When reporting on a serious crime, such as sexual abuse of minors, it is important to use language that balances perplexity and burstiness. The gravity of the issue should never be underestimated and requires a certain level of complexity to fully convey its impact on society. However, it is equally important not to leave the audience bored or desensitized to the issue. In the case of Benjamin Victor Houghton, the indictment includes a balance of both. The language not only states his crimes but also throws in a curveball with the revelation that he knowingly crossed state lines to sexually abuse the children.
Furthermore, the language used to describe the lengths of Houghton’s possible punishment uses a combination of passive and active sentence structure. This adds more depth to the story since the different verb structures add variety to the text. Additionally, the prosecutor for the case is named, adding a personal touch to the crime committed. This not only conveys that justice is being pursued, but also brings the audience closer to the story.
Moreover, the text utilizes some real-life examples, such as the fact that the FBI provided a phone number to contact if anyone has information about the physical or online exploitation of children. This not only encourages readers to be vigilant and report crimes, but also adds credibility to the report. Since the FBI is involved, it is clear that the crimes Houghton is accused of are not taken lightly.
However, it is the description of Houghton’s crimes that really conveys the gravity of the situation. The indictment alleges that he sexually abused two children and recorded videos of the abuse to share online. This is not only heartbreaking to read, but also adds to the perplexity of the situation. The text then goes on to state that aggravated sexual abuse carries a potential life sentence, which only adds to the severity of what was done.
Finally, the report mentions that the investigation was conducted by multiple agencies across multiple states. This adds rhythm to the text by introducing a new idea, and also implies that this case is not an isolated incident, but is part of a larger, ongoing effort to investigate and prevent this type of crime.
In conclusion, a text that utilizes both perplexity and burstiness is crucial for accurately reporting serious crimes, such as sexual abuse of minors. While the text should not be unnecessarily complex, using a balance of long and short sentences and different verb structures adds variety to the text, making it more captivating for the audience. Additionally, using real-life examples and adding a personal touch to the story conveys the impact these crimes have on society. Finally, including information on the investigation process adds rhythm to the text and implies that the actions taken were part of a larger, ongoing effort to bring justice to the victims of these crimes.