write the essay newspaper

Essay on Newspaper in English [100, 200, 300, 500 Words]

Essay on Newspaper in English : The newspaper is called the voice of the people. It tells us about what is going around us. It makes us aware of our society and surroundings. In this article, you are going to read a couple of essays on newspaper ( 100, 200, 200, and 500 words). These essays will be helpful for the students of all classes (class 1 to class 12). So let’s get started.

Table of Contents

Newspaper Essay in English: 100 Words

One of the most important organs of public opinion today is definitely the newspaper. This is, in fact, as essential to modern life as the breakfast to a man. A newspaper gives daily news. It enables a reader to know easily the events of the world. So we come to know all that happens around us.

But this is not all. The newspaper does many other useful functions. It comments on the news. It deals with social, religious, political, and economic questions. The newspaper also reviews books and periodicals. It gives valuable information about market prices and conditions. Railways and airways time-tables, weather conditions, and other daily matters are published in it. It is truly a vital limb of modern life.

Also Read: Paragraph on Newspaper

Essay on Newspaper: 200 Words

The primary object of a newspaper is to supply news. Man is basically curious by nature and wants to know what is happening around him. The newspaper is the best medium to meet this curiosity. That is why it plays such an important role in modern life. The newspaper has a great educative value.

Modern newspapers deal with a wide range of subjects – political and economical news, literary and scientific matters, games and sports, the stage and the cinema, the stock market. Thus it caters for the interests of all classes of men. The editorials and letters to the editor help the growth of public opinion and keep the government informed of it.

Newspapers keep us abreast of the current events all over the world and widen our mental horizon. It educates the people in all matters of public interest and helps mobilizing public opinions on the burning issues of the day.

By putting advertisements, businessmen bring their products and goods to the notice of a wide circle of people very quickly and cheaply. Thus newspapers serve all sections of people this way or the other.

Newspaper Essay in English: 250-300 Words

A newspaper is a paper which we read for news. So the primary object of a newspaper is to gather news about the world and reach them to us. As a window is to a house, so is a newspaper to a nation. A window lets in air. A newspaper gives out news on different subjects, about political and economical matters, sports and games, cinema and theatre and also the stock markets.

In the editorial, the editor writes what is good or bad in society or in the government. A newspaper also publishes the works on education. By reading a newspaper in a regular way we may enrich our knowledge about various things a world. When we feel tired and lonely, we read it for recreation. A newspaper has a great influence over its readers.

A newspaper is a good means of advertisement. Traders bring their goods to the notice of the buyers through advertisements in newspapers. A newspaper has a lot of good things for people. But most newspapers support party men and admire them blindly. So people cannot know correctly about them. Its influence over people is so great that it can divert people’s attention from an issue. Generally, people believe what a newspaper says. It is the craze that keeps the newspaper running. So we read it even in the days of telecommunication.

Importance of Newspaper Essay: 500 Words

Introduction:.

Newspaper is an important media. Its role in the making of the nation or the state cannot be denied. Newspaper lays emphasis on democracy by way of representing public opinions quite objectively. Its approach is certainly impersonal. Objective criticisms of state affairs lead the public to choose the right ways and to uphold the right ideas.

Importance:

Social, political, economical, and other changes take place due to the awareness of the people of a state or a country. And newspaper enables people to be aware of all phenomena which are happening in the country and abroad. Besides, newspaper presents the past and the present days, thereby helping us draw a contrast between the past and the present world. By this way, newspaper helps people predict the future.

Thus, reading of a newspaper strengthens one’s consciousness of the world. If one negates the newspaper, there is little doubt that he or she must retard gradually. The utility of newspaper is not only informative but also constructive because it presents diverse, contradictory views to form a general and well-accepted opinion.

Newspaper is also a common medium of advertisement. Popular brands use to promote their product through newspaper advertisements.

Disadvantages:

But unfortunately, most of the newspapers have now become commercial. Advertisements have been quite oddly covering most of the pages of a newspaper. Political issues and news have been disproportionately highlighted. The news of scientific discovery and the narrations of the lives of the scientists have not been emphasized in the newspaper.

Consequently, reading of newspaper nowadays seems to be rather dull and boring. Even the reporting often misleads the public. What is most ignominious is that some of the leading newspapers are now politically biased. It causes bad effects to the mind of people. People, therefore, begin to lose faith in newspapers. A certain kind of chaos is now being created because of the subjective reporting and unjustifiable information.

Conclusion:

The most hideous consequence of this commercial attitude is that readers of newspapers are now divided. Certain newspapers uphold certain political views in order to draw the attention of certain people. None can begin to read a newspaper with the strictest sense of objectivity. But without the presence of proper media, no nation can progress well. Therefore, the editors of newspapers must be aware of the fact that they are not only doing business but also doing noble jobs in the making of the nation.

Read More: 1. Paragraph on Newspaper 2. Blood Donation Essay in English 3. APJ Abdul Kalam Essay in English 4. Essay on Mother Teresa in English

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How to Write a News Article That's Effective

It's similar to writing academic papers, but with vital differences

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• M.Ed., Education Administration, University of Georgia
• B.A., History, Armstrong State University

Techniques for writing a news article differ from those needed for academic papers. Whether you're interested in writing for a school newspaper, fulfilling a requirement for a class, or seeking a writing job in journalism, you'll need to know the difference. To write like a real reporter, consider this guide for how to write a news article.

Choose Your Topic

First, you must decide what to write about. Sometimes an editor or instructor will give you assignments, but you’ll often have to find your own topics to cover.

If you get to choose your topic, you might be able to pick a subject related to your personal experience or family history, which would give you a strong framework and a dose of perspective. However, this route means you must work to avoid bias—you may have strong opinions that could affect your conclusions. You also could pick a topic that revolves around a personal interest, such as your favorite sport.

Research for Your News Article

Even if you end up with a topic close to your heart, you should begin with research, using books and articles that will give you a full understanding of the subject. Go to the library and find background information about people, organizations, and events you intend to cover.

Next, interview a few people to collect more information and quotes that give perspective on the topic. Don't be intimidated by the idea of interviewing important or newsworthy people—an interview can be as formal or informal as you want to make it, so relax and have fun with it. Find people with backgrounds in the topic and strong opinions, and carefully write down or record their responses for accuracy. Let the interviewees know that you will be quoting them.

Parts of a News Article

Before you write your first draft, you should be aware of the parts that make up a news story:

Headline or title

The headline  of your article should be catchy and to the point. You should punctuate your title using Associated Press style guidelines unless your publication specifies something else. Other members of the publication staff frequently write the headlines, but this will help focus your thoughts and maybe save those other staffers some time.

• "Lost dog finds his way home"
• "Debate tonight in Jasper Hall"
• "Panel chooses 3 essay winners"

The byline is the name of the writer—your name, in this case.

Lead (sometimes written "lede")

The lead is the first sentence or paragraph, written to provide a preview of the entire article. It summarizes the story and includes many of the basic facts. The lead will help readers decide if they want to read the rest of the news article or if they are satisfied knowing these details.

Once you’ve set the stage with a good lead, follow up with a well-written story that contains facts from your research and quotes from people you’ve interviewed. The article should not contain your opinions. Detail any events in chronological order. Use the active voice —not passive voice —when possible, and write in clear, short, direct sentences.

In a news article, you should use the inverted pyramid format—putting the most critical information in the early paragraphs and following with supporting information. This ensures that the reader sees the important details first. Hopefully they'll be intrigued enough to continue to the end.

The sources

Include your sources in the body with the information and quotes they provide. This is different from academic papers, where you would add these at the end of the piece.

Your conclusion can be your last bit of information, a summary, or a carefully chosen quote to leave the reader with a strong sense of your story.

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500+ Words Essay on Newspaper in English For Students

Newspapers have been around for a long, long time – keeping us informed about what’s happening in the world near and far. Even with the internet, smartphones, and endless digital updates constantly at our fingertips these days, newspapers are still going strong. Whether your hometown newspaper is a big daily publication or a weekly community circular, it’s pretty amazing that words inked on paper can capture history. Newspapers give us the facts and let us hear directly from people experiencing major events firsthand.

In this article, we will provide you with an essay on newspapers – where they came from, how they’ve changed over hundreds of years, and why they continue to play such an important role in our lives.

Table of Content

Essay on Newspaper: Important Terms and Definitions

History of newspaper, evolution of newspaper, newspaper essay in english in 250 words, essay on newspaper for class 8 (200 words), essay on newspaper for class 10 (200 words), 500+ word essay on newspaper.

Here are some important terms and definitions that can help you when writing an essay in a newspaper:

• Newspaper: A printed publication containing news, articles, advertisements, and other information of public interest, typically published daily or weekly.
• Headline: The title or main heading of a newspaper article, usually in large bold type, summarizing the main point or subject of the story.
• Byline: The name of the author or reporter of an article, typically placed beneath the headline or at the beginning or end of the article.
• Dateline: A line at the beginning of an article indicating the place and usually the date of writing or transmission.
• Editorial: A written opinion piece expressing the views of the newspaper’s editorial board or editor on a particular topic or issue.
• Front Page: The first page of a newspaper, typically featuring the most important news stories and articles of the day.
• Above the Fold: The portion of the front page of a newspaper that is visible when the paper is folded in half and displayed for sale, usually containing the most significant headlines and images.
• Section: A distinct part or division of a newspaper, often dedicated to specific topics such as news, sports, business, entertainment, and opinion.
• Column: A regular feature in a newspaper, often written by a specific columnist and focusing on a particular subject or perspective.
• Circulation: The number of copies of a newspaper distributed or sold, often used as a measure of its popularity and reach.
• Subscription: A paid arrangement whereby individuals receive regular copies of a newspaper delivered to their home or office.
• Press Run: The total number of copies of a newspaper printed in a single production cycle.
• Deadline: The time by which articles, advertisements, or other content must be submitted for inclusion in a newspaper’s upcoming edition.
• Layout: The arrangement of text, headlines, images, and advertisements on a newspaper page.
• Above the Fold: The portion of a newspaper page visible when it is folded and displayed, usually containing the most important headlines and images.
• Correspondent: A journalist or reporter who contributes news stories or articles to a newspaper from a distant location.
• Editor: A person responsible for overseeing the content, style, and quality of a newspaper, including selecting and editing articles, headlines, and photographs.
• Scoop: A news story or piece of information reported by one newspaper before others, often seen as a significant achievement in journalism.

Newspapers have been an integral part of human civilization for centuries, serving as a crucial source of information, entertainment, and public discourse. The origins of newspapers can be traced back to ancient civilizations, where scribes would handwrite news on papyrus scrolls or wooden tablets. However, the modern newspaper as we know it today emerged in the 15th century with the invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg.

