4. A possible state bill can help lower Towson's risk of being a victim of identity theft which exceeds the national average.
5. The Towson school district leads in the effort to help at-risk youths with its Community Helping Hands program receiving $1.2 million in aid from the total $30 million federal grant money.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
Summary Lede Practice
1. The Mayor's husband was injured in a three-vehicle accident Thursday afternoon suffering a broken leg and several broken ribs.
2. City council members raised the issue of creating a local board to oversee building changes in historic downtown at their monthly meeting.
3. The Senate-approved plan to store over 77,000 tons of nuclear waste in a Nevada desert is safe, the Secretary of Energy said Monday.
2. City council members raised the issue of creating a local board to oversee building changes in historic downtown at their monthly meeting.
3. The Senate-approved plan to store over 77,000 tons of nuclear waste in a Nevada desert is safe, the Secretary of Energy said Monday.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Extra Credit Blog
Comma Rules
Rule #1: Use commas in compound sentences when clauses are separated by a conjunction such as "and," "but," "for," "nor," or "yet."
Examples: She managed the restaurant, but he did the cooking.
This food tastes superb, for it was made by the best.
Rule #2: Use commas to separate elements in a series. Such element usually are adjectives, verbs, or nouns.
Examples: The tall, dark, handsome man hailed, lauded, and applauded Ben, George, Maude, and Rebecca.
Most people think of the beach as a calm, fun, and beautiful place.
Rule #3: Use commas when attributing from quoted material. Commas set off words of attribution from the words of a one-sentence quotation unless a question mark or exclamation mark is preferred. Use them also in greetings.
Examples: He said, "Hello."
"The fair has been canceled," she said.
Rule #4: Commas follow introductory matter, such as after an introductory adverbial clause.
Examples: When the team was forced to kick, the coach sent in his best players.
In the spring of 1981, she returned to College Park.
Rule #5: Commas follow the salutation of a friendly letter and the complimentary close of any letter. Commas also follow capitalized elements such as the complimentary close.
Examples: Dear James,
Sincerely, Dean Smith
Rule #6: Commas follow all items in a date or full address:
Examples: July 16, 1962, is his date of birth
She has lived in Lake City, Fla., all her life.
Rule #7: Commas surround nonessential words or phrases.
Examples: Well, we will just have to walk home.
The president-elect, suffering from laryngitis, canceled his speech.
Rule #8: Commas surround words of direct address.
Examples: Maria, please pass the butter.
I can see, Fred, that you are lazy.
Rule #9: Commas indicate omitted verbs, usually expressed in another part of the sentence.
Examples: Talent often is inherited; genius, never.
Pilots Ask for Guns; Airlines, for Marshals.
Rule #1: Use commas in compound sentences when clauses are separated by a conjunction such as "and," "but," "for," "nor," or "yet."
Examples: She managed the restaurant, but he did the cooking.
This food tastes superb, for it was made by the best.
Rule #2: Use commas to separate elements in a series. Such element usually are adjectives, verbs, or nouns.
Examples: The tall, dark, handsome man hailed, lauded, and applauded Ben, George, Maude, and Rebecca.
Most people think of the beach as a calm, fun, and beautiful place.
Rule #3: Use commas when attributing from quoted material. Commas set off words of attribution from the words of a one-sentence quotation unless a question mark or exclamation mark is preferred. Use them also in greetings.
Examples: He said, "Hello."
"The fair has been canceled," she said.
Rule #4: Commas follow introductory matter, such as after an introductory adverbial clause.
Examples: When the team was forced to kick, the coach sent in his best players.
In the spring of 1981, she returned to College Park.
Rule #5: Commas follow the salutation of a friendly letter and the complimentary close of any letter. Commas also follow capitalized elements such as the complimentary close.
Examples: Dear James,
Sincerely, Dean Smith
Rule #6: Commas follow all items in a date or full address:
Examples: July 16, 1962, is his date of birth
She has lived in Lake City, Fla., all her life.
Rule #7: Commas surround nonessential words or phrases.
Examples: Well, we will just have to walk home.
The president-elect, suffering from laryngitis, canceled his speech.
Rule #8: Commas surround words of direct address.
Examples: Maria, please pass the butter.
I can see, Fred, that you are lazy.
Rule #9: Commas indicate omitted verbs, usually expressed in another part of the sentence.
Examples: Talent often is inherited; genius, never.
Pilots Ask for Guns; Airlines, for Marshals.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Five Most Common Grammar Problems
1. Punctuation – Few people actually know the rules of punctuation use. Do not use the “feel good” method of punctuation.
- Example correct comma usage: The tall, dark, handsome man hailed, lauded and applauded Ben, George, Maude and Rebecca.
