The importance of word choice

An update on the photo of white people who "found" food items in the flood (while another cutline on a similar photo of a black person with food had "looted"): I noted in yesterday's tip that the photographers might have more information that would clarify and justify the use of either word. In this online discussion, photo editor Chris Graythen (search for his name and you don't have to scroll through the whole discussion) claims credit for the cutline and says food was floating away from an inundated grocery store. I'd say "found" was accurate, but, given the heavy coverage of looting, that explanation belonged in the cutline. I hope the photographer actually saw the looting in the other photo. Even if both cutlines are accurate, the point about the importance of word choice (and the necessity of explaining sometimes) remains strong. Graythen's account of the situation also is interesting:

http://www.sportsshooter.com/message_display.html?tid=17204

I don't use my writing tips much to promote API or my own work. But I am involved in some programs that present terrific opportunities. I hope you agree that I should tell you about them. I apologize for the length of this note, but I have strong feelings about some programs we have coming up.

API will be presenting a powerful seminar, Compelling Storytelling: Writing and Editing for Readers, Oct. 30-Nov. 4. I will do a session on interviewing in this seminar and I think it's the best session I do. And I'm nowhere near the best speaker at this seminar. You can catch Mark Bowden, Ken Fuson, Colleen Kenney, Michael Quintanilla, Jody Calendar, Steve Magagnini, Bill Nemitz, among others. It's an outstanding lineup that our moderator, Curt Hazlett, has assembled. I'll take credit for this idea: You'll have a special tour of the Holocaust Museum (they're letting our group in an hour before they open) and a discussion at the museum of the importance of storytelling in capturing the essence of such a historic event. The deadline to receive a 10 percent discount on tuition is Sept. 2. But tell them when you register that I said you could have an extra couple weeks. They'll honor the discount. Tell your editor that he or she has to find the money to send you to this seminar. Or make the investment in your career yourself. You're worth it. You can read more (and register online) here: http://www.americanpressinstitute.org/05/Compelling/

If that date doesn't work for you or you can't squeeze the money out of this year's budget, your editors are still planning next year's budgets. So tell them they have to budget next year to send you to Compelling Storytelling Innovations. These are two seminars I am planning and moderating for next year. We will talk about narrative writing (long and short) and also about ways to tell stories online and ways to use design in telling stories. I'd tell you more (and I will eventually), but I'm just getting started on the planning. I appreciate any suggestions you have for possible speakers. The dates are Jan. 15-20 and Oct. 15-20. Registration information (to help your editor budget) is available here:

http://www.americanpressinstitute.org/06/Storytelling/

The best professional development experience of my career was API's Train the Trainer program. I wrote about it in this column: http://www.notrain-nogain.com/Train/Column/but2.asp We have some openings in another Train the Trainer program, Oct. 23-26. This is subsidized by the Knight Foundation, so tuition is less than most API seminars, just $500. If you're interested in doing newsroom training, please plan to join us. Or tell the people in your newsroom who are involved in training. Or tell the people in your advertising, circulation or HR departments. This program teaches training presentation techniques that are valuable in any training setting: http://www.americanpressinstitute.org/05/trainer/

We also have some openings in terrific programs you might want to tell your colleagues about:

Critical Management Skills: The Media Manager's Survival Guide, Sept. 11-16: http://www.americanpressinstitute.org/05/Critical/

Newsroom Leadership: New Directions for Executive and Managing Editors, Sept. 11-16: http://www.americanpressinstitute.org/05/ExEds/

Consumer Marketing Strategies: Winning Readers for Life, Sept. 18-22: http://www.americanpressinstitute.org/05/Consumer/

Management of the Weekly Newspaper, Oct. 16-21: http://www.americanpressinstitute.org/05/MgtWkly/

Partnership for Readership: Leveraging Circulation/Editorial Alliances, Oct. 30-Nov. 4 (you can run into your editor and circ director in the hallways and hotel while you're here for Compelling Storytelling): http://www.americanpressinstitute.org/05/Partnership/

Photo Department Leadership: Maximizing the Power of Pictures, Nov. 6-11: http://www.americanpressinstitute.org/05/Photo/

Managing Performance: Aligning Employee Performance with Strategic Goals, Nov. 13-16: http://www.americanpressinstitute.org/05/ManagingPerf/

Classified Advertising Leadership: Building a Multi-Media Marketplace, Nov. 13-18: http://www.americanpressinstitute.org/05/Classified/

Business Editors: Leadership Strategies for Better Business Coverage, Dec. 4-9: http://www.americanpressinstitute.org/05/Business/