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The Online Newspaper

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Image: govloop

An online newspaper is differentiated from the physical newspaper because it is simply found in the web.  Although there are newspapers that are still found in newsstands and the Internet, a good number of them simply choose to concentrate on online readers. It has certainly found its niche.

Recent studies show that online newspaper readers now outnumber those that read physical  newspapers.  This is probably due to convenience especially for those who have to sit behind a computer anyway.  The latest stories and news are readily seen on the computer upon opening even without any effort .  This then calls the attention of readers to the news and leads to online newspapers if more facts are desired.

Online newspapers carry news from all over like actual newspapers.  They have the great advantage of literally being at the very fingertips of the readers.  They are free, easy to access, and current.

There is no question as to the currency of online news since  many update theirs by the hour or at least several times during the day.  Compared to traditional newspapers which will bring the next update the following day since they still have to be printed, online newspapers fill in the void for the reading public’s sustained interest in a topic.  Here lies the great attraction of online news.

It isn’t quite clear yet if online newspapers will have the power to annihilate traditional newspapers.  Many still hold on to the traditional way saying that holding a physical newspaper is part of the reading experience.  As of today, the two newspapers happily co-exist.

 

Stories of Human Interest

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Image: flickr

Why do newspapers regularly feature stories of human interest?  Simple, because these stories draw the attention of readers and encourages them to read more.  Convincing a reader to know the whole story through the newspaper is what every editor hopes to accomplish with eye-catching titles and emotionally appealing stories.

Journalism defines human interest stories as feature stories that attack the article in an emotional way.  Beyond providing information, a human interest story presents the subject person or people, in relation to their existing problems or achievements which will make them particularly interesting to newspaper readers or viewers.

Human interest stories are the stories behind the headlines.  In a story of tragedy brought upon by a natural disaster, the headline story will be about the death toll and the amount of damages while a human interest story may be a story of how a survivor copes with the loss of either his property or his family or how he saved himself in spite of the mass destruction.  Human interest stories are very personal that is why its effect on readers can be very personal as well.

There are certain criticisms on how some human interest stories are being used to manipulate reactions of readers.  It is seen as an effective strategy to persuade readers to perform a particular course of action.  In a similar situation about a tragedy caused by natural disasters, human interest stories can be used to encourage more donations.  Other human interest stories simply aim to entertain and are often used as fillers in newspapers, magazines, or other reading materials.

Newsworthy News

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Image: foreignpolicy

So many things are happening all over the world at the same time but not everything will make it to live or print news.  There are stories that make it as mere fillers or news placed just to fill in an expected empty space and there are the newsworthy news which are stories given priority because they are expected to sell and get the readers’ interest.  For budding writers and reporters who wish to be significant contributors to their reported materials, there are certain factors that have to be considered to ensure that a story will make it to the final cut.

The first factor to consider is the currency of the news.  This is about how new or how recent the story is.  People rarely refer to newspapers for history unless a certain section is dedicated to such a topic.  People are always looking for what’s new so this means a totally new story or the latest update to a story line being followed.

The coverage of effect is another.  In simple terms, stories are gauged for its significance and this would usually pertain to how many people are involved or are actual participants to the story.  It is a natural conclusion that the more people involved in a story, the more people there are interested to read about it.  A classic example of this is a death toll in a disaster.

The popularity of the subject of the story is very critical in determining the newsworthiness of a story.  A very minor mishap involving a celebrity will usually be found in the front pages while a death of an unknown person is lucky to find itself in the last pages unless a story has a unique point of human interest.  Since this type of stories appeal to human emotions, other factors may be set aside.  The proximity of the event also plays a big part in determining newsworthiness.

 

 

Country Hopping by Car

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     The freedom in country hopping by car

 

Country hoppers or travelers who visit different countries usually ride a plane from one destination to the next due to distance.  When we are talking about transferring from one country to another, the use of a car may not readily come to mind.  This is especially so when we are thinking of crossing bodies of water and large tracts of land.

Country hopping by land can also happen by riding buses and trains although these options do not provide as much freedom as bringing a car.  Exploring a whole continent made up of different countries can be done with the right planning, attitude, and knowledge.  If a traveler wants to do this exploration in its purest sense, meaning that no other forms of transportation will be used aside from a car, then it is necessary to make sure that the car is no less than in top condition.  A visit to MyNRMA .com.au can quickly put one’s mind to rest with regards to the condition of the car.

Traveling by car all through-out may not be the easiest option but it is the option that provides the most opportunity for personal exploration.  Travelers set their own schedule for visiting a place without being pressured with time constraints associated with arranged tours.  They have the complete freedom of deciding when to stop and when to proceed.

There are of course disadvantages to country hopping by car including the possibility of car breakdown so it highly advisable to have the car checked within reasonable intervals while on the trip.  There is no other time where one needs to be assured of a car’s top condition than during a long trip and country hopping is certainly a very long one with several stops.  Travelers should always be mindful of their gas as being stranded in nowhere land with no gas is not an experience anybody would like to have in their travel memories.

Before embarking on the most exciting country hopping adventure of your life, travelers should make sure to complete documentary requirements needed in entering a foreign country.

Image: pelicanparts.com

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