Two news and analysis products I consume daily are “The Daily,” a brief podcast by The New York Times in which reporters talk about the stories they’re reporting and Vox’s YouTube channel. Both of them make prominent use of the phrase, “What you need to know.”
As in Michael Barbaro’s sign off, “Here’s what else you need to know today.”
As in Vox’s “What You Need To Know About The House Vote To Repeal Obamacare.”
It is the calling card of an explanatory mode of reporting and analysis, and I love it. It is brief, limited to verifiable facts. It is not commentary.
I’m tired of commentary.
I’m going to start using this phrase in my teaching and preaching.
As in, “Here’s what you need to know about the household code we find in I Peter chapter 2.”
As in, “Here’s what you need to know about the Trinity.”
But not just teaching and preaching.
“Here’s what you need to know about the summer mission trip.
“Here’s what you need to know about youth group this week.
“Here’s what you need to know about being a youth ministry volunteer.”
We can all explain better.
YoRocko! 