“Snow Fall” is a powerful and emotional article that reports a story through words, images, maps, and videos. The article is split into six different parts, but the first two paragraphs set the mood and emotion of the article. John Branch’s writing is incredible. Branch is extremely detailed and sets the mood of the actual events in his writing. This article shows the many ways multimedia journalism can impact and benefit reporting.

            The article presented all types of different media to expand and detail the story. This media was found through the whole article, and made it a much better read. I cannot imagine reading this off from paper, with no images, no videos, or maps. As a reader, I truly enjoyed the side images of the 16 skiers with a small caption introducing them. I think it gave the reader a chance to connect with the individuals who were involved. The footage from the actual event also allows the readers to feel as if they know the skiers. It never felt too overwhelming to have words and slideshows/videos/maps because it was all balanced out. The use of multimedia helped empower the trauma the skiers experienced that one morning. The diagrams and maps of the paths the skiers took, and the mountain itself, allowed the reader to be involved. I personally think that was a great add on.

            This type of journalism can be used in a lot of different scenarios. Although, I think it is safe to say that National Geographic would benefit mostly. “Snow Fall” used multimedia journalism to fulfill the story of an avalanche, and I could see the same format being used on a story about the ocean, the desert, or space.  It would also be easy to incorporate images, maps, and videos on a story about climate change. Overall, “Snow Fall” is an article that portrays that multimedia is effective.