Romeo and Juliet Attitude analysis. Journalistic writing Objectives: Here is what you will be able to do by writing this paper: Craft a news story lead

Romeo and JulietRomeo and Juliet

Attitude analysisAttitude analysis

Journalistic writingJournalistic writing

Objectives: Here is what you will be able to do by writing this Objectives: Here is what you will be able to do by writing this paper:paper:

Craft a news story lead (introductory paragraph)Craft a news story lead (introductory paragraph) Structure a paper in journalistic writing style and recognize how Structure a paper in journalistic writing style and recognize how

this style is similar to and differs from typical essay writing.this style is similar to and differs from typical essay writing. Similarities: both types of writing address literary elements we have studied Similarities: both types of writing address literary elements we have studied

all semester: characters, conflict, setting.all semester: characters, conflict, setting. Quotes in a journalism story equate to evidence from text in a literary Quotes in a journalism story equate to evidence from text in a literary

analysis.analysis.

Integrate primary sources into your paper (your survey results Integrate primary sources into your paper (your survey results and excerpts from and excerpts from Romeo and JulietRomeo and Juliet).).

Utilize the objective (third person) writing voice you have used in Utilize the objective (third person) writing voice you have used in your literary analysis.your literary analysis.

Learn how to separate essential information from non-essential, Learn how to separate essential information from non-essential, and how to prioritize it in your writing. and how to prioritize it in your writing.


A long-standing model in journalistic A long-standing model in journalistic writing is called the inverted pyramid.writing is called the inverted pyramid.

Draw one of these on your sheet.Draw one of these on your sheet. This model is a prioritizing device. It This model is a prioritizing device. It

dictates that the most crucial information dictates that the most crucial information comes early in the story (or at the top of comes early in the story (or at the top of the pyramid).the pyramid).

In a straight news story, this most often In a straight news story, this most often means the most important information is means the most important information is in the first paragraph.in the first paragraph.


The most important information The most important information contains the important “news contains the important “news elements”: basically, the who, what, elements”: basically, the who, what, where, when, why, and how.where, when, why, and how.

However, that can be a lot to include However, that can be a lot to include in one paragraph, especially because in one paragraph, especially because journalistic writing requires short, journalistic writing requires short, quick-hitting paragraphs, often made quick-hitting paragraphs, often made up of only one or two sentences.up of only one or two sentences.


So your first step is to meet this objective: So your first step is to meet this objective: determining which of the 5 W’s and H is most determining which of the 5 W’s and H is most important.important.

Generally, this is the who, when, and what.Generally, this is the who, when, and what. The “when” is referred to as “timeliness”: it is The “when” is referred to as “timeliness”: it is

what makes information “news.”what makes information “news.” So “when” could refer to the most recent So “when” could refer to the most recent

development in an ongoing incident. development in an ongoing incident. ““Who” would only be the most important element Who” would only be the most important element

if it involved a well-known person that most of the if it involved a well-known person that most of the readers would have heard of.readers would have heard of.


For example, if a story involved the arrest of Justin Bieber, For example, if a story involved the arrest of Justin Bieber, he would be newsworthy enough to name in the lead he would be newsworthy enough to name in the lead paragraph.paragraph.

““Teen heartthrob Justin Bieber was arrested Thursday on Teen heartthrob Justin Bieber was arrested Thursday on shoplifting charges after 48 bottles of hair gel spilled out of shoplifting charges after 48 bottles of hair gel spilled out of his backpack at a local hair salon.”his backpack at a local hair salon.”

If the same alleged arrest was made involving one of your If the same alleged arrest was made involving one of your peers, you would not name the person in the first peers, you would not name the person in the first paragraph.paragraph.

““A local high school student was arrested Thursday on A local high school student was arrested Thursday on shoplifting charges after 48 bottles of hair gel spilled out of shoplifting charges after 48 bottles of hair gel spilled out of his backpack at a local hair salon.”his backpack at a local hair salon.”

You would then name that person in the second paragraph.You would then name that person in the second paragraph.


Now, as you move down the pyramid, you want to integrate the other components in descending order of importance. These include:

The rest of the 5 W’s and H. Quotes from your sources, properly attributed.

