Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Chapter 5: Critical Interpretation, Kevin Penny, Aden Cruz, Kris Hoyt, Steven Wagers

Purpose
  • Accuracy and checking facts, reliability of sources and references, gathering information and references, Internet search tools, Internet discussion groups, commercial electronic databases.

  • The author wants us to be aware and conscious of the resources utilized in gathering information for stories, and in making sure that sources are reliable.

  • The author wants us to apply the techniques mentioned in the chapter to create solid, factual news stories.

  • People who want to improve their journalistic integrity, and also people interested in improving their research skills in order to make their stories more factual.
Structures and Features

  • The chapter is divided into sections. Often the author uses techniques that are associated with online journalism such as:
  1. Lists

  2. Bold subheadings

  3. Bullets
  • The text acts as an instructive tool for those who have not yet learned these points, or are reviewing them. It is also very easy to reference for readers to look back and review.

  • It doesn't really have images. There are a few figures though. These figures come in the form of reference charts which provide additional information.

  • English. The diction is colloquial.

  • The author of the book is trying to impose a clear message on the reader.

POWER

  • "Of course it's fair. It's a textbook. If a textbook was biased, they would not allow it to be taught in schools."-Kevin Penny

  • There are no people or groups that are seen in either a good or bad light, but rather they are all viewed objectively by the author.

  • Author and publisher for monetary reasons, but the student, or reader, are the ones who benefits from the information. Also potential future consumers that may invest in the future works of people that have read this chapter.

  • Author and publisher for monetary reasons, but the student, or reader, are the ones who benefits from the information. Also potential future consumers that may invest in the future works of people that have read this chapter.




Gaps

No, there are plenty of reference materials in the text that allow you to source your own information.

Gypsies, vampires, werewolves, fairies, accountants, extra-terrestrials, etc...

Those that do not produce content. Plumbers, or other trades people may not find this information particularly valuable. (unless they're trying to rescue a princess from an over sized turtle.)

The textbook covers a fair amount of information however, with the rapid advancements in technology there will always be something left out. This is why textbooks need to be digitalized.

Picture obtained from http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2007/09/12/mario300_narrowweb__300x392,0.jpg

2 comments:

  1. GOOD POST WOULD READ AGAN 5/5

    One problem is that if it presented vampires in a good light they would evaporate, so they can't ethically present them in a good light.

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  2. Two issues with this: first, vampires can be journalists like anyone else, but they have to work the night crime beat. Secondly, if textbooks were digitalized, Megan wouldn't be able to read about journalism in the bathtub.

    With love,

    Maxwell Rausch
    Rob Smethurst
    Ricki Cundliffe
    Megan Perras

    ReplyDelete