2. Subject and Verb Agreement - Some people confuse the subject and verb agreement by using the wrong verb type (singular or plural) for a noun
- Example of correct subject and verb agreement: The Girl Scouts is a fine organization
3. Pronouns - Pronouns help in avoiding needless repetition in language.
- Example of correct pronoun usage: Journalism is a popular major, and now it (journalism) prepares students for many careers.
4. Sentence Structure - Along with fragments and run-on sentences, faulty parallelism and modifier placement cause problems with sentence structure
- Example: Marvelene listed steps in planning a successful party: sending invitations early, greeting guests personally, and supplying abundant food and drink
5. Word Usage - Subtle word usage errors can cause misunderstandings. In addition, correct usage leads to credibility; readers have confidence in error-free reading.
- Examples of word misusage: affect and effect, comprise and compose, sit and set, less and fewer, and lie and lay
- Correct: Exercise affects your heart rate
- Correct: The rain had no effect on Amy’s hairdo.
- Example correct comma usage: The tall, dark, handsome man hailed, lauded and applauded Ben, George, Maude and Rebecca.
2. Subject and Verb Agreement - Some people confuse the subject and verb agreement by using the wrong verb type (singular or plural) for a noun
- Example of correct subject and verb agreement: The Girl Scouts is a fine organization
3. Pronouns - Pronouns help in avoiding needless repetition in language.
- Example of correct pronoun usage: Journalism is a popular major, and now it (journalism) prepares students for many careers.
4. Sentence Structure - Along with fragments and run-on sentences, faulty parallelism and modifier placement cause problems with sentence structure
- Example: Marvelene listed steps in planning a successful party: sending invitations early, greeting guests personally, and supplying abundant food and drink
5. Word Usage - Subtle word usage errors can cause misunderstandings. In addition, correct usage leads to credibility; readers have confidence in error-free reading.
- Examples of word misusage: affect and effect, comprise and compose, sit and set, less and fewer, and lie and lay
- Correct: Exercise affects your heart rate
- Correct: The rain had no effect on Amy’s hairdo.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Summary Lede
A summary lede is considered the first sentence or first couple sentences in most news stories. It should contain answers to the "W's," be concise, and include interesting information inviting the reader to read the rest of the story.
Examples:
Examples:
- The Baltimore Sun's article about Michael Phelps and his recent marijuana photograph. This automatically catches the reader's attention within the first sentence because it follows up on a previous story about a celebrity, tells where the photograph was found, gets to the point of how Michael Phelps feels, and includes a quote from Michael Phelps.
- The New York Times' article, "Hyundai, Using a Safety Net, Wins Market Share." This especially struck my attention because I drive a Hyundai Santa Fe. The one sentence preview of the article explains what the company is going to do, lets the public know that Hyundai is committed to this proposal, and tells the reader who this proposal is directed toward, those who lose their jobs, which is presently a large economic concern.
- The New York Times' article, "Small Payroll, but Big Woes on Insurance." The title alone is enough to draw the eye because of America's dwindling economy. But, within the first two sentences of the article the reader it briefly told a true story about another every day American. This helps the reader relate to the story and makes them want to read further. The sentences show what the individual did, what happened her, and the conflict or struggle at hand.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Ch. 14 Answers
1. Objectivity requires that journalists stick to observable facts and avoid injecting their opinions into news reports. One can achieve this by covering all sides of an issue, along with finding the observable facts find the truth, and do not just take the viewpoints of officials.
2. Thoroughness is looking into every aspect of a story. One can achieve this by tracking down and talk to the best sources, finding the best documentary evidence, and giving the audience as much information as possible.
3. Accuracy is the quality of information being true, correct, or exact. One can achieve this by reading the information back to sources to verify that it is correct, checking information obtained from interviews against original sources, and never assuming anything.
4. Fairness is an attempt to make sure all bases are being covered. One can achieve this by listening to different viewpoints, letting people respond when they believe you are wrong, and getting the facts.
5. Transparency is the idea to gain and maintain public trust. One can achieve this by being as open as possible about what biases you may bring to the job, being honest and truthful, and being open about mistakes.
2. Thoroughness is looking into every aspect of a story. One can achieve this by tracking down and talk to the best sources, finding the best documentary evidence, and giving the audience as much information as possible.
3. Accuracy is the quality of information being true, correct, or exact. One can achieve this by reading the information back to sources to verify that it is correct, checking information obtained from interviews against original sources, and never assuming anything.
4. Fairness is an attempt to make sure all bases are being covered. One can achieve this by listening to different viewpoints, letting people respond when they believe you are wrong, and getting the facts.
5. Transparency is the idea to gain and maintain public trust. One can achieve this by being as open as possible about what biases you may bring to the job, being honest and truthful, and being open about mistakes.
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