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College Course 20: Backpack journalism in a digital age
May 17, 2018 - Jun 2, 2018
This May we have 28 students from 18 states and three countries attending our hands-on course at Dordt College, WJI teachers will strengthen their ability to communicate and report. We will focus on the best storytelling techniques for newspaper, magazine, radio, and video. We kept the class size small so everyone can get individual attention and mentoring from journalists with decades of reporting experience from around the world. We will give them opportunities to get their work published. And all of this is free: free tuition, free housing, and free meals. We believe so much in our mission of developing the next generation of journalists that we want to invest in them as they invest in their craft. Please explore this site for more information and come back next fall for a chance to apply to WJI 2019. And check us out on Facebook!
- Description
- Instructors
- Who can apply?
- Required Reading
- Writing
- 'Rithmetic
- Required items/hardware/software
- Curriculum & Assignments
- Class Component - Calendar
- Pre-Class Component
Description
Application Deadline: March 29 Our journalism course at Northwest Iowa's Dordt College gives college journalists and recent graduates who are Christians the basics they need to maximize their journalistic job opportunities in a tough economy. The course emphasizes news/feature writing and reporting for either secular publications or World New Group products: magazine, website, and radio. Students will learn to think through stories Christianly and improve their marketable skills for the digital age by receiving training in photography, videography, and sound from top professionals.
Class Size Experience WJI students are eligible for paid internships with the World News Group. Here are comments from recent WJI students/interns about what they learned:
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Application Requirements
Applicants must have at least one year of college and some writing experience, preferably with online, college, or professional publications. To apply, use our web site application by clicking "Apply now." In addition to the online form, you wil need to submit electronically your:
1. Resume 2. College transcript(s) 3. Links to 1 - 3 examples of your published work (articles, photos, and/or videos) 4. Recommendation letter (on letterhead) from your pastor or campus Christian group leader. 5. Brief autobiographical sketch and a personal testimony (300 words each). 6. 300-word obituary profiling a famous person from a list provided. See "Writing" tab for list. 7. (Optional) Letter on letterhead from your local newspaper editor attesting to a freelance agreement as described under "Course Information." Materials should be scanned and emailed to office@worldji.com. Academic Credit
Some Christian colleges grant their students academic credit for work completed at the institute. Other colleges have granted their students undergraduate credit for work completed at the institute. WJI will give students a pass/fail certificate if requested.
Paid Internship
Paid internships for those still in college will typically be for the following summer. (If colleges have their own payment plans to interns, those supersede WJI's.) College graduates will receive paid internships, and those may begin immediately after the course or during the subsequent summer. World News Group interns may have stipends extended past initial internships. Internships need to be earned, and no student should come to this course assuming one.
Housing/meals
WJI and its host partner Dordt College will provide lunches and dinners during the days of the course. Breakfast meals are the student's responsibility.
To learn more about Dordt College click on the Arithmetic tab on this website and go to www.dordt.edu. Dress Code
Casual, but no t-shirts, shorts, flip-flops, or micro-skirts.
