Week 2

Word of the Week:

The word “jaunty” was used to describe the red beret if soldiers in a story that appeared in the New York Times. The story can be read by clicking on the following link:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/24/world/africa/24zimbabwe.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=Exhibit%20Rouses%20Ghost%20of%20the%20past%20in%20Zimbabwe&st=cse

According to Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, jaunty means stylish or genteel in the archaic sense. The dictionary also defines it as “sprightly in manner or appearance.”

I found this word to be interesting because it sounds very formal and proper. I never heard anyone use it before, so I thought it would be interesting to find out what it means. I used context clues to figure out the definition of the word, and I was able to guess correctly.

Catch of the Week:

In the story titled “Suspect in taxi driver murder arrested” there were some grammatical errors. The word “officers” was misspelled as “offiers” and an a sentence in the story lacked in article. I found the article on Jan. 24 and  it was found at MyFoxorlando.com .

Headline Challenge

Florida Cornerback Arrested

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: January 25, 2011

Florida cornerback Janoris Jenkins, considered one of the top cornerbacks in the Southeastern Conference, was arrested Saturday at a nightclub in Gainesville, Fla., on a marijuana possession charge. It was his second arrest in 20 months and the first arrest under the Coach Will Muschamp, who vowed to have players represent the university “the Florida way.” Under Urban Meyer, 27 players were arrested in six years. (AP)

Cam Newton, who is skipping his senior year at Auburn, is working with the quarterbacks coach George Whitfield Jr. in San Diego before the N.F.L. combine. Whitfield worked with the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Ben Roethlisberger during his four-game suspension. (AP)

Stafon Johnson, a former Southern California running back, sued the university and an assistant conditioning coach in Los Angeles Superior Court for negligence in a weight-room accident that crushed his throat and larynx in 2009. U.S.C. said it was not at fault. He played for the Tennessee Titans in the 2010 preseason but was then sidelined by a leg injury. (AP)

Revised Headline:

Gators player booked for weed

A favorite Passage of the Week:

“Atop a horse, seemingly glued to the saddle, the slender child seemed to blossom, his back straighter, his eyes brighter, as if on top not of a horse, but of the world.”

I really like this line because it is very descriptive. This piece, taken from the Monday’s edition of the New York Times, has the elements of a  narrative nonfiction. You may read the full story by clicking on the following link:

 http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/24/nyregion/24towns.html

Arrest

1.Suspect in taxi driver murder arrested

     According to the article, “Orlando police offiers (officers) have made an arrest in the murder of taxi cab driver whose body was discovered near his cab on the morning of Janurary 12, 2011.” It would have been more appropriate for the story to state "in connection with the murder of.” In addition, the story violates AP rules when it comes to dates. January should have been abbreviated and the year shouldn't be included.

2.  Florida Cornerback Arrested

     The article used the word arrested in a way that did not violate AP style. No where in the story did I sense that Janoris Jenkins was being judged before a trial.

3.   Nebraska Man Arrested, Accused of Human Trafficking

     The story dealt with a complex crime that the reporter was attempting to explain.  The only problem I had with this story is the use of the word “accuser,” which labels the person making the claim.  That word connotes that the woman is fabricating the story.

4.  Mother Arrested for OVI with 4-year-old Daughter in Car

     The only thing that bothered me was the fact that the source wasn’t in the lede since this is a serious allegation against a person.

5.    Lake Hallie man arrested at Reno hotel.

      The brief did not violate AP rules on the word “arrest.”

AP on Murder

The Associated Press makes the distinction between homicide, murder and manslaughter. According to AP, "A person should not be described as a murderer until convicted of the charge." The following URL contains a story that violated this rule:

http://www.wrcbtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=13839947

Blog Survey

Name: Daniella Dorcelus What year? Senior

E-Mail: Dorcelus@ufl.edu
Where are you from? Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Why did you come to the University of Florida? I wanted to pursue a degree in journalism, and I found out that UF was ranked in the top 10 when I did some research.
Major? Journalism.
Why are you taking this course (besides the fact it is required)? I would like to improve my grammar skills because it is something you need to do to communicate effectively. In addition, poorly edited work makes a journalist and the publication he or she is working for look incompetent, so it is an important skill to master.
Outside interests, hobbies, avocations, things you love to do? I enjoy bowling, reading and skating.
Tell me one interesting thing about you – something that makes you unique. I’m a twin!
Are you the first person in your family to attend a university? Yes.
On a scale from 1 to 10, with 10 being top-notch, how would you rate your knowledge of grammar, punctuation and AP style? I would say about five.
On the same scale, how would you rate your skills with working with InDesign and PhotoShop and with online media in general? I would say five as well.
What online skills do you feel you are proficient at? I know how to code using HTML and a little bit of InDesign.
Where do you get most of your news? I usually browse USA Today’s website.
What books are you reading and have read in the last three months? I am in the process of reading The Elements of Journalism: What Newspeople Should Know and the Public Should Expect.
Career Goals? Be specific as possible. Elaborate a bit. I would like to work for a magazine targeting African American women. Essence is would be my ideal publication to work for because of its reputation. I would also like to venture off into online media
What magazines, newspapers and news Web sites do you read regularly? I read Essence and Cosmopolitan magazines. I also read USA Today and the New York Times.
What is your favorite website? My favorite website is very smart brothas, which is a blog that deals with relationships in a satirical way. They sometime talk about other topics also.
Do you blog? No, I don’t. I haven’t quite figured out what topic I would be interested in blogging about on a daily basis and being consistent with it.
Do you have any media/communication experience? If so, what? I’ve written for The Independent Florida Alligator and The Gainesville Sun. Prior to writing for these publications, I wrote for The Broward Times, which is currently known as The South Florida Times. I also wrote for Broward College’s newspaper known as The Observer.
Are you pursuing a media related internship or job at this time? I’m anticipating on graduating this semester, so I hope to get a job in the journalism field right after I graduate.
Do you have an updated resume in your files? Yes, I do.