The first printed newspaper is believed to be the Relation, published in Strasbourg, Germany, in 1609. This was followed by the Avisa Relation oder Zeitung, published in Germany in 1618, which is considered the first regularly printed newspaper. From there, newspapers spread rapidly across Europe and eventually to the Americas, evolving into a powerful medium for disseminating news, opinions, and advertisements.

The evolution of newspapers has been a remarkable journey, reflecting the changing societal landscape and technological advancements. Initially, newspapers were handwritten or printed on simple presses, with limited circulation and content. As printing technology improved and literacy rates increased, newspapers became more widely available and influential.

The 19th century witnessed a significant transformation in the newspaper industry with the introduction of new printing techniques, such as the rotary press and linotype machines, which allowed for faster and more efficient production. This period also saw the rise of investigative journalism, with newspapers playing a crucial role in exposing societal injustices and holding authorities accountable.

The 20th century brought about further innovations, including the use of photographs, color printing, and the integration of radio and television news broadcasts. The advent of the internet and digital technologies in the late 20th century revolutionized the newspaper industry once again, leading to the emergence of online editions, multimedia content, and new business models.

Introduction Newspapers play a crucial role in our daily lives, serving as a window to the world. They provide us with information about what’s happening locally, nationally, and globally. From current events to sports, entertainment, and weather updates, newspapers keep us informed and connected to the world around us. Importance of Newspapers Newspapers are an essential source of news and information. They help us stay updated on current affairs, political developments, and social issues. They also provide valuable insights into various topics, helping us expand our knowledge and understanding. Education and Awareness Newspapers are not only informative but also educational. They help improve literacy skills and promote critical thinking. By reading newspapers, students can learn about different cultures, traditions, and perspectives, broadening their horizons. Role in Society: Newspapers play a vital role in shaping public opinion and fostering civic engagement. They serve as watchdogs, holding governments and institutions accountable for their actions. Additionally, newspapers provide a platform for diverse voices and opinions, contributing to a vibrant democracy. Conclusion In conclusion, newspapers are more than just a source of information; they are an integral part of our society. Whether it’s staying informed about current events or expanding our knowledge, newspapers play a significant role in our lives. Therefore, it’s essential to value and support the institution of journalism and continue to cherish the role of newspapers in our daily lives.

Introduction Newspapers are an essential part of our lives, providing us with valuable information and keeping us updated on what’s happening around the world. They serve as a reliable source of news, entertainment, and knowledge. Importance of Newspapers Newspapers play a crucial role in informing and educating people. They cover a wide range of topics, including politics, sports, entertainment, and science, catering to diverse interests and preferences. Role in Education For students, newspapers are not only informative but also educational. They help improve reading comprehension, vocabulary, and critical thinking skills. By reading newspapers, students can learn about different cultures, traditions, and perspectives, enhancing their overall knowledge and understanding of the world. Promoting Awareness Newspapers also play a vital role in raising awareness about social issues and promoting civic engagement. They highlight important issues such as poverty, inequality, and environmental degradation, encouraging readers to take action and make a positive difference in society. Conclusion In conclusion, newspapers are an invaluable source of information and knowledge. Whether it’s staying updated on current events or expanding our understanding of the world, newspapers serve as a reliable companion in our daily lives. Therefore, it’s essential for students and people of all ages to cultivate the habit of reading newspapers regularly.

Introduction Newspapers are an indispensable part of our lives, providing us with timely information and insights into various aspects of society. They serve as a bridge between people and the world, keeping us informed and connected. Importance of Newspapers Newspapers play a crucial role in disseminating news and information to the masses. They cover a wide range of topics, including politics, economics, culture, and sports, catering to the diverse interests and preferences of readers. Role in Society Newspapers have a significant impact on society as they help shape public opinion and influence decision-making. They serve as watchdogs, holding governments and institutions accountable for their actions, and advocating for the rights and interests of citizens. Promoting Literacy and Awareness Newspapers play a vital role in promoting literacy and raising awareness about important social issues. They help improve reading comprehension, vocabulary, and critical thinking skills, empowering individuals to make informed choices and participate actively in civic life. Conclusion In conclusion, newspapers are an essential medium of communication and information in our society. Whether it’s staying updated on current events or deepening our understanding of complex issues, newspapers play a crucial role in shaping our worldview and fostering an informed citizenry. Therefore, it’s important for everyone to recognize the value of newspapers and make a habit of reading them regularly.

Traditional newspaper stands as a timeless source of information, education, and enrichment. From gaining knowledge about current events to developing critical thinking skills, newspapers offer invaluable benefits that contribute to my growth as a student and an informed citizen. One of the primary advantages of newspapers for students is their ability to keep us informed about the world around us. Unlike social media platforms or online news sources, which often prioritize sensationalism and viral content, newspapers provide comprehensive and well-researched coverage of local, national, and international events. By reading newspapers regularly, I am able to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in politics, economics, science, and culture, broadening my understanding of the complex issues that shape our society.

Newspapers also serve as powerful educational tools in the classroom. Teachers frequently incorporate newspaper articles into lesson plans, encouraging students to analyze and discuss the content critically. Through these activities, we develop essential skills such as critical thinking, persuasive writing, and public speaking. Additionally, newspapers offer a wealth of information that can be leveraged for research projects, helping us gather credible sources and diverse perspectives on various topics.

Newspapers build a sense of civic engagement and social responsibility among students. By reading about the challenges faced by our communities and the actions taken by local governments and organizations, we gain a deeper appreciation for the importance of active citizenship. Newspapers shed light on issues that might otherwise go unnoticed, empowering us to become advocates for positive change and to hold those in power accountable.

But most importantly, newspapers instill in us a respect for truth, accuracy, and ethical journalism. In an age where misinformation and fake news are rampant, the rigorous fact-checking processes and adherence to journalistic standards demonstrated by reputable newspapers serve as a bulwark against the spread of falsehoods. By learning to critically evaluate sources and seek out reliable information, we develop the skills necessary to navigate an increasingly complex information landscape.

In conclusion, newspapers are an invaluable resource for students like myself. They provide a comprehensive and trustworthy source of information, foster critical thinking and civic engagement, and instill a respect for truth and ethical journalism. While digital media continues to evolve, the enduring relevance of newspapers underscores their importance in shaping well-informed and socially conscious individuals. As students, it is our responsibility to embrace this invaluable resource and leverage its power to broaden our horizons and contribute positively to the world around us.

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Essay on Newspaper- FAQs

What makes newspapers a valuable source of information.

Newspapers provide a wide range of news, from local events to global affairs. They offer in-depth coverage, analysis, and diverse perspectives on various topics, keeping readers informed and engaged.

How do newspapers contribute to student growth?

Newspapers contribute to a student’s growth by enhancing vocabulary, improving reading comprehension, and exposing readers to different writing styles. They offer a wealth of knowledge across subjects, making them a valuable resource for students seeking to expand their understanding of the world.

Why are newspapers considered a reliable source of news?

Newspapers are considered a reliable source of news due to their editorial standards, fact-checking processes, and commitment to accuracy. Journalists follow ethical guidelines to ensure the information presented is credible and trustworthy for readers.

How do newspapers cater to different interests of readers?

Newspapers cater to different interests of readers by offering diverse sections such as news, sports, entertainment, and opinion pieces. This variety allows readers to choose content that aligns with their preferences, making newspapers a versatile source of information and entertainment.

What role do newspapers play in shaping public opinion?

Newspapers play a crucial role in shaping public opinion by presenting news, analysis, and editorials that influence how people perceive current events and issues. They provide a platform for discussion and debate, helping to shape societal views and perspectives.

How do newspapers balance between informing and entertaining readers?

Newspapers balance between informing and entertaining readers by including a mix of serious news articles, feature stories, opinion pieces, and entertainment sections like comics and puzzles. This blend ensures that readers stay engaged while also staying informed about important events.

In what ways can students benefit from reading newspapers regularly?

Students can benefit from reading newspapers regularly by improving their language skills, expanding their knowledge across various subjects, staying informed about current affairs, and developing critical thinking abilities.

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Essay on Newspaper Reading for Students and Children

500+ words essay on newspaper reading.

Newspapers are one of the most important documents. They can be said to be the powerhouse of information. Moreover, they offer us other benefits as well which helps us in our lives. You become better informed through newspaper reading and it also broadens your perspective. However, newspaper reading is becoming a dying habit. As the world is moving towards digitalization , no one really reads the newspaper. At least not the present generation. The readership is maintained mostly because of the older generations only.

Benefits of Newspaper Reading

Newspaper reading is one of the most beneficial habits. It helps us get acquainted with the current affairs of the world. We get to know about the latest happenings through a reliable source. Similarly, we also get an insight into the different domains including politics , cinema, business , sports and many more.

Furthermore, newspaper reading also results in opening doors to new employment opportunities. Reliable companies post their ads in the newspaper for business and employment opportunities so we see how it is a good place to seek jobs.

Furthermore, we can easily promote our brands and products with the help of newspapers. The consumers learn about the latest deals and launch which connects them to businesses.

Most importantly, it also improves the vocabulary and grammar of a person. You can learn new words and rectify your grammar through newspaper reading.

In addition, a person who reads a newspaper can speak fluently on various topics. They can socialize better as they are well aware of the most common topics. Similarly, it also saves us from getting bored. You won’t need any company if you have a newspaper in hand.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

The Dying Habit

Unfortunately, despite having so many benefits, newspaper reading is becoming a dying habit. As people are getting instant updates on their mobile phones and computer systems, they barely read the newspaper. Moreover, electronic gadgets are more convenient for them so they don’t bother to pick up the newspaper.

Moreover, we see that everything has become very convenient and instant now. You can learn about what is happening in the other part of the world as it is taking place. People do not wait for newspapers anymore, as they feel it only states what they have already been informed about. In addition, they do not wait for the next day to read the newspaper about current affairs , as they get it instantly thanks to the internet.

Most importantly, people are themselves running out of the habit of reading itself. Everything has become so visual now that no one bothers to read newspapers, books, novels or more. The internet has made it worse as now there is a video for everything. People won’t mind watching a five-minute video, but will however not prefer to read a five-minute-long article.

It just shows how we’re becoming so inactive and lazy. Everyone just needs things to be served on a platter. Therefore, we must not let this become a dying habit as newspapers are very reliable sources of news. In the absence of these, there will be hardly anyone left to verify the data and information we’re being fed.

Q.1 How does newspaper reading benefit us?

A.1 Newspaper reading has numerous benefits. It makes us aware of the current affairs and also makes us well-versed. It also kills boredom and enhances our vocabulary and grammar. You can also seek jobs and promotions through newspapers.

Q.2 Why is newspaper reading becoming a dying habit?

A.2 Newspaper reading is becoming a dying habit as the world is moving towards digitalization. You can now get everything on your phones and computers so people are not into newspaper reading as they were before.

