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Azur
A very interesting post, Azur. Thank you.
posted by
johnmacnab
on January 26, 2006 at 5:33 PM
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Azur,
Learning to read between the lines, critical thinking and reasoning are all very valuable and underrated skills.
posted by
Blanche.
on January 24, 2006 at 5:27 PM
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Trevor Cunnington -me too.
Sometimes we need to be reminded to turn on the BS detectors
posted by
Azur
on January 24, 2006 at 4:49 PM
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Fionajean, they are undergrads and postgrads
my hope is that it prevents them from missing such a thing in their real jobs
posted by
Azur
on January 24, 2006 at 4:22 PM
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Great idea Majroj, it would be a lesson never to be forgotten
posted by
Azur
on January 24, 2006 at 4:21 PM
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Teach them about how to do it "wrong".
Spinning, fogging, begging the question. "Keeping on message". Give them an exercise that requires them to do a little of it, and they will be able to smell it for years.
Some might even go into it professionally...
Oh, yes:
http://www.blogit.com/Blogs/Blog.aspx/the_last_one/287688
posted by
majroj
on January 24, 2006 at 12:30 PM
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Snake oil
is in better packages these days. But it's still snake oil. Have they added Spinning 101 to the journalism curriculum? Or is it still part of the craft to teach reporters to doubt everything, especially news releases. I'd love to sit in on your class, Azur... :)
posted by
Pat_B
on January 24, 2006 at 10:45 AM
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Hi - amazing how most missed the point.
What level is your class at? A good lesson in there though, how often do we read only what we want?
posted by
fionajean
on January 24, 2006 at 4:29 AM
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Euphemism is one of the most dangerous rhetorical devices "collateral damages" "downsizing" "restructuring" It makes me sick that these phrases totally abnegate the human element in the story.
posted by
Trevor_Cunnington
on January 23, 2006 at 5:01 PM
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very good
posted by
Xeno-x
on January 23, 2006 at 3:31 PM
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Why is it okay? When did this kind of thing become okay?
We all kind of accept it. People have low standards. We should start teaching our kids, "lying is wrong, but only when you get caught.”
posted by
CunningLinguist
on January 23, 2006 at 3:27 PM
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Azur,
after having spent a good chunk of my career writing press releases I can tell you that, yes, there is a lot of spin. And most of the time we hope that no one will see the real story, but rather the story that we want them to see.
posted by
MerryAnne
on January 23, 2006 at 2:50 PM
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