Journal Writing #2 - Media Audiences

Bailout Bill In The Media

A major topic in the news these days has circled around the $700 billion financial bailout bill that has many Americans nervously skeptical about. With the potential of a staggering economical impact on our country, this issue has been raised over and over again in all forms of the media. To make sure that the proper information is passed to the American readers or viewers it is valuable to compare the different medium platforms.

The San Jose Mercury News ran an article September 27, 2008, titled “Congress Pushes Closer to Bailout,” which covers the story from both a Republican and Democratic unbiased perspective. The article is 21 paragraphs long, equivalent to about a quarter of a page newspaper size, and includes nine sources that consist of representatives of both parties, quotes from the presidential candidates, McCain and Obama, as well as President Bush. Surprisingly, an article with a complex concern of financial numbers does not include any graphs or charts that might be beneficial to readers who could view comparisons of banking statistics.

During the early afternoon of September 27th, CNN aired a brief look at the same topic of the bailout bill. A mere one minute and thirty-nine second news report discussed the issue with a strong angle through the presidential debate that took place the day before. The report included two sources, video clips of the debate with Obama and McCain’s view on the subject and then a response from American citizens on the subject. The difference between the two mediums was very distinct. The newspaper was very informative of the facts and what the discussion in general is. The televised news report gave a specific angle of the topic through the debate and the viewer’s response.

An online coverage of the bailout bill from the New York Times gave a 13-paragraph discussion similar to that of the newspaper. A significant difference between the two medias is the more recent information of the online article that gives a few newer updates on the planning of the bailout bill and a much lower supply of sources, which were only four sources. The sources consisted of Republican and Democratic representatives and the President of the United States. Compared to the televised report, the online coverage was unbiased and fact driven mirroring the style of the newspaper report and did not take a narrower angle of the subject, like it did on CNN.

The difference between the media platforms is very beneficial from my perspective. They all cover important information that all Americans should know about, but can still give an array of views and angles of how the issue affects our country.

(word count: 447)

Word of the Week #4

Ryan Kunis
MCOM 100W
M/W 12:00pm
Word #4
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Word: Zealous

Source:
Blues People
By: LeRoi Jones

"...a gentleman officiates it (of course, white) who, I understand, is very zealous in the cause of the spiritual well-being."

Definition: (Adjective)
1. Full of, characterized by, or due to zeal; ardently active, devoted, or diligent.
2. Filled with or motivated by zeal; fervent.
3. Marked by active interest and enthusiasm.

-Synonyms:
Enthusiastic, eager, fervid, fervent, intense, passionate, warm.


The zealous boy waited in line impateintly for his turn to tell Santa how good he had been this year.

Word of the Week #3

Ryan Kunis
MCOM 100W
M/W 12:00pm
Word #3
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Word: Ubiquitous

Source:
Hazards, Risks of Earthquakes and Volcanoes.
Geology textbook by: Abbott

"...the ubiquitous lava flows engulf and incinerate buildings, bury highways, cause drops in property value of homes near the latest flow..."

Definition: (Adjective)
1. Existing or being everywhere, esp. at the same time; omnipresent.
2. Being or seeming to be everywhere at the same time.
3. Being present everywhere at once.


The criminal realized he had to surrender when the ubiquitous police surrounded him after his short lived bank robbery.

Telling Details

Riding the Rails

A herd of backpack wearers slowly pile into the gapping light-rail doors. With only a quick glance across the sea of faces a common expression is easily seen. Exhausted eyes and emotionless mouths stand all around you waiting uncomfortably for a place to sit. Three short tones beep over the stirring sound of bodies; a thud of metal on rubber closes the doors with little concern for those between them.


Those left seat-less grasp frantically for the nearest silver pole when the train jerks forward hurling them embarrassingly backward. The droning sound of stale air recycled through the cars creates more ambient noise than cooling space. Red dots scroll overhead reading what will be the next stop, but you show no interest knowing that you will be there for at least ten more.

Word of the Week #2

Ryan Kunis
MCOM 100W M/W 12:00pm
Word #2
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Word: Esoteric

Source: US Intelligence Community
Strategic Human Capital Plan
By: The Office of the Director of National Intelligence

"We find ourselves in a war for talent, often for the most arcane and esoteric of skills, sometimes between ourselves and/or with our own contractors."

Definition: (adjective)
1. understood by or meant for only the select few who have special knowledge or interest; recondite: poetry full of esoteric allusions.
2. belonging to the select few.
3. private; secret; confidential.
4. (of a philosophical doctrine or the like) intended to be revealed only to the initiates of a group: the esoteric doctrines of Pythagoras.


During the meeting, some of the information about the new project was esoteric data to only a few of the members that attended.

Journal Writing #1 - My Favorite Writing

I am a big admirer of music and the expressive lyrical content that many bands produce. It sends shivers down my spine when a song can show me my own life from such a different perspective, while at the same time be created from someone I have never met. The first two phrases in the song "Snuff" by the heavy metal band Slipknot does exactly that.


Words like "The air around me still feels like a cage. And love is just a camouflage for what resembles rage," give me a feeling that is all too familiar. The same feeling that claws at me every time a relationship goes sour.


These lyrics are an example of good writing because their words have meaning through imagery. They will never tell you directly what they are saying. It is always open to interpretation, but will always have a deep meaning for themselves.

Word of the Week #1

Ryan Kunis
MCOM 100W M/W 12:00pm
Word #1
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Word: Angst

Source: AdWeek Magazine

"I am always in angst about what campaign we can do to blow people away."

Definition: (Noun, Plural) A feeling of dread, anxiety, or anguish.


Matt stood in front of the class in angst as the time for his speech drew closer.