Week 5 - Headlines and Hypertext

Carl Williams - JoMC 711 Week 5 (Sept. 20‐26)

1. Three examples of poorly worded headlines 

Headline:  Potomac Now Clean, Anacostia Getting Cleaner...Hopefully

Problem: Awkward. Heading is passive.

Solution:  Potomac River is Cleaner, Doubts Continue of Anacostia River’s Progress

Source:  dc.guestofaguest.com, September 15, 2010, 

Headline:  Lindsay Lohan chooses rehab, source says

Problem: Awkward. Does she have a selection of rehabs to choose from?

Solution:  Lindsay Lohan will return to rehab after failed drug test, source says

Source:  CNN.com, September 26, 2010, 

Headline:  Michael Vick is the Top Dog for the Philadelphia Eagles: A Story of Redemption

Problem: It makes a mockery of the dogfighting charges that landed Vick in jail

Solution:  Michael Vick Advances to Eagles Starting Quarterback: A Story of Redemption

Source:  bleacherreport.com, September 24, 2010,

2. A Web articled that can be improved by using lists. 

excerpt from Beware the fake dislike button on Facebook (Before)

Updated 8/16/2010

By Stan Schroeder, Mashable

If you click on the link, you'll land on an elaborate Facebook dislike button "install" page (note that if the dislike button were real, you wouldn't need to install it; Facebook would automatically add it to user profiles). If you follow the instructions, you'll be asked to give the app permission to run, after which you'll be asked to complete a survey, similar to the surveys found in many other scams we've seen recently.

Interestingly enough, the app ultimately points you to an existing Firefox add-on called FaceMod, which dubs itself the "Facebook Dislike Button (the Original)," but the add-on doesn't seem to be connected to the scam. We haven't verified whether the add-on works as advertised or if it's dangerous, but one thing is certain: It is not coming from Facebook and it is not an official Facebook dislike button.

As usual, we advise you not to click on suspicious links on Facebook, especially if they promise something that sounds impossible or unlikely. Do not give away your personal information, unless you're absolutely sure why and who you're giving it to. If you've fallen for the scam, remove the offending app(s) from your Facebook profile; furthermore, remove the related message from your status, News Feed, and your Likes and Interests in the "Edit my Profile" menu.

Beware the fake dislike button on Facebook (After)

By clicking on the link you will:

• Land on an elaborate Facebook dislike button "install" page (note that if the dislike button were real, you wouldn't need to install it; Facebook would automatically add it to user profiles). 
• If you follow the instructions, you'll be asked to give the app permission to run, after which you'll be asked to complete a survey, similar to the surveys found in many other scams we've seen recently.
• The app ultimately points you to an existing Firefox add-on called FaceMod, which dubs itself the "Facebook Dislike Button (the Original)," but the add-on doesn't seem to be connected to the scam. We haven't verified whether the add-on works as advertised or if it's dangerous, but one thing is certain: It is not coming from Facebook and it is not an official Facebook dislike button.

To reduce the risk of online viruses, we advice you to:

• Do not to click on suspicious links on Facebook, especially if they promise something that sounds impossible or unlikely. 
• Do not give away your personal information, unless you're absolutely sure why and who you're giving it to. 
• Remove the offending app(s) from your Facebook profile if you've fallen for the scam; furthermore, remove the related message from your status, News Feed, and your Likes and Interests in the "Edit my Profile" menu.

3. Re‐write the headline for your Chapter 1 writing sample.

Fueled by a Family Bond

4. Write three headlines for the segment below.

Headline (8 words)

China Defends Food Quality While Improving Safety Regulations

Headline (6 words)

American Regulators Dispute Chinese Food Safety

Headline and Subhead (6 words: 8 words)

China Defers United States Meat Imports: Food Safety Regulations Questioned Due to Failed Inspections

Fueled to Stay Connected to Distant Family

My entire life I’ve seen the sacrifices that my family made for each other.  My time has come to hold that torch high. 

No matter where life takes me or how many years I am away, I will always consider myself a North Carolinian.  As soon as I cross the state line, I feel at home.  I was born in Kinston, N.C.  and raised in Charlotte, N.C.  It has always been a difficult task to select one as my hometown. So I claim both.

Born in Kinston

My mom was only age 18 when she gave birth to me.  She was a high school senior and was unsure if she would be able to accept admittance to the University of North Carolina after graduation. Her younger sister, Martha volunteered to fulfill her god-parent duties along with her husband, Larry, to raise me while my mom was in school.  

The generations in my family are very close in age.  Six of my aunts and uncles were still in their teens when I was born.  They enjoyed playing jokes on me.  I was their entertainment. 

Life in the Queen City

While at UNC, my mom met my step-father Allen. They became college sweethearts and married soon after graduation.  When I was five years old, we all moved to Charlotte. I was not fond of leaving the life I’ve known behind. 

Charlotte, also known as the Queen City, was much larger than Kinston.  The relocation brought many pros and cons. My parents had more job opportunities and could earn higher salaries, while I was able to attend better schools. But what was left behind was just as valuable. I rarely saw my family.

My immediate family started to grow. My parents gave birth to two girls, April and Ellena, within three years of moving to Charlotte. I embraced the role of big brother.  My sisters were not looked upon as playmates.  They are seven and nine years younger than me. 

Homecoming

I looked forward to scheduled breaks from school so I could return to Kinston. There, I was surrounded by family members close to my age.  I would stay the entire summer between the ages of 8 and 14 years old.  

This was my recess and my time to reconnect with family. 

