Week 1

Word of the Week

This week's word is 'ophiuchus.'  When The Huffington Post published the article Thursday about the 'new' 13th zodiac sign, I'd already known for a couple of years that the zodiac signs shifted.  However, the uproar on Facebook and Twitter was so profound that I had no choice but to read the article, anyway.  The dictionary describes ophiuchus as "the Serpent Bearer, a constellation on the celestial equator between Libra and Aquila."  It comes from the Greek word Ophioukho, according to dictionary.com, and the constellation is said to be "holding a serpent."  I found the word interesting because it is noticeably different and more hard to pronounce than the rest of the zodiac names. 


Catch of the Week

I found an error while reading the February issue of Cosmopolitan.  On page 41, the cover story about Mila Kunis, the writer quoted Kunis saying, "I love flow ers."  Although the error is merely a space, I noticed it immediately.  Because Cosmopolitan is a monthly magazine, I was surprised that the editor could overlook such a mistake in the main feature story.  Sloppiness is not acceptable in our industry, but a minor mistake in a breaking news story is more perhaps more forgiving than a mistake in pretty glossy print.  Every issue should represent a month of hard work and careful consideration.


Headline Challenge

A New York Times headline reads "Fashion Has a Moment at the Golden Globes."  How is that supposed to grab a reader's attention?  Awards shows are practically synonymous with fashion.  Plus, most fashion lovers would agree that attire and labels command much more than a moment on any red carpet.  "Golden Globe Fashionistas Steal the Show," although a little cliche, is more appropriate given the drama of the fashion and the Hollywood lifestyle in general.  This is the first article that appears under the "Fashion" section on nytimes.com.  It needs to be more bold and foreshadow the glamour of the event.


Favorite Passage of the Week

I found this lead in an article titled "Washington's top five most ridiculous reactions to the Arizona Shooting" in The Daily Caller:

"It's a well-worn mantra in politics to never let a crisis go to waste, so it comes as little surprise that public officials and the chattering class are wasting no time in dusting off some of their wilder ideas in the aftermath of the tragic shooting in Tucson, Arizona."

I chose this passage merely because I appreciate the logic.  I hate how our country's politicians and even talk show hosts blow things out of proportion and cause so much hostility.  Although I do believe that the opposing political parties should simmer their heated rivalry and hatred toward each other's beliefs, I don't believe the hostility is what caused the shooting.  Mental illness and the wrongful retrieval of firearms is essentially what caused the tragedy.