News:
Sleep patterns to be re-interpreted as art (Samia O’Keefe)
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/10/13/3037405.htm?site=arts
Description:
Lisa Carrie Goldberg is doing one artwork related to sleep research at UWA.
Comment:
Visual arts should be as interesting as it could be to attract audiences because it is such a relaxing and enjoyable thing. So, when I see the word “sleep” and “art” headline on the lists of arts news search, I immediately decide to click in it and find out what that is.
Story begins with three questions paragraphs, for example, Have you ever wondered what you look like when you sleep? That’s one of my favourite styles of a colour story, making you thinking and wondering. Then, the author starts to reveal the 5W elements of news story and describe the difference from traditional science experiments, which is not finding a cure method.
Yes, in the sixth paragraph, the author makes clear it is one artwork. But it does not matter, because it has already hooked audience’s interests. On the other hand, the author uses lots of quotes from Ms Goldberg to finish the rest of story and many paragraphs are just one or two sentences.
The other thing I like this news story is the humour within it. I still remember one paragraph saying that due to the sleep observation which needs to be worked during the night, so what about Ms Goldberg’s sleep. The author said Ms Goldberg isn’t worried she’ll fall asleep herself but need more coffee.
I prefer short paragraph but I am still not sure that how long each paragraph will be the best. One of my friends studying communication in MQ once told me that one news writing assignment she had every class is writing the exact number of words of each paragraph according to the requirement of the lecturer. So there must be some rules in it and definitely I think it is a good way to start and practice.
News:
Art imitates Everyday Living (Michelle Jones)
http://www.tennessean.com/article/20101003/ENTERTAINMENT0507/10030310/1069/ENTERTAINMENT05/Art+imitates+Everyday+Living
Description:
A collection of 17 oil paintings of daily live landscape opens at Tennessee State University’s Hiram Van Gordon Gallery.
Comment:
To be honest, I cannot quite understand contemporary art, especially abstract ones. So, when I first see this headline “Art imitates Everyday Living”, it arouses my interest. I know this is different from what I have seen before.
When people who like visual arts are looking for the news story everyday, how can they not get bored? It is a big question that how to make this kind of news story as outstanding as looking at a piece of real artwork.
This news story begins with flashback to one year ago, and the author uses anecdote to start the narration. It flows smoothly to the recent show and gives information about it. Next, the author describes the idea of the collection of the artist, “For the most part, the images come from me just walking around, taking pictures going from point A to point B”. Right, that’s what is called everyday living, it really adds beauty to the theme and headline. After that, Jones uses the description of one painting artwork to further give images to audiences. Moreover, “Grier paints in a traditional style”, after this opening sentence, the author explains the artist’s painting style and his differences from other artists that Grier works with.
Online news stories are usually shorter than articles on newspapers because of the changes of people’s reading habit. It is a short and simple story but with impressive memory after I finished reading, the structure and the quotes. When I am doing research of my news story, I will get much information as I can. It is a hard work to sort out what I should leave out and what I should write in the story with the most reasonable order. It is important to let readers read fluently and be clear of the theme.
News:
1 hand clapping at Japan Society (Ann Levin – The Associated Press)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101001/ap_en_ot/us_art_one_hand_clapping;_ylt=At.dXkmAqB0JW8nLjDQQyepcEBkF;_ylu=X3oDMTJ1bGM1NmRyBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAxMDAxL3VzX2FydF9vbmVfaGFuZF9jbGFwcGluZwRwb3MDMwRzZWMDeW5fcGFnaW5hdGVfc3VtbWFyeV9saXN0BHNsawMxaGFuZGNsYXBwaW4-
Description:
It mainly introduces the 18th-century Zen master Hakuin Ekaku and his exhibition in New York.
Comment:
After analysing these online news stories, I began collecting the elements that will make an online story outstanding and attractive.
Now is online world. Many of us get information online because of its convenience and richness. In terms of news, what type will gain most audiences? Stunning photos, interesting writing, or additional video will do. Plus, attractive headline and opening paragraph.
When I first see this title, “1 hand clapping at Japan Society”, I gain interests immediately. What does it mean? I keep reading it. In the first paragraph, Levin writes What is the sound of one hand clapping? Even after seeing that, I cannot guess its meaning, but I still have the curiosity. Maybe the magic of quiet? And then, the writer begins to introduce the Zen master and his idea of meditation through his collection.
However, throughout the writing, all I can see is flat description. I can predict the extraordinary style of master’s artwork, but I cannot see it in the piece. A good description should let the readers have a vivid image after reading the words. In the end of it, the writer says the master wants to convey his Zen idea in ways that ordinary people could understand the meaning. Is it the reason why Levin also uses plain sentences to write it? I doubt.
I know it is hard to give attention to two or more things at the same time. But after I look at a number of news stories, I can tell what is good and what is normal easier. Sometimes the readers will not spend time to think about the techniques or skills that a good writing has. What they can remember is the first impression the story gives them and it usually happens in the first three paragraphs. So, it is very important to be clear and right to the point. It means not only giving as much as information audiences expect, but also delivering a kind of visual perception, especially when dealing with visual art writing.
