Carl Cockrill- Challenges

The first thing that comes to mind is all the rules associated with journalistic writing. Writing one to three sentence paragraphs is not that difficult a concept, but for beginning journalists, it can pose a problem. Setting quotations in a paragraph by themselves is also a little tricky. Journalistic writing is more direct and to the point; whereas, academic writing does not pose these problems near as much. All writing has to have some form of accountability, but journalistic writing is more demanding, and therefore, more accountability and integrity. In academic writing, the first paragraph is used to introduce topics of discussion in the paper with a conclusion at the end to tie everything together. In journalistic writing, there are no conclusions and everything we have done up to this point has been in the form of the inverted pyramid.

Brianna Kwasny - Challenges

Journalistic writing and academic writing differ greatly. I have written academically since my schooling began, and therefore it comes naturally to me now (AP style and all), but journalism presents new guidelines to learn.

This class is the firth time I have learned about and had to practice writing journalistically. In journalism writing, paragraphs are only one to three sentences long. If someone wrote a paragraph that length in academic writing, their writing may not even be accepted.

Also, there is no conclusion used in journalistic writing. The journalist's goal is to write as concise as possible, which completely opposes the long, elegant writing expected in academics.

Cameron Patterson - Challenges of Journalistic Writing

Until this semester, academic style writing has been drilled repeatedly into my mind. Now, faced with journalistic style writing, the challenges have been ironic yet endless.

Journalistic writing is actually much more simple and blunt in comparison with academic. It is written to inform about an issue, event, problem, etc that has some purpose in being told to the public. When I reminisce of writing in high school, a thesaurus is my first thought and there is no urgency for having my paper read by anyone but my teacher. If I used impressive language with symbolism had a grade-A paper.

Journalistic writing differs in purpose, audience and writing environment. Above these differences, it is crucial to the public. Using precision, perfect grammatical skills, and being ethical in every sense of diversity are just a few of the challenges I’ve faced so far. Factual errors are sometimes impossible to seek out, no matter how many times I read over my story.

Melanie Stone- Challenges

Writing journalistically has been a challenge for me because writing academically was the first way I was taught to write. I’ve been writing academically for as long as I can remember and now AP style rules have completely changed the way I write.

It’s hard to remember all the things AP style says is right and it’s even harder to forget what I’ve been taught academically all my life. When I’m writing journalistically, some of the things sound wrong when I read them out loud to myself because it is wrong when looking at it academically. It’s difficult to ignore the fact that it sounds wrong to me and just accept that according to the AP style, it’s correct.

Courtney Goforth- Challenges

The English language was introduced to me as soon as I arrived on earth. The fundamentals and structure of how the language is written was taught upon the arrival of my public schooling. When I graduated and received my high school diploma, I had confidence that I was provided with the complete, necessary and accurate information in all subjects to move on to a college where I would take on a major that required those skills.

But, unfortunately, I was bombarded with all of these new rules, styles, structures and formats that are completely foreign to me. Journalistic and academic writing differ in style, content, format and quite frankly, seem like an entirely different language than the one I was taught.

It is hard to switch to an AP style after journalistic style, relaxed speaking and perhaps being taught poor grammar have been embedded into my mind for 19 years. Fixing old habits, learning new material and making something second nature takes time. But, if I did it as a child, I think a little time will enable me to do it now.

Helen Grant - Challenges

The challenges I face in journalistic writing are that I have a hard time keeping track of the numerous AP style conventions while I try to remember the rules of good grammar and organize my information by order of importance. The AP style conventions are important, they are a benchmark of professionalism, this in turn gives credibility to the news source, but there are a lot of rules. This style of writing varies from academic writing because in academic reports there is the use of technical jargon in the analysis, analysis generally follows a chronological order, and there is usually a conclusion at the end of the report. Journalistic writing reorganizes the information in an inverted pyramid; information is not always given in chronological order. I understand why it is done, but coupled with AP style conventions, that can change year-to-year; it is difficult to write this way without a fair amount of practice.

Brittany Aubert--Challenges

Although both journalistic and academic writing require some of the same skills, the styles are different.

One of my biggest challenges is remembering to attribute almost everything. Also, I sometimes assume things. In academic writing, you are supposed to draw conclusions and give your opinion. Journalistic writing is the opposite.

I sometimes forget not to use descriptive words. I do this to make it sound more interesting, but it puts my opinion in the story and makes it more personal and less news-like.

Transitioning from academic to journalistic writing is difficult, but I know it is important because that is what makes a good story.

Stormy Morelli-challenges

I think that writing journalistically is difficult now, but I think with time it will end up being easier than academic writing. With academic writing, you have to "fluff" everything to make you sound smarter. And with journalistic writing, you just write the facts.

I think that it's tough now because most people in this class are not used to this different style of writing. I have been writing for academics my whole life, so I find this very hard to break myself from using sentences with a bunch of adjectives to try to describe things rather than to just write facts.

