Image taken from: http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2008/07/06/venuswilliams_wideweb__470x313,0.jpg
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| Sisters: Venus and Serena Williams |
A new study has found that having an older or younger sister can make you happier and healthier because they can act as a buffer against developing negative emotions such as loneliness or depression.
One of the strengths of this article is the headline (“Having a sister makes you happier- study”). It’s simple, effective and encapsulates the content and angle of the story. As someone with an older sister, the headline piqued my interest and grabbed my attention instantly, and I’m sure the headline alone would have attracted many others to click and read the article too.
The article is a hard news piece reporting on the facts and findings derived from this new study. One of the key news values of the story is timeliness- it is new and current.
The language is simple and not heavily littered with scientific jargon, which makes it easy for the average reader to understand. It is a story that will appeal to everyone (for those with and without a female sibling) so by keeping the language simple, the story is accessible to a wider audience.
Quotes from head researcher Dr Laura Padilla-Walker, gives the piece credibility and verisimilitude. However, in comparison to CBS News, the latter uses better quotes and reporting, goes more in depth into the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of the study and has prominence - touching on celebrity sister’s Venus and Serena Williams in its article as well as providing an accompanying video clip to further engage its readers.
Another criticism of the story is that it fails to provide quotes from other potential sources who could have been tied in with the story, and perhaps given the piece a better news angle. Quotes from parents, siblings and people with and without a sister could have been used to see what their views are – do they agree or disagree with this study?
This would have personalised or humanised the story and thus made it a more interesting read for the audience.
There are bound to be people who have cynical views towards this new study, and it would have been interesting to intertwine their views into the story, such as that of UK columnist Briony Gordon who refutes the notion that a sibling can serve as a protective factor against the rise of negative emotions (see link below).
Quotes from psychologists or researchers with opposing views could have also been used to generate conflict in the story, which would have hit one of the key news values. It would have provided the reader with a balanced rather than a one-sided view of the subject.
Overall, this is a well-written piece. However, if various perspectives/opposing views were integrated into the story - whether it be a researcher in the field or someone with or without a sister, this could have engendered conflict and thus made it a more successful news story.
Yup, I agree with the study's findings. Having a sister definitely makes for a more happier life. They share the same upbringing and parents as one another, so there's a very strong attachment between sisters. I think bonding with brothers isn't quite the same though...
ReplyDeleteYes I agree. The relationship I have with my brother is definitely different to the bond I share with my sister.
ReplyDeleteIt would be interesting to see if a study between brothers would produce the same or a similar result to this study.
Cheers.