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How to Write a News Article

Last Updated: June 5, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Gerald Posner . Gerald Posner is an Author & Journalist based in Miami, Florida. With over 35 years of experience, he specializes in investigative journalism, nonfiction books, and editorials. He holds a law degree from UC College of the Law, San Francisco, and a BA in Political Science from the University of California-Berkeley. He’s the author of thirteen books, including several New York Times bestsellers, the winner of the Florida Book Award for General Nonfiction, and has been a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in History. He was also shortlisted for the Best Business Book of 2020 by the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing. There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 2,446,521 times.

Writing a news article is different from writing other articles or informative pieces because news articles present information in a specific way. It's important to be able to convey all the relevant information in a limited word count and give the facts to your target audience concisely. Knowing how to write a news article can help a career in journalism , develop your writing skills and help you convey information clearly and concisely.

Things You Should Know

• Outline your article with all the facts and interview quotes you’ve gathered. Decide what your point of view on the topic is before you start writing.
• Your first sentence is the most important one—craft an attention-getter that clearly states the most important information.
• Proofread for accurate information, consistent style and tone, and proper formatting.

Sample Articles

Planning Your Article

• If you’ve ever written a research paper you understand the work that goes into learning about your topic. The first phase of writing a news article or editorial is pretty similar.
• Who - who was involved?
• What - what happened?
• Where - where did it happen?
• Why - why did it happen?
• When - when did it happen?
• How - how did it happen?

• 1) those that need to be included in the article.
• 2) those that are interesting but not vital.
• 3) those that are related but not important to the purpose of the article.
• This fact list will help prevent you from leaving out any relevant information about the topic or story, and will also help you write a clean, succinct article.
• Be as specific as possible when writing down all of these facts. You can always trim down unnecessary information later, but it’s easier to cut down than it is to have to beef up an article.
• It’s okay at this point to have holes in your information – if you don’t have a pertinent fact, write down the question and highlight it so you won’t forget to find it out
• Now that you have your facts, if your editor has not already assigned the type of article, decide what kind of article you’re writing. Ask yourself whether this is an opinion article, an unbiased and straightforward relaying of information, or something in between. [2] X Research source

• If you’ve ever heard the term “burying the lead”, that is in reference to the structure of your article. [4] X Research source The “lead” is the first sentence of the article – the one you “lead” with. Not "burying the lead" simply means that you should not make your readers read several paragraphs before they get to the point of your article.
• Whatever forum you’re writing for, be it print or for the web, a lot of readers don’t make it to the end of the article. When writing a news article, you should focus on giving your readers what they want as soon as possible.
• Write above the fold. The fold comes from newspapers where there’s a crease because the page gets folded in half. If you look at a newspaper all the top stories are placed above the fold. The same goes for writing online. The virtual fold is the bottom of your screen before you have to scroll down. Put the best information at the top to engage your readers and encourage them to keep reading.

• Ask yourself the “5 W's” again, but this time in relation to your audience.
• Questions like what is the average age you are writing for, where is this audience, local or national, why is this audience reading your article, and what does your audience want out of your article will inform you on how to write.
• Once you know who you are writing for you can format an outline that will get the best information to the right audience as quickly as possible.

• Even if you are covering a popular story or topic that others are writing about, look for an angle that will make this one yours.
• Do you have a personal experience that relates to your topic? Maybe you know someone who is an expert that you can interview .

• People usually like to talk about personal experiences, especially if it will be featured somewhere, like your news article. Reach out through a phone call, email, or even social media and ask someone if you can interview them.
• When you do interview people you need to follow a few rules: identify yourself as a reporter. Keep an open mind . Stay objective. While you are encouraged to ask questions and listen to anecdotes, you are not there to judge.
• Record and write down important information from the interview, and be transparent with what you are doing and why you are doing this interview.

Writing Your News Article

• Your lead should be one sentence and should simply, but completely, state the topic of the article.
• Remember when you had to write essays for school? Your lead is like your thesis statement.
• Let your readers know what your news article is about, why it’s important, and what the rest of the article will contain.

• These details are important, because they are the focal point of the article that fully informs the reader.
• If you are writing an opinion piece , this is where you will state what your opinion is as well.

• This additional information helps round out the article and can help you transition to new points as you move along.
• If you have an opinion, this is where you will identify the opposing views and the people who hold them.
• A good news article will outline facts and information. A great news article will allow readers to engage on an emotional level.
• To engage your readers, you should provide enough information that anyone reading your news article can make an informed opinion, even if it contrasts with yours.
• This also applies to a news article where you the author don’t state your opinion but present it as an unbiased piece of information. Your readers should still be able to learn enough about your topic to form an opinion.

• Make sure your news article is complete and finished by giving it a good concluding sentence. This is often a restatement of the leading statement (thesis) or a statement indicating potential future developments relating to the article topic.
• Read other news articles for ideas on how to best accomplish this. Or, watch news stations or shows. See how a news anchor will wrap up a story and sign off, then try to emulate that.

Proofing Your Article

• Be sure to double check all the facts in your news article before you submit it, including names, dates, and contact information or addresses. Writing accurately is one of the best ways to establish yourself as a competent news article writer.

• If your news article is meant to convey direct facts, not the opinions of its writer, ensure you’ve kept your writing unbiased and objective. Avoid any language that is overly positive or negative or statements that could be construed as support or criticism.
• If your article is meant to be more in the style of interpretive journalism then check to make sure that you have given deep enough explanations of the larger story and offered multiple viewpoints throughout.

• When quoting someone, write down exactly what was said inside quotations and immediately cite the reference with the person’s proper title. Formal titles should be capitalized and appear before a person’s name. Ex: “Mayor John Smith”.
• Always write out numbers one through nine, but use numerals for numbers 10 and up.
• When writing a news article, be sure to only include one space after a period, not two. [12] X Research source

• You shouldn’t submit any news article for publication without first letting someone take a look at it. An extra pair of eyes can double check your facts and the information to ensure that what you have written is accurate.
• If you are writing a news article for school or your own personal website, then have a friend take a look at it and give you notes. Sometimes you may get notes that you want to defend or don’t agree with it. But these should be listened to. Remember, with so many news articles getting published every minute you need to ensure that your widest possible audience can easily digest the information you have provided.

Expert Q&A

• Start with research and ask the “5. Asking these questions will help you create an outline and a narrative to your article. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
• Interview people, and remember to be polite and honest about what you are writing. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
• Put the most important information at the beginning of your article. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0

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Expert Interview

Thanks for reading our article! If you'd like to learn more about writing an article, check out our in-depth interview with Gerald Posner .

• ↑ https://libguides.mit.edu/select-topic
• ↑ https://writingcenter.gmu.edu/writing-resources/different-genres/news-writing-fundamentals
• ↑ https://libguides.southernct.edu/journalism/howtowrite
• ↑ https://spcollege.libguides.com/c.php?g=254319&p=1695313
• ↑ https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/cm360
• ↑ https://mediahelpingmedia.org/basics/how-to-find-and-develop-important-news-angles/
• ↑ https://www.northwestern.edu/brand/editorial-guidelines/newswriting-guidelines/
• ↑ https://tacomacc.libguides.com/c.php?g=599051&p=4147190
• ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/subject_specific_writing/journalism_and_journalistic_writing/ap_style.html
• ↑ https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines/punctuation/space-after-period
• ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/editing-and-proofreading/

About This Article

To write a news article, open with a strong leading sentence that states what the article is about and why it’s important. Try to answer the questions who, what, where, when, and why as early in the article as possible. Once you’ve given the reader the most important facts, you can include any additional information to help round out the article, such as opposing views or contact information. Finish with a strong concluding sentence, such as an invitation to learn more or a statement indicating future developments. For tips on researching your article, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Essay on Importance of Newspaper

Students are often asked to write an essay on Importance of Newspaper in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Importance of Newspaper

Introduction.

Newspapers are an essential part of our daily lives. They provide us with a variety of news and information from around the world.

Education and Knowledge

Newspapers are a great source of education and knowledge. They help students to improve their vocabulary and reading skills.

Global Awareness

They keep us updated about what’s happening around the world, making us globally aware.

Entertainment

Apart from news, newspapers also provide entertainment through comics, puzzles, and horoscopes.

Also check:

250 Words Essay on Importance of Newspaper

The indispensable role of newspapers.

Newspapers have played a crucial role in shaping societies, democracies, and individuals’ perspectives for centuries. They are not just a collection of printed papers but a repository of critical information, opinions, and insights that help readers understand the world around them.

Information and Awareness

Newspapers are a powerhouse of information. They provide comprehensive coverage of local, national, and international events. In an era where fake news can spread like wildfire, newspapers, particularly those with a strong editorial policy, serve as a reliable source of information. They foster awareness about various social, political, economic, and scientific issues, thereby contributing to the overall knowledge and consciousness of the readers.

Democratic Function

Newspapers are often referred to as the ‘Fourth Estate’, underscoring their vital role in a democratic society. They scrutinize governmental activities, highlight issues of public interest, and provide a platform for public discourse. By doing so, newspapers ensure accountability and transparency, which are the cornerstones of a robust democracy.

Catalysts for Change

Newspapers are not just passive carriers of news. They actively participate in shaping public opinion and can be powerful catalysts for social and political change. Editorials, opinion pieces, and investigative journalism can influence policy decisions and stimulate social reform.

Personal Development

Lastly, newspapers contribute to personal development. Regular reading enhances language skills, widens vocabulary, and improves general knowledge. The habit of reading newspapers can also foster critical thinking and analytical skills.

In conclusion, newspapers hold immense significance in our lives. They are not merely a daily habit but an essential tool for informed citizenship, fostering democratic values, and personal growth.

500 Words Essay on Importance of Newspaper

Newspapers have been a crucial part of human life for centuries, providing a tangible connection to the world’s events. They offer a wealth of information, from national politics to local news, sports, entertainment, and more. In the digital age, while the format may have evolved, the importance of newspapers remains undiminished.

The Role of Newspapers in Information Dissemination

Newspapers play an essential role in disseminating information to the public. They provide us with a detailed account of daily events, helping us stay informed about the world around us. This information aids in forming opinions and making decisions, both at an individual and societal level. In a democratic society, newspapers are particularly crucial as they offer diverse perspectives, fostering an informed citizenry capable of making enlightened decisions.

Education and Skill Enhancement

Economic significance.

From an economic perspective, newspapers provide critical market insights and financial news. They offer a comprehensive view of the economy, helping businesses and investors make informed decisions. Job listings and advertisements in newspapers also contribute significantly to the economy by aiding employment and commerce.

Newspapers as a Platform for Dialogue

Newspapers serve as a platform for dialogue and debate, promoting democratic values. The opinion and editorial sections invite readers to engage with diverse viewpoints, fostering a culture of discussion and critical thinking. This aspect of newspapers is particularly important for college students, as it encourages them to engage with complex issues and develop their own viewpoints.

