THE STORIES that make up this semester's registration issue all treat their subjects (and their readers) with well-organized prose and interesting as well as timely topics. Of course, one of the great benefits of a welcome issue is the consideration and time writers are able to give their articles. In this column, I want to identify particularly successful practices in The Cavalier Daily's first issue, in hopes that the staff won't be tempted to disregard them as deadlines become more frequent and University life more complicated. At the same time, there are a few areas needing improvement that I will bring to your attention as well.
The strength of this initial venture by the current staff is based almost exclusively on the breadth and depth of the subjects covered. The front page alone displays six well-researched articles on such diverse topics as the University's drop in rank according to U.S. News and World Report, the success of U.Va.'s Capital Campaign, and the abandonment of the University's satellite campus in Qatar. While I question the placement of the story on running back Antwoine Womack's leave of absence over the rape and armed robbery that occurred in the Venable area last week, both stories are so well written that I won't quibble about leads here.
What did I particularly like about the news? First, the total absence of "he said/she said" reporting. Often, inexperienced or harried writers will piece together stories without inserting adequate transitions. As a result, their stories read like loosely strung sound bites. If you're not sure what I'm talking about, it's probably because you moved on when, lacking adequate breadcrumbs, you lost your way among the quotes.
Perhaps the news section's lack of such flaws stems from the experience of its writers, all at least associate editors. Even old hands, however, would do well to learn from the descriptive reporting and integration of quotes in the article on the University and community response to the recent rape.
Given the number of columns on the editorial pages, I suppose it isn't surprising that I would prefer some to others, although my favorites, oddly enough, weren't even on the section's main pages. As two helpful commentators noted this week, there is an important difference between description and argument - a distinction both Peter Brownfeld and Sparky Clarkson clearly grasp. Not only are both columns well-organized and interesting, but they take on non-local issues as well. Brownfeld and Clarkson also offer evidence (proof of a position) as well as reasons (why they believe it to be true).
A string of good movie and music reviews make up the Arts and Entertainment section. While there is an art review to add variety, hopefully we'll see more art, books, dance, etc. in the future. I enjoyed June Biolsi's article on Fridays After Five, but wonder at its placement in Life rather than Arts and Entertainment.
Arts and Entertainment also is awarded both our weekly honor and dishonor:
Quote of the Week: "If there is a college music scene, someone should let college students know." - Brian Haluska in his article on the release of new albums this fall.
Gross Negligence of the Week: "Unfortunately for Kool Keith, the climax comes too soon for the entire disk." - Brian Haluska in his review of Kool Keith's "Black Elvis/Lost in Space."
Like News, the Sports editors and staff did a great job covering a variety of areas. As a rabid football fan, I particularly appreciated the two-page exposition on this season's Cavaliers. Yet, the quality of the Sports section isn't limited to its writing. Unlike most other areas of the registration issue, Sports excels in layout and graphics as well.
My fridge is already covered with clipped schedules and rankings from Sports and I have the lineup for the offensive and defensive first string handy for quick reference. (One suggestion: Give me some jersey numbers, please!) The photos for this section are both well framed and useful and the shaded information blocks effectively draw readers' eyes to stats and schedules while helping break up the text.
Well, good grief, you might say. What's the big deal with layout anyway? I pick up the paper for its writing, not its aesthetics!
In response, I offer these words of W. H. Auden: "It takes little talent to see clearly what lies under one's nose, a good deal of it to know in which direction to point that organ." The whole point of a newspaper's layout is the writing. A good layout and strong graphics focus your attention and accentuate a story's important points. Unfortunately, in the registration issue, a cluttered layout too often distracts from all the good stuff that's available.
If you don't believe me, try this. Open your paper to the middle two pages of Sports and compare them to the main editorial pages. In Sports, the pages are well balanced with photos and clean graphics. The italicized headlines at the bottom of the pages may be carrying the mirror image a bit far, but all in all the pages portray a clean, professional image.
Now look at the editorials. Here text abounds and little immediately catches the eye. Even the by-lines for the editorial pages don't look as professional as those in Sports. Only a single boxed column on the right helps balance the left page. Now compare the graphics. Remember, the graphics should enhance a story, not detract. In any case, two and a half columns is simply too large a space to attempt to fill with a graphic.
Okay. Now that we've gone through the basics in layout and graphics, I hope you're better prepared to enjoy The Cavalier Daily's new look. I want to hear what you notice most.
As you read through this week's issues, see what stands out. How is the paper stacking up? Are the stories as good as those in the registration issue? E-mail me at ombud@cavalierdaily.com and let me know. I look forward to your feedback.
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By Editorial Board | 4 days agoOur independence grants us the ability to ask the hard questions and to say what University representatives cannot.
ARRAS: U.Va. must revise the Sexual Assault Prevention Training module
By Aoife Arras | 5 days agoIn addition to its failures in interactivity, the module lacks details specific to the University and discusses key concepts in universal terms.
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