Looking back at the task set to me two weeks back (see previous article, delayed post), that is - to write a 500 word feature piece focusing on an individual related to the Solent Music Scheme, I definitely feel there was particular elements that could have been improved on; when compared to Brooks' article.
Most notably, I found Brooks' technique to finish his article off with a quote from the interviewee to be very effective. Not only does it feel as though Waits' himself is seeing off the final word as it were, but it reinforces to the reader, where their focus should be on. It is not uncommon for the interviewers opinions/views to become more apparent than the subject matter - I found this technique providing the opposite.
It comes as no surprise then to find my technique of going about the opposite, ie; the piece almost being cut off mid-flow, does not provide me with any great degree of satisfaction post-submission. This is an element I will definitely focus on for any future articles and will use this as a learning experience.
In addition, I believe that Brooks found a perfect balance between the three main contributing factors to this piece - quotations from Waits, his own thoughts, and narrative in-between. The mix of all three I believe can sometimes shift the focus and attention of an article away from its intended subject, but Brooks is able to incorporate all these angles successfully whilst retaining, at least my attention, on the subject matter at hand.
No comments:
Post a Comment