The Changing Landscape of Newspapers

In conclusion, newspapers hold significant importance in society. They inform, educate, stimulate economic activity, and foster dialogue. Despite technological advancements, their role remains critical in shaping an informed and engaged citizenry. For college students, newspapers offer a wealth of knowledge and a platform for critical thinking, making them an indispensable resource in their academic journey.

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94 Newspaper Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🏆 best newspaper topic ideas & essay examples, 💡 simple & easy newspaper essay titles, 👍 good research topics about newspaper, 📌 most interesting newspaper topics to write about.

• Academic vs. Newspaper Article Writing In the case of writing an article for the Times Newspaper and academic writing, they both differ in their objectives and in the audience they cater to.
• Newspaper Article Analysis The topic can make one to believe that there is a certain group trying to overthrow the government in place but, this is not the case.
• War and Violence Metaphors in Newspaper Headlines For both purposes, the use of metaphorical language in headlines is crucial to catch the people’s attention and to trigger a chain of association that will direct the readers’ focus to a particular side of […]
• Media Convergence and Newspaper Publication The convergence of media that resulted in the digitized form of The New York Times and Washington Post is the testament to the power of Information Technology and the changing needs of people. In this […]
• Newspapers, Books, Magazines as Media Forms The aim of the current research is to analyze the role of the media and assess the importance of newspapers, books, and magazines as media forms.
• Newspaper Collection and General Recycling GR has a higher responsibility for quality due to the specifics of the general disposal and specifies the quantity and class of the material before collection.
• Local Newspaper and Its Social Media Advertising The exploration of the role of advertising on the Internet in the process of raising the profitability of the company contributes to a better understanding of the mechanism used by the World Wide Web for […]
• Newspaper Industry and the Internet Most of the readers are now finding the news in newspapers somewhat stale considering that the news on the internet is instant, fresh and immediate.
• Newspaper Article and Scientific Research: Comparison The text of the research article is obviously not so easy to read compared to the text from the New York Post.
• A Healthcare Study in the Vancouver Sun Newspaper The independent variable was the participants’ cannabis use, and the objective/subjective factors were the effectiveness of sleep, the rapidity of falling asleep, and the number of awakenings at night.
• Newspaper Coverage of Adolf Hitler’s Death It marks the end of the era of the terrible events of the Holocaust, the seizure of Poland, the extermination of millions of people.
• Research of Lifespan in Newspaper The major focus of the study was to identify the cities with the shortest rate of life duration. The researchers used the observational research method and qualitative research design as they gathered the data from […]
• Addressing Several Law Cases and a Newspaper Article For instance, the teleological approach suggests that the decision of the Nevada Supreme Court was reasonable and rightful because it was the best option to bring the highest level of good and the least level […]
• Newspaper Press Apogee in the Early 20th Century The development of more effective and quick printing methods resulted in the rise of the use of newspapers all over the world and the newspaper press was at all times prepared to capture any events […]
• Muslim Women’s Representation in America in Newspapers This article is devoted to studying statistics that link various areas of the lives of Muslim women and their employment in America.
• Biases and Sources in Newspaper Articles About the Coronavirus The coronavirus is unpredictable and hard to control, and people have to cooperate, communicate, and exchange available information to predict the growth of complications and health-related problems.
• “Westside Today” and “Gazette Newspapers”: Comparative Characteristics The popularity of newspapers depends on the predominance of certain groups in the area, the values that have established themselves in that particular community and the ability of the newspaper to interest the reader by […]
• Internet Impact on Journalism: Print vs. Online Newspapers The purpose of the investigation is to examine the impact of the Internet on journalism with the help of analyzing the role of print newspapers, online newspapers, and social networking in presenting the information and […]
• Newspaper Interpretations of Dred Scott vs. Sanford In retrospect, it is obvious that Northern anti-slavery interpretations of the Dred Scott decision were much more accurate than Southern pro-slavery interpretations.
• Newspapers: Commercialism and Information It is by virtue of this final that it comes evident the lack of government’s support in terms of subsidies to the press in the current regarded capitalist system full of democracy but only makes […]
• Internet and Traditional Newspaper Industry First of all, in order to understand the major tendencies in changing media popularity, it is necessary to look at the differences in technological processes of news production on the Web and in traditional newspapers.
• Newspaper Accounts of First Nations People As the article is overloaded with details, one can assume that the author intentionally directs the reader’s attention to the industriousness with which the entities of judicial and executive power have been trying to keep […]
• News Nowadays: Digitalization of Newspapers However, the digitalization of the newspapers has adversely impacted the quality of news, as it has led to the rise of fake news.
• Leadership at The New York Times Newspaper Wisdom comes in handy when the leader is balancing the interests of shareholders such that the leader’s actions lead to the common good.
• Jonesboro Newspaper’s Budget and Cash Flow A budget enables an individual to forecast the amount of money to be realized upon the execution of a given undertaking. A part of the income from the company will be used to cater for […]
• Portrayal of Ernesto Che Guevara by American Newspapers In his article, Llosa remarks that people do not know the real character of Guevara’s actions and therefore “cling to a myth”.
• Chernobyl Disaster in New York Newspapers Still, media statements from 1986, and especially the day of the initial report, can be considered the first reaction of the media to the accident.
• Newspaper Industry and Its Challenges Nowadays, the majority of researchers who are concerned about the problem of the dissemination of information in the modern world acknowledge that news organizations are having significant financial troubles related to changes on a global […]
• Newspapers’ Discussion: School Desegregation In spite of the fact that many newspaper authors covered the school desegregation events rather subjectively, the approaches to discussing the process of school desegregation in the American states are different in relation to the […]
• Newspaper Readership Decline Factors Basing on the apparent trends of newspaper readership, the media systems predict that the future of newspapers seems untenable because of the increasing decline in newspaper readership.
• Newspaper Report and TV Report: Comparison and Contrast Conversely, the audience relates to the story through the tone of voice of the reporter as well as the appearance of the characters in the TV report.
• Ideologies in Newspaper Writing On the contrary, ideology is linked to the ruling system since the distortion implicated on the ideology reflects the interest of the rulers.
• Newspapers Are Under Attack From The Net. What Strategies Might Be Followed To Survive? The way to go for the newspapers is to provide the detailed facts that blogs and short articles on the internet do not provide.
• Constitutional Rights for Campus Newspaper Editors The code of conduct should always be in line with the provisions in the constitution of the country especially in areas where the rights of the students are likely to be affected or are threatened.
• Michigan Newspapers’ Biased Coverage of Jewish Persecution in Germany In the period of 1933-1939, which encompasses Hitler’s rise to power that saw a sustained persecution of Jews in Germany and the pogroms, which culminated in the Night of The Broken Glass, the reception of […]
• The Decline of Newspapers in the US The decline of newspapers in the US is attributed to decrease in readership of newspaper across the country. The increasing economic challenges experienced by newspaper companies have made the prices of their stocks to decline, […]
• The Newspaper Publishing Industry in Australia The fate of newspaper publishing industry across the world and in Australia continues to be unknown. Demographic segmentation enables the industry to succeed in formulating products and services that cater for the needs of customers.
• Product Repositioning in a Newspaper A research may be carried out to ascertain what percentage of the population still buys a newspaper and the reason for doing that. It is crucial to keep a database of the places to deliver […]
• Nepean Barrhaven EMC: Newspaper Analysis Reading this issue of the newspaper, it is possible to guess that the editor and the authors of the articles pay special attention to the health of the community.
• Unemployment, Labor, and Government Economic Forces The article, “The State of Economics”, is an article that discusses the turmoil between economists of the current age in trying to reconcile economic principles with both the classical and Keynesian economic theories of the […]
• Newspaper Response on Buddhism Finally, the author estimates that harmony is the “essential ingredient” of all religions and it is a guarantee of the welfare of all nations.
• The Newspaper Critic on Gender Inequalities in Canada Jasmeet Sidhu says in his article in the Star ‘Gender inequality distorts Politics,’ that since Canada elected Agnes MacPhail into the House of Commons in 1921, the country has made major steps in bridging the […]
• Newspaper Reactions to Brown V. Board of Education It is therefore incorrect to note that the difference in Newspaper reaction to the Brown V. Board of education case was a representation of the difference in opinion between the Southern states and other states.
• Solution for the Decline of Circulation of Newspaper
• Goodwill Hunting and Profit Sharing: Decision-Making in a Newspaper Chain
• Prices and Network Eects in Two-Sided Markets: the Belgian Newspaper Industry
• The Main Issues Involving the Ownership of The Canadian Newspaper Industry
• Early Colonial Era Newspaper Accounts of Conflicts, Disease, and Westward Expansion
• What Effect Does Online News Edition Have on Printed Newspaper
• Printted Newspaper vs. Online Newspapers
• The Argument Between the Communitarians and Liberals in the Newspaper Article The American Prospect Online
• How Internet Affects The Newspaper Business
• Difference Between Internet Advertising and Newspaper Advertising
• Predicting Bitcoin Returns: Comparing the Roles of Newspaper- and Internet Search-Based Measures of Uncertainty
• External Environment Analysis For The Newspaper Industry
• Newspaper Reading and Relating to the Human Bill of Rights
• Sensationalism, Newspaper Profits and the Marginal Value of Watergate
• How the Newspaper and Music Industry Has Changed Because of E-Commerce
• Various Analysis Tools Applied to The Newspaper Industry
• Circulations, Revenues, and Profits in a Newspaper Market with Fixed Advertising Costs
• Uses and Gratification: Nigerian Students Use of Newspaper
• Damaging Sexual Stereotypes about Women in TV and Newspaper Ads
• Gender Stereotypes and the Credibility of Newspaper Articles Associated
• Newspaper Differentiation and Investments in Journalism: The Role of Tax Policy
• Meet the Press: How Voters and Politicians Respond to Newspaper Entry and Exit
• Modernism: Newspaper and Miss Representation
• Media Bias and Influence: Evidence from Newspaper Endorsements
• Lexical Features Structure Features and Rhetorical Devices of English Newspaper
• The Newspaper Industry’s Contribution to the Economy
• Newspaper Reading Habbit Among School Teachers
• Using Newspaper Magazine Articles Online Databases Strayer Learning Resources
• Newspaper: How Did the American Newspapers Report on Events Taking Place in Europe During the Holocaust
• Newspaper Journalism During The Revolutionary War
• Why The Newspaper Companies Are Suffering From Decline
• The Real Estate Section of the Local Newspaper
• The Newspaper Industry and the Changes in the Last 20 Years
• Legal and Economic Aspects in Theft of Newspapers: Using a Model of Newspaper Value
• Daily Newspaper Advertising Rates, Local Media Cross-Ownership, Newspaper Chains, and Media Competition
• The Scotsman and The Guardian: Which Newspaper Is Better
• Scale Economics, Market Power, and Pricing Behavior Evidence from German Newspaper and Magazine Publishing
• The Early Twentieth Century’s Immigration and the Newspaper Jobs
• Utilizing Newspaper Advertise Women Advertisements Society
• Fracking and Metaphor: Analysing Newspaper Discourse in the USA, Australia and the United Kingdom
• Online Community Essay Topics
• Media Bias Questions
• Information Management Paper Topics
• Mobile Technology Paper Topics
• Computers Essay Ideas
• Media Ethics Titles
• Satire Essay Ideas
• Media Analysis Topics
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

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Why A.I. Isn’t Going to Make Art

In 1953, Roald Dahl published “ The Great Automatic Grammatizator ,” a short story about an electrical engineer who secretly desires to be a writer. One day, after completing construction of the world’s fastest calculating machine, the engineer realizes that “English grammar is governed by rules that are almost mathematical in their strictness.” He constructs a fiction-writing machine that can produce a five-thousand-word short story in thirty seconds; a novel takes fifteen minutes and requires the operator to manipulate handles and foot pedals, as if he were driving a car or playing an organ, to regulate the levels of humor and pathos. The resulting novels are so popular that, within a year, half the fiction published in English is a product of the engineer’s invention.

