Man bites dog (and other newsworthy notes)

"Man bites dog" is more than just a funny journalism catchphrase. It embodies several of the most crucial aspects of newswriting and newsworthiness that we discussed earlier.
It's brief and clear. It describes a odd conflict with a human interest angle. It uses the active voice.
Use the phrase as one of your newswriting mantras in the future.

We continued our (somewhat contentious) discussion on the journalist as the judge of newsworthiness today. Your concerns regarding the ideal vs the reality are duly noted, and critical thinking is always appreciated. Still, I want you to make a greater effort to use these lessons progressively, as a touchstone for the level of your own understanding and your own work, rather than the quality of the work you see around you. Again, this is simply a matter of prioritizing.

Here's some further reading on tonight's class:
Jim Hall discusses the nature of news.
NoTrain-NoGain offers two bits of material. The first challenges you to broaden your perspective to reflect diversity in your writing. A narrow view can obscure the newsworthiness of certain events or situations around you.
Similarly, the second column shares advice on what a journalist should and shouldn't do to maintain that balanced perspective.

Next week, we're going to be diving straight into the actual writing of the news, so come prepared to work.