What words come to mind when you think about hyperbole? Can you think of times when you have seen those words used in crime reporting?
HyperboleStylistic Choices
Discussion Question
What impact do you think hyperbole has on readers/viewers of crime reporting?
HyperboleStylistic Choices
Discussion Question
Hyperbole is a stylistic tool used by writers to convey certain moods, emotions, and sentiments to their readers. Why might that be an inappropriate tool for crime reporting?
HyperboleStylistic Choices
Discussion Question
How could the repeated use of hyperbole to depict a particular group of people, place, or problem affect readers' understanding of it?
Mugshots are typically taken at the time of arrest, before a person has been either acquitted or convicted of a crime. How should that impact how journalists think about publishing mugshots?
MugshotsStylistic Choices
Discussion Question
How does the publication of mugshots affect the people in them? Their families? Their communities?
MugshotsStylistic Choices
Discussion Question
What effect does the publication of mugshots have on viewers/readers?
MugshotsStylistic Choices
Discussion Question
What kinds of news stories do mugshots typically appear in? Do you think those stories are newsworthy? Why or why not?
MugshotsStylistic Choices
Discussion Question
What is the journalistic purpose of publishing a mugshot?
MugshotsStylistic Choices
Discussion Question
If your newsroom has carefully considered the situation and decided you do need to publish a picture of a person accused or convicted of a crime, what types of images could be used? Where could you find those images?
MugshotsStylistic Choices
Discussion Question
Some news outlets maintain online “mugshot galleries” where viewers can scroll through pictures of people recently arrested in their community. Do you think there is journalistic value in these galleries? Why or why not?
The Associated Press Stylebook now recommends that news outlets “avoid the vague ‘officer-involved’ for shootings and other cases involving police." Why do you think the AP made that recommendation?
Passive VoiceStylistic Choices
Discussion Question
What language can journalists use instead of “officer-involved shooting?” Give specific examples.
Passive VoiceStylistic Choices
Discussion Question
In addition to “officer involved shooting,” can you think of other common phrases that use the passive voice? What language could journalists use instead of those phrases?
What is the impact of using labels like "felon" and "offender" on the people they refer to? On readers/viewers?
Dehumanizing LabelsStylistic Choices
Discussion Question
Many news outlets have recently stopped using terms like “illegal immigrant.” What lessons can crime reporters learn from their efforts?
Dehumanizing LabelsStylistic Choices
Discussion Question
What words can you use to describe people with criminal records other than "felon," "offender," "criminal," etc...?
Dehumanizing LabelsStylistic Choices
Discussion Question
When is it necessary to mention that a person has a criminal record?
Dehumanizing LabelsStylistic Choices
Discussion Question
What steps can reporters take to make sure sources with different perspectives are given equal prominence? Should they always receive equal prominence?
Order Of SourcesStylistic Choices
Discussion Question
What does it signify to readers when non-police/prosecutor perspectives are placed towards the end of the story?