Great Writing Chicago Style

[Roy Hobbs]

Spit out fire department jargon, much?

The WGN-TV lead reporter on today's Amtrak/freight crash talked about "extricating" the engineers and passengers "de-boarding" the crash site.

Come on.

[s'news]

They really don't write that well in Chicago television.

[wx or not]

I'm confused. I thought this thread was about writing deep-dish style.

[Spike]

I'm confused. I thought this thread was about writing deep-dish style.

Only if someone gets in deep dish over something he wrote.

[Chicago Dog]

The WGN-TV lead reporter on today's Amtrak/freight crash talked about "extricating" the engineers and passengers "de-boarding" the crash site.

There was a hilarious tease for the late show that night, calling the passengers "scores of walking wounded."

However, in his defense, the engineers did have to be extricated. They were trapped, and that's just the word for it.

But that other crap is just over-the-top nonsense.

[s'news]

There are many plain-talking words and phrases that would work better than "extricated."

[Another side]

with either "extricating" or "de-boarding." It's not like most viewers don't know what the words mean.

[Sir Dropham Pants]

Why couldn't the engineers be "rescued?"

[Chicago Dog]

There are many plain-talking words and phrases that would work better than "extricated."

... none of which were included in your response. Interesting!

Ah well.

[s'news]

Sorry, Dog, if I sounded snippy with my previous post.

We've had "rescued" offered up. I'll toss in "removed," "pulled out" and "pried out."

Yes, AS, folks do know what "extricated" means. I just prefer writing the way people talk, with words they use.

[Chicago Dog]

Sorry, Dog, if I sounded snippy with my previous post.

It's cool.

We've had "rescued" offered up. I'll toss in "removed," "pulled out" and "pried out."

I agree, that's the way people talk. However, none of those phrases accurately described what happened. Reporters were "removed" from the scene while authorities were getting things under control. Some folks were "pulled out" because they were simply unable to leave on their own power. If the engineers were pinned under some twisted metal, they might've been "pried out."

Unfortunately, we don't know if the engineers were actually pinned or simply unable to open a jammed door.

I think this is one of those examples in which the "jargon" simply fits better than most anything else. It accurately describes what firefighters do at a wreck like this with a very general term.

[s'news]

How about "got 'em outta there?"

[trunky]

how bout "emergency crews got 'er done..."

[Spike]

How about extracted? Means almost the same thing as extricated and is a little more common, without sounding as informal as yanked out.

[that's life]

When was the last time you "extricated" anyone? What the hell does that even mean to a viewer? De-boarding might be OK but that's not to say the reporter couldn't use another term that's more conversational. I guess they don't teach these things in school anymore?

[The Fedora]

You'd really use extricated and de-boarded in a conversation with your grandma or mom? This is TV, we write conversationally. If you want formal writing go work for a paper.

[that's life]

You'd really use extricated and de-boarded in a conversation with your grandma or mom? This is TV, we write conversationally. If you want formal writing go work for a paper.

Couldn't have said it better myself!

[Spike]

You'd really use extricated and de-boarded in a conversation with your grandma or mom? This is TV, we write conversationally. If you want formal writing go work for a paper.

Who said they would use those terms in normal conversation?

But come to think of it, there's something wrong with that argument. Television news is not normal conversation. I couldn't really picture going into a colleague's office and having him greet me with, "Thank you for joining us Spike, I'm Bill Rogers, Suzie has the day off. Our top task today: Project deadlines are almost here. Will your department be ready? Jason Ross joins us now with more. Jason?"

Or later, I go to lunch. On my way out the door, I see Bill, who says, "Coming up after the break, we'll gather in the conference room for an important meeting. Then, I'll spend most of the afternoon surfing the web. Aaaand Mike will have our sales forecast. That's all coming up, so stay with us."

Would someone come through the office a little later yelling about sports a little too enthusiastically? Would Bill tell me a joke as I'm walking out the door at the end of the day as a kicker? Would I be expected to engage in meaningless cross talk at various points in the day, occasionally looking off to my left to include some non-existent person in the conversation?

Teevee news is one of the most unnatural examples of the English language there is. You think viewers would really be bothered by the word extricate?

[kybubba]

Cut budgets, cut staff jobs with bennies and plug the holes with 20-something per diems at 150 per day and that's what you get. Congratulations Market 3..you've managed to ruin yourself.

[Clubbeat]

Sorry, Dog, if I sounded snippy with my previous post.

We've had "rescued" offered up. I'll toss in "removed," "pulled out" and "pried out."

Yes, AS, folks do know what "extricated" means. I just prefer writing the way people talk, with words they use.

Agreed. While a lot of people would know and understand the word 'extricate' many would probably not use the word in a normal conversation.

[cinehead]

http://allstarz.hollywood.com/%7Eseanconnery/untouchables07.jpg


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