It was a sunny day in Brisbane. Anna, age six was sitting in the shade enjoying her lunch when Ms Taylor stood over her with pursed lips. “You shouldn’t be eating that,” she sneered as she snatched Anna’s lunch and tossed it in the bin. Whenever Ms Taylor was on yard duty she would find Anna and take her lunch. This continued for many months. Anna felt ashamed, embarrassed and hungry.

Anna’s mother Jackie knew something was bothering Anna. She had become withdrawn and was not her usual bubbly self. “She loved school. So when she started to cry when she had to go to school I knew something was very wrong.”

When Anna finally told her what was happening Jackie was furious. She immediately told Anna’s teacher what Ms Taylor was doing. She told him if he didn’t do something about it – she would. “He calmed me down and assured me that he would take it further. Because of privacy they never told me why Ms Taylor left the school but I think she was given the option to resign or be fired. I think this is the one thing that has stuck in Anna’s mind all these years and it broke my heart to see her so upset.”

But the humiliation did not end for Anna. A gifted singer, she was the main act in a Christmas show at her school when she was ten years old. Anna has always enjoyed singing; “My singing was and still is the only thing I’m 100 percent confident about myself in. Back then, it gave me an escape from who I really was.”

Before the show, the students performing were told they were going to appear on TV. The teacher organising the event told Anna she was no longer required to sing. Anna knew she was left out because of her weight, as the teacher could not provide a reason for her sudden exclusion from the show.

Anna was happy to finish primary school and thrived in secondary school; “I felt safe in a single sex environment.” However outside of school she felt exposed, “I’d have people scream things out on the street about my weight.”

At her heaviest, as a 20 year old, Anna weighed 180 kilograms. Anna’s problem was once she started eating she couldn’t stop. This is a characteristic of Binge Eating Disorder which is often described as a disorder that is an expression of deeper psychological problems. Suffers of this disorder often eat large amounts of food even when not hungry. They eat more rapidly than usual,until they are uncomfortably full. They also feel feelings of disgust, guilt or shame after binging.

The Butterfly foundation assists people in overcoming eating disorders through promoting a positive body image. The manager of education services in Victoria, Danni Watts says Anna is not alone in her experience.

“Eating issues develop due to a combination of many things.  However, bullying and teasing, be it from other children, siblings or a teacher, teamed with low self esteem can develop into food and/or body issues later in life.”

She moved to Melbourne with her best friend in 2003. They frequented at gay clubs as Anna felt that she wasn’t judged by the men in this environment. “They made me feel like I was beautiful, I was magnetised by that.”

She met the love of her life, Shane in 2008. “He’s been the only one that’s loved me as I am; he’s never judged me and has always told me how beautiful he thinks I am.” Not long after Shane proposed, Anna decided to address her weight with more intensity. At this point she had lost 30 kilograms through healthy eating.

In 2008 she tried the Sure-slim diet. Each meal had to be five hours apart and no snacking was permitted. In nine months she lost 47 kilograms. She also hired a personal trainer and said her confidence built with praise from those around her. “I was so motivated and focused.”

During this time Anna won a competition to train with Shannon and Michelle from The Biggest Loser. They were very supportive and gave her encouragement and tips to keep on track. She found this experience only motivated her more – sadly the motivation didn’t last.

Within a year she put all the weight back on. Shane lost his job and with this came financial strain and stress in their relationship, and Anna turned to food for comfort. She started drinking a few glasses of wine every night “to numb” herself from all the stress. She said during this time she was in denial about her weight gain and pretended she didn’t care. “I had lost motivation and couldn’t get my mojo back.” After several months, Shane got a job and this eased the pressure.

It took another twelve months for Anna to re-address her weight.

In February of this year Anna decided to have lap-band surgery. The knowledge that one in 2000 people who have the surgery die, due to complications afterwards was not enough to stop her. She said she was desperate and would die anyway if she didn’t take drastic action. She felt “excited and relieved” once she was booked in for the keyhole surgery.

The band works by creating a sense of fullness. It presses on the stomach, which makes the brain think that the stomach is full and therefore requires no more food.

All patients having the surgery at The Melbourne Surgical Group must have a full examination by a physician. This includes blood tests and a chest x-ray to ensure patients are fit for surgery. It also includes appointments with a dietician to advise what to expect before and after the surgery and a psychologist to asses the mental health of patients.

