Analysis: Obituaries

For this blog post, I am analyzing this obituary from the Star Tribune's website: http://www.startribune.com/local/143424596.html

This obituary focuses on the life of Wayne Raske, an accomplished musician who was a native of Minnesota. The sources the Star Tribune used were primarily family members, including his sister, daughter, and son-in-law, who provided details on some of his accomplishments and reflected on lighthearted anecdotes.

The lead was not a standard obituary lead. The obituary starts with: "Name nearly any instrument and Wayne Raske surely played it. Fiddle, banjo, dulcimer, accordion, piano, bass, flute." This lead works because it highlights a unique aspect about Wayne that will surely catch the attention of readers who are interested in music. It also works because it serves as an introduction for the main content (Wayne's musical prowess) of the obituary.

The obituary differs from a resume because instead of highlighting only Wayne's abilities and experiences, it also includes some fond memories and stories that Wayne's family members will remember him by. It is written in a way designed to engage the reader with his unique life story, and it is not simply a summary of accomplishments like a resume.