This means that – just as we did in the literary analysis papers – that you name the key people in the story by first and last name the first time you refer to them (“Justin Bieber”). After that, you simply use the last name (“Bieber”).

Journalistic writingJournalistic writing OTHER CONSIDERATIONS: Remember that you are a reporter: that means you simply report the

news, rather than add your opinion or commentary to it. Keep your view out of the story and utilize third person writing voice.

You want to remain objective, so avoid subjective or judgmental words. For example, you would not say that “Bieber looked guilty as he

addressed the media following his arrest.” That implies that you have decided his guilt. Instead, simply state that “Bieber addressed the media following his arrest.”

Avoid verbs like “admitted” (which implies guilt), unless the source says that directly: “I admit that I use hair gel, but…” Instead, simply use “said.”

“Bieber said he has used hair gel in the past.” In this assignment, use past-tense verbs: Justin Bieber was

arrested…

Romeo and JulietRomeo and Juliet: Survey : Survey analysisanalysis

OK, so now we apply our new-found journalism OK, so now we apply our new-found journalism principles to our final paper: a survey analysis.principles to our final paper: a survey analysis.

The most critical news element will be the “what” The most critical news element will be the “what” – your survey results.– your survey results.

The first step in this analysis is to review your The first step in this analysis is to review your survey results to determine what is potentially survey results to determine what is potentially the most interesting or important information. the most interesting or important information. This could be a response that generated near-This could be a response that generated near-unanimous agreement or disagreement, or one unanimous agreement or disagreement, or one that illustrated a wide debate. Review your that illustrated a wide debate. Review your survey summaries.survey summaries.


To get the paper started, choose one To get the paper started, choose one response to focus on: here, let’s response to focus on: here, let’s choose the “love at first sight” choose the “love at first sight” question.question.

Let’s say your results showed that Let’s say your results showed that most respondents disagreed with the most respondents disagreed with the notion of love at first sight.notion of love at first sight.


That one result will get the paper That one result will get the paper going (you will discuss two or three going (you will discuss two or three other results later in the paper).other results later in the paper).

Now, we need to craft an Now, we need to craft an introduction or opening. Let’s look at introduction or opening. Let’s look at three types of leads: summary, three types of leads: summary, descriptive, and anecdotal.descriptive, and anecdotal.


A “summary” opening gets right to the A “summary” opening gets right to the heart of the story, right away, with the heart of the story, right away, with the most interesting or important information. most interesting or important information. This is what we did with “Hazard.”This is what we did with “Hazard.”

Example:Example:

Love at first sight is not only Love at first sight is not only impossible but also highly undesirable, impossible but also highly undesirable, especially for teenagers, according to a especially for teenagers, according to a survey exploring a key theme of William survey exploring a key theme of William Shakespeare’s Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.Romeo and Juliet.


A descriptive opening re-creates a A descriptive opening re-creates a scene and may build to a punch line:scene and may build to a punch line:

Example: Example:

Boy meets girl. Boy falls in love Boy meets girl. Boy falls in love with girl. Boy marries girl – all within with girl. Boy marries girl – all within the space of a few hours.the space of a few hours.


The anecdotal opening includes a little story (a “vignette”) The anecdotal opening includes a little story (a “vignette”) to help illustrate the bigger topic.to help illustrate the bigger topic.

Example:Example:When Lauren Smith was five years old, she pledged When Lauren Smith was five years old, she pledged

to never love a boy more than the blonde-haired, blue-eyed to never love a boy more than the blonde-haired, blue-eyed prince who sat next to her in kindergarten.prince who sat next to her in kindergarten.

““I thought he was so choice,” said Smith, now a I thought he was so choice,” said Smith, now a freshman at City High School. “I knew the minute I saw him freshman at City High School. “I knew the minute I saw him that he would be mine. Oh yes, he would be mine.”that he would be mine. Oh yes, he would be mine.”

Ten years later, Smith has jettisoned both her Ten years later, Smith has jettisoned both her “prince,” whom she actually dismissed a week after she “prince,” whom she actually dismissed a week after she met him, and the belief that love at first sight is possible.met him, and the belief that love at first sight is possible.


Now the key is to build on whatever Now the key is to build on whatever opening you choose by providing opening you choose by providing more information about your opening more information about your opening and your findings (the survey).and your findings (the survey).