What to bring
See required items tab for a detailed list
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Joseph Slife
World News Group
Joseph Slife serves as the senior producer/co-host of The World and Everything in It, World News Group's weekly radio program/podcast. He also has written for WORLD Magazine and Sound Mind Investing. For 15 years, he served as a radio producer for Crown Financial Ministries. ... more >
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Russell Pulliam
Indianapolis Star
Russ is the Associate Editor of The Indianapolis Star and Director of Pulliam Fellowship Program. In the past, he has been a reporter for The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Springfield Union, The Indianapolis News, The Indianapolis Star, and the Associated Press. He is the author of ... more >
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Lee Pitts
Associate Dean, World Journalism Institute
As Washington Bureau Chief for WORLD magazine for more than five years, Lee's assignments sent him from Capitol Hill to the White House to the Supreme Court. But his reporting also has taken him beyond the Capital Beltway. Leading up to the 2010 elections, Lee embarked on a 10-day, 4,225 m... more >
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Rob Patete
WORLD magazine
Rob Patete is the Associate Art Director at World Magazine, and has been for over 14 years. He and his wife are graduates of Calvin College and live in Asheville, N.C., with their three children. more >
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Marvin Olasky
Dean, World Journalism Institute
Marvin Olasky is editor in chief of the World News Group, dean of the World Journalism Institute, and holder of the Distinguished Chair in Journalism and Public Policy at Patrick Henry College. He worked at The Boston Globe, taught at the University of Texas at Austin from 1983 through 2007, a... more >
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Susan Olasky
World magazine
Susan Olasky is a senior writer for WORLD, with particular responsibility for book reviews and lifestyle features. A graduate of the University of Michigan with a master's degree in public policy, she founded the Austin Crisis Pregnancy Center in 1984 and has co-authored articles opposing ... more >
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Mickey McLean
WORLDmag.com
As WORLD Magazine’s web executive editor, Mickey McLean oversees the Christian newsmagazine’s online presence. Before joining WORLD full time, Mickey was a regular contributor to WORLDMagBlog, a position he earned after winning WORLD’s “Best Blogger” contest. A gr... more >
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Nick Eicher
WORLD Radio
Nick Eicher is executive producer of WORLD Radio. He has been a broadcast and print journalist for over three decades. He has served WORLD magazine as a writer and reporter, editor, managing editor and publisher. He served as CEO of WORLD’s parent corporation, God’s World Publicati... more >
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Jamie Dean
WORLD magazine
Jamie Dean is news editor at WORLD Magazine, where she’s worked as a reporter and editor since 2005. Before working at WORLD, Jamie was editor of The Charlotte World, a bi-weekly newspaper covering local news from a biblical perspective. She’s also worked at Reformed Theological Se... more >
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Drew Belz
Fancy Rhino
Drew Belz grew up in the purple mountains of Asheville, N.C., and is son to Nat and Mindy Belz. He devoted time in high school and college to travel, exploring as much ground as possible and learning from a large swathe of cultures. After graduating from Covenant College with de... more >
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Mindy Belz
WORLD magazine
Mindy Belz is the senior editor of WORLD Magazine, and has written for that publication since 1986. She is the author of They Say We Are Infidels (Tyndale House, 2016) about her experiences covering war in Iraq and Syria. She has also covered wars in Afghanistan, Africa, and the Balk... more >
Who can apply?
Applicants for the course must have at least one year of college and some writing experience, preferably with online, college, or professional publications. To apply, use our web site application by clicking "Apply now" above. In addition to the online form, you will need to submit electronically your:
1. Resume
2. College transcript(s)
3. Links or PDFs to 1 - 3 examples of your published work (articles, photos, and/or videos)
4. Recommendation letter (on letterhead) from your pastor or campus Christian group leader.
5. A 300- 350 word obituary profiling a famous person. See "Writing" tab for list of subjects to choose from and for some obit writing tips.
6. (Optional) A published article you have submitted, or an unpublished one you plan to submit for an Amy Award. See "Writing" tab.
7. (Optional) Letter on letterhead from your local newspaper editor attesting to a freelance agreement as described under "Course Information."
Materials should be scanned and sent with an email to office@worldji.com. If you don't have access to a scanner, visit an Office Depot or Staples.
Those students interested in college credit must make arrangements with the particular college or seminary. Since this course is limited to 20 students, admission is competitive. Application deadline is March 22, 2017. We admit students on a rolling basis, so we encourage you to apply early.
Required Reading
Required Reading
Students should read the following before the course begins, and bring copies to the course:
The Elements of Style, William Strunk and E.B. White
"Reporter's Guide to Multimedia Proficiency", Mindy McAdams (free download available online- Google it)
World Policybook: Principles, Policies, Procedures, Writing Tips- emailed to admitted students.
Five chapters from Prodigal Press and Telling the Truth -- emailed to admitted students
Recommended Reading:
The New New Journalism, Robert Boynton
A Writer's Coach, Jack Hart
Telling True Stories, Mark Kramer and Wendy Call
How Christianity Changed the World, Alvin Schmidt
AP Guide to Photojournalism, Brian Horton
Discipling Nations, Darrow Miller
The Big Story, Justin Buzzard
Obit: Inspiring Stories of Ordinary People who Led Extraordinary Lives, Jim Sheeler
Writing
Required
To be admitted to the course, each student must write a 300-350 word obituary profiling a famous person. Students should write the obit choosing from the list provided below. Our goal in these pieces is to tell the life stories about people who have achieved success in some field. So you are not writing about that person's death- you are writing about his or her life. You are capturing in words the essence of that life. This is not a death notice like you see family members write with the help of a funeral home … no need to speculate on pallbearers and visiting hours!