Michael Acker - Jouralistic Writing

The hardest thing to switch from academic writing to journalistic writing is that people are taught to write in the academic style from an early age. People who go to schools in the United States are generally taught to write in MLA format for most the writing they will do. When becoming a journalist people have to resist the old ways of writing and start to think in a short and concise way of writing to get to the point. The journalistic style of writing to write short and concise, where as academic writing people are taught to make the writing longer to show more thought. Academic writing does not always have a defined way to make sentences where journalistic writing has the AP Stylebook to refer to when making choices on what words to use in a sentence.

Kayla Docto - Journalistic Writing

Journalistic writing is vastly different than academic writing. Throughout high school and even my freshman year of college, I was taught how to write lengthy, detailed, essays or stories, but Writing for Mass Media completely changed the rules I had learned. I now have to write the least amount possible, instead of a thesis at the beginning, a formulated lead that describes everything in less than 30 words, and no hint of opinion. I am an opinionated person. It’s difficult to change when it goes against what I’ve been taught previously, but these tasks are not unachievable, just very different.

Kayla Hand- Journalistic Writing

Writing for journalism is very different from writing for academic papers. Writing for journalism consists of stating the facts and information you have gathered in the simplest terms. Academic papers take a lot of explanation and details to get your part across. I personally find the biggest differences between writing for journalism and writing for English papers. When writing for English papers it is acceptable to use a lot of adjectives and “fluff.” It is really difficult for me to make this switch because the gap between the two styles is so wide. My entire life I have been writing for academic reasons, with the exception of writing for the yearbook and even then I got to write feature stories and got to "paint" the story for the readers.

Colin Parajon - Journalism Writing

Writing has always been a passion of mine, but I’m partial to narratives and fiction and poetry. Journalistic writing is on the complete opposite side of the writing spectrum. The difference between the two writing styles is the intended audience; I like writing for me, but I must now learn how to write for a mass media. The transition may be difficult, but it is important to learn how to package a message in order to reach the broadest audience possible. The AP Stylebook is my worst enemy and best friend. If I ignored the tedious, annoying rules of AP style and wrote daring, imaginative stories, my story’s message and my future as a writer would share the same dismal fate. It’s just another of the world’s necessary evils.

Courtney Goforth- Diversity

My website is for the Native American Journalists Association, or NAJA, that is based in Norman, Okla., on the University of Oklahoma's main campus. The organization was established in 1984 as the Native American Press Association. After six years, the organization changed their name to better reflect their principal goals and inclusion of radio and television.

The mission statement on the site presents that "It's primary goal is to improve communications among Native people and between Native Americans and the general public." It also provides that part of its purpose is to increase representation of Native American journalists in mainstream media and it encourages high standards of professionalism, ethics and responsibility to be attained by mainstream and tribal media outlets.

This site is an important tool for those working in all areas of mass media because it is a great source for professionals in media to learn, stay informed and provide feedback to the Native American community. The media can learn the culture and be introduced to their perspective on issues and remain aware of any concerns they have. Also, this site is an informative source to the media about any initiatives, proposals or suggestions about serious topics that are being discussed. Most importantly, the media can provide feedback to issues if they are staying well-informed of what is happening in their culture.

Diversity in our culture can be representative in mainstream media, if all areas and professions of the mass media take advantage of informing and educating themselves on cultures that are sometimes looked over.

Brianna Kwasny - Diversity

The National Lesbian and Gay Journalistic Association is an organization of journalists, media professionals, educators and students working in the news industry for fair and accurate coverage of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender issues. It opposes all forms of workplace biases and provides professional development to its members.

The founder of NLGJA is Leroy F. Aarons. Aarons founded the organization in his living room in Piedmont, Calif. It is now led by a board of directors at the national level and is split in 22 chapters that are lead by freelance journalists, television and radio personalities, LGBT media professionals, and reporters for major metropolitan dailies. The board and 22 chapters reflect the organization's geographic and professional diversity.

NLGJA is an important tool to journalism because it is an organization that shows diversity in the profession. It also provides an organization that LGBT can become a member of and gain the many benefits of it. Through NLGJA members gain an affiliation with an internationally recognized professional organization that represents their media interests. It provides them with a network; members can post and read others' tweets on Twitter. They are also able to follow what is happening for LGBT in the media and work and write to further right for their cause.

NLGJA not only provides an organization for LGBT, but also works to promote fairness in the workplace.

The organization also reaches out to students. NLGJA provides a way for them to get involved. It gives them a website to voice their opinions and begin their writing career. It hosts student projects and provides scholarships and resources.

Cameron Patterson - Diversity Resources

The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation is an organization in pursuit of gaining fair representation of the gay community in media life and coverage of LGBT issues. Not only does it seek advancement and change for the LGBT lives but also offers professional development to all members.

