US Army Journalist - Course - Survival Books

Lesson 1, Learning Event 3article on the first woman to be selected as the Army. Chief ofStaff would be strengthened by the sex element. A story about thewinner of the post knitting contest would be strengthened by thesex element if the winner is a man. The mix of gender and oddityform strong sex elements to news. Any discussion of venerealdisease, AIDS, single parenthood, rape, fraternization and thewhole issue of women in combat is based on the element of sex.8. CONFLICT -- Sports fall into this category, as do wars and gangfights. but, conflict also spreads into other areas of life suchas people opposing rate hikes in their telephone bills, orarguments about whether smoking should be banned from public areas.9. EMOTION -- When the space shuttle Challenger exploded theemotion was tragedy. When the first man stepped on the moon theemotion was elation. When peace came at the end of World War Ilthe emotion was Jubilation. When a family dies in a house fire anda father watches in tragic helplessness the emotion is sorrow andempathy. People are interested, and want to somehow share, in thedrama of life.10. PROGRESS -- Progress fascinates people. Readers always wantto see what new technologies are doing to improve everyday life.New weapons systems and training devices and new uses for computersare always being introduced to the Army. Take advantage of theseadvancements and write about them for your readers. Take the timeto explain how these advancements improve the quality of life orthe ability to perform the mission. Progress can also b&achievements in nuclear arms reductions, civil rights, etc.The dominant element of news is often called "the News Peg orAngie." Once the writer analyzes a news event for itsnewsworthiness, he will want to determine which element within thestory is most important. That element becomes his news peg.However, these elements of news are not independent or exclusive ofeach other. They intertwine and support each other. It isdifficult to use them separately.NEWS IN THE ARMY COMMUNITYNew Army journalists are often confused about their role in theArmy community. Most are familiar with their newspapers back home.They are used to the civilian reporter investigating -- orreporting on the investigation of --6