Thursday, April 29, 2010

Secret secret...

I like him more than a friend...

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Visual Storytelling Extra Credit

Torsten Kjellstrand -- Visual Storytelling
Friday April 23. 1 p.m. CADD 117

Torsten Kjellstrand began his lecture and presentation on Friday having the attendants state where they came from("I came from...").

Kjellstrand emphasised that pictures tell stories. He presented a Powerpoint slideshow of collections of pictures he has taken. One set of pictures were a narative art, in which told the story of two brothers.

"When you tell someone's story you validate that story, if you do it in the right way." said Kjellstrand.

Another story Kjellstand told through his pictures was of Celilo falls in Oregon. It showed the Native Reservation and its peoples in pictures of black and white and also in color.

Kjellstrand prompted the audience to think about whether or not color pictures vs. black and white made them perceieve the pictures/story differently.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Who or Whom?

Who: Subject of the clause

Whom: Object of the clause

I hired him for the internship.

Subject: I

Object: him

Trick: Try substituting “him” or “he” into the sentence. If him (object) sounds right, you’ll know to use whom. If he (subject) sounds right, you’ll know to use who. (Works the same for her/she).

1. Whom did you go to the game with?



2. She’s the student who writes the best articles.



3. Whom did you vote for?



4. We know who pulled that prank.



5. We want to know on whom the prank was pulled.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Collected Ledes

9. Their big round eyes, wagging tails and loving nature easily persuade college students to adopt a pet while they are trying to make it through tight financial times and balance a busy schedule.


8. Junior Cory Irwin sat mildly flustered and slightly embarrassed. Twiddling his thumbs and starring at the floor, he explained what happened on March 11th.

Trend Story #5

Electronic cigarettes are becoming a popular device as an alternative to tobacco cigarettes. They don’t produce smoke, therefore can be used in anywhere from airplanes to bars. The E-cigarettes are being marketed as a safer alternative to regular tobacco cigarettes, and many E-cigarette companies are claiming that their product provides a more effective way to help consumers rid their smoking addiction.

Although much of the public who are aware of the E-cigarettes have accepted the idea of the less toxic nicotine alternative, the Food and Drug Administration are very skeptical. The FDA has not approved the E-cigarettes to be any less health harmful than tobacco cigarettes.

Considering the numerous manufacturers of E-cigarettes, there are many different variations of the product. The FDA explains on its Website that there is no quality control for the devices and that no tests have been submitted to the FDA that proves they are less harmful, or that they can help wean a smoker off of nicotine.

“Propylene glycol bas been found as an ingredient in the nicotine cartridges,” said Doctor of Pharmacology, James Knott. “There is a toxicity associated with propylene glycol. It is found in antifreeze and taking in too much can cause respiratory exasperation.”

Electronic cigarettes have been being sold in the United States now for approximately two years. They can be purchased in many smoke shops and malls throughout the country. The most abundant marketing and sales for the electronic devices are found on the internet due to the several different international electronic cigarette manufacturers. Free trials are offered through many online retailers, and curious potential buyers can test an E-cigarette at most smoke shops.

Dr. Knott noted that it may be very possible for someone who is interested in quitting smoking to be able to use this device to do so because of the option of different nicotine level cartridges. Gradually one could taper their usage rid the unhealthy habit.

The E-cigarette is a reusable gadget constructed of a battery, atomizer and a replaceable nicotine filled cartridge. The battery powers and LED light to emulate the burning tip and starts the atomizer that creates a vapor of the liquid nicotine contained in the cartridge that is then sucked through by the user.

“It is an unusual feeling at first because the tip is metal,” said Amy Hjelt after she tested an E-cigarette at a local smoke shop. “You have to inhale much harder, but the vapor doesn’t feel as harsh compared to actual smoke.”

Big Smoke smoke shop in Moscow Idaho has carried the electronic smoking device for approximately six months. An employee reported that they are not as popular as the traditional tobacco cigarettes but there is still somewhat of a demand for the electronic look alike.

Since the E-cigarettes do not contain tobacco there is no age restriction for using them. The replaceable cartridges come in a range of nicotine levels and are also offered in many different flavors, including chocolate, mint and pineapple. The issue of no restrictions and tempting tastes raises many concerns that minors will seek out the device that delivers the very addicting drug of nicotine.




SOURCES

Dr. James Knott (360) 428-2752 Face-to-face interview

Big Smoke Employee (didn’t want name included in story) (208) 882-7441 Face-to-face interview

Amy Hjelt (360) 708-6349 Face-to-face interview

www.FDA.gov
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/PublicHealthFocus/ucm172906.htm

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Math quiz

From the Poynter Institute's Math Test for Journalists

1. Last year, the school spent $8,300 for office equipment. This year, it will spend 5 percent less. How much will it spend this year?--$7,885

2. The spelling and grammar test was taken by 217 students. Thirty-seven failed. What percent passed? --83%

3. The former assistant manager was demoted to sales clerk. His pay was cut from $8.04 to $4.02. What was the percent decrease?--50%

4. Bruce Springsteen was born on Sept. 23, 1949. How old will he be in May 2016?--66yrs.

5. One out of 12 students at WSU are in the Greek system. What percent are in Greek system?m --8%

6. Last year, your property tax bill was $1,152. This year, it rose to $1,275. What’s the percent increase? -- 10.6%

7. Joe Smith wants to build a 2,500-square-foot house for him. The builder tells him it will cost $65 a square foot to build. How much will the house cost? --$162,500

8. You and your four roommates have ordered a 16-slice pizza. Because you skipped lunch, it is agreed that you should have a 1/4 share of the total. The roommates divide the remainder equally. How much does each one get? --3 slices.

9. The Poynter Institute’s budget for computer programs jumped from $5,500 to $7,300. By what percent did it increase? --32.7%

10. Checkers at a grocery store earn the following salaries: $10,000, $12,500, $5,890, $16,453, $14,000. The median salary is:--$12,500

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Three Questions:
1. How do you predict the introduction of the e-cigs. effect the sales of regular cigarettes?

2. Do you predict the e-cigs. will be an effective way to help people stop smoking? Or do you believe that it will entice people to start smoking?

3. Where will these e-cigs. be permitted to be smoked?

Two sources:
Employee (manager) of Big Smoke in Moscow.
Dr. of Pharmacology James Knott

One sentence:
Electronic Cigarettes are being introduced to the market this year.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Otto Zehm

2. Here's the police investigation into the police officers' actions. What was the finding? Write a lede based on this document.

Lede: Spokane Police officers who tried to detain a mentally unstable man due to alleged theft in which the altercation led to his death, officers reportedly did not use excessive force in a report disclosed to prosecuters.

WSU Libraries

7. Search for ‘Fred Russell Pullman.’ What’s the first headline and publication of the first story? Why this publication?

KILLER LOSES US JAIL BATTLE
Why this publication? -- He fled to Ireland and had to be brought back to the US.

9. Now we have 73 results. They are ordered by chronology. What’s the first story? When was it published?

Reward offered for fugitive's capture -- Published August 7, 2003, Thursday


10. Reorder them according to Publication Date. Now what’s the first story? Oops. We’re still missing dozens of news stories about Russell. Let’s try again.

GOV. PALIN ANNOUNCES BOARD APPOINTMENTS

14. Find the Nov. 7, 2007, story by Richard Roesler. According to this story, how much time does Russell face in prison?

14 years

15. Look at the 84th result in your search. What’s the headline?
Son jumps bail, breaks hearts Parents pray for return of suspect in triple fatality