This week's assignment... go shopping

OK, don't laugh at this exercise, but if you're a young reporter it really will make your packages better.

Take a pen and paper and go to the mall. Walk around for an hour. Don't buy anything. Instead of looking, I want you to listen.

Write down every piece of nat sound you hear. Cash registers, bad Muzak versions of the Rolling Stones, screaming kids, clanking silverware in the food court. Don't leave until you have a list of 100 different sounds. That may seem like a lot, but you'll be amazed at how quickly you fill the list.

I've done this with a lot of people and it really makes you more aware of natural sound, so that you can keep a sharp ear out for it on your stories. Then make sure you implement it when editing your stories.