It is not uncommon for media outlets to prewrite the obituaries of famous people who are still alive and keep them on file so they are prepared to post a well thought out and edited piece at the appropriate time. Sometimes these pre-written obits leak out to the public. (People published its obit of Kirk Douglas on the magazine's website while the actor was still alive!
Writing a compelling obit in 300-350 words is difficult, especially regarding lives filled with accomplishment. So think of this as a snapshot, not a full-length biography. In a few carefully chosen words you're trying to answer the question: What's that person's life story really about? You need to research their achievements and exploits and deeds, and you need to put them in the proper context for the way they affected our culture, economy or government. Look for the little jewels, the quick caricatures that capture your subject’s persona. Resist any urges to speak in clichés or gloss over the hard parts. What were the challenges? A good obit needs some tension.
In completing this assignment, you will need to remind yourself repeatedly, “Do I have good, specific examples from the touchstone moments in their lives?” You are looking for anecdotes, physical descriptions, and quotes to embed within your obits that flesh out your subject.
Before you begin writing, make sure your subject hasn't died recently. Try writing a sentence or paragraph that states clearly what the story is about. The sentence might not make it into your obit, but it will help you decide which details to include and which to leave out. Please remember to verify- errors are bad in all journalistic writing- but no one likes to see inaccuracies in the story about the dearly departed!
For more thoughts about writing obituaries please read: The Artist of the Obituary by Andrew Ferguson.
OBIT OPTIONS (with birth year)
James L. Buckley politician 1923
Hal Holbrook, actor 1925
Mel Brooks 1926
Pope Benedict XVI 1927
Harry Belafonte 1927
Whitey Ford 1928
Burt Bacharach 1928
T. Boone Pickens, 1928
James Watson, 1928
Bob Newhart 1929
Ed Asner 1929
Berry Gordy Jr. 1929
Edward O. Wilson,1929
Gene Hackman 1930
Michael Collins 1930
Joanne Woodward 1930
Robert Wagner 1930
James Earl Jones 1931
Dan Rather 1931
William Shatner 1931
Desmond Tutu 1931
Raul Castro 1931
Tom Wolfe 1931
Alvin Plantinga 1932
Nicholas Wolterstorff 1932
Donald Rumsfeld 1932
Yoko Ono 1933
Roman Polanski 1933
Michael Dukakis 1933
Louis Farrakhan 1933
Michael Caine 1933
David McCallum 1933
Walter Kaiser Jr. 1933
Diane Feinstein 1933
Chuck Swindoll 1934
Hank Aaron 1934
Sophia Loren 1934
Bill Russell 1934
Brigitte Bardot 1934
Jane Goodall 1934
Frankie Valli 1934
Shirley MacLaine 1934
Pat Boone 1934
Bart Starr 1934
Alan Arkin 1934
Wilford Brimley 1934
Dwayne Hickman 1934
Christo 1935
13th Dalai Lama 1935
Ron Paul 1935
Woody Allen 1935
Tony Campolo 1935
'Rithmetic
Tuition and accommodations are free for college students. WJI and its host partner, Dordt College, will provide lunches and dinners on nearly all days; students are responsible for other meals (mainly breakfast) and for their transportation expenses to and from the course. If you have additional question please contact WJI's Associate Dean Lee Pitts at lpitts@wng.com.
About Dordt College:
Located in Sioux Center, Iowa on the edge of the Great Plains, Dordt College is a Christian school dedicated to preparing students for service in Christ's kingdom. The Wall Street Journal recently named Dordt the number one school in the nation for student engagement. Dordt's campus is a great place to be dring the summer months. You can take a stroll through the Dordt Prairie to enjoy its wild grasses and flowers, relax by the large indoor/outdoor pool complex, or hang out with friends at the coffee house adjoining the main dorms. Dord will host WJI in the state-of-the-art classrooms found in the school’s two-year-old Science and Technology Building. Students will be housed in some of the newest dorms on campus that border the school’s colorful prairie and is across the street from the pool complex.