Jan Murphy has been working as a nurse at the group for 18 months. She said to qualify for the surgery patients need to have a Body Mass Index of over 35. She also said poor body image is common in patients. “A variety of personal experiences cause them to eat for emotional reasons. That’s why this surgery is such a positive thing to do; the success rate is high and it can often have a big impact on a lot of aspects of their lives.”

Anna said her pre-surgery psychologist; Dr Ranya Mavaris was horrified at the discriminatory events that occurred in her childhood. Dr Mavaris told Anna it was no surprise she had poor body image and a dysfunctional relationship with food.

She also said this is why Anna seeks approval from her others. “I had been told from when I was young that I wasn’t good enough.” Anna said her consultation with Dr Mavaris helped put her experiences and the affect on her into perspective.

On March 23 Anna had the surgery. For two weeks prior, she was on a diet of meal replacement shakes. This is to kick start weight loss, and shrink the stomach in preparation for surgery. Two weeks after the surgery Anna was able to progress from meal replacement shakes to eating pureed solids. A week after this she had the first fluid put into her stomach, via a tiny port created during the operation. The fluid activates the band and creates the small pouch, which is the new smaller stomach.

She has lost 17 kilograms to date. The weight loss is slow – but it’s permanent. Anna is aiming to lose 50 kilograms in total before December. Once she is at her goal weight she will have surgery to remove the excess skin from her arms.

Anna and Shane will be married in November 2011. She knows having the surgery was one of the best things she ever did. Her love of life has returned and she is no longer consumed or controlled by thoughts of food. She has finally overcome the traumatic experience of her childhood.

‘Excuse me; could you spare some change?’

You have probably heard this question more than once during a day in our fair city. It is also just as likely you have wondered how someone becomes homeless and how it can be prevented.

The 2006 census revealed an estimated 23,299 Victorians have nowhere to call home. Those who are trapped in the homeless cycle find it a demoralising and debilitating experience.

Sacred Heart Mission’s program co-ordinator for client support services Chris Middendorp said his clients generally come from disadvantaged backgrounds and had difficult or violent childhoods. High percentages have learning difficulties and were also bullied in school.

He said these individuals did not have the opportunity to learn important life skills essential to functioning in society. They often have increased levels of frustration, relating to their life experience and they sometimes engage in antisocial behaviour as a coping mechanism. This isolates them from the community.

The mission runs the ‘Journey to Social Inclusion’ program to help clients transition out of the homeless sub-culture by addressing behavioural, mental issues and trauma associated with the homeless experience.

But Chris believes it is just as much re-educating the community as well as rehabilitating the client, “Our society doesn’t deal with difference very well.”

With prevention in mind, the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations runs the ‘Youth Connections’ program. This Federal government initiative provides support for youths who are at risk of disengaging in the education system and becoming homeless.

Disengagement is often caused by a combination of factors, such as poor academic performance, unstable home lives and drug usage.

“Youths at risk have a case manager to support them. If they are being bullied at school their case manager will go through with them how to confront the bully in a practical way,” Celeste Perfect, the careers education manager of the program said.

The program also helps youths make positive choices, increase self esteem, deal with stressful situations, and develop social skills if required.

Both programs for prevention or rehabilitation are a big part of the solution to homelessness as well as changing community attitudes.

Perhaps next time you’re asked if you can spare some change you might see the person behind the question.

Harley used observation to extend the narrative of this piece to contribute to the reader’s experience of his story. Essentially the chapters set for readings were a description of a portion of his life, which just happened to be his assignment in India. This was very similar to our class exercise this week ‘yourself as the feature’.

It was appropriate to hear Harleys voice in this piece as he was re-telling an experience in his life. He observed his surroundings and ‘reported’ on them to give us an idea of what it must have been like to be there. This also bolstered what he admitted himself as a lack of news. He made a story of his experience and the impending war was the backdrop.

Harley shows us he has done much research for this assignment. He is also very frank about his reluctance to take the job and the effect it will have on his budding relationship. Often we don’t get such insight into a journalist’s life.

He gives us a preview of the inner morality struggle that journalist sometimes face when Graham Staines and his sons are murdered. When he goes to the home of Glady’s Staines with the intention to interview her, he is fully aware of her suffering and struggles to overcome these feelings to do his job.  Him relating her loss to the loss of his own father really shows the reader that journalists do struggle with the cutthroat industry they are in.