Is there anything about art that makes us think it can’t be created by pushing a button, as in Dahl’s imagination? Right now, the fiction generated by large language models like ChatGPT is terrible, but one can imagine that such programs might improve in the future. How good could they get? Could they get better than humans at writing fiction—or making paintings or movies—in the same way that calculators are better at addition and subtraction?

Art is notoriously hard to define, and so are the differences between good art and bad art. But let me offer a generalization: art is something that results from making a lot of choices. This might be easiest to explain if we use fiction writing as an example. When you are writing fiction, you are—consciously or unconsciously—making a choice about almost every word you type; to oversimplify, we can imagine that a ten-thousand-word short story requires something on the order of ten thousand choices. When you give a generative-A.I. program a prompt, you are making very few choices; if you supply a hundred-word prompt, you have made on the order of a hundred choices.

If an A.I. generates a ten-thousand-word story based on your prompt, it has to fill in for all of the choices that you are not making. There are various ways it can do this. One is to take an average of the choices that other writers have made, as represented by text found on the Internet; that average is equivalent to the least interesting choices possible, which is why A.I.-generated text is often really bland. Another is to instruct the program to engage in style mimicry, emulating the choices made by a specific writer, which produces a highly derivative story. In neither case is it creating interesting art.

I think the same underlying principle applies to visual art, although it’s harder to quantify the choices that a painter might make. Real paintings bear the mark of an enormous number of decisions. By comparison, a person using a text-to-image program like DALL-E enters a prompt such as “A knight in a suit of armor fights a fire-breathing dragon,” and lets the program do the rest. (The newest version of DALL-E accepts prompts of up to four thousand characters—hundreds of words, but not enough to describe every detail of a scene.) Most of the choices in the resulting image have to be borrowed from similar paintings found online; the image might be exquisitely rendered, but the person entering the prompt can’t claim credit for that.

Some commentators imagine that image generators will affect visual culture as much as the advent of photography once did. Although this might seem superficially plausible, the idea that photography is similar to generative A.I. deserves closer examination. When photography was first developed, I suspect it didn’t seem like an artistic medium because it wasn’t apparent that there were a lot of choices to be made; you just set up the camera and start the exposure. But over time people realized that there were a vast number of things you could do with cameras, and the artistry lies in the many choices that a photographer makes. It might not always be easy to articulate what the choices are, but when you compare an amateur’s photos to a professional’s, you can see the difference. So then the question becomes: Is there a similar opportunity to make a vast number of choices using a text-to-image generator? I think the answer is no. An artist—whether working digitally or with paint—implicitly makes far more decisions during the process of making a painting than would fit into a text prompt of a few hundred words.

We can imagine a text-to-image generator that, over the course of many sessions, lets you enter tens of thousands of words into its text box to enable extremely fine-grained control over the image you’re producing; this would be something analogous to Photoshop with a purely textual interface. I’d say that a person could use such a program and still deserve to be called an artist. The film director Bennett Miller has used DALL-E 2 to generate some very striking images that have been exhibited at the Gagosian gallery; to create them, he crafted detailed text prompts and then instructed DALL-E to revise and manipulate the generated images again and again. He generated more than a hundred thousand images to arrive at the twenty images in the exhibit. But he has said that he hasn’t been able to obtain comparable results on later releases of DALL-E . I suspect this might be because Miller was using DALL-E for something it’s not intended to do; it’s as if he hacked Microsoft Paint to make it behave like Photoshop, but as soon as a new version of Paint was released, his hacks stopped working. OpenAI probably isn’t trying to build a product to serve users like Miller, because a product that requires a user to work for months to create an image isn’t appealing to a wide audience. The company wants to offer a product that generates images with little effort.

It’s harder to imagine a program that, over many sessions, helps you write a good novel. This hypothetical writing program might require you to enter a hundred thousand words of prompts in order for it to generate an entirely different hundred thousand words that make up the novel you’re envisioning. It’s not clear to me what such a program would look like. Theoretically, if such a program existed, the user could perhaps deserve to be called the author. But, again, I don’t think companies like OpenAI want to create versions of ChatGPT that require just as much effort from users as writing a novel from scratch. The selling point of generative A.I. is that these programs generate vastly more than you put into them, and that is precisely what prevents them from being effective tools for artists.

The companies promoting generative-A.I. programs claim that they will unleash creativity. In essence, they are saying that art can be all inspiration and no perspiration—but these things cannot be easily separated. I’m not saying that art has to involve tedium. What I’m saying is that art requires making choices at every scale; the countless small-scale choices made during implementation are just as important to the final product as the few large-scale choices made during the conception. It is a mistake to equate “large-scale” with “important” when it comes to the choices made when creating art; the interrelationship between the large scale and the small scale is where the artistry lies.

Believing that inspiration outweighs everything else is, I suspect, a sign that someone is unfamiliar with the medium. I contend that this is true even if one’s goal is to create entertainment rather than high art. People often underestimate the effort required to entertain; a thriller novel may not live up to Kafka’s ideal of a book—an “axe for the frozen sea within us”—but it can still be as finely crafted as a Swiss watch. And an effective thriller is more than its premise or its plot. I doubt you could replace every sentence in a thriller with one that is semantically equivalent and have the resulting novel be as entertaining. This means that its sentences—and the small-scale choices they represent—help to determine the thriller’s effectiveness.

Many novelists have had the experience of being approached by someone convinced that they have a great idea for a novel, which they are willing to share in exchange for a fifty-fifty split of the proceeds. Such a person inadvertently reveals that they think formulating sentences is a nuisance rather than a fundamental part of storytelling in prose. Generative A.I. appeals to people who think they can express themselves in a medium without actually working in that medium. But the creators of traditional novels, paintings, and films are drawn to those art forms because they see the unique expressive potential that each medium affords. It is their eagerness to take full advantage of those potentialities that makes their work satisfying, whether as entertainment or as art.

Of course, most pieces of writing, whether articles or reports or e-mails, do not come with the expectation that they embody thousands of choices. In such cases, is there any harm in automating the task? Let me offer another generalization: any writing that deserves your attention as a reader is the result of effort expended by the person who wrote it. Effort during the writing process doesn’t guarantee the end product is worth reading, but worthwhile work cannot be made without it. The type of attention you pay when reading a personal e-mail is different from the type you pay when reading a business report, but in both cases it is only warranted when the writer put some thought into it.

Recently, Google aired a commercial during the Paris Olympics for Gemini, its competitor to OpenAI’s GPT-4 . The ad shows a father using Gemini to compose a fan letter, which his daughter will send to an Olympic athlete who inspires her. Google pulled the commercial after widespread backlash from viewers; a media professor called it “one of the most disturbing commercials I’ve ever seen.” It’s notable that people reacted this way, even though artistic creativity wasn’t the attribute being supplanted. No one expects a child’s fan letter to an athlete to be extraordinary; if the young girl had written the letter herself, it would likely have been indistinguishable from countless others. The significance of a child’s fan letter—both to the child who writes it and to the athlete who receives it—comes from its being heartfelt rather than from its being eloquent.

Many of us have sent store-bought greeting cards, knowing that it will be clear to the recipient that we didn’t compose the words ourselves. We don’t copy the words from a Hallmark card in our own handwriting, because that would feel dishonest. The programmer Simon Willison has described the training for large language models as “money laundering for copyrighted data,” which I find a useful way to think about the appeal of generative-A.I. programs: they let you engage in something like plagiarism, but there’s no guilt associated with it because it’s not clear even to you that you’re copying.

Some have claimed that large language models are not laundering the texts they’re trained on but, rather, learning from them, in the same way that human writers learn from the books they’ve read. But a large language model is not a writer; it’s not even a user of language. Language is, by definition, a system of communication, and it requires an intention to communicate. Your phone’s auto-complete may offer good suggestions or bad ones, but in neither case is it trying to say anything to you or the person you’re texting. The fact that ChatGPT can generate coherent sentences invites us to imagine that it understands language in a way that your phone’s auto-complete does not, but it has no more intention to communicate.

It is very easy to get ChatGPT to emit a series of words such as “I am happy to see you.” There are many things we don’t understand about how large language models work, but one thing we can be sure of is that ChatGPT is not happy to see you. A dog can communicate that it is happy to see you, and so can a prelinguistic child, even though both lack the capability to use words. ChatGPT feels nothing and desires nothing, and this lack of intention is why ChatGPT is not actually using language. What makes the words “I’m happy to see you” a linguistic utterance is not that the sequence of text tokens that it is made up of are well formed; what makes it a linguistic utterance is the intention to communicate something.

Because language comes so easily to us, it’s easy to forget that it lies on top of these other experiences of subjective feeling and of wanting to communicate that feeling. We’re tempted to project those experiences onto a large language model when it emits coherent sentences, but to do so is to fall prey to mimicry; it’s the same phenomenon as when butterflies evolve large dark spots on their wings that can fool birds into thinking they’re predators with big eyes. There is a context in which the dark spots are sufficient; birds are less likely to eat a butterfly that has them, and the butterfly doesn’t really care why it’s not being eaten, as long as it gets to live. But there is a big difference between a butterfly and a predator that poses a threat to a bird.

A person using generative A.I. to help them write might claim that they are drawing inspiration from the texts the model was trained on, but I would again argue that this differs from what we usually mean when we say one writer draws inspiration from another. Consider a college student who turns in a paper that consists solely of a five-page quotation from a book, stating that this quotation conveys exactly what she wanted to say, better than she could say it herself. Even if the student is completely candid with the instructor about what she’s done, it’s not accurate to say that she is drawing inspiration from the book she’s citing. The fact that a large language model can reword the quotation enough that the source is unidentifiable doesn’t change the fundamental nature of what’s going on.

