The next step was to organise my interview. I wanted to arrange an interview with a psychologist of some kind, who would be able to give me an opinion and insight into what the mindset of younger children was and how impressionable they were. Since there are no types of psychologists locally I decided to turn my interview into a survey of type. I interviewed Ndina Fromm to get the perspective of someone in the older age bracket. I also interviewed Claire Fromm to gain the opinion of someone in the younger age range. I knew from the start that I was not going to use many of the quotes in this interview directly in my article but to gain an opinion of what most people in that age bracket thought about rap music as a whole.
With the help of my interview and backup information and research I started to compile all of my information. I also decided to print out the lyrics of many of today’s popular rap songs to help as part of my research process. I then began to write my article making it an in depth study showing the negatives effects of rap music but also the benefits. I tried to provide the reader with the facts for them to make an informed decision while not trying to be biased. I completed my article and with thorough checking I am quite happy with the final result.
Looking back over the whole process I believe that I have done quite a good job. I chose a topic that I was interested in as it is hard to get motivated over a topic that you, yourself find boring. I think the finished article is a nice blend of fact and opinion, not overwhelming the reader with facts and figures. It was important when I was writing the article not to be biased on the subject even though I am fan of rap music. As it is a newspaper article it is important for the reader to have their own opinions on the matter and to use the article as a guide for their own, individual decision.
Over the course of the study the language that I use and say has differed. When you are writing something of a very professional standard your language has to reflect this. I tried to keep my language flowing and professional but in words that everyone can relate to. Words are a very powerful medium so they need to be expressed in the right way to have their full effect.
I think my choice of an interview could have been a bit better. I couldn’t get the person I wanted so I chose to conduct the interviews in a different way. When you are conducting the interview you have to try and sound professional, you know what you are asking but express it in a way that is easy to understand. The language in the interview was in a more relaxed format. This differs when trying to use this information to complete an article. You must take the language that has been spoken and almost convert it into an argument or opinion.
The audience that you are aiming for also affects the way you express your language. I was aiming for more of a general audience a mix of both young and old so I needed to make the article precise and formal and accurate but still let it be easily understood. The article is also something that grabs the attention. This made it easier to grab a target audience as most young people listen to rap music and many parents are concerned about the faces of rap music.
Overall I’d say that the assignment was a valuable experience. I was able to extend my language skills and really get thinking in how I would express my views. It really let you think for yourself, with such an open format you could really do anything you wanted. I am pleased with the end result but believe if I had organised my time and resources a little better I would’ve had a better product. I felt I presented my results in a way that was easy to understand and is a valid issue at the moment. I had a good knowledge of the topic and so I think it was a good choice and was something I was concerned about.
Again a valuable study that has taught me so much that I can put into practice now and for years to come.