The types of pieces where it enhances the story to hear the journalist’s voice are; gonzo journalism, opinions or re-telling of an event that they themselves have experienced.

As I stepped out of my chauffer driven car I felt excitement, and apprehensiveness peppered with fear. I looked at what would be my home for the next little while and thought to myself what was I thinking when I booked myself in for this adventure? I was at the beginning of a liberating adventure for one – not knowing what the future held but sure it would be something I would never forget.

 I won’t lie; my adventure was a copy cat version of Penelope Green’s. Her brilliantly written book ‘When in Rome’ inspired me. She described what it was like to live ‘La dolce vita’ and after the first Chapter I decided one day I would have my very own experience of living it. After much deliberation I decided on Sorrento on the West Coast of Italy. Although high in tourist traffic Sorrento still observes the siesta. The idea of a politically correct nap in the afternoon sat very well with me. Who doesn’t want a nap in the afternoon?

Of course there was something else that was driving me to do this. My mother is Italian.  I grew up with my Nonna living with the family so I have a very strong affiliation with the Italian way of life.  Our family packed up for an Italian adventure when I was 15. We lived in a villa in Tuscany, taking trips to discover the rest of Italy and surrounding countries. Initially I was resentful of my parents for taking me away from my friends, but I quickly got over this when I realised what a valuable and beautiful life experience my parents were giving me. 

For many years I craved this experience again. Other holidays followed but nothing compared to living somewhere as a local – truly immersing in the culture. When I arrived in Sorrento Signora Vincenza met me to give me my key and show me around my studio apartment. It was on Corso Italia – the main street in Sorrento and behind a gelato shop – location, location! Sorrento is a small, but picturesque town. The coast line is breath taking as are the mountains and cliffs. I felt like I was living in a postcard as the scenery was almost too perfect to be real. The Cobble stone alleys are lined with stalls and so many people. Even though I was alone I felt that I had company. Tomorrow I would start Italian school at Sorrento Lingue a mere 5 minute walk from my gorgeous studio.

Sorrento Lingue is a well established little school which teaches Italian to travellers from all over the world. I would spend 6 hours a day there. In the morning it was Grammatica (Grammar) for 2 hours.  After a short morning tea it was Conversazione (Conversation) for 2 hours also. In the afternoon after my Siesta I had opted to have private tuition for 2 hours. Two other girls had been placed in my class. Melissa, who was from Sydney but had been living in London for 2 years, and Shelley, an American. We clicked very quickly. Melissa was a very intelligent and worldly girl with a great sense of humour. Shelley was much the same on a much more extroverted level. 

Melissa was staying with an Italian family and invited us to a new bar opening in Sorrento on the first day of school. She had the most amazing networks in Sorrento – having lived there for a month prior to Shelley and I. The fact that she was staying with some very wealthy and trendy locals also helped.

At the bar opening we met Marco who Melissa was staying with, he was extremely charming and very popular with the girls. His friends seemed very much the same.  As I was walking to school that morning, a girl on a vespa with her boyfriend uttered a ‘SSSSSSSSSS’ to me as they drove past. Puzzled by this I asked Marco what it meant. He told me in his heavy accent ‘Ita means she wanta a threesome with you!’ I was horrified, and Marco let this emotion consume me for a short while before saying ‘ I’ma joking – it means she thinks you are gooda looking’.  

‘I ragazzi’ (the men) were also confusing to me. A few weeks later Melissa and I struggled to hold back our laughter when Guiseppe our friend in the Limoncello shop, produced ‘social’ business cards with his cell and a ‘xo’ symbol on them for us. That’s the thing about Italian men – you think you’re friends and they think something totally different.

Melissa, Shelley and I took many weekend trips together. With places like Capri and Positano virtually on our doorstep we had to take advantage. Marco’s job was as a tour guide for Capri, so one weekend he took a group of us there. A couple of my friends from London had come to Sorrento to visit me for the weekend so they joined us. As we sat on a boat on the sea soaking up the perfect day waiting to get into the Blue Grotto I said ‘Gee it’s a tough life’. We all agreed we were pretty lucky to be sunning ourselves in one of the most beautiful places in the world. I honestly did not have a care in the world.  This realisation made me think about our Australian culture compared with the Italian one.

