Journalism Students Discuss the Ins and Outs of good Journalism
Students of Jesse Miller’s CMM 211 Journalism class construct thoughts and ideas about the nuances of journalism that can elevate their writing.
February 4, 2025
Casey Jordan
UNE Student
During class on Friday January 31’st students broke the ice on areas to focus on in their future writings, flipping what some previously knew about journalism on its head.
Students met in room 217 in Marcil hall to attend Professor Millers class on journalism. Miller, a former leader of UNE’s school newspaper “The Bolt” was adamant about the importance of the nut graph in journalism. Stating to his students during class, “If you are reading to learn the brain asks questions, the nut graph is there to answer those questions”. Further going into the substance of the nut graph. That being the who, what, when, where and the “deeper why” of the story. Being three to five paragraphs in and full of the answers the readers are looking for, the nut graph is hugely important to the reader.
Another powerful element of journalism that reaches a deeper level then the nut graph is the watchdog element.
Students shared their thoughts on this during another discussion lead by Professor Miller. The discussion covered the basis that journalism is the ability to critique power. Student Anthony Lacaprucia stated, “The watchdog element in journalism keeps an accurate record of those in power”. If we we are not able to report on powerful people, we would face tyranny. Thankfully, there is plenty of critique in journalism today as journalists job is to report on what they find, like it or not. Without the watchdog element in journalism, we would find ourselves in a less free society.
This class period brought lots of information to the table on how students can be better journalists. The discussion lead by Professor Miller engaged students to share their ideas and findings with one another. The melting pot of journalistic knowledge had something that every student could benefit from learning.
This is The Most Influential Sports Illustrated Cover of All Time… Here is Why.
This picture was taken of tiger woods at the 2001 PGA Masters tournament by photographer Fred Vuich. The picture perfectly captures the popularity surrounding Tiger Woods at the time, and the unique backstory makes the photo even better. Fred Vuich tells the story of how he ended up perfectly behind tiger as he teed off of the 18th and final hole of the tournament in an interview with Golf Digest. He started on the green of the 16th hole and watched tiger land his tee shot just a few feet from the hole. He became excited as he realized he was in the perfect position to capture tiger sinking his birdie putt which would ultimately lock up a masters win for the golfer phenom. Vuich watched as tiger hit his putt and thought to himself that he had just captured Tigers winning moment and the perfect shot for the Sports Illustrated cover. To Vuich’s and the rest of the crowd’s surprise, the ball stopped short of the hole. Keeping the Masters still a close match and Vuich without his shot, Vuich knew he had to make something happen fast. So, with just two holes left he ran to the 18th hole tee box for his final attempt. To his surprise he found himself on an empty stand behind the tee box, right behind tiger and a sea of spectators as Tiger hits his final Drive in his Masters Win.
I found this cover very unique and due to not only the incredible backstory, but the picture it paints, and the headline “Masterpiece” is perfect. The shot of Tiger’s backswing with the swarming crowd watching gives the viewer the feeling of being an anxious crowd member holding their breath in a moment that must have felt like an eternity, which is now frozen in a timeless picture. In more than one way Fred Vuich’s photograph is a “masterpiece” and is the most influential Sports Illustrated cover of all time.
Why NASCAR is the greatest sport in USA.
When the average person who has never watched NASCAR thinks about the sport, they often use the same old jokes about how all they do is turn left. While this is technically true for most circuits they race on, there is much more to it than just that. From the driver’s standpoint, they must be in peak physical condition to withstand the hundred fifty-degree temperatures inside the car for three hours while making split second decisions at nearly two hundred miles per hour. On top of that there is the mental aspect of knowing the high risk of crashing.
From a consumer standpoint, attending a NASCAR race is an incredibly unique experience that anyone can find fun. outside of the track they have several small pop-up shops for merchandise which is where we see the very popular NASCAR clothing fashion trends come from. As you get closer to the track there are games, live music, and places to eat all throughout, making sure there is something the whole family can enjoy.
Once the race starts, most people go wrong because they don’t know what to look for in order to properly enjoy the racing. Keeping up with storylines, rivalries, drivers and teams helps make the racing itself more exciting because you know what moments are important and who is desperate to win even if it means crashing someone else. knowing what to look for in the race will keep you on the edge of your seat for hours as forty different cars pace around the track at mind boggling speed.
Nascar is the greatest sport in the country for the live experience it provides to consumers and the constant action happening at the track.