Let’s re-visit the summary opening:Let’s re-visit the summary opening:


Love at first sight is not only impossible but highly Love at first sight is not only impossible but highly undesirable, especially for teenagers, according to a survey undesirable, especially for teenagers, according to a survey exploring a key theme of William Shakespeare’s exploring a key theme of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Romeo and JulietJuliet..

Ninety percent of those surveyed indicated that love Ninety percent of those surveyed indicated that love at first sight just doesn’t happen, especially not between at first sight just doesn’t happen, especially not between two young teenagers who surely don’t even know what love two young teenagers who surely don’t even know what love is.is.

The survey was administered to a range of age The survey was administered to a range of age groups made up of both genders, and included questions groups made up of both genders, and included questions about love, romance, and marriage. The contemporary about love, romance, and marriage. The contemporary responses were then compared to the prevailing attitudes responses were then compared to the prevailing attitudes of the key characters in Shakespeare’s tale of the two of the key characters in Shakespeare’s tale of the two young, “star-crossed” lovers.young, “star-crossed” lovers.


Let’s do the same thing with the descriptive Let’s do the same thing with the descriptive introduction:introduction:

Boy meets girl. Boy falls in love with girl. Boy meets girl. Boy falls in love with girl. Boy marries girl – all within the space of a few Boy marries girl – all within the space of a few hours.hours.

What seemed perfectly normal for Romeo What seemed perfectly normal for Romeo and Juliet, the star-crossed protagonists of and Juliet, the star-crossed protagonists of William Shakespeare’s tragedy of the same William Shakespeare’s tragedy of the same name, would be seen as highly improbable, if name, would be seen as highly improbable, if not utterly weird, today, according to the not utterly weird, today, according to the results of a recent survey on love, romance, results of a recent survey on love, romance, and marriage.and marriage.

Romeo and JulietRomeo and JulietNow let’s try with the anecdotal opening:Now let’s try with the anecdotal opening:

When Lauren Smith was five years old, she When Lauren Smith was five years old, she pledged to never love a boy more than the pledged to never love a boy more than the blonde-haired, blue-eyed prince who sat next to blonde-haired, blue-eyed prince who sat next to her in kindergarten.her in kindergarten.

““I thought he was so choice,” said Smith, I thought he was so choice,” said Smith, now a freshman at City High School. “I knew the now a freshman at City High School. “I knew the minute I saw him that he would be mine. Oh yes, minute I saw him that he would be mine. Oh yes, he would be mine.”he would be mine.”

Ten years later, Smith has jettisoned both Ten years later, Smith has jettisoned both her “prince,” whom she actually dumped a week her “prince,” whom she actually dumped a week after she met him, and the belief that love at first after she met him, and the belief that love at first sight is possible.sight is possible.


““He was the classic case of ‘nice house – He was the classic case of ‘nice house – nobody home,’” Smith said. “I learned that nobody home,’” Smith said. “I learned that ‘love at first sight’ is a fool’s paradise.”‘love at first sight’ is a fool’s paradise.”

Smith’s dismissal of the notion of love at Smith’s dismissal of the notion of love at first sight is mirrored in a recent survey on first sight is mirrored in a recent survey on love, romance, and marriage, administered to love, romance, and marriage, administered to a range of age groups of both genders as part a range of age groups of both genders as part of a study of William Shakespeare’s of a study of William Shakespeare’s Romeo Romeo and Juliet.and Juliet.

An overwhelming majority of respondents An overwhelming majority of respondents indicated love at first sight is impossible, indicated love at first sight is impossible, especially between two young teenagers who especially between two young teenagers who surely don’t even know what love is.surely don’t even know what love is.


A key thing to remember: No matter A key thing to remember: No matter what type of opening you choose, what type of opening you choose, don’t wait too long to establish that don’t wait too long to establish that your paper is about the survey. your paper is about the survey. Again, this is your “controlling Again, this is your “controlling purpose” – or the thesis – that tells purpose” – or the thesis – that tells the reader what the paper is going to the reader what the paper is going to discuss or reveal. Don’t make the discuss or reveal. Don’t make the reader wait too long to find out.reader wait too long to find out.


