Editorial Inspirations

Once, when I was young, my family visited my mom’s cousin, who lived in a small, quaint town. She and her family were very religious and one of the first things her children asked me was if I had received Jesus into my heart.

I believed in Jesus, but I didn’t really understand what they meant so I said no. Instantly, the older boy stole me away. He was going to explain what they had meant, but before he could, his younger sister took me to her room and locked the door. The older brother pounded on the door, saying that it was not fair, that he wanted to be the one to bring me to Jesus. Finally, he gave up, or at least quieted down.

The sister explained that I had to believe everything in the Bible, accept Jesus as my Savior, and let him into my heart. I was a little scared because I didn’t really understand what was happening. If I was supposed to do this, why had no one explained this to me before?

She read some passages from the Bible and said, “Do you accept Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord, and allow him into your heart and guide you in each step of every day?”

Yes,” I replied.

She smiled and gave me a hug. Then, we both went downstairs into the kitchen, and she made us some coffee “the way mom makes it.”

It was my first sip of coffee, and my last, but I knew that even though this horrible tasting liquid would never cross my lips again, the word that had crossed my lips would have a lasting effect on my life.

As many people cease reading the newspaper and access their news information on the Internet, what will happen to newspapers?

Newspapers are already seeing the decline in their readership and are laying off reporters, copyeditors, and others. What will happen as the readership continues to go more toward the Internet for its information?

With improved search capabilities, readers are able to become more informed with less bias on a variety of issues, much of which come from blogs and are, therefore, free. However, when looking for well-researched information, the reputable and well-known publishers still have a majority of the blogs beat, but how can the publishers of newspapers continue to survive in a world where newspapers are going extinct?

The Washington Post has created a new business model where the day’s news is free and archives must be paid for. In addition, it offers podcasts and interviews with reporters about hot issues. This creates a closer relationship with the readers and the reporters, but is still not bringing in any additional income to supplement the loss of newspaper sales. To further the interactivity of readers, The Washington Post has created MyPost.com, a webpage dedicated to each reader so that readers can find out what other readers are interested in and are responding to.

Though The Washington Post has increased its advertising on its website, this by no means equals the amount of money it has lost in advertising and sales of its newspaper.

The agile publishing philosophy of experimenting to find out what works is beneficial, but no one has discovered the answer yet.

A verb functions as the predicate of a sentence or as an essential part of the predicate.

Martin swims.

Subject – Martin

Predicate – swims

Martin swims almost every day of the week.

Subject – Martin

Predicate – swims almost every day of the week

A simple predicate is also known as a verb. A verb is used to make a statement, ask a question, or give a command or direction.

Example

1. They moved to Atlanta.
2. The rain stopped.
3. Is this true?
4. Consider the options.

Most verbs change form depending on the subject to that they agree in number.

Example

1. I run.
2. Wayne runs
3. She runs.
4. You run.
5. We run.
6. They run.

Verbs may be composed of more than one words. The additional word before the verb is an auxiliary.

Example
1. I am moving.
2. Tom has moved.
3. He is moving.
4. You are moving.
5. We had been moving.
6. They were moving.

Sometimes a verb combines with a participle to create a different meaning from that of the verb when alone. This is called a phrasal verb. The meaning of a phrasal verb is even different from a verb with an adverb.

Example
1. Sylvia blew up the balloon. (verb and adverb)
2. The rocket blew up. (phrasal verb)
3. She put the picture of the mountain up with a tack. (verb and adverb)
4. Bill put up with the noise of the barking dogs. (phrasal verb)

Auxiliary – a helping verb that indicates tense, but may also indicate voice, mood, person, or number; it is a form of the infinitive to be, to have, or to do.

Phrasal Verb – a unit consisting of a verb and a participle, such as across, after, away, down, for, in, off, out, up, or with, and having the force of a single-word verb.

Verb – a part of speech denoting action, occurrence, or existence; there are two types of verbs: transitive and intransitive.

Try It!

What are the verbs, including the auxiliaries and phrasal verbs, in these sentences?

1. Developing countries are facing many difficulties.
2. The flock of wheeling birds descended to the tree branch.
3. The fire gobbled up some of the most expensive and valuable real estate on Main Street.
4. Parts of the wreckage may never be found since the car went over the bridge into the ocean.
5. Smith’s manner has given her statements the force of commands.