Blog 2 ...

Backpack journalists are freelance writers who work by themselves and do whatever it takes to get the whole story. In order to do this, they need to carry every item that is essential to creating the best story they can at all times. These items may include a notebook, tape recorder, camera, video recorder, laptop, and other technological devices. Jared Silfies blog shows and explains everything he carries with him in order to report a story. I think it tells a lot about Silfies as a journalist that he carries around the book The Elements of Style, and therefore is familiar with it and uses it frequently as a point of reference. It shows that he is serious about coming up with the best story he can and doesn't want to make any mistakes. Although I have never read The Elements of Style I definitely will because I think it would help me to become a better journalist.

I enjoyed looking and reading through most of the portfolios, but one in particular intrigued me more than the others. Rachel Youens is a multimedia journalist who lives in Austin, Texas. The first thing I noticed on her website was the artwork and the layout. I like how it is set up in a fun but not distracting way. Her video on the style and trends in Austin was put together in an interesting way and flowed really well. If I decide to keep pursuing journalism I would definitely want to create something in a similar way that Youens has done with her website. She must have to carry around a lot of equipment in order to make the videos she does and report in her style. Such items probably include a laptop, USB cord, digital camera/video camera, and the standard notebook. I was interested in reading her resume and also impressed while a little jealous of all of the experience she has. Her website definitely gives bosses and jobs a memorable impression of her, and aspiring journalists could learn from her.