
is something that is a piece or object. As for art anything can be art. From paintings, writing, statues, etc it is all considered art. The two are very hard to differentiate when you simply ask someone first thought. When you put thought into the question though you can break it down. Being in artist in writing is being creative and having an imagination to get the untold story in which no one ever writes about. As for my career ambitions, being an artist is well needed. I have this big dream of becoming the next Erin Andrews. If you do not know who she is she is one of the popular sports casters for ESPN. She is the woman who is on the field before and after the big games in the NFL, MLB, and NBA. I want this dream and will work hard at my goal. Having this ambition will forever change me. The people I will get to meet, the stories I’ll get to write, and the trips I’ll get to take. It is something that art will play into as my imagination.

WWHM

Kristen Nieslawski

337 Blog Post

I have never been into blogs much until we started our own in the Comm. 337 class. I was searching through the internet trying to find a blog I felt was interesting and I could in a way relate to. I found one that I find absolutely hilarious and entertaining rather than informational. The blog I found is called Why Women Hate Men (WWHM). The blog has different stories or computer ads of men trying to pursue woman in the most ridiculous and non attractive ways. For example, for those of you women reading this post, have you ever had a guy use the worst pick up lines ever or talk to you like you were a piece of meat? Hello out there it is not attractive and we do not want to give you a second glance after that. Here is one of my favorite posts on WWHM.

“Hello ladies, a little bit about myself. I graduated from Duke University a couple years ago. I have a great job which pays incredibly, a Lexus, and an apartment which is filling out very nicely. I've been wanting to buy a house, but there is one thing missing, my thin, beautiful trophy wife on my arm. You should be athletic (I run five miles every day, rain or shine) and your fat a** will not be sitting on the couch. You should be intelligent enough to hold a conversation in polite company, but know your place, and when it is appropriate to speak. You should know how to cook, because I am tired of ordering in, and going out every night. My mom has already said that she'd be happy to show you how to cook some of my favorite meals. You can be college educated; however, you won't be working anyhow, so I don't see how it matters, unless of course you studied home-making. Be sure to send a full body photo of yourself, clothing optional. Steven.

I find this entertaining yet offensive all at the same time! What woman in this day and age would want to live like this? If we wanted to run 5 miles a day and serve you hand and foot we would move to the Middle East to be controlled. I’ll agree with the not working thing however, I will be out spending your money on shoes! The creator of the blog has some hilarious responses to Steven’s post out there on a dating website. This is what “Weasel” the WWHM blog creator has to say.
“I'm sure we all remember that strange kid with the plastic helmet in second grade that used to spend half his day eating wasps and the other half sticking his tongue in the pencil sharpener. Tempered brilliance tends to manifest itself in a bizarre fashion with youngsters, so most of these kids actually end up as mildly successful adults just like Steven did. Mothers excessively coddle these disturbed youths however, and as a result they tend to grow into adulthood with a bloated sense of entitlement, especially in regards to women. That's unfortunate, because Steven sincerely believes he's an irresistible catch for any woman, despite the fact that just up until last year he couldn't s**t properly without wearing a blue cape that said "I'm Mommy's Favorite Super Pooper" in pink stitching.”

If you don’t find this response comical then we must be on totally different pages with Steven’s efforts in rounding up women. Throughout the blog on the side of the page there is the Wall of Shame in which have the favorites of all time men trying to use ads for picking up women. I have heard plenty of pick up lines that I feel embarrassed for the person saying them. It’s a shame that chivalry is no longer in existence today. Check out the blog if you are ever feeling down about yourself or having a bad day it is a guaranteed pick me up!

chapters 3 & 4 SURPRISE!!!

As I read through chapters 3 and 4 I think I caught on to the idea of what Murray was talking about when “reporting for surprise.”  The way I look and took advice from Murray is simply by doing as he says. On page 34 Murray states “a writer should look for what isn’t there just as much what is. Hear the unsaid just as much as the said.”  My understanding of this is to read between the lines and thoroughly look into the interview or project you are working on. Read the person for more than just their words. I have a good tendency to know if someone is lying. Its shown through the eye contact, hand motions, and breathing. Also to catch the “surprise” a “journalist who is effective trains themselves to listen.” (36) This statement is very true. If you compare a journalist to a new parent a journalist trains to listen a new parent trains to obtain patients. If someone wants something bad enough in life they will learn (train) to get there and figure out how to become on top.

            There are the five main senses in which a journalist uses; hearing, sight, touch, smell, and sometimes even taste for a food critic as an example. To get a good surprise a journalist must be alert and have all senses ready to go. For example, have those ears and eyes ready because one never knows who they may see or what they might hear. It could be huge news and be a story of success. On 9-11-01 many reporters were out and about that day little did they know they would be writing history later on. Smell and touch are used in journalism quit often if you think about it. I know that people write stories on Decatur, IL and talk about the stench it has. Touch is something one does without thinking about it. For instance, runs their hand against a wall they are walking by in the area of their story. These are not the only sense’s a writer has according to Murray. Murray states that there are five more senses. These five would be change, effect, conflict, content, and self. I believe using these five senses would make the surprise stand out because the sense of changing it up or having change in a story would make readers interested in actually reading the article rather than it being the same as usual.  Conflict is another huge action for a surprise. The climax in a movie is usually the main conflict and the best part of the movie. In which is normally a shock or “surprise.”

            As I read on throughout chapters 3 and 4 a quote that caught my eye was “A good reporter is forever astonished at the obvious.” The obvious can be the surprise!

Think about it. It doesn’t necessarily matter the obvious story it is how it is written. The writer can use surprise to catch the eye of the reader to an obvious story. Does that make sense? It does to me.  On page 51 it talks about writing old stories (obvious stories) in a new form and or voice. I think this statement will help back up my thoughts on obvious can be the surprise. By doing this a writer can write “stories that aren’t appearing in the papers or news.” Having an issue going on in ones area is obvious to the readers yet some people just ignore to write about it. Well someone needs to do it. Murray mentions the idea of changing the point of view for the surprise. He says one should pursue a new interest. I feel that all of the above are in consistent with one another for a good surprise.

chapter 3 & 4

1. Read Donald Murray, especially Chapters 3-4, on "reporting for surprise" and finding the flow (Murray calls it "tension" of a story. As you read Murray, try to figure out what he means by "surprise." It's almost impossible to explain, but it's important. It may be the single most important thing that makes your work stand out in the crowd.

2. Post your thoughts (about 1,000 words) to your blog, and email me when you've finished. How does Donald Murray define "surprise?" You'll want to skim through Chapter 3, "EXPLORE: Report for Surprise," before answering this. He doesn't really define it, but he has several brief quotes you might want to include in your blog post.