Word of the Week #8

Word:
pernicious (per-nish-uhs)/ˌsɜrʃiəˈrɛəraɪ, -ˈrɛəri/

Original Sentence:
“However pernicious an opinion may seem, we depend for its correction not on the conscience of judges and juries but on the competition of other ideas.”

Zelezney, John D. Cases in Communications Law. Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth, 2007.

Definitions:
–adjective

1. causing insidious harm or ruin; ruinous; injurious; hurtful: pernicious teachings; a pernicious lie.

2. deadly; fatal: a pernicious disease.

3. Obsolete. evil; wicked.

New Sentence:

The pernicious banter of an adolescent bully often has a life-long impact on children.

(85)

Drinking Coffee Elsewhere

In the chapter entitled “Brownies” in ZZ Packer’s book: Drinking Coffee Elsewhere, I was brought back to a place of adolescence, but with a bit of a twist from the childhood that I remember of course because I didn’t grow up in what I am presuming was the early ‘60s. The work is heavy with dialogue, in the first person, among the young girls away at brownie camp which aids in bringing my train of thought and understanding back to the way I processed information when I was in elementary school. This effort to include anecdotes that show more than tell, if very effective in putting me right in the middle of the action and emotion of the story.

Packer did a great job of setting the scene with choice details that allowed me to really “see” where this story occurred, but from a child’s perspective. There wasn’t too much elaboration which helped avoid painting an overly mature setting, suitable for a story about young girls. Some of the most vivid descriptions that caught my attention were “The sun was setting behind the trees, and their leafy tops formed a canopy of black lace for the flame of the sun to pass through.” I also found a few of the metaphors used very effective in injecting humor and a greater depth of scene understanding. I thought the passage comparing some of Troop 909’s girls to Stevie Wonder to be hilarious and painted a clear picture of their movements.

Towards the end of the story I began to see that the comparatively trivial conflicts between the children were really a part of what lead to and allowed them to understand the realities of prejudice and oppression of their time. I think this technique, juxtaposing an innocent childhood conflict next to such a large societal conflict, really creates strong emotional connection with readers.

Overall, I think Packer’s story telling style is very approachable and applicable. It can bring its readers into the story without making them feel out of place and without connection.

(341)

Word of the Week #7

Word:
pecuniary (pi-kyoo-nee-er-ee)/ˌsɜrʃiəˈrɛəraɪ, -ˈrɛəri/

Original Sentence:
“Unless he can discharge the burden of proving truth, general damages are presumed, and may be awarded without proof of pecuniary injury…”

Zelezney, John D. Cases in Communications Law. Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth, 2007.

Definitions:
–adjective

1. of or pertaining to money: pecuniary difficulties.

2. consisting of or given or exacted in money or monetary payments: pecuniary tributes.

3. (of a crime, violation, etc.) involving a money penalty or fine.

New Sentence:

The speeding ticket itself didn’t bother me as much as the pecuniary burden associated with it.

(93)

NPR Radio Interview Analysis

Meet ‘Glee’ Star Jane Lynch, TV’s New Queen of Mean
10-7-09 with Melissa Block, All Things Considered

Melissa Block, interviewer, began her show on All Things Considered with a great deal of information about the career of the star of ‘Glee’, Jane Lynch. With numerous television and movie appearances to draw from, Block painted a picture of the vivacious and dynamic character actor through a number of quotes, alongside sound bites, from the various well known works of her career.

Block asked questions that were far from serious, really very open ended, leaving plenty of room for much of the humor interjected by Lynch. As the interview went on, Block seemed to play into the character side of the discussion that Lynch was presenting by asking questions that prompted the interviewee to mirror her TV role from time to time with her responses. In contrast to the humor, Block also followed up with questions that framed the actor as professionally trained, illustrating the credibility of her talent. This attempt appeared to be a transition into the “meat” of the interview, leading the topic of discussion towards the path that brought Lynch to become such a successful actor. Even with this approach, there was room for laughter and elaboration from Lynch. Block’s efforts to follow up after questions consisted really of just reiterating her original question posed and then to tie it into the next question.

I think, if a strategy was in play, that Block was hoping to coax out some of the humor of the character; she succeeded. I don’t think that Lynch gave any inadequate answers; she worked very creatively with the questions asked of her. This made for a very comfortable relationship between the two women; they seemed to have at least been acquainted prior to the radio interview. I think this element, the relationship established, as well as the way in which the interviewer loosely corralled the discussion, allowing it to take its own, natural shape is what I found most useful for application in the interviewing process.

(325)

Mystery Character

Often in a mini skirt and stilettos, her toned, bronze body is a magnet for the cameras of the paparazzi. Her long, golden brown hair frames a face blessed with high cheekbones, a million dollar smile and deep brown eyes. Her fairly deep, slightly raspy speaking voice has the ability to transform into a powerful, feminine and hypnotic sound that reaches unimaginable levels of pitch and clarity. Although her long list of professional achievements may paint the picture of a star past their prime, she continues to push past the boundaries in her field and keep her fans happy.

(99)

Word of the Week #6

Word:
double entendre (duhb-uhl ahn-tahn-druh) /ˌsɜrʃiəˈrɛəraɪ, -ˈrɛəri/

Original Sentence:
“They deliver dialogue replete with double entendres about ‘your first time’ on board and enjoying ‘several inches more’ of legroom.”

Solomon, Michael R. Consumer Behavior. New Jersey: Upper Saddle River, 2009.

Definitions:
–noun

1. a double meaning

2. a word or expression used in a given context so that it can be understood in two ways, especially when one meaning is risqué.

New Sentence:

In my opinion, the most amusing improv comedy skits usually rely heavily on double entendres to connect with the audience and really get them thinking outside the box.

(99)

Word of the Week #5

Word:
pedagogical (ped-a-gog-i-cal)

Original Sentence:
"Educators do not offend the First Amendment by exercising editorial control over the style and content of student speech in school-sponsored publications as long as their actions are reasonably related to ‘legitimate pedagogical concerns’."

Calvert, Clay and Pember, Don R. Mass Media Law. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2008.

Definitions:
–adjective
Relating to the practice of teaching and its methods

New Sentence:
I have realized that today’s California budget crisis is unfortunately taking a toll on many of my professor’s pedagogical commitments to their students.

(88)