9/8/11 - English journalist covers 9/11 response

Both stories are excellent pieces of journalism and use literary elements effectively. The differences between Usborne's initial article and his December 2001 article are that the first was much more emotionally driven and contain more figurative language. It paints a much more vivid picture. The December article is informative with much more detail, but it seems to lack the passion the initial piece contained. This tells me that deadline writing doesn't necessarily have to have all of the details or all of the facts, but it has to get the story out and be interesting enough that people will want to read YOURS instead of someone elses.
Usborne mentions his reaction to want to get as close to the scene as possible as a professional hazard. The fact that he understood when to stay away and when to question people, speaks to his morals as a journalist. Regardless, as a REAL reporter, even in times of disaster, Usborne continued to want to get facts so he could produce the best story possible. It is almost a double edge sword, he either can be too sensitive and not get the story or be too cold or unfeeling, and disrespect people who've experienced real tragedy. The lesson that can be learned from Usborne is that a good reporter must be ready for anything, even the worst, and prepared to get the information out to the people.