Day 3: How do I frame and set the tone for my story?

Issues

  • What kinds of contributions can you make to a publication?
  • What different tones you can take in your contribution?
  • Is there a connection between type of contribution and the tone you take?
  • What about injecting bias into your piece? Is that the same as expressing your opinion?

Background

Source

Issue

Text

Spirit of Jefferson

Submission guidelines

  • Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
  • PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
  • Don’t Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
  • Be Truthful. Don’t knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
  • Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
  • Be Proactive. Use the ‘Report’ link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.

George Lakoff, from Thinking Points: Communicating our American Values and Vision: A Progressive’s Handbook

Framing an issue, meaning providing an issue with a reason for being. Answering the question of “Why write?”

Issues are symbolic of values and of trustworthiness. Effective [writing on issues] must communicate the [writer’s] values. …There is no moderate worldview, and very few people are genuine moderates. …When you surrender authenticity, you surrender your values, and you surrender trust. …When something resonates or makes sense, it engages your deep frames. …Facts are extremely important, but they make sense only given a context [the frame]. 

Joseph Reagle from Reading the Comments: Likers, Haters, and Manipulators at the Bottom of the Web

What commenting is about. Why it’s there and what we can or should do about it. 

 I’m not necessarily saying that everyone should read the comments, but I think we can learn things about human behavior from them. …Comments are a characteristic of contemporary life: they can inform, improve, and shape people for the better, and they can alienate, manipulate, and shape people for the worse. …Commenting is with us and we must find ways to use it effectively.

Joseph Reagle from Reading the Comments: Likers, Haters, and Manipulators at the Bottom of the Web

Confusion about different types of comment. 

Constructive criticism is editorial feedback that is offered to the author with specific suggestions on how to improve. 

Commentary is a reflection of the reader’s response intended for the author but not necessarily focused on improvement. 

Review is intended for someone other than the author. 

Recommendations are meant to be persuasive and are intended for others besides the author.

Flaming is intentionally hurtful and dismissive commentary

Discussion Questions

  • Where do your own opinions come from?
  • How likely is opening up to the community going to be a satisfying experience?
  • How do you deal with criticism of a piece you write? Should you anticipate criticism?
  • What credibility or credentials do you have to have to state an opinion?

Application

Let’s analyze a few pieces for evidence of how the authors frame them and what we can take away from our analysis regarding their effectiveness. The example are all comments following the shooting at a Nashville elementary school.

——————————

Another fatal shooting, this time in Nashville with three children and three adults dead. How many more have to die? How many more severely injured? There have been 130 mass shootings this year, and it’s only March. When will Congress get off its collective behinds and do something constructive? Something other than investigations? What will it take for Congress to act on gun regulations?

Marshall Cossman, Grand Blanc, Mich.

——————————

Very surprising that there would be a mass shooting at a Christian school, given that lack of prayer is often blamed for these horrible events. Is it possible they weren’t praying enough, or correctly, despite being a Christian school?

David Pakman

——————————

Thank god Tennessee protected the children from the so-called horrors of drag and gender affirming care so they can be shot up at school by an AR-15 instead.

Alejandra Caraballo

——————————-

How much hormones like testosterone and medications for mental illness was the transgender Nashville school shooter taking? 

Everyone can stop blaming guns now.

Marjorie Taylor Greene

——————————–

There are three thoughts I would offer any reasonable person to consider, regarding the Nashville shooting.

First, the shooter was armed with two assault-style rifles. Whenever these events occur, the gun lobby is quick to quote the Second Amendment. However, that is absurd as it was never intended to cover weapons of this type. To argue this point is, quite simply, nonsense.

Second, after these events, people ask “what was the shooter’s state of mind” and “what can be done to improve mental health screening?” Those are fair questions. But I also feel posing the same questions to representatives, senator and gun lobbyists would be a fair proposition. After all, what sort of disturbed mind can place ownership of an assault rifle above the life of a child?

Finally, although I am not a lawyer, I wonder if a skilled attorney could make a case using Title 18 U.S. Code, Section 2 against representatives, senators and gun lobbyists who are aiding and abetting the commission of these tragedies. By their refusal to implement reasonable laws and procedures, and with full knowledge these tragedies will continue to occur, they are fostering an environment in which innocent men, women and children will die.

Joseph L. Gude Jr., Frederick

Scroll to Top