Potential Sidelines Stories
This popped up on my Facebook feed, so I automatically went to Josh Cottrell’s page to learn more. I believe that any audio release by a local artist should be covered. Artists can reach a huge target audience by publishing a thorough article about his or her music. Some students would not know who Josh Cottrell is, or what his music is about, but if I wrote an article describing the story behind the song, or how his voice sounds like velvet with a sharp edge, then there is a greater chance of them checking out his music. I am looking forward to hearing his new music tomorrow and encourage others to also check it out!
This happened a little over a week ago, but I am stoked for my friend, Erin Gardner. Erin defended her thesis statement with the Honors college on November 7, 2016. She works at the Capitol in the Senate Speaker’s office, goes to school full-time, takes care of her dog and still finds time to conduct research and back it up in a thesis. That’s a lot of work! I believe that covering students like this in Sidelines is a wonderful idea because it inspires others to work hard, and it honors students who have worked hard. Who doesn’t like to receive some credit?
This one might be pushing it, but what an adorable story this would make! You can inform readers about the importance of therapy dogs while having a slideshow of this cute creature carrying his toys to bed. I know I would read it. 🙂
Editing Project
Copy Editing
On Nov. 7, 2016, I had the opportunity to copy edit for Sidelines. I edited an article about Zeta Tau Alpha raising money for breast cancer awareness. The article was written by Emily Neal who did a great job covering what all Zeta members had done to raise awareness. I enjoyed reading the story, and I liked that I had a hand in its improvement.
Neal’s article was full of good material from quotes to detailed information about the events that were held in October. I cut out a few phrases here and there, as all editors do, but the main thing I had to change was how often “Zeta Tau Alpha” was used. I shortened the phrase to only “Zeta.” Other than that, there were a few words I changed, and then the article was good to go.
I have never edited for a paper before, but I am glad that I had this assignment. It would be interesting to read multiple stories while looking for things to change for the better. As an editor, you have a chance to immerse yourself in your community while still impacting it through the stories you choose to print. I am a firm believer that words carry more power than anything in this world, and when used correctly, they can unite people together to make a difference.
Copyediting Errors
- ‘The Sun’s Tirade’ by MTSU alumnus Isaiah Rashad: A solid album, but has its flaws
There is supposed to be a period between the words “sex” and “When” because one sentence is ending while the other begins.
The comma at the end is unnecessary because there is not a complete sentence after the word “but.”
The second sentence should read, “The instrumental for the album’s lead single “Free Lunch” is comprised of ringing synth chords, southern acoustic guitar plucks and organic drums…”
There is no need for a comma after the word “plucks” because there is not a complete sentence after the word “and.”
I would change this statement to “reflective of a solid rapper,” or, “reflecting a solid rapper.”
- Nashville’s Full Moon Tattoo and Horror Festival unites fear and artwork
There does not need to be a comma before the word “right” because there is not a complete sentence after.
There needs to be a comma added after the word “people.”
A comma could replace the period after the word “age.” The sentence would read, “I may not do too many more of them ‘cause I’m getting up in age, but anyway, it’s the fans that bring me to them.”
There needs to be an “s,” making the word “makes.”
- MTSU ‘sneakerheads’ share their expensive shoe obsessions
The comma should come after the “s,” not before.
http://mtsusidelines.com/2016/11/mtsu-sneakerheads-share-their-expensive-shoe-obsessions/
Headlines
Three Good Headlines:
- It’s True, Your Cheese Preferences Will Determine The Number Of Kids You Have
- This headline caught my attention because I wanted to know what was true, and I am also interested in seeing how my preference of cheese correlates to anything other than my taste buds.
- Trump Jests, and a Tough Room Jeers
- Hearing about the election is getting old, but this headline caught my eye because it’s clever, and I like the slight “stab” at Trump, relating him to a court’s jester.
- Presidential Debate #3 Recap: Bad Hombres in Vegas
- I like this headline because it tells you what you’re reading about with some added humor. I also might be biased toward this headline because the article is written by Pith In The Wind, one of my favorite journalists. The comedic twist makes me more interested in reading this article rather than another that recaps the debate.
Three Bad Headlines:
- Kudos to David Butler
- I found this headline in my hometown’s newspaper. This headline only caught enough of my attention to make me interested in the lead, knowing I could figure out why he was being honored within those one to two lines. David Butler is the longest-serving director of Knoxville’s Museum of Art. He has been working there for 26 years and has significant achievements. With the hard work he has done, he deserves a headline that will catch people’s attention.