Dordt College Vice President Howard Wilson said Dordt and WJI are natural fits with both organizations’ emphasis on the role of faith in the exploration of truth.
“We resonate with WORLD magazine’s vision for preparing young Christian journalists to serve in the media,” Wilson said. “We believe it is important for members of the press to do their work through a Christian worldview, like all other areas of study and callings.”
To learn more about Dordt and see pictures of its campus go to Dordt.edu.
Required items/hardware/software
Bible
Personal blog site, for posting course articles (Wordpress is a good option)
Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and G-mail accounts (we share stories using Google Drive)
Due to the intensive and technical nature of the course, all students must have particular equipment and software for the WJI course pre-class and class reporting assignments. Some student buy and others borrow, but no exceptions will be made to these requirements. Contact Lee Pitts (lpitts@worldmag.com) with questions well before the course. As college students and recent college graduates, most should already have much of this equipment.
Students must bring all equipment/materials to class each day ready to report, as a backpack journalist must be ready to cover news always: Your backpack should contain equipment and items, such as fully charged batteries, cables, snack, etc.) so you are ready to go at a moment's notice. Please hold off on buying new equipment until you have been accepted into the program!
Item | Specifications | Est. Cost | Notes |
Laptop (Mac or PC) | Macs are preferred, but PCs are acceptable. | $1,000-2,000 | A netbook is not acceptable. |
Digital camera and minimum 2GB storage card(s) | 7 megapixels or better, image stabilization, video with audio (can be used as video option as well if DSLR camera), 3x OPTICAL zoom or better, USB output | $99-400 | For specific camera recommendations, see McAdams. |
Tripod (optional) | A tripod for your video camera makes reporting easier and more professional. This is optional but highly recommended. | $15-50 | |
Video Camera (pick one of the following options...you don't need to buy the microphone unless you plan on using your iPhone. |
1. Panasonic HC-V500K 2. iPhone: must be 4.2 or 5 or 6 with the added purchase of a AR-41 microphone or and IM2 microphone for increased sound quality. 3. For more image quality, you can purchase a DSLR camera and microphone. A recommendation: the Canon Rebel T3i/T5i with a shotgun microphone is a good option. If you have any video camera questions, email Drew Belz: drew@fancyrhino.com |
1. $239-500 2. microphone: AR -41 $100, IM2 ($30 thru April 30) 3. $500-700 |
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Microphone (s) | Will be used with the video camera and must be compatible. See video options. | $30-100 | |
Cell phone | Text message capability is required. | n/a | Smartphone is optional, but helpful. |
Digital audio recorder | External microphone jack, headphone jack and USB output | $50-100 | See McAdams for recommendations. |
USB flash drive(s) | 128 MB minimum | $5-20 | |
Earbuds or headphones | These must be compatible with your laptop, digital camera, video camera and audio recorder. | $10-25 | |
Extra batteries | These are essential for cameras and audio recorders. | n/a | |
Cables for all equipment | Students must have Ethernet cable, power cables, and connector cables for transferring files from cameras and recorders. | n/a | |
Total estimated cost: | $1,500-3,000 |
Microsoft Word or compatible | Students must be able to save and submit work in .doc format. | $0-150* | *MS Office 2007 includes Word and Excel for $150. |
Microsoft Excel (03 or later) | $150* | ||
iMovie (Mac users), Windows Movie Maker or Corel VideoStudio (PC users) | $0-70 | PC users: Corel is better than Windows Movie Maker. | |
Photoshop, Gimpshop or other photo editing software | $0-699 | Photoshop is $299 with student discount. Gimpshop is free. | |
Audacity (audio editing software) | free | audacity.sourceforge.net | |
Soundslides (This specific software for slide shows is required.) | $40-70 | soundslides.com | |
Optional: Adobe Flash | $249-269 | ||
Optional: Final Cut Pro or Final Cut Express | $199-999 | ||
Total estimated cost: | $200-2,700 |
Curriculum & Assignments
The WJI course includes instruction in Christian worldview and the nuts and bolts of backpack journalism for convergent media. The intensive course includes pre-class assignments, two weeks of class residency, and six weeks of post-class reporting and writing.
This is a course in news/feature writing and reporting, designed to help young journalists think through stories Christianly and improve their marketable skills for the digital age. Students will generate a series of multimedia articles for their professional portfolios.
