A MIXTURE of dried plant materials like cedar or cypress wood shavings, lavender or rose leaves and flowers, and cinnamon bark can make a sweet-smelling potpourri.
Smell, however, wasn't the main sense originally associated with "pot-pourri," a French word linked to another of the senses -- taste -- as the word came from a Spanish stew.
Tasty, sizzling-hot ingredients mixed into a stew are reminiscent of church potlucks, which are even more entwined with the five senses as men, women and children can pick and choose what looks, smells and tastes good.
But newspapers, in a way, are a smorgasbord for hungry news and information consumers. The printed pages offer hot and cold hors d'oeuvres, salads, casserole dishes, meats, cheeses and desserts. Many of the offerings are fresh, but sometimes some don't taste, smell or look so good because of how the information is told.
In journalistic writing, there are certain rules. Edwin Newman, a former television newsman, commentator, anchor, grammarian and humorist, wrote a book several years ago titled "Strictly Speaking and a Civil Tongue." Here's how he began that book:
"Will America be the death of English? I'm glad I asked me that. My well-thought-out mature judgment is that it will. The outlook is dire; it is a later point in time than you think. The evidence is all around us."
He cited an example of doublespeak: "White House press secretary Ron Ziegler explained a request for a four-day extension of a subpoena filed for certain information. The extension was needed, Ziegler said, so the president's attorney could 'evaluate and make a judgment in terms of a response.'"
Newman wrote that Ziegler could have said the attorney "wanted more time to think about it." That is solid sentiment today, as is adhering to the four B's and C's -- being correct, being concise, being consistent and being complete.
Consider the following examples, or food for thought, from recent Cavalier Daily stories.
In a story about officials not signing a climate commitment, the authors wrote: The commitment intends to address global warming by asking schools across the country to "neutralize greenhouse gas emissions, and to accelerate the research and educational efforts of higher education to equip society to re-stabilize the earth's climate," according to the commitment's mission statement. It almost sounds like Ziegler. The statement (and quote) could have been shortened and/or paraphrased for greater clarity.
Twenty-four vaginas was the number of times a columnist used the V-word. One has to wonder why, since the column was rehashing an old news story from New York. The columnist asserts vagina is a "seemingly harmless" word that offends people "in our society" for very puzzling reasons. Student columnists often make a habit of taking national issues and offering an individual perspective, sometimes uninformed. The best student columns are about local issues, events that are taking place close to home, not miles away.
Speaking (or commenting) about columns, it seems strange that anyone would want to read a column headlined: "Don't read this column." I'm sorry to say I did. Columns should say something; this one did not. Another example was a first-year student suggesting the need for the legalization of prostitution, something that is probably not the hottest of relevant topics onGrounds. Editors need to protect precious news space; they owe it to readers.
A good time was had by all. Stories, from time to time, can read as if they are a press release. Such was the case with a recent story about the 13th Virginia Festival of the Book. Why? Because it attracted famous authors and avid bookworms... Charlottesville is an ideal host city... the University plays a significant role in planning events and luring guest speakers... the festival has attracted some of the biggest names... things just happen that are great... it's like a miracle every year... because of the reputable publications... because you can take a break from the library and let your inner bookworm burrow its way into a good book.
Journalism is about many things, including protecting the English language, and future professional journalists should develop a zeal for using words correctly and clearly.
John Irby is The Cavalier Daily's ombudsman. He can be contacted at ombud@cavalierdaily.com
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