- read the wrap-up reading on Rick Bragg and respond. (scroll down)
- (If you haven’t already) Read the intro to The Bullfighter Checks Her Makeup by Orlean. Identify what she says is her purpose in writing, and then write about how you think this applies to your profile (yours, not just anyone's). Do this by making a new entry in your Writers Journal, which we haven't done much with so far but should be a doc in your Shared Google folder. Create a new entry inside that doc, with a date and title, and give your reply.
- Bring a copy of Orlean's book to class (we will be doing independent reading, so you really will need it)
- Make progress on your Profile. Arrange interviews, do some research, create a bank of questions, etc. Eventually, you will need to type up your notes from various reporting you’re doing, including your Shadow Day. All of this should be in your Shared Google folder. You don’t have to have anything there yet or by Monday, per se, but having your materials in there before Break, when they are fresher in your mind, is probably advisable.
Rick Bragg wrap-up reading and response:
a) Read these two pieces about Bragg's departure from the Times.
- this piece by Howard Kurtz, published in the Washington Post on May 29, 2003.
- this one by Jack Shafer, published on Slate.com on May 23, 2003.
(If you want to read the story in question, it's "An Oyster and a Way of Life, Both at Risk," published in the New York Times on June 15, 2002. Originally, the editor's note was on the story. Now it is here.)
b) Questions to think about:
- Bragg is not Stephen Glass, and he's not Janet Cooke. But some are bothered by what happened (and some aren't). How much do these stories affect your reading of his work?
- Who is to blame in this situation? The Times? Bragg? Ungrateful interns? No one -- it's really not a problem?
c) Respond to the readings and some of those questions in a comment to this post. You should feel free to either to make your own comment or to reply to some comment by your peers.