Italians work but it’s not their life. It is a means to do the things they enjoy. They love spending time with family and friends. Good food, wine and great company are among the things that Italians hold dearest. As part of my cultural experience I was lucky enough to spend some time with my family in Sicily. I had been to the town where my mother grew up once before and nothing had changed. It was great to sit down and eat a home cooked meal. The restaurants in Sorrento are amazing, but that family setting around a table with constant chatter and laughter was a nice change. I ate, I drank, I walked, I ate, I drank then slept. To say I was in heaven is biggest understatement of all time. I wanted to pack my relatives in my suitcase and take them (and their recipes) home with me.

Before I left it took all my strength to not get impatient with my Zia who insisted I needed to take a larger carry on so I could take some food in case I get hungry on the plane. It was a constant battle warding off their attempts to stuff me stupid when I was already ‘pieno’ (full) beyond belief.  It was hard to say goodbye, there were tears. I knew this would be the last time I’d see some of my dear ‘parenti’ (relatives). 

It was a little difficult initially to settle back into Australian life. Whenever I look at photos of my adventure I am filled with that feeling of carelessness and freedom. It was an amazing time, living ‘La dolce vita’.

The features were all brilliant in their own right. Although they were all features by definition they had many differences in terms of approach, strategies and types of investigation required.

The story of Ramona Moore was set up in a hard news style. It was feature length but the writing was very concise.  The description of Ramona was at the beginning of the article, this was a tactic by the writer so the reader would learn about the type of person she was. The writer wanted the reader to form some sort of attachment to Ramona to induce more of an emotive response to the hideous way she was tortured and murdered. The writer also does this to almost put you in the place of Ramona’s mother Elle. We as readers are encouraged to imagine the desperation and helplessness we would feel knowing our child is in danger but nothing was been done by those who are supposed be fair, unbiased and protect civilians.

It made me think what it would be like to be discriminated based on my race and how I would feel if authorities did not care if one of my loved ones was in danger. Clearly one-sided the article doesn’t portray the NYPD in a positive light – and rightfully so. The reader can’t really draw any other conclusion other than this was a racially biased way to deal with the case, and it cost Ramona her life.  The comparisons between the search for Ramona (or lack of) with Arnov’s dog is a powerful way to get this point across.

The investigation done for this article would have mainly been interviews with Elle and her lawyer. It also appears the writer attended the trial to gather further information on the details of Ramona’s kidnapping and death. Research also would have been done regarding missing person’s complaints.

Pearls Before Breakfast was entirely different. It was long and very descriptive. The writer wanted to give the reader every opportunity to imagine what it would be like to be there at the station in rush hour, witnessing all this. The introduction revealed little information and this encourages the reader to continue reading to find out what the piece is all about. It is very much a softer style of news.

The interviews with passers by after the sociological experiment only added to the strength of the story. It gave insight into why people watched and why people continued on – almost in their own little bubble. It also made me as a reader question – Would I stop? Shamefully I don’t think I would. I think this article causes the reader to question their morals and what they value in life.  Are we all so busy that we would neglect to take in something beautiful? Surely we are not so pressed for time that we can’t stop for a minute? Getting Joshua Bell’s perspective on how the experience changed him was also another great way to engage the reader further. It was a very thought provoking piece.

The investigation undertaken for this article would have been demographical research on those that use the L’enfant Plaza Station. There were Interviews with passers by. These people would have been selected   by watching their reaction and behaviours towards Joshua. Lastly, Joshua gave an account of his experience..

We still have not lived long enough was different again. It used the currency of the Black Saturday bushfires to take the reader through history to ask the question – have we really learnt anything from the past? It was an informative piece written by Tom Griffiths, an academic with a strong body of knowledge on environmental history. The authors qualifications alone instil a sense of trust in what is written as it come from an authority on the topic. Griffiths draws similarities between 1939’s Black Friday and the 2009 Bushfires. He suggests fire plans are not viable on their own and people need to understand ‘local history and ecological distinctiveness’.

This concept is entirely new and causes the reader to look at the situation in a totally new light. Just as we have our own history and biology so does our environment – in particular trees. The reader is made aware that by studying patterns from the past we can identify future threats.

In all our advancements over the years – we can’t control nature. This article sends a strong message; instead of trying to conquer everything in our path that poses a threat to us – we could simply try to understand it and this might work in our favour. It is a very clever way of Griffiths to use the currency of the fires to introduce this biological concept to readers, as they would be looking for answers as to why this tragedy occurred. It also exposes society’s often reactive and ignorant thinking.