- Corrected Headline: David Butler honored for dedication and determination in art
http://shoppernewsnow.com/victor-ashe/kudos-to-david-butler/#more-5637
- THERE’S NO HIRING BIAS AGAINST WOMEN IN TECH, THEY JUST SUCK AT INTERVIEWS
- I found this headline on breitbart.com, known for its “not so friendly” headlines. This one caught my attention, but for all the wrong reasons. I didn’t want to read the post at all after reading the headline. If anything, it made me want to write a letter to the editor concerning his or her ethics. The article was about a machine that records the interviewee’s answers, but the machine masks the voices of men and women to where they sound the same. The study found that the interviewers normally chose the men over the women’s interview answers. Granted, there is also probably a study that covers how more men work in tech on average over women. The women who applied might not have had as much tech experience, but that doesn’t mean that they suck at interviews.
- Corrected Headline: Masked-voiced men nail tech interview
http://www.breitbart.com/milo/2016/07/01/not-sexism-women-just-suck-interviews/
- Hospitals resort to hiring doctors
- I Googled “Worst Headlines,” read a few articles, and then I found a wonderful website that has hilarious headline pictures, this being one of them. Of course hospitals are having to hire doctors, but the word “resort” might not have been the best to use. This headline could make you lose your credibility as a writer. There’s a difference between being specific and being obvious.
- Corrected Headline: Hospital doctor-hiring frenzy
http://www.poynter.org/2012/35-of-the-worst-headlines-youve-ever-or-never-seen/197454/attachment/25/
Corrections
Both of these corrections were found on New York Times’ website and were posted October 14. 
Front Page:
I would be relieved after reading the post about the Doctors Without Borders if I had a loved one located in one of their hospitals. Granted, relief would only come if it was one of the six still left. However, it was important for them to release this information to keep people informed and to silence concerns.
International:
Man, Snowden’s life sounds terrible, getting to travel to Moscow and Hong Kong in his lifetime. His license might have been revoked, but I bet he’s sly enough to sneak across borders. Only time will tell. This correction is important because it keeps us informed about America’s greatest public enemy, making sure we know the facts.
Here is the link to the website:
Poverty: America’s Greatest Misperception
America has been growing economically the past five years. The upper class is thriving, the middle class is increasing in wealth and those considered poor are able to maintain a comfortable lifestyle consisting of proper food, water and shelter. Why is it, then, that the poorest of the poor are now poorer than ever? I listened to WNYC’s podcast, “The Poverty Tour,” where Jack Frech, a welfare advocate, takes Brooke Gladstone, a reporter, to Athens County, Ohio to witness one of the most poverty stricken areas in the U.S.
The conditions families are living in should be considered national disasters. Families live in “shot gun houses” which have three bedrooms in a line with no running water. Family sizes have been doubling, so there can be up to four or five children in a bed at a time. Children living in these areas are not given a proper education, and they witness more than a child ever should. The crime rates are at an all-time high because people are simply trying to live.
There are three main areas where poverty rates are the highest: Appalachia, Cleveland and Youngstown. Gladstone refers to these areas as the “three flavors of poverty,” comparing them to neapolitan ice cream. Appalachia has a majority of white people, Cleveland has a majority of black people and Youngstown has a majority of rust-colored people.
So what is poverty? “Poverty is when you lose your job and it costs you your house and sometimes even your kids. Poverty is having to sell your plasma for a bus ticket. Poverty is not having enough money to bury your mom,” Gladstone said. It is difficult for me to wrap my head around this. There are thousands of people in America who could really use some help, but why is it a problem in the first place?
The issue is that people have chosen to remain ignorant to these conditions. Instead, people choose to worry about a small tax increase that might take a little more out of their check, yet this increase has the power to save peoples’ lives. Who cares if it’s not happening to you personally, right? In the podcast, Gladstone talks about a study that shows how people react after being taught two different emotional support systems. One group was taught empathy tactics while the other group was taught compassion. The empathetic group felt for the people in Athens County, but they were not as helpful as those who were taught compassion. Those with compassion not only saw a need but did something about it.
The most common argument against tax increases for welfare programs is that those who are in poverty will become dependent. There is a common perception that poor people are lazy and are looking for handouts. I understand that not everyone has the right intentions, but there are families who could really use some help. Once these families are at a place where they can stand on their own two feet, then they can start contributing to America’s wealth, but they are not going to be able to do this alone. There will be a constant struggle as generation after generation tries to pull themselves out of this rut until something is done.
It’s a twisted concept for people to argue against welfare programs, yet they are ok with accepting help from Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. Families who are struggling with poverty are trying to live. Literally, that is all their life consists of, working long hours for minimum pay to help support their families who are living in ungodly situations. Yet, it is when people are dying, who are finished living their own lives, that they are suddenly ok with government funded programs. Like I asked before, who cares if it doesn’t help you out? Who cares if fathers and mothers are never at home to take care of their children because they are working to make ends meet? Who cares about the struggles of those simply trying to live while you sit comfortably with Medicare paying to keep you in an air conditioned nursing home where you are provided with three meals a day?