Now that we’ve established the “controlling Now that we’ve established the “controlling purpose” of our paper – the survey results – we purpose” of our paper – the survey results – we can start filling it in with more information. Let’s can start filling it in with more information. Let’s return to the last points of our most recent return to the last points of our most recent example: example:

Smith’s dismissal of the notion of love at first sight is Smith’s dismissal of the notion of love at first sight is mirrored in a recent survey on love, romance, and mirrored in a recent survey on love, romance, and marriage, administered to a range of age groups of both marriage, administered to a range of age groups of both genders as part of a study of William Shakespeare’s genders as part of a study of William Shakespeare’s Romeo Romeo and Julietand Juliet..

An overwhelming majority of respondents indicated An overwhelming majority of respondents indicated love at first sight is impossible, especially between two love at first sight is impossible, especially between two young teenagers who surely don’t even know what love is.young teenagers who surely don’t even know what love is.


Now we can add more information, including a second Now we can add more information, including a second result from the survey and a comparison to the play itself:result from the survey and a comparison to the play itself:

Ninety percent of respondents also indicated you Ninety percent of respondents also indicated you can be too young to fall in love.can be too young to fall in love.

That response represents a 180-degree difference That response represents a 180-degree difference from those expressed in fair Verona more than 500 years from those expressed in fair Verona more than 500 years ago in the world of ago in the world of Romeo and JulietRomeo and Juliet. Juliet’s mother, Lady . Juliet’s mother, Lady Capulet, doesn’t even flinch at the idea of her 13-year-old Capulet, doesn’t even flinch at the idea of her 13-year-old daughter getting married. In fact, she encourages it, as daughter getting married. In fact, she encourages it, as noted in this passage from the play:noted in this passage from the play:

““Younger than you, here in Verona, ladies of esteem, Younger than you, here in Verona, ladies of esteem, are made already mothers,” Lady Capulet tells Juliet are made already mothers,” Lady Capulet tells Juliet (1.3.75-78).(1.3.75-78).


Now, we can add another survey result and Now, we can add another survey result and a comment from one of your respondents.a comment from one of your respondents.

Most contemporary teenagers surveyed Most contemporary teenagers surveyed said, “No way.”said, “No way.”““I think that’s disgusting, and I don’t agree I think that’s disgusting, and I don’t agree with it,” said Katie Johnston, a CHS junior. with it,” said Katie Johnston, a CHS junior. “And it’s disturbing – so disturbing that (any “And it’s disturbing – so disturbing that (any girl) who is thinking about getting married at girl) who is thinking about getting married at 13 should go see a counselor.”13 should go see a counselor.”


Now, we can add another comment Now, we can add another comment from the survey, this time from from the survey, this time from another age group.another age group.

Johnston’s mother, Anne Johnston’s mother, Anne Johnston, echoed those sentiments.Johnston, echoed those sentiments.

““Back in old times it was a Back in old times it was a common thing,” she said. “Nowadays, common thing,” she said. “Nowadays, I think it’s ludicrous. I think even age I think it’s ludicrous. I think even age 18 is too young.”18 is too young.”


You can even add a dissenting opinion from your You can even add a dissenting opinion from your results:results:

The lone respondent in favor of love and The lone respondent in favor of love and marriage at such an early age, 14-year-old Gabi marriage at such an early age, 14-year-old Gabi Jones, indicated that she would have no problem Jones, indicated that she would have no problem with marrying 25-year-old actor Zac Efron, who with marrying 25-year-old actor Zac Efron, who coincidentally bears a striking resemblance to coincidentally bears a striking resemblance to actor Leonard Whiting, who portrays Romeo in actor Leonard Whiting, who portrays Romeo in the 1968 film version of the play.the 1968 film version of the play.

““I’d prefer Johnny Depp,” said Jones. “But I’d prefer Johnny Depp,” said Jones. “But you have to draw the age line somewhere. It’s you have to draw the age line somewhere. It’s just so hard to choose. They’re both so dreamy.” just so hard to choose. They’re both so dreamy.”

Documents

Romeo and Juliet Attitude analysis. Journalistic writing Objectives: Here is what you will be able to do by writing this paper: Craft a news story lead