Sexual Language

After reading Sherryl Kleinman’s article for my Comm 160 class, I understand now why language is a big deal. People should realize it is one step in making women and men equalities. We should not expect everyone should just jump into the issue of men and women getting equal wages. Language is a great place to start because it’s something that we use every day. I never realized saying simple things such as “chairman”, “mankind” and “fireman” could be so hurtful to women. Until Kleinman pointed out that switching the gender part of the word for a racial one changes the meaning completely, I didn't agree with her. I believed that saying those sexual words was just a habit of people; we have been doing for so long so why change it now? However, after substituting the words for “chairwhite”, “whitekind” and “you whiteys” I see how much of a difference there is. Colored people would be expected to be included in those terms, and I don’t see how they could be anymore hurtful. Therefore, now I understand where Kleinman is coming from when she says we must start using nonsexual language if we ever want to get over any other barrier of men and women inequalities. Women should no longer be expected to be included in these terms, and men should not be offended when women want to use a more equal term such as “chairperson”.

Making Leads

    How to make information into a lead.

   Homicide. Husband shot four times in apartment. Yesterday. Suspect said she was driven to the brink of insanity by his constant beatings. She had asked neighbors for help earlier in the day. Reported to police she was afraid of him. Erie Police Department provided information. She showed visible signs of a beating: swollen jaw and black eye. Victim's name is Harold Ray Erman. "He beat me near to death last night, and I just couldn't let him have at me again," quote from wife. Address of apartment is 4747 Pine Ave. Police took 25-cal., Ivers & Johnson, semi-automatic pistol out of her hand when they arrested her. She calls police. Her name is Josephine Erman, 38. Harold died about 6:15 p.m. at UPMC Hamot Medical Center. Victim suffered wounds to throat, trunk, neck and abdomen. Shot at close range as he slept. He was 47. Had been arrested on complaints of assault three times previous.

   On Sunday evening on Pine Ave. a woman shot her husband repeatedly while he slept, claiming she was driven to insanity by his beatings.

   Robbery. McDonald’s. Got away with about $75. Witnesses heard four shots fired. On upper Peach Street in the Summit Towne Plaza. Robber crawled through drive-through window and forced lone attendant to open cash register. Information comes from Millcreek Police Sgt. Caleb Winthrow. One death. Shot twice. Victim's name is Hashim M. Hashim. Pronounced dead at the scene. Happened about 10 p.m. No arrests have been made. One witness at scene. Happened Monday. Victim's address is 32 Crest Road in Erie.

   A McDonald’s attendant was killed during a robbery late Monday night on upper Peach Street in the Summit Towne Plaza, attributed a Millcreek Police Sgt.

      Speech reaction. Penn State Behrend Chancellor Don Birx speaks to Erie Rotary Club. Says future of area colleges depends on increased support from the business community. "You must be willing to invest in the education of America now, or you will pay dearly later," Birx said. Audience of about 125. Audience did not like what he was saying. Asked very tough questions after the talk and did not applaud during the speech. Gave speech at noon on Monday. Some in audience were clearly angry. One man walked out. "I pay my employees good, fair wages. Why should I begin paying someone who won't even work for me when they're 18," said John Hibberben, owner of S&W Food Wholesalers.

 A speech given by Penn State Behrend Chancellor Don Birx turned sour Monday when the audience of the Erie Rotary Club reacted badly to what Birx had to say.

Writing Leads

Recently in my Basic News Writing Skills class we learned how to write a summary news lead. Every story needs a good lead to get readers excited about reading the story. Without a good lead they are just going to go to the next story. There are six rules for writing a straight news lead. Rule one is that a straight news lead should be about 25 to 30 words long, and it should summarize the "what", "where" and "when" of the story. Rule two is the first verb should express the main "what" of the story and should be in the first seven words of the sentence. Rule three is that the first verb should also be in active voice, not passive. Rule four is if there is a "who" involved in the story, the lead should give some idea of who the "who" is. Rule five is the lead should summarize the "why" and "how" of the story, but only if it's possible. Also do not try to squeeze the "why" and "how" in the lead if it doesn't fit. Finally, rule six is if what's in the lead needs to be attributed, make sure to add the attribution at the end of the lead.