It's a nice scene setter opening, and it piques my curiosity on what all those things have in common, which keeps me reading.
Again, there is opinion in this piece (although this seems to be fairly common for big newspaper reporters). "It's not the good book some may remember." Says whom? What's his source for it being different. "It's difficult to capture how many different versions of the Bible are sold each year." Says whom? His research or one of his resources directly? Is this his personal opinion? Could others find this information? "These "gateway Bibles" — those intended for the secular crowd — seem to be the latest frontier in Bible publishing." I don't know that I see the word seem too often in articles. Does that imply it's his opinion but it's okay because he says "seem" or is he unsure because he couldn't get the sources, or did one of his sources actually say this statement?
This is my opinion, but I think Skidmore should have gone to the average person more. I relate more when I hear the opinions of my peers or someone I can identify with. The experts give us a lot of information, but what do the people in Sweden think of their new Bibles? How about someone who has pre-ordered online... why did they? Do they already own a Bible, or are they one of the customers from "that next circle is what we are after"? How do Christians who have traditional Bibles feel about this change? How about the secular world?
Overall, I like the article and found it interesting. There are some great quotes, such as, "'Contrary to popular belief, I think most Bibles are published for people who are already in the club," Gutjahr said. "Publishing for people who are outside the club, I don't know how much luck there has been with that.'" That gives people the idea that not everyone is completely on board with this idea. The numbers and statistics such as the "sales of "Bible Illuminated" in Sweden, where an estimated 60,000 Bibles are sold each year, reached 30,000 in its first year," supplement the piece well.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2008-10-07-gateway-bibles-publisher_N.htm
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
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1 comment:
It's a thin line between editorializing and "objective" reporting. The U.S.A Today, a paper known for its sweeping generalizations and simplifications, usually falls on the wrong side of that line. You rightfully point out the suspicious use of the word "seem." The U.S.A. Today loves to run "trend" stories. Often, it jumps the gun. Instead of saying "gateway bibles" are the wave of the future, why not just report the selling stats? Why not let the reader determine if it's a nationwide trend?
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