Reading and Writing in a Digital Age

Why did no one find Sarah’s story funny?! I thought it was hilarious. The little girl singing was priceless. It was the first story that I was actually fully conscious for next to Lisa’s. Sarah used real evidence explaining why her daughter couldn’t understand her grandmother’s celebration of Christmas and then she added a twist of humor to it. I can see how humor is a dangerous route to take in radio and writing in general because what might be funny to one person might not be funny to another. Her segment worked for me, it was cute a hilarious and I would listen to it again.

Lisa’s story on the other hand worked because it was just so left field. From the onset I was worried for her. Death is never something I personally consider funny and I think most people can agree with me on that. What I liked most about her segment was that it built up to the one really funny story she told in the end. At first we get technical stuff, borderline boring conversations but it starts picking up when she tells us about the priest in the closet and finally with the Ukrainian funeral. She surprised me by shedding light on the possibility of humor in death. It looks awkward and almost taboo to say something like this but it is what Lisa accomplished and she deserves kudos for that.

I really liked Robyn’s story about her dad’s car invention. I’m not surprised that she won the contest, with 27.2% of the vote! I found the story particularly interesting because it was relatable and authentic. A believable story that makes me think I know that feeling is a story I like to hear.Robyn discusses themes that I, as a daughter, can relate to. She explains how she and her siblings have heard their father tell his story countless times, despite the fact that their dad “really thinks they don’t know the story.” The experience of hearing a proud father tell a story over and over again is one I think many people can relate to. I like how she lets her dad narrate the majority of the story; it makes the story more authentic and real. I also like that her story had a practical lesson at the end: if you put your mind to something, you will succeed. Most importantly, her story was clear and easy to follow. If you try telling a story in a choppy, unclear manner that is hard to follow, you will lose your audience almost immediately.