THIS AMERICAN LIFE/Radio, An Illustrated Guide

  I felt that this reading can be very informative and useful not just to people taking this class, but to anyone who is interested in radio. The comic goes into the process of storytelling through radio in a very detailed and casual way. I think that is probably one of the best parts of it. You don't read it like a text book or an excerpt from  a boring over-priced course packet from Jenn's Copy and Binding.  It's in the form of a comic book, which can be a little disorienting, but it is read as if in conversation with Ira Glass. I feel that the informal approach to this reading works well because the reader does not feel forced or pressured into understanding it. The reader is simply able to understand it because it reads in simple logical words. The illustrations help as well. The information provided is also very good information. Illustrated Ira Glass describes the fundamentals of conducting a good interview and how to work with your interviewee. The part about how one should work with their interviewee, I felt was very important and useful. It even goes on to describe how to attempt to get your interviewee to open up. I really liked how the comic not only addresses the interview process but goes on to highlight the technical equipment used in the field and how to set it up, as well as the editing process.  The thought of all this information squeezed into just a few pages sounds intimidating. But the comic is able to put it into words and examples that are easily digestible. I thought the part that described how to get into public radio was also very helpful. Ira Glass even describes his own experience trying to get into radio. I found this part to be one of the most helpful because many people often wonder where and how to start, and the comic addresses these questions. The reading as a whole has probably been the insightful I've read all semester. It puts things into words that the reader gets. From start to  end, everything mentioned is worth noting.