Spring 2007 Workshop

Madison Commons Community Journalism Workshop:

Spring 2007

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Week One: The Basics of News Writing & Introduction to Profile Stories

• 2/28: South Side, Bridge LakePoint Waunona Neighborhood Center

Part One

• Introductions

• What is news?

• The role of the journalism, and the process of journalism

• Fact-based storytelling

• Separating fact from opinion

Part Two

• Mechanics of reporting and writing a spot news story

• 5Ws and one H

• Elements of a profile story

• Sample Story A

• Sample Story B

• Interviewing

• Overview of madisoncommons.org

Week Two (Online): Profile Story Workshop

At http://madisoncommons.org/workshops [1]

Toolkit

• Beginning Reporting [2]

• Basic News Reporting [2]

• Writing Good Leads

• What's the difference between a reporter, editor, and columnist?

Week Three: Group Profile Edit/Intro Issue Story form

• 3/14 North Side, Packers Community Learning Center

Part One

• Small group peer review of profile story drafts

• First copy deadline

Part Two

• Citizen Journalism?

• Introduction to "issue" stories

• Elements of the issue story form

• Sample Story C

• Sample Story D

Week Four (Online): Issue Story Workshop

Toolkit

• Tip sheets

• Sample stories

Week Five: Group Issue Story Edit/Intro Blogs

• 3/28: South Side, Bridge LakePoint Waunona Neighorhood Center Center

Part One

• Small group peer review of issue story drafts

• Second copy deadline

Part Two

• The Community News Environment

• Introduction to blogs

• Elements of blogs

• Sample blogs

No session on 4/4: Work on blog entries during the break

• Tip sheets

Week Six: Blogs Workshop

• 11/30 North Side, Packers Community Learning Center

• Group, peer and individual feedback and coaching on stories

• Third copy deadline

• Workshop evaluation and survey