Working with Numbers and Statistics
Read the first two chapters of this book for Wednesday.
Planning & Execution, Blundell-style
I. HISTORY
A. Does my main theme development have roots in the past? What are they?
B. Is it a clean break with the past? How?
C. Is it clearly a continuation of the past? How?
D. If history seems a potentially relevant part of my story, are there any historical details that I can use to lend authenticity and interest? Can I relate them briefly?
II. SCOPE-How widespread, intense and various is my development, the event or current of events that is at the heart of my story?
III. REASONS-Material that shows why something is happening now.
A. Economic. Is there money in this? Where does the money trail begin and end?
B. Social: Are changes in culture, custom, morals or family life likely to be affecting this story? How?
C. Political/Legal: Are changes in laws, regulations or taxes affecting this story? How?
D. Psychological: Are such things as ego, vengeance, wish fulfillment apt to be major driving forces in this story? Does the personality of a major actor bear heavily on it?
IV. IMPACTS -The consequences of a development.
A. Who or what is likely to be helped by what is happening? How? What is the scope of that help? (See section II and apply it here.)
B. Who or what is likely to be hurt? How? What is the scope of the damage? (See section II again.)
C. What is the emotional response of those helped or hurt?
V. COUNTERMOVES-The gathering and action of contrary forces.
A. Who is likely to gripe loudest about what is happening? What are they saying?
B. What actually is being done to offset, combat, change or deflect the impacts of the development? What is the scope of this effort? (See Section II and apply it here.)
C. How is this effort working out?
VI. FUTURES -What could happen if my development rolls along unchecked
A. Are there formal studies or projections that address the future of my development, and what do they say?
B. What are the informal opinions of both observers and actors on the scene? How do the latter see their own futures?
C. Can I indicate what the future might hold?
Bennett’s Rules of Newspaper English
A century ago, in an era when newspapers ruled the media world, the New York Herald enjoyed one of the highest circulations of any paper in America. Its publisher, James Gordon Bennett, Jr., was as well known (and controversial) as his two greatest competitors, Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst.
Example: Ex-Rocket fares better in bank shot
The ephemeral world of professional sports gave Coastal Banc execs a hard call last week.