Workshops
Todd Starnes
"EXTREME JOURNALISM MAKEOVER"
Is there really more than an interview than the who-what-where-when-why and how? You bet! FOX News Radio’s Todd Starnes gives you some pointers on making interviews zing! He will also give you some tried-and-true methods to making yourself a stronger reporter -- from finding news nuggets to twittering.
"Breaking into the business and succeeding once you're there"
Tightened budgets and the internet has forced a dramatic shift in journalism. Ironically, it's our generation who is best suited for this shift, as we have grown up with many of the technologies media companies seek to exploit. But before we change the game, we first must be allowed into it. This workshop will focus on that all-important first journalism job -- both landing it, and how to take advantage of each opportunity presented therein.
"Thinking Inside the Box: Using Images Thoughtfully and Effectively"
When is it better to use an illustration vs. a photo? What kind of illustration? What kind of photo? Are cutouts always better -- or worse? Print may be in decline and electronic forms on the rise, but using images to help tell a story continues to be a big part of both. To sharpen our understanding and judgment, we’ll learn to weigh what’s gained and lost in a picture’s CONTENT (e.g. iconographic information, connotations), TONE (e.g. sincere/ironic, attitude) and VISUAL FORM (e.g. composition, color) to help us decide the best way to use an image.
Joni Hannigan
"Writing dynamic news & feature for the web & print"
We all know that dotting our i's and crossing our t's -- and even writing in strict AP style -- is not what lands our stories in big letters on the front page of our newspapers or drives people to post them on Facebook or google them. Sometimes our stories are well-read in spite of our lackluster attempts, just because of the subject matter. That shouldn’t be enough. We should want brilliance! We should want readers drawn to our stories from beginning to end. This workshop explores how to organize and write stories gained from unexpected (and traditional) sources using a combination of alternative (and usual) means. We'll talk about how to converge those sources at multiple levels and make them work for both the web and print. This workshop also includes a basic review of simple writing devices and storytelling techniques journalists might be too hesitant or lazy to employ. (This workshop is also useful for yearbook journalists.)
Reggie Ecarma
"Opinion Writing Against the Powers that Be"
This topic discusses how to submit opinion pieces that impact the local, state and national debate. Publishing columns that question powerful officials is an American right and should be exercised regularly to bring to bear the
Manny Garcia
"Surviving the modern newsroom"
Your competition is reporting that the mayor has been shot, so why don't you have that up on the web yet? Today's interns or new hires face intense pressure. You have to write quickly, accurately, and take photos, shoot a video, and upload it -- before breakfast. And before your shift is over, you'll have to rewrite that story for the newspaper, moving it forward with analysis, context and making it compelling. No is not an option. We'll teach you how to think critically, make command decisions, and get it right. Bring your laptops.
Kelli Cottrell and
“Survivor:
Freelance writing is an avenue to earn extra income, work on your own schedule, and travel, but in today's economic climate, freelancing is tougher than ever. Learn how to freelance for websites, magazines, newspapers, books, and public relation firms both secular and Christian. Learn how to pitch story ideas to editors, where to find story ideas not covered by the local papers, and how to get your work published without being employed. Interact with other freelancers about how they are surviving the budget crunch.
Karen Willoughby
“Jots & Tittles”
This is a quick course in the surprisingly few things you need to watch for in copy editing. If you master these 12 things, your copy could be 75 percent cleaner than it was before you sat in on Jots & Tittles.
“Your future as a journalist”
Step one: Declare a major. Step two: Secure two internships. Step three: Acquire diploma. You know all this. But then what? Let's talk about the career path of a journalist, and the options before you. We'll look at strategy, money and satisfaction.
Terry Mattingly
"UP AGAINST THE WALL"
Journalism students on Christian college campuses face special challenges when covering events and trends that matter to their readers. However, they do not face the same challenges because every campus is different. The key is understanding the conditions at your school and learning how to relate to your own administration. How do you do that? That's what this workshop is all about.
“What’s Blogging All About?”
Should your campus newspaper have a weblog? More than one? To answer that kind of question, you need to know what blogging is and where this trend came from. But one thing is certain: There is no way to look at contemporary journalism in the mainstream without taking blogging -- and other forms of interactive media very seriously.
Michael Chute
"Dead-Tree Journalism" Designs are Cool
Video on blogs may be the latest fad, but oftentimes a few columns of well-placed ink, gripping headline and compelling photo pack more news wallop that the latest eye-popping multimedia presentation -- and, laptop batteries die, hot spots are scarce, bandwidth is slow, and those multimedia packages take hours to produce in a "speed- and deadline-driven" industry. Besides, thousands of newsrooms still need help producing printed media; here's a look at how to design tomorrow's front page well!
Michael Ray Smith
"Going digital without going broke"
This session will provide an introduction to going digital. It will highlight some inexpensive ideas on using existing technology to enhance your print newspaper or yearbook. This workshop will discuss ways to go from print to digital platforms. Ideas on software and easy-to-use approaches will help editors jumpstart their periodical and look bigger and better than ever.