As the linguist Emily M. Bender has noted, teachers don’t ask students to write essays because the world needs more student essays. The point of writing essays is to strengthen students’ critical-thinking skills; in the same way that lifting weights is useful no matter what sport an athlete plays, writing essays develops skills necessary for whatever job a college student will eventually get. Using ChatGPT to complete assignments is like bringing a forklift into the weight room; you will never improve your cognitive fitness that way.

Not all writing needs to be creative, or heartfelt, or even particularly good; sometimes it simply needs to exist. Such writing might support other goals, such as attracting views for advertising or satisfying bureaucratic requirements. When people are required to produce such text, we can hardly blame them for using whatever tools are available to accelerate the process. But is the world better off with more documents that have had minimal effort expended on them? It would be unrealistic to claim that if we refuse to use large language models, then the requirements to create low-quality text will disappear. However, I think it is inevitable that the more we use large language models to fulfill those requirements, the greater those requirements will eventually become. We are entering an era where someone might use a large language model to generate a document out of a bulleted list, and send it to a person who will use a large language model to condense that document into a bulleted list. Can anyone seriously argue that this is an improvement?

It’s not impossible that one day we will have computer programs that can do anything a human being can do, but, contrary to the claims of the companies promoting A.I., that is not something we’ll see in the next few years. Even in domains that have absolutely nothing to do with creativity, current A.I. programs have profound limitations that give us legitimate reasons to question whether they deserve to be called intelligent at all.

The computer scientist François Chollet has proposed the following distinction: skill is how well you perform at a task, while intelligence is how efficiently you gain new skills. I think this reflects our intuitions about human beings pretty well. Most people can learn a new skill given sufficient practice, but the faster the person picks up the skill, the more intelligent we think the person is. What’s interesting about this definition is that—unlike I.Q. tests—it’s also applicable to nonhuman entities; when a dog learns a new trick quickly, we consider that a sign of intelligence.

In 2019, researchers conducted an experiment in which they taught rats how to drive. They put the rats in little plastic containers with three copper-wire bars; when the mice put their paws on one of these bars, the container would either go forward, or turn left or turn right. The rats could see a plate of food on the other side of the room and tried to get their vehicles to go toward it. The researchers trained the rats for five minutes at a time, and after twenty-four practice sessions, the rats had become proficient at driving. Twenty-four trials were enough to master a task that no rat had likely ever encountered before in the evolutionary history of the species. I think that’s a good demonstration of intelligence.

Now consider the current A.I. programs that are widely acclaimed for their performance. AlphaZero, a program developed by Google’s DeepMind, plays chess better than any human player, but during its training it played forty-four million games, far more than any human can play in a lifetime. For it to master a new game, it will have to undergo a similarly enormous amount of training. By Chollet’s definition, programs like AlphaZero are highly skilled, but they aren’t particularly intelligent, because they aren’t efficient at gaining new skills. It is currently impossible to write a computer program capable of learning even a simple task in only twenty-four trials, if the programmer is not given information about the task beforehand.

Self-driving cars trained on millions of miles of driving can still crash into an overturned trailer truck, because such things are not commonly found in their training data, whereas humans taking their first driving class will know to stop. More than our ability to solve algebraic equations, our ability to cope with unfamiliar situations is a fundamental part of why we consider humans intelligent. Computers will not be able to replace humans until they acquire that type of competence, and that is still a long way off; for the time being, we’re just looking for jobs that can be done with turbocharged auto-complete.

Despite years of hype, the ability of generative A.I. to dramatically increase economic productivity remains theoretical. (Earlier this year, Goldman Sachs released a report titled “Gen AI: Too Much Spend, Too Little Benefit?”) The task that generative A.I. has been most successful at is lowering our expectations, both of the things we read and of ourselves when we write anything for others to read. It is a fundamentally dehumanizing technology because it treats us as less than what we are: creators and apprehenders of meaning. It reduces the amount of intention in the world.

Some individuals have defended large language models by saying that most of what human beings say or write isn’t particularly original. That is true, but it’s also irrelevant. When someone says “I’m sorry” to you, it doesn’t matter that other people have said sorry in the past; it doesn’t matter that “I’m sorry” is a string of text that is statistically unremarkable. If someone is being sincere, their apology is valuable and meaningful, even though apologies have previously been uttered. Likewise, when you tell someone that you’re happy to see them, you are saying something meaningful, even if it lacks novelty.

Something similar holds true for art. Whether you are creating a novel or a painting or a film, you are engaged in an act of communication between you and your audience. What you create doesn’t have to be utterly unlike every prior piece of art in human history to be valuable; the fact that you’re the one who is saying it, the fact that it derives from your unique life experience and arrives at a particular moment in the life of whoever is seeing your work, is what makes it new. We are all products of what has come before us, but it’s by living our lives in interaction with others that we bring meaning into the world. That is something that an auto-complete algorithm can never do, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. ♦

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Personal Essays

September 12, 2024, 100 ways to paint (or write) the same thing, a freelance writer learns there is no one "right" way to tell a story, any more than there's one "right" way to make a painting.

By Jill U. Adams

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Four small watercolor studies done by freelance science journalist Jill U. Adams. Jill U. Adams

Artist Sarah Yeoman blithely delivered this claim at a watercolor workshop I attended. She was demonstrating small painting studies focused on value and color. Students were crowded around her easel on the back deck of a gift shop and art emporium in the Adirondack town of Indian Lake, New York.

I have been painting with earnest intent for a few years now, but I still manage to get stuck, often, during the process of rendering a scene. I suddenly lose my way, paralyzed with indecision. As I apply paint and water to my paper, the questions knocking around in my brain are many: What should I do next? What does the painting need? What am I trying to accomplish here?

The writer in me recognizes these kinds of questions because I bump up against them in any article, column or essay that I write.

As a professional writer, I could also relate to Sarah’s bold assertion. I have bragged to my partner (who is not a writer) that I could express an idea — a single sentence — in dozens of ways. Indeed, I have contemplated an exercise for students in my writing workshops to take a sentence they have written and rewrite it five different ways.

One aspect of this parallel between writing and painting seems obvious. Of course more experience leads to more ways to tackle something, more tools in the toolbox. By extension, having lots of tools enables you to customize a sentence — or an image — to make a particular impact.

I take workshops from experts to learn new-to-me approaches that I can add to my toolbox. With her 100-ways comment, Sarah was telling me that any of a vast number of next steps could be made to work. That’s interesting, isn’t it? That kind of expansive thinking can be freeing in a way that appeals to me.

Artists Magazine ran a piece on how aspiring artists can get the most out of a workshop. Watercolor painter Mark McDermott gave this advice: “Note that everything you learn is  one  way to paint, not  the  way to paint. Seek to understand  why  the choices are made.”

I love that. When I’m the expert leading a writing workshop, I want students to set aside their worries about spelling, grammar and formulaic structures (paint-by-numbers, anyone?) that they learned in school. More than anything else, I want them to think about what they’re trying to accomplish with their writing.

As for my sentence exercise, I worry it will backfire. Maybe my students, who are seeking PhDs in the sciences, don’t have the experience or flexibility of thinking to write a sentence five different ways. Rather than expanding their toolkit, the activity may end up deflating their confidence. They may want to avoid looking stupid and choose safety over growth. I can relate.

Keep the bigger story goal in mind

It’s a funny thing, this loosening of constraints. It seems like it should be freeing, and yet all those choices and possibilities can also cause less-experienced creators to tighten up. (It may well cause less-experienced writers to turn to AI tools such as ChatGPT.)

I think it’s more about not letting tiny details and trivial rules undermine overarching goals. What are you trying to say with your painting or magazine story or essay? How can you get your viewer or your reader to see something from a new point of view? Of all the ways you might paint this thing or write that thing, what works and what doesn’t?

Those overarching goals can seem awfully vague when you’re starting out. You need tools and techniques, sure, but also lots of practical experience. Both writing and painting are exercises in problem-solving. My learning curve in art, with as many downward dips as upward climbs, reminds me of how tenuous my hold is on this thing I say I want to get better at.

I don’t know how far I’ll get, but I love knowing that others are there. Sarah has been painting for 40 years, and she can paint that scene 100 different ways. I am inspired.

Jill U. Adams' final piece, 7x10 inches, based on her smaller studies Jill U. Adams

Jill U. Adams ( jilluadams.com ) is a freelance science journalist who writes about health, biomedical research, and nature. She’s been spending more time painting in recent years and posts her work on Instagram (@juadams1).

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Rostov-on-Don 1942: A Little-Known Chapter of the Holocaust

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Christina Winkler, Rostov-on-Don 1942: A Little-Known Chapter of the Holocaust, Holocaust and Genocide Studies , Volume 30, Issue 1, Spring 2016, Pages 105–130, https://doi.org/10.1093/hgs/dcw011

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Over the course of just two days in August 1942, Sonderkommando 10a of Einsatzgruppe D murdered 27,000 men, women, and children in Rostov-on-Don—some 15,000 to 18,000 of them Jewish. The number of victims approaches that of the infamous Babi Yar massacre of September 1941, yet the case of Rostov has received little scholarly attention to date. The author of this article demonstrates that a tradition of privileging “official” perpetrator sources has worked to the detriment of research on this particular chapter of the Holocaust. The author argues that, while historians need to correlate different categories of sources, the absence, incompleteness, or inaccuracy of some need not inhibit the exploitation of others.

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• Newspaper Reading Essay

Introductions to Newspapers

Newspapers are called the mirrors of the world. They are the natural way of bringing India to the world and the world to India. Newspapers always arouse excitement. It is this art of generating curiosity that compels people to read on. Newspapers play an important role in a democracy and are the most important and effective medium of mass communication. They fully enjoy the freedom of speech by being unbiased. They furnish only the authentic details. Newspapers have played an important role in forming and moulding public opinion. 

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Newspaper's History

Hicky's Bengal Gazette was the first newspaper printed under British administration in 1780. The publication reported about British control in a variety of sectors. It quickly became the national leaders' spokesperson, both regionally and nationally.

Newspapers were crucial in educating, persuading, and mobilising people to propagate nationalistic and patriotic beliefs. They instilled in the people a great desire to free India from British tyranny. The Tribune, Kesari, Maratha, The Hindu, and Swadeshi were among the most influential and strong periodicals in spreading the nationalist agenda against the British. People would read the newspaper together and debate their strategy. The Indians were truly led to freedom by newspapers.

Even after independence, media have frequently brought to the forefront topics that were divisive but required public debate to resolve. Newspapers aided in spreading public awareness of social ills like as dowry, child marriage, untouchability, and the sati rite, among others.

What is the Benefit of Reading Newspapers?

Newspapers connect you to the rest of the world, which is why they are referred to as the globe's mirror. In a democracy, a free press serves as a watchdog. It keeps a close eye on government operations, exposing omissions and commissions. As a result, As a result, the right to information becomes a reality for the average person. The purpose of news reporting is to keep democracy alive. Its powerful voice of dissent is essential to the functioning and flourishing of a true democracy.

