#6 Open Topic

For this open topic freewrite, I am going to write about the dogs that I observed at Paws ‘N Play Dog Daycare when I went there to do some reporting for a story for my Journalism class. Not only did I interview both the daycare owners and a few pet owners, I observed the dogs for a little while. My family’s Boston terrier, Ella, attends the daycare and she was sniffing underneath the door to the area where the dogs were located when I arrived because she knew I was there. Also located in the same area as Ella were Jasmine, an 8-week-old Rottweiler and Eille, a 12-week-old Australian Shepherd-Poodle mix. They were sleeping curled up next to each other and they looked very cute. Muffin, a black Chihuahua mix, was relaxing on a blanket and chewing her bone. In the area where the larger dogs were located, Ginter, an enormous Great Dane puppy, was playing tug of war using a rope with Shug, a cattle dog with a fascinating multicolor pattern on her fur. Also in that location was Polo, a Pit Bull mix, who was watching the other dogs play tug of war. The dogs looked as though they really enjoyed spending time at Paws ‘N Play Dog Daycare, as they were all having fun or resting after a busy day of playing.

#5 What did you see on your way home?

On my way home from work today, rain was rapidly hitting the windshield of my car. My windshield wipers tried to push it all away, but I really need to buy some new ones, so they weren’t doing a very good job.

As I drove down the road, I noticed several pot holes, probably caused by the ice during the snowstorm. I slowed down to carefully drive over them.

I glanced to the right of my car and saw a man in a raincoat walking his dog. The dog looked similar to my dog, Domino, with white fur and large, black spots. The dog was sniffing in the grass as his owner stared at the ground.

I continued down the road and noticed a white plastic bag, probably from a grocery story, floating in the air above my car. It glided through the air and disappeared into the distance.

There were several, enormous pot holes in one spot on the road, so each car ahead of me drifted into the left lane to avoid driving over them.

I reached my apartment complex and drove towards the parking lot. I saw the apartment’s maintenance man slowly walking down the sidewalk holding a plunger, as I parked and got out of my car.

#4 Types of Writing in Your Field

There are several types of writing that are required in the field of Journalism.

Hard-news stories are usually written for serious events that have occurred. For example, an article about a plane crash would be written in hard-news format. The most important information is written in the first, or lead, sentence, and other significant information follows. The least important information is at the end of the story.

Feature stories emphasize less urgent issues, instead of events like crime and disasters. They are written to explore ideas and provide advice. An article about a new restaurant, for example, would be written as a feature. Like hard-news stories, the most significant information is at the beginning of the article and the least significant is at the end. But unlike hard-news stories, feature stories have a lighter tone and are not so serious.

In the field of Journalism, print and online publications are many times written in different manners as well. Online content is usually short and concise, but its print counterpart is usually longer and may become wordy. Many online publications utilize very short paragraphs, which are sometimes only one sentence long, in order to keep readers’ attention. Additionally, online publications use bullet points, bolded words, and hyperlinks to prevent the audience from becoming bored. These tools are not as commonly used in print publications.

All writing for Journalism follows Associated Press style. There are several rules pertaining to commas, numbers and cities, to only name a few. A new version of the AP stylebook is released almost every year, so it is important for media organizations to remain up to date with any new changes in the writing style.

#3 Theory Toolbox

Chapter 9 of “The Theory Toolbox” emphasizes differences. It questions whether the “race, gender, ethnicity, class, or sexual preference” of a cultural producer or consumer of a work makes a difference in the interpretation of the work. “The Theory Toolbox” explains that yes, these aspects do indeed impact the interpretation of a work. Gender and class differences, as well as differences in sexual orientation are highlighted in terms of influencing the way in which a work is understood.

Chapter 10 of “The Theory Toolbox” addresses agency. Agency is “the power to do something.” Therefore, history is made through the agency of individuals. Agency has contextual sources, meaning it is affected by our surroundings.

Chapters 9 and 10 have provided me with a greater understanding of the important concepts discussed and how to utilize them in my writing, particularly in my research project, as well as in examining culture and society.