2008 Woodie Awards
Reader challenges staff to improve coverage
Letter to the Editor
Issue date: 10/4/07 Section: Opinion
- Page 1 of 1
I would like to start this letter with the words, "No offense, but…" But everyone knows that any conversation followed by those three words is always offensive. And for that, I deeply apologize. So in the immortal words of that one guy from that one movie, "It's not personal. It's business."
I understand that writing for a newspaper is no easy job. I have written for my town's newspaper since 2005, and my high school's paper before that. I understand that when facing a deadline, writing can get sloppy. But I would like to offer the following suggestions to The Collegian:
1. You can never check for grammatical errors too many times. You have a copy editor, let her do her job.
2. When using quotes in an article, take the extra effort to quote more than just four roommates. Then we'll really know you've done your research.
3. Word on the Hill should have more substance. "Yes or No" questions are quite boring. I was pleased with last week's question about the iPods. We need more like that.
4. I know many people who'd like to see fewer stories about sports. We all love our teams, and support them wholeheartedly, but so many stories tend to become repetitive. I would suggest writing more stories about community activities. Not all of us have subscriptions to the town's newspaper, so it would be beneficial for our own paper to shed a little more light on the day-to-day happenings of Winfield. Keep the articles on sports to please the sports fans, but offer various articles that appeal to more types of people.
5. Pictures that take up half a page in the newspaper are a waste of space, especially when only small body parts of students make it into the photo, like the photo of the Leadership garage sale two weeks ago.
6. Add a little humor to the paper. A cartoon or a crossword puzzle might do the trick. Also, book, movie, and restaurant reviews are generally crowd-pleasers.
7. I understand that some personal columns are meant to give relationship advice, but that advice should not attack people with mental disorders, diseases, or moles. A less superficial article next time might attract less criticism.
I commend the staff of The Collegian for having the courage to put themselves out there as journalists. I have seen many copies of The Collegian filling the trash bins and believe that the staff deserves to have their hard work appreciated. But we, as students, have faith that we will get what we pay for in choosing a private school over a cheaper, state school. Southwestern is "The Premiere College of Kansas," where semi-professional journalism is not only desired, it is expected.
Tabatha McMullen
Early childhood education junior
I understand that writing for a newspaper is no easy job. I have written for my town's newspaper since 2005, and my high school's paper before that. I understand that when facing a deadline, writing can get sloppy. But I would like to offer the following suggestions to The Collegian:
1. You can never check for grammatical errors too many times. You have a copy editor, let her do her job.
2. When using quotes in an article, take the extra effort to quote more than just four roommates. Then we'll really know you've done your research.
3. Word on the Hill should have more substance. "Yes or No" questions are quite boring. I was pleased with last week's question about the iPods. We need more like that.
4. I know many people who'd like to see fewer stories about sports. We all love our teams, and support them wholeheartedly, but so many stories tend to become repetitive. I would suggest writing more stories about community activities. Not all of us have subscriptions to the town's newspaper, so it would be beneficial for our own paper to shed a little more light on the day-to-day happenings of Winfield. Keep the articles on sports to please the sports fans, but offer various articles that appeal to more types of people.
5. Pictures that take up half a page in the newspaper are a waste of space, especially when only small body parts of students make it into the photo, like the photo of the Leadership garage sale two weeks ago.
6. Add a little humor to the paper. A cartoon or a crossword puzzle might do the trick. Also, book, movie, and restaurant reviews are generally crowd-pleasers.
7. I understand that some personal columns are meant to give relationship advice, but that advice should not attack people with mental disorders, diseases, or moles. A less superficial article next time might attract less criticism.
I commend the staff of The Collegian for having the courage to put themselves out there as journalists. I have seen many copies of The Collegian filling the trash bins and believe that the staff deserves to have their hard work appreciated. But we, as students, have faith that we will get what we pay for in choosing a private school over a cheaper, state school. Southwestern is "The Premiere College of Kansas," where semi-professional journalism is not only desired, it is expected.
Tabatha McMullen
Early childhood education junior
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