Grammar Citations: Kudos or Booboo
Presumptions: Most News Readers and Reporters are responsible for their own work; often, on-camera field reporters ad lib from memory or from sparse notes. Although news copy may be written by junior staff, the News Reader has the ultimate responsibility to correct all errors in copy. We refer to News Readers as News Readers because they do not anchor ships and most of them are not heavy enough to do so. Yes, that is our exercise of poetic license.
KRISTEN PFLUM (A+)
FOX 56, Lexington, News Reader: Kristine Pflum, Congratulations, no errors noticed.
CITATION: KUDOS
Note: Ms. Pflum has an awesome smile and exemplary presentation.
MARVIN BARTLETT (A-)
“… conditions they are deteriorating tonight …” FOX 56, Lexington, News Reader: Marvin Bartlett
CITATION: BOOBOO The pronoun “they” is illegally redundant because it refers to “conditions.”
RULE: Do not follow a noun with a pronoun referring to the noun just named.
NOTE: Mr. Bartlett does not ordinarily make mistakes, has excellent presentation, and is considered generous for his benevolent book, “The Joy Cart.” Thank you.
CHAD HEDRICK (A-)
“Now Berea utilities they have been …” FOX 56, Lexington, Reporter: Chad Hedrick
CITATION: BOOBOO The pronoun “they” is illegally redundant because it refers to “Berea utilities.”
RULE: Do not follow a noun with a pronoun referring to the noun just named.
NOTE: Mr. Hedrick was standing in adverse weather conditions consisting of snow, ice, and below freezing temperatures. You’re almost there! Consider drinking coffee to thaw your brain in such adverse conditions. Notwithstanding, his report tonight was 94% and that’s A- !
LEE K. HOWARD (A+)
56 FOX Sports, News Reader: Lee K. Howard; Congratulations, no errors noticed.
CITATION: KUDOS
Note: Mr. Howard always smiles with an enthusiastic presentation.
WEATHER: Sorry, we deliberately took a break during this portion of your program due to no fault of 56 Fox staff. We don’t want to encourage this type of report. We are unable to critique the presentation; but, the weather conditions REALLY suck; and, we do not want to be prejudiced against your meteorologist due to expected single digit temperatures during the third freezing precipitation event in February 2021. Plus, Editor almost had to get a blow torch to extract his wheel from the ice in the driveway today. We’re just say’n.
56 FOX News overall grade tonight = A
56 Fox News is owned by NexStar Media Group, Inc.
The Journal Kentucky is NOT affiliated with nor associated with the subjects of this review in any way whatsoever. Errors, if any, may be noted by responding with a comment. Our editorial policies attempt to follow The Chicago Manual of Style or the Associated Press Style Book; or, The Elements of Style by Strunk and McGill. We may also consult other style guides, as appropriate.
