As a Web Editor-of-Chief at The Communicator, I worked to ensure all of our reporters felt comfortable pushing their own boundaries and writing what made them excited by making the writing process as streamlined and encouraging as possible.
I connected with writers on every step of the process. First, I helped them to shape their pitch and create a unique take on a story. Then, I worked with journalists on copy and content editing, designing out the story on Wordpress, taking good images and properly quoting every source.
When journalists approached me in search of article ideas, I helped them find what they are interested in learning more about instead of forcing strict content guidelines. I believe that good writing cannot exist without genuine passion and curiosity and I make sure every story published answers a question the journalist had or heard.
I connected with writers on every step of the process. First, I helped them to shape their pitch and create a unique take on a story. Then, I worked with journalists on copy and content editing, designing out the story on Wordpress, taking good images and properly quoting every source.
When journalists approached me in search of article ideas, I helped them find what they are interested in learning more about instead of forcing strict content guidelines. I believe that good writing cannot exist without genuine passion and curiosity and I make sure every story published answers a question the journalist had or heard.
My favorite moments in class were during group-brainstorming sessions where we talked about the things going on in our own lives in order to find sparks to write articles. Journalists shared their glum and weekend moments of joy openly and those discussions created a culture of vulnerability in our newsroom that translates to articles and could be seen through opinions and personal narratives.
Once students had their spark and were ready to write, I helped them first research and have a concise idea of the story before heading into an interview. Our goal at The Communicator for the 2021-22 school year was to interview every single person in the building. This goal reflected our shared belief that every Community voice is important and every student deserves to be talked to.
My personal process for interviewing, and the process I have taught journalists, is to come prepared but open. Plan only a few questions and have the bulk of the interview be more of a conversation filled with follow-ups. When students are looking down at their notepad or struggling to make every question well-worded and smart, the beauty of the conversation and the vulnerability of the subject is lost.
After interviews, I help students start writing by transcribing and then highlighting indirect and direct quotes to use.
Then, it's time to write. Beautiful journalistic writing can only be well-learned through experience and trial and error. I try to make the process as smooth as possible though by giving Communicator writers a toolbox of AP style and grammar, strong examples and analysis of writing, and special Communicator projects to start with that are easier and less intimidating to tackle but teach critical skills in which quotes are impactful and how a journalist can get an interviewee to open up.
Some examples of these are our Humans of Community stories which feature an image and a single quote, and interviews with farmers' market vendors which force students to exit the safe walls of our school and interview strangers.
Once students had their spark and were ready to write, I helped them first research and have a concise idea of the story before heading into an interview. Our goal at The Communicator for the 2021-22 school year was to interview every single person in the building. This goal reflected our shared belief that every Community voice is important and every student deserves to be talked to.
My personal process for interviewing, and the process I have taught journalists, is to come prepared but open. Plan only a few questions and have the bulk of the interview be more of a conversation filled with follow-ups. When students are looking down at their notepad or struggling to make every question well-worded and smart, the beauty of the conversation and the vulnerability of the subject is lost.
After interviews, I help students start writing by transcribing and then highlighting indirect and direct quotes to use.
Then, it's time to write. Beautiful journalistic writing can only be well-learned through experience and trial and error. I try to make the process as smooth as possible though by giving Communicator writers a toolbox of AP style and grammar, strong examples and analysis of writing, and special Communicator projects to start with that are easier and less intimidating to tackle but teach critical skills in which quotes are impactful and how a journalist can get an interviewee to open up.
Some examples of these are our Humans of Community stories which feature an image and a single quote, and interviews with farmers' market vendors which force students to exit the safe walls of our school and interview strangers.
Editorial Calendar and Publishing
During the 2021-22 academic year, I introduced a new publishing system to The Communicator. Students report, write, and edit throughout the week, and then submit a finished story and photo on Friday evening. Over the weekend, my fellow editors and I schedule out the stories for the week. This not only helps the editors by reducing the need for constant scheduling and management of content, but it allows journalists to take a weekend break and create a healthier work-life balance.