You should read the newspaper to be informed about current events in your country and throughout the world. The newspaper covers everything from the stock market to various political events, strikes, and so on. Not only that, but one also learns about other employment alternatives, such as job openings, admission notifications from various universities, scholarships in the country and even abroad, walk-in interviews for jobs, and so on. In the newspaper, there is also a matrimonial column where you can discover a perfect match for yourself.

Reading newspapers is an excellent habit to develop in children, and it should be instilled in them from an early age. It aids in the development of personality by boosting general knowledge, strengthening language comprehension, writing and reading skills, and vocabulary. One can stay up with the fast-paced world and the changes that occur on a regular basis.

In the morning assembly, schools should urge pupils to read the news. Regular quizzes or general knowledge competitions centred on current events, sports, politics, and the economy must be organised by schools. This is one way for kids to get into the habit of reading newspapers.

Reading newspapers is an important habit in today's society since it provides us with minute data about our surrounds - everything linked to the present, significant influence of previous events, and also aids us in predicting or dreaming about the future. Reading newspapers serves to improve a person's intellectual faculties, hence it should be done with enthusiasm, fervour, and fervour.

Newspaper Reading vs Electronic Media

The rise of electronic media is reducing the number of people who read newspapers, particularly among the youth. The more easily accessible visual media appears to be driving the younger generation insane. Because of the fast-paced lifestyle that is afflicting society as a whole, they are more addicted to instant news. Everything has become more visual, and the media has made it so appealing to users that they have forgotten the spirit of our traditional newspapers. They are abandoning the practise of reading newspapers.

Newspapers are a valuable resource for information. The "information superhighway" is how they're referred to. They also supply us with a variety of benefits that help us in our everyday lives. Reading the newspaper boosts your education while also widening your perspectives, yet it is becoming a dying habit these days. One scarcely reads the newspaper any longer as the world moves toward digitalization. At least not in this generation. The older generations are responsible for maintaining the readership.

One of the most helpful pastimes is reading the newspaper. It enables us to keep up with current events all across the world. We obtain information about recent events from a trustworthy source. We also build expertise in a variety of fields, including politics, film, business, sports, and many more.

Newspaper reading can also lead to the identification of new job chances. We can see how it is a fantastic place to hunt for job because reputable businesses advertise business and employment opportunities in the newspaper.

Newspapers also make it easier to promote our businesses and products. Consumers are kept up to date on the latest promotions and product launches, allowing them to interact with businesses.

The most crucial benefit is that it improves a person's vocabulary and grammar. Reading the newspaper may aid in the acquisition of new vocabulary and the improvement of your grammar.

A newspaper reader may be able to converse fluently on a number of topics. Because they are familiar with the most common themes, they can socialise more effectively. We don't get bored as a result of it. If you don't think you'll need it, If You won't need any company if you have a newspaper in your hands.

The Dying Habit

Sadly, despite its countless benefits, reading the newspaper is becoming a dying habit. People nowadays rarely read newspapers because they can get real-time information on their mobile phones and computers. They also avoid picking up the newspaper because technological devices are more convenient for them.

Furthermore, in recent years, everything has become extremely convenient and quick. You can stay up to date on what's happening in different regions of the world as it occurs. People no longer read newspapers because they believe they are simply being reminded of what they already know. Furthermore, they do not have to wait until the next day to read the newspaper about current events because, thanks to the internet, they can obtain it right away.

It merely goes to show how passive and sedentary we've become. The only requirement is that everything be served on a platter. As a result, we must not allow this to become a dying habit, as newspapers are incredibly reliable sources of information. Without these, there will be very few people left to verify the facts and information we're given.

Even though social media and other electronic media are far more easily accessible, let us not forget the importance of reading the newspaper and inculcate this habit of reading in our children so that they continue with the legacy. 

FAQs on Newspaper Reading Essay

1. What was the first newspaper and when was it published?

Hicky’s Bengal Gazette was the first newspaper printed in the year 1780, under British rule. The newspaper delivered the news of British rule in many areas.

2. What Role Did Newspapers Play During The Freedom Struggle?

At both the regional and national levels, newspapers became the mouthpiece of national leaders. It played a stellar role in educating, convincing, and mobilising people in order to spread nationalist and patriotic ideas. It aroused strong determination among the people to liberate India from British rule. The Tribune, Kesari, Maratha, The Hindu, and Swadeshi were among the most influential and strong periodicals in spreading the nationalist agenda against the British.

3. How do Newspapers benefit us?

Newspapers keep us informed about current events in the United States and around the world. Newspapers provide comprehensive coverage of the stock market, various political events, strikes, and bandhs. Not only that, but one also learns about numerous career alternatives, employment, openings, admission announcements in various institutions, scholarships available in the country and even abroad, and various walk-in interviews for jobs and future education. In the newspaper, there is also a matrimonial feature where people might locate a suitable marriage.

4. Why should the habit of reading newspapers be inculcated in children?

Reading newspapers is a vital habit in today's society since it provides us with every detail about our surroundings – everything linked to the present, past, and future. It also helps in increasing the general knowledge, improving language skills, writing and reading skills, vocabulary, and also helps in developing personality. One can stay up to the fast-paced world and the changes that occur on a regular basis. As a result, reading the newspaper is a very good habit that should be instilled in children from an early age.

5. Is essay writing difficult?

Essay writing needs a lot of practice and patience. Students who want to learn English and write good compositions should indulge in essay writing at least for an hour per day. With the help of our information on essay writing, students will be able to write composition passages in proper grammar, clarity, preciseness and accuracy. You need to practise essay writing daily to attain good writing skills.

7. How do newspapers ensure the reliability of their information?

Newspapers ensure reliability through strict editorial standards, including thorough fact-checking and careful reporting, which helps maintain credibility.

9. Why are newspapers considered a trustworthy source of information?

Newspapers are considered trustworthy because they adhere to journalistic ethics, including balanced reporting, fact-checking, and avoiding sensationalism.

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Rostov-on-Don

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Rostov-on-Don , city and administrative centre of Rostov oblast (province), southwestern Russia . It lies along the lower Don River , 30 miles (50 km) above the latter’s mouth on the Sea of Azov .

The city was founded in 1749 as the customs post of Temernika, when the river mouth was still in Turkish hands. It then became a flourishing trade centre. Between 1761 and 1763 the fortress of St. Dmitry of Rostov was built there, and a town developed around it, near the Armenian settlement of Nakhichevan-na-Donu, which later merged with Rostov. In 1797 town status was granted, and in 1806 it was named Rostov-on-Don. Because of its key position as a transport centre and port, the town grew steadily with the 19th-century Russian colonization and development of the north Caucasus region and conquest of the Transcaucasia .

These functions remain of great importance. The Don River route to the interior was improved by the opening of the Volga-Don Shipping Canal in 1952, linking the town to the entire Volga basin; a dredged channel gives access to the sea. Rostov lies on road, rail, and oil and natural-gas pipeline connections between central European Russia and the Caucasus region. This nodal location and the nearness of the great Donets Coal Basin have led to major industrial development, especially in engineering. Two huge plants make Rostov the largest producer of agricultural machinery in Russia. Other engineering products include ball bearings, electrical and heating equipment, wire, self-propelled barges, road-construction equipment, and industrial machinery. There are ship and locomotive repair yards and a range of consumer-goods industries. Rostov State University was founded in 1917, and there are numerous other institutions of higher education and scientific-research. Pop. (2002) 1,068,267; (2006 est.) 1,054,865.

WCC eulogy for Baldwin Sjollema honors life of “man of profound faith and unyielding commitment”

A World Council of Churches (WCC) eulogy was delivered at Baldwin Sjollema’s funeral by Rev. Dr Konrad Raiser, former WCC general secretary, who represented WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay at the funeral. 

Baldwin Sjollema speaks at the meeting of retired WCC staff in 2023.

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The eulogy described Sjollema as  “ a man of profound faith and unyielding commitment to justice.”

The visionary Sjollema’s work left an indelible mark on the fight for human dignity and the global struggle against apartheid.  “ Baldwin was known for having become, in 1970, the first director of the newly created WCC Programme to Combat Racism, which made grants to southern African liberation movements, including the African National Congress,” reads the message.  “ It also advocated the withdrawal of investments from South Africa and the closure of bank accounts with those banks which supported the apartheid regime.”

The eulogy describes Sjollema’s long history with the WCC, as well as him receiving, in 2004, the Oliver Tambo Order from South African president Thabo Mbeki.  “ He was decorated for his commitment to the South African liberation movement and to the struggle against apartheid in particular,” reads the message.  “ At that time, Baldwin himself acknowledged that millions of people were engaged in the struggle against apartheid all over the world.”

Sjollema’s life was a testimony to the power of faith-driven action.  “ He knew that the struggle for justice was not simply a political fight, but a spiritual and moral battle for the soul of humanity,” reads the eulogy.  “ As we remember Baldwin today, we give thanks to God for his life and the witness he has shared with us. We honor his tireless dedication and his resolute faith. May his memory continue to inspire us to act boldly in the pursuit of a world where all people are free, and where justice flows like a mighty river.”

Read the full eulogy

WCC commemorates life and legacy of Baldwin Sjollema - WCC news release, 12 September 2024

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WCC commemorates life and legacy of Baldwin Sjollema

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• > Journals
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• > Volume 48 Special Issue 3: Special Issue on the So...
• > The Don and Kuban Regions During Famine: The Authorities,...

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The don and kuban regions during famine: the authorities, the cossacks, and the church in 1921–1922 and 1932–1933.

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 May 2020

This article studies the famine of 1921–1922 and 1932–1933 in the Southern Russian regions. Famine as a socio-historical phenomenon is considered in the context of the relationship of state power, the Cossacks, and the Church. The authors reveal the general and special features of the famine emergence and analyze the differences in the state policies of 1921–1922 and 1932–1933. Considerable attention is paid to the survival strategies of the Don, Kuban and Terek populations. Slaughtering and eating draft animals, transfer from the state places of work to the private campaigns and cooperatives, moving to shores and banks, and eating river and sea food became widespread methods of overcoming famine. Asocial survival strategies included cannibalism, abuse of powers, bribery, and more. In 1921–1922, the Russian Orthodox Church fought actively against the famine. In 1932–1933, the Church was weakened and could not provide significant assistance to the starving population. The article was written based on declassified documents from the state and departmental archives, including criminal investigations and analytical materials of the Obedinjonnoe gosudarstvennoe politicheskoe upravlenie [Joint State Political Directorate] (OGPU) recording the attitudes of minds. Also used are personal stories—namely, interviews with eyewitnesses of the famine of 1932–1933, recorded by the Kuban folklorists in the territory of the Krasnodar and Stavropol Krai.

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• Volume 48, Special Issue 3
• Evgeny Krinko (a1) , Alexander Skorik (a2) and Alla Shadrina (a3)
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/nps.2019.120

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Rostov-on-Don

Suggested reading, translation.

