Reading Part 2

Read, in Dotson’s book, pages 43 thru 55. Respond to what you read, and use these questions if you get stuck: What strikes you as interesting? In what ways do you agree or disagree with him? How does this fit where you are as a writer, and how will it help you become a better one? 
(100 words minimum)

   What I found interesting about this section of reading is that when news stations tell a story or give information, instead of having words all over the screen for the viewers to read themselves, they keep them interested and tell the story with images and videos.  I agree that this would keep viewers watching for a longer time because it doesn't take effort on their part to know the story they're telling.  It's also important to get a wide variety of viewers connected; the story or the way it's told shouldn't draw the attention of one culture more than another.  Keep the viewer interested by using an active voice, group everything in threes, and add in little surprises.  But at the same time, it's important not to overwhelm the viewer with information.

So, Dotson highlights the following:
- How to defeat the TV remote control
- Be conversational
- Gobbledygook and clichés
- Active voice
- Write in threes
- Surprises

Doing the right thing

         This story uses the strategy of being conversational throughout the writing.  Towards the beginning of the story after the writer had talked about hockey for a little bit, he added in a short story of a past memory between the twins that relates to the story.  This story also includes a surprise.  Not only did Nate win the prize by making an impressive shot with an injured arm, he ended up giving all the money back because he didn’t feel it was right to keep it.  The rule of threes also shows up all throughout the story.  For example when the Vikings heard about what the family did, they (one) “brought the whole family to a game”, (two) “let them hang out on the field”, and (three) “put them in a VIP box.”

End of a 12-son football dynasty for Minn. Family

         This video, as well as the story, has a lot of conversation in it.  Whenever the interviewer would ask a question, they would continue talking about things that wouldn’t directly relate to the question.  The surprise tactic was used when they talked about how long the mom and dad has been going to the games because of their 12 sons.  The video also has an active voice and keeping things interesting throughout the story.  When they showed all the sons, they made it humorous by talking about past stories (also conversational) that resulted from having 12 boys in a house.