While a fact has no author (i.e. they're universal), presentation can be and
should be authored so as not to plagiarize. In other words, get an angle (pp.
16-17). One way is to find the most interesting thing that can call up the
larger whole with precision, e.g. a candidate's downcast countenance speaks
volumes about losing an election. When writing a feature, save the most
specific, overwhelming detail for the end. In short, show, don't tell.
When
is a fact not a fact? Smoking industry=99 percent; Religion=absolute
What's the significance of facts? Precision and the Public Tru$t, i.e. loss
of trust = loss of money
So can you get by making stuff up? No. But who's going to know
any different? Somebody always knows. All you have in the media profession is
your name. Once you sully it, you will never work again. You may have heard of
some of these Famous
Plagiarists, but you'll never see them in print again. In short, it's easy
to take short-cuts, but those just keep you from attaining your goals. Life is
like that: You get out of it what you put in.
Verifiable v. Unverifiable Sources (See Jenny Deadline, pp. 20-21)
Credibility - grammar, punctuation and just the facts (p. 34-35).
When you sit down to write, realize people may be reading
this in the distant future to provide historical perspective. Not everyone will
cover a story of such magnitude, but it's best to write such that you'll never
have to apologize for shoddy craftsmanship. In short, have some integrity.
Style - AP book (pp. 54-55; how many brought it with you?)
Deadlines (p. 56) - As the saying goes, journalists do it in time to
make deadlines. Just remember you shouldn't be clumsy when going up against a
deadline. That's why it's advisable to give yourself a head start until you
improve your writing.
What's It Called? (pp. 26-27)
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