Griffiths used his own body of knowledge as well as historical data to research for this article. He also obtained data from the Bureau of Meteorology and international fire historian Stephen Pyne had a significant contribution to the piece.

I love shopping. If it was my full time job I would have reached the top of my profession and my CV would be flawless Sadly there is a downside and I’m sure I’m not the only one who is aware of the ugly side to such a joyous activity. Who decided it was ok not to have a mirror inside the fitting room?  

Let’s start at the beginning shall we? Shop assistants, I have a name and it’s not babe, hun, love, darling or gorgeous. I really love taking the clothes I have carefully selected around your store so I can mix and match. There is no need to approach me 45,000 times and ask if I want them taken to the fitting room.

There is no need to pounce on me when I am halfway out of the fitting room and shower me with insincere compliments. I am not a supermodel; so to  drool over everything I try on and tell me it looks hot, or you’d kill to have my figure because everything looks amazing on me is not the way to close the deal.

If I have a friend with me there is no need to say to her ‘oh my gawd how hot does she look?’ I’m also not receptive to any other tactics you have to closing the deal whilst you hold me hostage outside the fitting room. These tactics include – ‘I love your watch’ and ‘Where did you get that lip gloss from?’ My friend is there to shield me from your insincerity and we really just want you to go away so we can converse about the clothes.

I need my privacy. I need to be far away from you to get the clarity I need to fall in love with the nearly purchased item. You chirping away insistently in my ear is ruining the start of a beautiful relationship between me and my new love. You’re like the third wheel here – don’t you get it?

It’s scary how efficient I am at spending money but mirrors outside fitting rooms are about as much of a turn on as K-Rudd in his underpants. They set off a chain of events that ruin my shopping feng shui and need to be abolished immediately - if not sooner.

The obsession with ‘The Don’

He stands at 6 feet and 5 inches – a stocky man with a bald head. He wields extreme power and has the arrogance to match it. He comes and goes whenever he pleases, and breaks his marriage vows whenever he gets the urge. Friendships are fleeting but for a few good men that have an unflappable loyalty to him. He is a man not to be disobeyed or double crossed….The penalty for betrayal? Death. Your body will never be found and your family will never know where each of your body parts lay. We are both repulsed by his actions and how he conducts himself but at the same time we want to know more. He is of course the all conquering Don.

From its humble beginnings in Palermo, Sicily the Mafia has captured our interest. The recent Underbelly instalments follow on from where The Soprano’s left off. Some say by watching these programs we are glorifying organised crime. Others say we are merely satisfying our curiosity.  The ratings tell us this inquisitiveness is showing no signs of weaning. But why are we so curious about organised crime?

1. Discuss how mafia started as a good organisation quickly tainted by the holy dollar –this is to give a bit of background to readers. Now it is Italy’s biggest business – http://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=6238022&page=1
2. Bring it back to our backyard by talking about organised crime in Australia http://www.crimecommission.gov.au/publications/oca/_files/2009/2009_oca_complete.pdf
3. Discuss how TV shows/movies humanise these criminals. With examples from Underbelly/Sopranos characters. Along with this reference will be made to ratings.
4. Talk to journalists/federal police that have interviewed underworld figures and their experiences. What are their theories/opinions on why we are so intrigued by the underworld?
5. Talk to social psychologist to gain understanding into our obsession in this fantasy world. Personality types of leaders in organised crime.
6. Sum up and conclude. We are obsessed both because this world is so different from our own, it seems very farfetched but it is real. It is a part of our culture that unfortunately will stand the test of time. We might be ashamed by being fascinated by this but this won’t stop us from always wanting to know more.

I think Williams and Ehrenreich are really telling the same story; they are just using a different central theme to draw readers. Williams shows how widespread poverty is and uses statistics as a tactic to overwhelm the reader, she puts numbers to the issue. Ehrenreich chooses to experience firsthand what it’s like to live on the cusp of poverty as she wants to bring a subjective view to the table. This allows the reader to get to know her and what happens day to day in a life of a person in this situation.

Both Williams and Ehrenreich ‘borrowed’ certain aspects of their stories from one another. For example Williams peppers her statistics with brief snippets about life on the street. Ehrenreich uses footnotes with statistics or information regarding studies that have been conducted to show the reader that her sociological experiment is representative of real life.  She also tells the story of her co-workers and their plight to further validate her experience as true to life.

