Self-study and classroom lessons based on newspaper feature stories

This column is for self-study or classroom use and gives guided help with reading the wide variety of writing styles and topics that appear as feature articles in the Bangkok Post. The lessons include background information, skill-building practice and vocabulary explanations.

April 6, 2004

Up close and personal

INTRODUCTION

By nature, we are all fascinated by other people. That’s why feature journalists love to write about individuals who lead interesting lives or have done something extraordinary. Profiles, as they are sometimes called, are often the most popular articles with readers of newspapers and magazines, too.

This week, learning post spoke to Usnisa Sukhsvasti who writes for the Outlook section of Bangkok Post. She recently wrote a profile of fashion magazine editor Chulita Areepipatkul and tells us how she paints a personal portrait armed only with a journalist’s most powerful tool – words.

Before an interview, Usnisa reads as much as she can about her subject (the person the article is about), so that she knows what questions to ask and what aspects of their character would be most interesting to explore.

“I also like to interview my subject in their own personal space such as their home or office,” explains Usnisa, “because everything around them says something about their personality.”

References to personal belongings dotted around a living room or office create a much more rounded (realistic and in-depth) picture of a person in our imaginations. It is also interesting to observe a person’s mannerisms (body language) and they are referred to in the article as well.

This particular interview took two hours to complete and Usnisa found it satisfying because Chulita was very chatty and open about her life.

Usnisa likes to begin writing her article whilst the interview is fresh in her mind. “I think about what should go in the introduction on the way home and try to use something that’s made the most impact on me,” she says. In her article on the fiery magazine editor, Usnisa was keen to use the idea of the book The Devil Wears Prada because she could see a lot of similarities between the main character and Chulita.

There is, however, usually more than one side to a person and Usnisa was keen to make her profile balanced by looking at her subject from different angles. In the article, we see a softer, more human side to Chulita than those who know her would expect.

Of course, it is what a subject says about themselves which is most revealing, though Usnisa prefers only to quote directly if her subject tells the story particularly well. “Using speech adds colour to the story,” says Usnisa, “but I only use information which develops her character on the page. I don’t just transcribe from the tape.”
A closer look

Read the extracts from Usnisa’s profile called “Quintessentially Chulita”. What information are we given about her personality? What impression (opinion) do you get of Chulita and why? How many sides to her character are mentioned? What are the most interesting aspects about this woman?

We have only included part of the article for reasons of space. It will be better if you can find the whole article in the Bangkok Post (March 29, 2004) or log on to www.bangkokpost.com and search in the archive section.

If you have time, maybe you could write a similar profile of a friend or relative. Think about how you would mix speech with description to produce a lively and appealing article. Remember, you don’t have to be famous to be interesting!

OUR STORY FROM THE BANGKOK POST

Quintessentially Chulita

There's more to feared fashion mag editor Chulita Areepipatkul than a fierce temper

USNISA SUKHSVASTI

a) Introduction

It would be so easy to make the obvious comparison of Chulita Areepipatkul, editor of women's magazine Ploy Kaem Petch, to the lead character in the best-seller The Devil Wears Prada - a nightmare editor of a fashion magazine. After all, Chulita's reputation precedes her.

Better known as Chalee (a shortened version of her name, “Chaleetu”) she is notorious for being someone you'd not want to cross swords with. A recent aspiring society belle who had the misfortune of shooting off in public with less than complimentary remarks about Chalee found her picture in the next issue of the magazine with more than disparaging commentary about the faux pas, making waves as the scandal of the month.
b) Painting an image

Today she is looking severely chic in a Yohji Yamamoto outfit, but she is just as likely to be seen in designs by Nagara or Issey Miyake.

But up close and personal, there's another side to this formidable editor.

She is loyal to a style that she has indulged in for as long as anyone can remember - ethnic look, long hair, red lipstick, flip flops, and chunky necklaces.

Her office, in the inner sanctum of the magazine's cosy premises, says much about her character. There's an air of orderly clutter to her unpretentious workroom, filled with knick-knacks collected from all corners of the globe.
c) Another side

She makes an attempt at analysing her reputation for being the most dreaded editor in town. “Sometimes I lose my temper, but my staff understand me, I hope. When I do, things start flying across the room. I have a hot temper, but I get over it quickly. I want answers. I've got a loud voice. I don't mince words, and I'm also not sweet-talking,” she said.

“My face is severe - people are scared of me - but I think I've got a soft heart. In the last few years, I've calmed down a lot.”

Her life and her work are closely intertwined, and it's hard to separate the two. Eating out with friends is her one main source of pleasure, yet even it forms part of her regular “Yai Ma” restaurant review column. Having a pedicure is the height of personal indulgence, showing off her toenails, one big toe painted red, the other orange.

SOME VOCABULARY HELP

precedes
to come before

notorious
known for being bad

cross swords
to fight or argue

society belle
a beautiful woman from high society

shooting off
ranting

disparaging
critical

faux pas
blunder

chic
very fashionable and elegant

formidable
to feel fear or respect for a powerful person

indulge
to allow yourself to have or do something that you like, especially something that is considered bad for you

flip flops
slippers

chunky
thick and heavy

inner sanctum
a private room where somebody cannot be disturbed

unpretentious
not trying to appear more special, intelligent, important, than you really are

knick-knacks
playthings

mince words
hold back from being honest

intertwined
become closely connected

pedicure
care and treatment of the feet

• This lesson was prepared by Maureen Paetkau, a professional teacher of English as a second and foreign language and Assistant Manager and Webmaster for Learning Post at the Bangkok Post.

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