Balance Work and Play

Life back in Charlotte was balanced with work and play.  My mother would enroll me in youth leadership training classes and volunteer my time for community service projects, two of the last places I wanted to be.

I hated it! I wanted to be outside playing, not learning in a classroom setting.

In the past, I thought this took away from my childhood.  I see now it is continuing to enhance my life.  I was better equipped to face challenges and eager to work towards a better life.

Hold the Torch High

I am now a resident of Arlington, VA.  This is the furthest I have ever lived away from family and my first time residing outside of my home state.  The advancements of technology and developing social networks makes it easier for us to keep in touch.  

Today, I continue to participate in community service events.  I mentor my younger relatives and is now a god father to Chiara, a younger first cousin, who is my inspiration to continue to pursue ways of self improvements.

The opportunities that took me away from family are the very things helping me connect with them.  I am proud to be a family leader.  I love that our next generation turns to me for guidance.  I will not let them down!

Just a North Carolinian Williams Boy (The original 8/29 posting before edits)

There are two things that stand out about Carl Williams: (1) He is a family man first, and (2) No matter where life takes him or how many years he is away, he will always consider himself a North Carolina Country Boy.  Born in Kinston, NC and raised in Charlotte, NC; its always been a hard task to select one as his hometown. So he claims both.

Theresa Williams gave birth to Carl at the age of 18. She was a high school senior and now unsure if she would be able to accept admittance to the University of North Carolina after graduation. Her younger sister Martha, volunteered to fulfill her God Parent duties along with her husband Larry,  to raise Carl while Theresa was in school.  This display of family dedication would help shape Carl through out in his life.

After graduation, Theresa married her college sweetheart Allen Bethea. The couple, along with Carl, moved to Charlotte, NC.  Carl was now five years old and was not fond of leaving the life he's known behind.

There were many pros and cons that resulted from the relocation. His parents had more job opportunities and could earn higher salaries. Carl was able to attend better schools, and take advantage of new opportunities when he gets older. But what was left behind was just as valuable. He rarely got to see the family he was accustomed to seeing daily, loss his usual playmates and had to get acclimated to a new, larger city.

His immediate family started to grow. There were now two little sisters named April and Ellena. His sisters are seven and nine years younger that him. He protected them and shared the same love that was given to him. Due to the age difference they were not looked upon as playmates. He branched out in his new neighborhood and made new friends. He even started new hobbies. Carl became an artist and played organized sports. Track and Field was his favorite.

He continued to explore his new environment but something was still missing. Carl looked forward to scheduled breaks from school, so he could return to Kinston. There he was surrounded by family close to his age.  He was delighted to see that many of them shared his newfound love for running and basketball. He would stay the entire summer.  This was his recess.

Life back in Charlotte was balanced with work and play. As long as Carl continued to earn good grades in school, his parents would all him to play sports. Plus, his mother would enroll him in youth leadership training classes and volunteer him for community service projects. Two of the last places a teenager would select to be. Carl recalls, "I hated it! I wanted to be in the streets playing, not in a classroom learning how to be a leader."

Being more focused in sports and girls, Carl didn't explore many avenues at West Charlotte High School to put these acquired skills to work.  He only participated in an all male fellowship and volunteering organization named Casual Male. 

This filled the absence of brotherhood Carl felt being away from his extended family when school was in session. "I remember many of my friends having this close connection with their family members that also attended WC and wishing I had the same. The last time I shared a school with a relative was Kindergarten back at South East Elementary in Kinston." Casual Male was new on campus. Carl was elected President during his senior year. In this capacity, he lead the charge to establish partnerships with area non-profit organizations and represent his high school in a positive light throughout the neighborhood. The fellowship aspect of the organization enticed him far after he exited the school with his diploma in June 1993.

The following fall, Carl moved to Greensboro NC, where he would spend the next four years as a design student at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. Once again Carl found himself having to set roots in a new city. This time he was accompanied by childhood friends. This made the transition much easier. As he moved his personal belongs into his dorm room, he was stopped by Dwyon Hunter. A new friend he met during freshman orientation, who would later end up being his roommate the last three years of school. Dwyon invited him to visit his room once both were settled in and their families have departed.  Later that night, Carl went to visit him. He was not in his room. Carl was greeted by Dwyon's roommate Major, who was wearing a Williams Family Reunion Shirt. Carl introduced himself and mentioned they shared a last name. Major responded, "My last name is Cowan but I am a Williams. My family is from Kinston, NC." Carls mouth dropped.  He eagerly replied, "I'm from Kinston!" They quickly shared there family lineage and found themselves to be third cousins.  That was enough for Carl and Major. Later that night Major introduced him to another distant cousin, Colin Williams. They instantly connected.  They were together daily and even changed dorm rooms the following year to become neighbors. The trio even pledged the same fraternity. The Williams klan grew to six the following year. Saying Carl was excited is an understatement. 

College life encouraged Carl to get the full collegiate experience.  He further developed his leadership skills by being active on campus. He obtained membership in five campus organizations, made the Dean's List 7 out of 8 semesters, and decided to become a life long member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Carl now resides in Arlington, VA. He continues the tradition of "family first" and mentors his younger relatives.  He is now a God father to Chiara Williams, a younger first cousin.  Who is his inspiration to perpetually better himself.

Audience:

Carolina Alumni Review - Campus Profile

Abstract:

Carl Williams credits family values and new beginnings for his accomplishments. 

Keywords:

Carl williams, family, leadership, kinston, charlotte, greensboro, north carolina, track and field, alpha phi alpha, west charlotte, north carolina a&t state university