Reading Journal for April 1st- Brianna Lyle

In Deference to Crisis, A New Obsession Sweeps Japan: Self-Restraint

New York Times, March 27, 2011, By: Ken Belson and Norimitsu Onishi

This story starts with explaining of Japanese usually like things in excess, however, it does read like a news story. The article goes on to say that with the sudden tsunami and nuclear crisis that Japanese are learning to live without certain things, such as lights, televisions and toilet seat heaters, in order to contribute electricity to the areas that need it most. This article is a follow-up-news-story about the tsunami but with a twist of human interest.

The structure of this story is different than that of a hard news story. It starts with the most important information (that there was a tsunami) and then goes deep into this subject (how it affected people) and their reactions. Unlike a hard news story, this article goes really deep into one subject and stays on that subject the entire time. It then has interviews with people who are locally effected by the tsunami, like Koichi Nakamura who said “’We are not forced or anything,” who runs a karaoke shop in Kabukicho, Tokyo’s famed entertainment district, where customers looking to sing their lungs out have all but vanished. “I hope it will somehow contribute to the affected areas.”

The writing style is also much more playful. Part of the introduction reads, “Even in a country whose people are known for walking in lockstep, a national consensus on the proper code of behavior has emerged with startling speed.” There is some use of satire here and I think it fits well with the story.

Libyans Seek News of Vanished Relatives

New York Times, March 28, 2011, By: Kareem Fahim

This article starts with a story that really pulls the reader in. It is a follow-up-story about Libya but with a lot of human interest aspects. The article starts with, “There were four doctors, a medical equipment salesman, a student studying economics, and dozens of others. Some went to out protest, some out went to fight, and others tended to the injured.” The article then says, “Then they vanished, in cities and towns that have become defined by their battles.” Right away, we know this story is going to be about the people who are currently effected by the state of Libya.

The lede is definitely different than a hard news lede. It is meant to tell a story and create ethos. As well, the structure of the article is more like a story line, following a person throughout their struggles in finding a vanished relative. “’He is married and has three children,” Mr. Naji said. “His wife is still crying.’”

Hunting for Bargains After a Titan’s Fall: Everything Must Go

New York Times, March 27, 2011, By: Cambell Robertson

I knew that this article was going to have a human interest just from the heading. It’s a news story but has a storyline of a man named Richard Scrushy, who once was one of the highest paid chief executives in the United States. Now he is jail and selling his belongings to locals.

The lede on this story is a question, ‘What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world and lose his casserole dish?” But, much like the other ledes mentioned above, it is not a hard-news-lede. It is meant to pull the reader in. Also, the construction of the story is a timeline. It starts with Scrushy’s jail-time and goes through the process of him selling his estate.