Play Editor

After reading the article , I have come to the conclusion that it is a very strong accusation to make. Without sufficient evidence, the publishing of the article makes the newspaper libel for the consequences. Also seeing the fact that the article was published before any charges were made, the names of the people involved should have not been in the article itself. If however the charges were already made by the time the article was published, then the accusation would be legitimate. 

Also this article doesn't give a lot of information. It just gives a basis of what is going on but not actually the details of the people and the situation. If I was the editor, I would have waited to run the article, at least until there was more information to be added. 

The Fog Index

I choose a news story to use for my fog index.

News story:

A fire broke out in a single home on Annapolis Way in San Jose yesterday. Robert Kent, the man from the burning house, was pulled out from the kitchen when he was surrounded by flames. 

The fire started in the kitchen and then spread to the attic. After being engulfed by smoke and then being pulled out by the firefighters, he is said to have second and third-degree burns on 50% of his body, according to the San Jose fire Captain Rob Piper. A nursing supervisor at Valley Medical Center said that Kent was listed as in grave condition. 

Avg. words per sentence- 18

Hard words- 6

Added- 24

Index- 9.6

I am glad that my fog index made the cut by being over the average index of 7 or 8. I believe that my fog index could be higher but because of the subject that I was writing about, there wasn't any big opportunity to use my writing skills. 

Got what it takes?

Talent:

1. true

2. not true

3. not true

4. true

5. true

6. not true

7. true

Temperament:

8. true

9. true

10. not true

11. not true

12. true

13. true

14. not true

My total score was 23, which stated the fact that journalism was a good fit for me, mostly, but it may require you to change your attitude or improve some skills. 

I feel like this quiz did determine where I stood with journalism. I am interested in the career but I do not have the skills to back me up. This test made me realize that I do not know a lot about the field and my personality doesn't quite match up. While a lot of the questions point to me not being able to succeed in this field, I still am very interested in learning and expanding my knowledge. 

Reporting with Numbers

1. 67% of the funds come from the state, 5% comes from the student tuition, and 28% comes from fees, rants, and gifts. The funds coming from the state include a lot more money than others because they have more money to give. The funds from student tuition are limited due to it coming from a smaller group of people, therefore limiting the amount of money available to be given out.

2. The average prison term for people convicted of aggravated assault is just over a year. The average probation time is 13 months. The median for prison term and for probation time is a year. 

The median is a better estimate of the time people serve in prison and with probation time because it estimates the time without being completely influenced by any outside factors. Since there is one figure that is out of the ordinary, it would throw off the numbers when calculating the mean, but it does not affect the median. 

3. California's sales tax is 7.25%.

For people who pay $5 per meal and only eat out once a week for a year, they would save $18.85.

For people who pay $20 per meal and only eat out once a week for a year, they would save $75.40.  

AP Style#5

1. He thought of Smokey Bear every time he got near a smoldering fire or entered a smoky room. 

2. The forecast is for lower temperatures, falling to the low 30's by tonight. If the rain continues as expected, there could be a travelers' advisory.

3. To celebrate Veterans Day, the anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I. Troops of former soldiers will march down Main Street carrying U.S. flags.

4. His weeklong ordeal will be finished when finals week is over. Until then, his well-being is in doubt.

5.  19-year-old man was arrested Monday for caring a Saturday night special without permit. After being released on bond, he disappeared. His whereabouts is unknown.

6. She'd hoped to be able to trade in her car after getting a tuneup, but she totaled it last night. 

7. Could you Xerox that invoice for me? I need it for our year-end budget.