Former Oakland Tribune executive editor, Leroy F. Aarons, founded NLGJA but unfortunately passed away 6 years ago to cancer. NLGJA's board of directors consists of people who reflect specific diversity, both geographic and professional. NLGJA consists of 22 chapters led by journalists and media professionals of the LGBT community. The organization has put together a strong bond of diverse members to fulfill a professional goal of promoting non-discrimination morals and equalities. Through educating others of the sensitive and crucial need for accuracy in media, news coverage has prospered in the LGBT community.

I believe this organization is one of many diversity tools that will truly help the problem of misrepresentation in mass media. NLGJA, alone, has a wide range of followers that seek equality just like the majority of other Americans. The organization has strictly put their views and thoughts on the issue boldly to better advance others' knowledge of the issue. It's important to take the time to note how to correctly observe and acknowledge others in the media but also in all aspects of life. NLGJA has taken that time by forming an organization set to achieve various goals to enhance and provide the diverse information to those who are unaware of the sensitivity felt by the LGBT community.

Kayla Docto - Diversity

The GLAAD, Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, website is very proactive in wanting to change the way gays and lesbians are represented in the media. The heading of the website states "words & images matter." The website's mission is to change people's hearts by creating positive images of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered individuals in the media.

People can follow them on Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, and YouTube. The outlets of networking involve more people, which in the field of media is many times our goal. Although it is a website focused on sexual orientation, there are "snapshots" of Spanish language media and another about communities of African Descent. The website as a whole represents many different diverse groups.

For people working in the area of mass media, this website is an example of a constructive way to encourage media industries to not shed negative light on a diverse group of people. The site is bright, colorful, and happy, showing that it does not take protests or force to change people's perspectives. All areas of mass media are able to look at a website whose PR and Advertising departments are showing positive images of diverse groups, writers who are choosing not to bash those disagreeing with their views, but to write in a positive light. This website is a great exemplar of the way things could be if people did not focus on the negative.

Kayla Docto - Sensitivity

Writing with sensitivity towards different cultures and communities is at times difficult because the way we talk about other people many times is not politically correct or according to Padgett, is not correct. It is easy to write how we talk, but when diversity is taken into account, there are certain terms that we say that should not be written. My biggest challenge writing about individuals with disabilities. I find that it is almost common sense what is not socially accepted when speaking about racial and sexual orientation differences, but disabilities is not as widely written or talked about.

Carl Cockrill Obituary

Velda Elizabeth Fletcher, 47, died Tuesday night at Park West Hospital after a medical emergency. Velda graduated in 1980 from Midville High School and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1984 and Master of Science degree in 1986 from the University of West State.

After college, Velda worked as a clinical dietician and diabetes educator and spent many years in management in the Dieticians department at the University of West State Medical Center.

Velda was a devoted volunteer with Mission of Mercy, a Midville-based not for profit group that collects and distributes school supplies and Christmas gifts to children in the area. She gave her time to many charitable activities, especially Interfaith Health Clinic, and was a member of the Junior League. Velda belonged to many national, regional and local professional organizations.

She was a member of Little Springs Methodist Church since she was 11, active in the adult choir and participated in numerous missions projects.

She is survived by her parents Gina and Vandergriff Fletcher; brother and sister-in-law Vandergriff and Davida Fletcher; sister Vonda Fletcher Reed; and various nieces and nephews.

Graveside services are Saturday at Forest Cemetary in Midville at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Mission of Mercy.

Brianna Kwasny - Sensitivity

I have always felt fairly free with the word choices available to me when I write. I never before censored what I wrote or checked to make sure I was not saying anything that had the possibility of offending someone of a different culture; I simply wrote what I thought conveyed the message in the most direct terms.

Many of the terms I use in my everyday language are deemed inappropriate as journalistic terms. Even though many of these words have been accepted by the vast majority of America and the media, journalists are advised not to use them because they could evoke feelings of being disrespected.

A journalist is required to write with sensitivity on their mind. They are expected to know which words are acceptable and which would cause issues. As a beginning journalist I am learning these rules. Although some words are obviously offensive, others are not.

I have adapted my writing fairly quickly to follow these rules. The words that are not as obvious and give me slight trouble are those that are accepted in journalism but have better alternatives.

Courtney Goforth- Sensitivity

The United States is the perfect example for the cultural idea of a "melting pot." Statistics aside, the U.S. could potentially be the most diverse country of them all because it is comprised of descendants of ancestors that migrated here from all around the world.

Despite the vast amount of diversity, the media has not always been entirely sensitive to the variety of people that are receiving that media. But, professionals in the media are becoming increasingly more aware of the issue and applying it to their work because many are rethinking their objectivity.

The roles of journalists are to be the "watchdog" of society, inform, educate and influence opinion. If all of these responsibilities are finished without being sensitive to different cultures or communities, they are not reaching all of their audiences; therefore, not completing the functions of the profession.