Town on the Don River; administrative center of the Rostov province of Russia . In 1761, the Rostov fortress and settlement were founded, and the town gained official status in 1796.

By 1811, there were 20 Jewish families living in Rostov, a number that rose successively: in 1836, there were 73 Jews (less than 1% of the population); in 1846, there were 289; and by 1853, Jews numbered approximately 500. In 1820, a Jewish cemetery was established on the left bank of the Temernik River (the site was closed in 1871, later built upon), and Jewish businesses and entrepreneurship played a leading role in the development of trade , industry , banking , and transport . ( Table: Jewish Population of Rostov-on-Don )

By the end of the 1840s, the Jewish community had a prayer house, and from 1855 a synagogue, on whose site the Main Choral Synagogue was built in 1868. Attached to it were a public library and a school. From 1863 to 1888, the community was led by Fabian O. Gnesin, a rabbi and public figure (father of the composer Mikhail Gnesin). A Jewish hospital was founded in 1881, followed by an almshouse with a prayer house in 1894 (destroyed in the 1990s). In 1888, when Rostov was made part of the Don military region, it was detached from the Pale of Settlement and thus was closed to Jewish residence. However, Jews who had settled there prior to 19 May 1887 were allowed to remain.

At the beginning of the twentieth century, Jewish organizations maintained a children’s shelter, a day nursery, an eating hall, and other charitable institutions. Many of Rostov’s Jewish children attended general schools: in 1883–1885 Jews constituted 34 percent of pupils in the gymnasium (after 1887 within the limits of numerus clausus ). In 1910, Rostov had three Talmud Torahs, a Jewish school for women, and a school attached to the main synagogue.

The Ḥoveve Tsiyon movement was popular in the 1880s, followed at the turn of the century by other Zionist organizations. Among those advocating Zionism was Moisei Aizenshtadt, a figure active in public life who served as crown rabbi of the town from 1889 to 1910. In 1907, the Tse‘ire Tsiyon group opened a library; in 1917, Zionists published the periodical Mir evreistva (World of Jewry); and in 1919 they issued Biulleten’ vremennogo merkaza sionistskoi organizatsii (Bulletin of the Provisional Center of the Zionist Organization).

On 18–20 October 1905, a pogrom raged in Rostov with the participation of Cossack units. More then 150 Jews were murdered, some 500 were wounded, and Jewish shops, stores, warehouses, and mills were damaged. A small Jewish self-defense detachment, organized by the Po‘ale Tsiyon organization, resisted the attackers. Measured by the number of victims, this pogrom was the second largest after that of Odessa in the same year.

During World War I, many Jewish refugees from the battlefront came to Rostov. In 1916, the rebbe of the Lubavitch Hasidic movement, Sholem (Shalom) Dov Ber Shneerson, settled there with his family; in 1920, his son, Yosef Yitsḥak Shneerson, moved the Tomkhe Temimim yeshiva to Rostov. The town remained a center of Lubavitch activity until 1924.

At the beginning of the civil war in 1918, the Jewish industrial and social elite supported the Whites. In 1918–1919, several Jewish organizations were founded, including the Jewish Cultural and Educational Society (which opened a private Jewish gymnasium), the Kultur-lige , the student Zionist organization He-Ḥaver, the Union of Jewish Refugees, and the Relief Society for Jewish Victims of the Civil War.

With the establishment of Soviet authority, the local Evsektsiia in the 1920s promoted the closure of Jewish institutions; it also persecuted Zionist and religious leaders, above all, Yosef Yitsḥak Shneerson. The Tomkhe Temimim yeshiva, initially closed in 1921, survived clandestinely until May 1924, when Yosef Yitsḥak was compelled to move to Leningrad . In the 1920s, nonetheless, a Jewish Third International Club sponsored political education circles and a theater studio; a club with amateur Yiddish agitprop theater was supported by the artisans’ savings and loan society; and there were classes in Yiddish at the school for working youth. Eight synagogues and prayer houses were operating in 1929, but in 1936 only the former Artisans’ synagogue remained (it was blown up in 1942). In the 1930s, however, all Jewish social, cultural, and educational institutions were closed.

In 1939, there were 27,039 Jews living in Rostov (totaling 5.4% of the population). In the summer and fall of 1941 the town was inundated with refugees; about 20,000 Jews were able to evacuate. The German army occupied the town twice, in November 1941 and from July 1942 to February 1943. The Nazis murdered 13,000 Jews on 11 August 1942. A few days later, another 2,000–5,000 Jews in the town and its vicinity were shot to death in the Jewish cemetery (in 1975, a memorial was placed in the Zmievka ravine at the site of the shootings, but the monument failed to mention that the victims were Jews).

After Rostov’s liberation from the Germans, the Jewish community was given use of the building of the former Soldiers’ Synagogue. Shaia-Meier Aronovich served as rabbi from 1944 to 1960. During those years, the Anticosmopolitan Campaign targeted the city’s most prominent Jewish scientific and cultural figures, and approximately one dozen prominent Jewish medical workers were arrested in connection with the Doctors’ Plot .

In 1959, there were 16,341 Jews living in Rostov (2.7% of the population). These numbers fell each decade: in 1970, there were 14,397 (1.8%); in 1979, 12,165 (1.3%); in 1989, 8,272 (0.8%), and in 2002 fewer than 5,000. In the late 1980s, Jewish cultural and religious life began to revive, although it did so against a background of mass emigration that peaked in 1996, when 782 Jews departed. In 1990, the Rostov Association to Aid Jewish Culture (RASEA) was created. In 1991, a secular Sunday school and a religious school, Or Menaḥem, with a kindergarten, were opened; by 1999, it had an enrollment of more than 100 pupils.

In 1993, the community received full ownership of both the former Soldiers’ Synagogue building and the former home of the Shneerson family, where a yeshiva was subsequently opened. In 1997, burials were renewed at the “New” Jewish cemetery (the third in number; it had functioned from 1922 to 1971). The Lubavitch movement established a cultural center. In 1996 the Holocaust Scientific and Educational Center was created. The Joint Distribution Committee , apart from extensive charitable projects, also promoted cultural and educational activities.

Jewish publications have been renewed as well. In 1995–1996, RASEA, supported by the Jewish Agency, issued the Rostovskaia evreiskaia gazeta (five issues), supplemented in 1995 with the information bulletin Rega (three issues). In December 1996 a newspaper, Iakhad (6–7 issues per year), began to appear, and in 1998 the Rostov Jewish Religious Community began publishing the monthly newspaper, Shema‘.

Oleg V. Budnitskii, “The Jews in Rostov-on-Don in 1918–1919,” in Jews and Jewish Topics in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe 19 (1992): 16–29; Evgenii Movshovich, “Evrei Rostova-na-Donu,” Shma-Slushai: Gazeta Rostovskoi religioznoi obschiny 12 (30 September 1999): 1, 4; 13 (30 October 1999): 3; Evgenii Malakhovskii and Evgenii Movshovich, “Iudeiskie molitvennye doma i sinagogi Rostova-na-Donu,” Donskoi vremennik: God 1999-i (1998): 102–104; Evgenii Movshovich, “Evrei na Donu,” Iakhad: Gazeta Evreiskogo agenstva Iuga-Rossii 11 (September 1998): 4; 13 (November 1998): 4; 15 (February 1999): 4; 17 (April 1999): 4; 18 (May 1999): 4; 19 (June 1999): 4; 20 (August 1999): 4; Evgenii Movshovich, “Khasidy na Donu,” Donskoi vremennik: God 2000-i (1999): 122–125.

Benyamin Lukin

Translated from Russian by I. Michael Aronson

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Pennsylvania mail-in ballots with flawed dates on envelopes can be thrown out, court rules

FILE – The Pennsylvania Judicial Center is shown shortly after its completion in Harrisburg, Pa., July 27, 2009. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)

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HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania voters could have their mail-in ballots thrown out if they do not write accurate dates on envelopes they use to return them under a state Supreme Court ruling issued Friday that could impact the presidential race.

The state’s high court ruled on procedural grounds, saying a lower court that found the mandate unenforceable should not have taken up the case because it did not draw in the election boards in all 67 counties. Counties administer the nuts and bolts of elections in Pennsylvania, but the left-leaning groups that filed the case only sued two of them, Philadelphia and Allegheny counties.

Commonwealth Court two weeks ago had halted enforcement of the handwritten dates on exterior envelopes. The Supreme Court’s reversal of that decision raises the prospect that thousands of ballots that arrive in time might get thrown out in a key swing state in what is expected to be a close presidential contest.

Far more Democrats than Republicans vote by mail in the state. In recent elections, older voters have been disproportionately more likely to have had their mail-in ballots invalidated because of exterior envelope date problems.

Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley in a release called it a major victory for election integrity “that will protect commonsense mail ballot safeguards and help voters cast their ballots with confidence.”

Lawyers who helped represent the 10 community organizations that sued said in a statement that the decision left open the possibility of more litigation on the topic.

“Thousands of voters are at risk of having their ballots rejected in November for making a meaningless mistake,” said Mimi McKenzie, legal director of the Public Interest Law Center in Philadelphia. She urged voters to “carefully read and follow the instructions for submitting a mail-in ballot to reduce the number of ballots being rejected for trivial paperwork errors.”

The justices ruled 4-3, with two Democrats joining both Republicans on the Supreme Court to vacate the Commonwealth Court decision .

The dissent by three other Democratic justices said the high court should have taken up the dispute.

“A prompt and definitive ruling on the constitutional question presented in this appeal is of paramount public importance inasmuch as it will affect the counting of ballots in the upcoming general election,” wrote Justice David Wecht . He and the two other dissenters would have ruled on the matter based on written briefs.

The lawsuit, brought in May, argued that the mandate was not enforceable under a state constitutional provision that says all elections are “free and equal.”

Based on recent Pennsylvania elections, more than 10,000 ballots in this year’s general election might be thrown out over bad or missing envelope dates, which could be enough to swing the presidential race. Pennsylvania’s 19 electoral votes make it the largest prize among the seven swing states.

In previous Pennsylvania elections, ballots have been rejected for lacking any date on the envelope or for clearly inaccurate dates, such ones in the future or before mail-in ballots were printed. Although state law requires envelope dates, election officials do not use them to ensure ballots arrive on time. Mail-in ballots are logged in and time-stamped when received, and must arrive at county elections offices before polls close on Election Day.

Pennsylvania voters will also decide this fall whether to replace incumbent U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, a Democrat, with Republican challenger Dave McCormick. Also on the ballot are 228 state legislative contests and elections for state treasurer, auditor general and attorney general.

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Chris Christie: I’ve Debated Trump 6 Times. Here’s What Harris Needs to Do Tonight.

By Chris Christie

A former governor of New Jersey and a candidate for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016 and 2024.

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