Ehrenreich essentially brings the statistics in Williams’ story to life. She describes the working conditions, accommodation, and discusses the ’flow state’ – which in simple terms is a coping mechanism for being overworked, under rested and under paid.

When Ehrenreich transitions back to her former life in the chapter she questions this life. She says her old life is starting to look ‘exceedingly strange’. She questions her expenditure as a consumer and describes problems of her working class friends as ‘exotic concerns’ coming from a ‘distant race of people’ with ‘far too much time on their hands’. Ehrenreich is asking her reader to think about their problems and consumerist nature in context with her experience. Compared with her description of physical and mental exhaustion and popping of pain killers to survive her gruelling shifts should they be considered problems at all?

Through this experience she feels empathy for her co-workers and their plight. She also finds herself conforming to cultural aspects of her ‘new life’ when she doesn’t stand up for Czech dishwasher George when he is accused of stealing. This experience further illustrated the desperation of those that find themselves in this situation. When jobs are hard to come by it’s a bad idea to stand up for someone purely because it could cost you your job. It also shows how the powers that be capitalise on this desperation by bullying and working their staff as hard as they can.

Although she didn’t finish her sociological experiment I think her story was successful in personalising the often faceless existence of those on the poverty line.

Be afraid, be very afraid. They have jobs, friends and appear completely normal – until you live with them. Deanne experienced this phenomena first hand. She happily moved in with her good friend of 12 years one year ago. She thought it would be a great experience – she was wrong.

‘I thought it was a little strange when Kristy stayed up all night cleaning the kitchen with a toothbrush’ says Deanne of the night they moved in.

A few months later Deanne noticed clothes missing from her wardrobe with no explanation. The missing clothes returned to her wardrobe weeks later. Smelling like cigarettes, body odour or stale alcohol.

Deanne made a decision to not take these events too seriously, but when she fell ill with the flu during the winter she could no longer deny that something was wrong.

‘Kristy told me that I should stay with my parents because she couldn’t have her man over because I was sick. I told her I had just as much right to be there as she did and then went into my room to watch TV’.

Kristy retaliated by disconnecting Deanne’s outside TV aerial. Angered by this act of spite Deanne confronted Kristy and was horrified when Kristy lunged at her screaming and punching furiously.

The end result? A black eye and Deanne’s departure from the self-described ‘little shop of horrors’.

Finding a new place proved difficult for Deanne, as did dating for some weeks after the incident. ‘No one wants to date a girl with a black eye – it looks psycho’ Deanne said of her temporary physical affliction.

Deanne’s story is a timely reminder to all of us – never live with neurotic friends or strangers that use a toothbrush to clean the kitchen.

*Last names not included at the request of the interviewed*

(This article would be best placed in the Sunday HS magazine as a lighthearted read)

As I am experiencing a very intense sugar high from excessive consumption of Easter eggs, side effect being fidgets and restlessness here I am with my blog under the influence of cocoa……I hope I will not read and cringe later……praise the lord for the ‘edit’ button on this thing!

Hard and soft news stories as we know are the two main types of news stories. Hard news is the reporting of what happened when and to who type news – reporting of an occurrence. Hard news stories are generally very short and sharp – containing only the vital information to inform the ‘busy’ reader. The reporting of ‘facts’ leaves no room for opinion or emotion so this is a limitation of a hard news story. A Strength of a hard news story as it is purely reporting of facts – and readers won’t be turned off by any opinions that might differ from their own beliefs.

Soft news on the other hand focuses more on the entertainment or human interest angle more so a telling of a story that has appeal to a certain audience. These types of stories might follow up on an emotive angle of a hard news story. As soft news stories have a voice and as they can include opinions they can influence readers through use of language and telling of someone’s story or plight. The biggest strength of a soft news story is that it ‘humanises’ news – telling of the emotion experienced by someone in a certain situation that engages the reader on an emotional level. This strength can also be a weakness as mentioned in the previous paragraph.

The best hard news story in my opinion was the ‘RBA’s Stevens warns against housing speculation’ This story had all the hard news attributes, short sentences, reporting of facts and quotes to back up the reporting of these in simple language. The short news story that I thought was most effective was the ‘Naan Violent protest’. This article follows on from the violent attacks on Indians that have taken place in recent times. It take a human interest angle by telling of a unique protest against the attacks that would intrigue and interest readers. The language is very different to the hard news story there is room for emotive language to take the reader on a journey with the writer – the journalist has a voice unlike in the hard news story.