I care. You should care too. I was unaware that conditions like these still existed in America. Now that I know, I am choosing to make a difference. Be it a hot meal to a homeless man standing on the street, a trip to build houses for families or simply sending money, you can make a difference too. There also needs to be more of an awareness about these conditions. Congress can’t seem to come to an agreement on tax increases for government funded programs, so change has to start with the people, by the people and for the people. Anyone can make a difference, you just have to be open to not only feeling, but doing. Who’s with me?
Potential Midterm Questions
- When do you set off a year with commas?
Answer: Years are set off with commas when accompanied by both a month and a date.
Example: On Nov. 24, 1994, the greatest human being was born into the world, Kelsey Beal.
- What all needs to be set off by commas?
Answer:
- Dates and years
- Cities and states
- Countries
- Ages
- Party affiliation
- Non-essential clauses
- What is a “jump?”
Answer: When you begin reading a story in one spot of a newspaper and then have to “jump” to another page to finish reading the story.
Ellen Degeneres Obituary Edit
For class, I edited Kendra Blake’s obituary on Ellen Degeneres.
https://kendrablake.wordpress.com/2016/09/25/obituary/
According to AP Style, when a phrase refers to the month, day and year, you need to set off the year with a comma. There needs to be a comma both after the years 2016 and 1958.
Kendra’s third paragraph talks about Ellen moving to Atlanta, Texas when she was 15 with her family. I found on IMDb that her parents divorced when she was 16, and her mother remarried a man named Roy Gruessendorf who then moved her family to Atlanta, Texas, meaning she was most likely older than 15.
Kendra also states that Ellen left college after one year, but it was actually after one semester.
The final sentence of the third paragraph should have the word “she” after the word “but” so that there can be a comma. A comma separates two complete sentences. Otherwise, you could remove the comma completely.
I checked on Ellen’s awards, and she has 14 Emmy Awards, 13 being Daytime Emmy’s, and one being a Primetime Emmy. She also has 15 People’s Choice awards.
The film’s names need to be in quotation marks. “Finding Nemo,” “Coneheads” and “Dr. Dolittle.”
I would take out the word, “very” from the last sentence in the fourth paragraph.
Portia’s last name is spelled de Rossi, not “DeRossi.”
Here are my sources:
Alexander’s Heel
Note: This is a fictional story written for a college journalism course.
Swedish actor, writer and director Alexander Skarsgård, age 40, died of a heart attack on Tuesday at his home in Stockholm.
Skarsgård is best known for his roles in “Generation Kill” playing Marine Sgt. Brad Colbert and in “True Blood” as vampire sheriff Eric Northman on HBO. He recently starred as Tarzan in “The Legend of Tarzan” released in June of this year.
He won three Scream Awards from 2009 through 2011 for best horror actor and best villain in True Blood. In 2011, he won the breakthrough performer award for his role in Melancholia.
Skarsgård co-wrote and co-directed a Swedish short, “Att döda ett barn,” (To Kill a Child), which won both the Grand Prix and the Press awards at the Odense International Film Festival in 2003.
Among these awards, he held the title of “Sexiest Man in Sweden” for five separate years.
Before he died, Skarsgård met President Barack Obama who released a statement early this morning saying, “This is a tragic loss for our nation. Our thoughts are with the family at this difficult time.”
Skarsgård was born to actor Stellan Skarsgård and his mother, Doctor My Skarsgård on Aug. 25, 1976. He began his acting career at the age of eight. At 19, he entered compulsory military service and then moved to New York where he studied theatre at Marymount Manhattan College for six months.
Finally, after years of school and training, he returned to his acting career and has been acting in the U.S. since 2001. Skarsgård is survived by his sister, six brothers, his parents and his loving girlfriend, Alexa Chung.
Alexander Skarsgård will be missed for his velvety voice, chiseled chin and smooth personality. Our thoughts are with his family at this time.
Good Lead
“The defense team for Knox County’s former first lady wants to know what her ex-husband — Mayor Tim Burchett — has been saying to prosecutors seeking to convict her of cyberstalking the ex-wife of her current millionaire boyfriend.”
This lead tells four out of five “W’s.” In a lead, you are looking for five things: who, what, where, when and why, occasionally even how. This post answers:
Who: The defense team
What: Wanting to know what Tim Burchett has been saying to prosecutors
Where: Knox County
Why: Prosecutors are trying to convict her of cyberstalking her current boyfriend’s ex-wife.
Four out of five of the “W’s” has been answered, which sounds like a good lead to me. Plus, the details in the lead made me want to read more.
Here is the link to the whole story:
Reflections 
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