Students will improve their interviewing techniques and journalistic style, and gain training from professionals in photography, videography, and audio work. Class periods will include short lectures but emphasize discussion and analyzing/editing students' stories.
1) The pre-class component: We want to maximize reporting, analyzing, and editing time when we are together, so students will read in advance what we might otherwise offer in lectures. Readings may address topics such as story development, sources of information, interviewing, investigations, accuracy, writing styles, grammar and usage, film and book reviewing, journalism history, ethics, etc.
Students will write two stories that experienced editor Russell Pulliam will read and critique. The students should be prepared to respond to Mr. Pulliam's e-mail comments as quickly as possible. Students will also write one obituary to be read by Marvin and Susan Olasky for potential publication in World.
2) The class component (two weeks): Students should expect to spend 10 hours a day—except on Sunday.
3) The post-class component (4-8 weeks): Select students will gain more reporting, writing, and video/audio experience . Students will publish their work on Worldmag.com or in local newspapers.
GRADING/CREDIT
All students who successfully complete all the work on time will receive a "Pass" grade, indicating at least a "C" grade. Many Christian colleges grant their students academic credit for work completed at the institute. Other colleges have granted their students undergraduate credit for work completed at the institute.
Class Component - Calendar
NOTE: This is a working schedule that is subject to change. The WJI team is committed to the belief that journalism is best learned by doing. We want to get you out of your desks and into the world. So most of the classroom sections will include field exercises that will immerse students into the surrounding campus and community. Sundays will be days of rest with shuttle service to a local church.
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday 5/23 |
Thursday |
Friday |
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Check-ins throughout the day |
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9:00 am |
Lee Pitts |
Tulip Festival news reporting |
News story-telling with Russ B. Pulliam of the Indianapolis Star |
Press ethics with World Editor in Chief Marvin Olasky
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More Radio storytelling with Eicher, Derrick, and Kristen Flavin
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The right stuff for journalists with Olasky |
Radio with Nick Eicher, J.C. Derrick, and Kriten Flavin |
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10:00 |
Lee Pitts |
Tulip Festival news reporting |
Newswriting with Pulliam |
A quick look at World history with Marvin Olasky
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More Radio storytelling with Eicher, Derrick, and Flavin |
Asking the right questions with Olasky
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Radio with Nick Eicher, J.C. Derrick and Kristen Flavin
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11:00 |
Lee Pitts |
Tulip Festival news reporting |
Newswriting with Pulliam |
Biblical objectivity with Olasky
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More Radio storytelling with Eicher, Derrick, and Flavin |
Olasky interviewing World editor Tim Lamer on magazine writing. |
Radio with Nick Eicher, J.C. Derrick and Kristen Flavin |
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12:00 |
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Lunch at Festival |
Lunch with World Radio's Sarah Schweinsberg |
Lunch with World Magazine's National Editor Jamie Dean |
Lunch with World's Senior Editor Mindy Belz |
Lunch with World Digital's Africa Correspondent Onize Ohikere |
Lunch with World Magazine Reporter Sophia Lee |
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1:00 |
World Radio Executive Producer Nick Eicher |
Tulip Festival sound gathering |
Profile writing and Story Critiques with Pulliam |
More radio reporting with Nick Eicher
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Telling stories through photos |
Video Storytelling with Dordt College's Mark Volkers
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More Photography |
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3:00 |
World Radio Executive Producer Nick Eicher |
Tulip Festival sound gathering
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Profile writing and Story Critiques with Pulliam |
More radio reporting--Eicher and World Radio managing editor JC Derrick |
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Video Storytelling with Dordt College's Mark Volkers |
More Photography |
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4:00 |
Radio storytelling: World Radio Executive Producer Nick Eicher |
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Profile writing and Story Critiques with Pulliam |
More radio reporting-- Eicher and Derrick |
Telling stories through photos |
Video Storytelling with Dordt College's Mark Volkers
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More Video |
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5:00 |
World Radio Executive Producer Nick Eicher |
Return to Sioux Center |
Profile writing and Story Critiques with Pulliam |
More radio reporting-- Eicher and Derrick
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Telling stories through photos
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Video Storytelling with Dordt College's Mark Volkers
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More Video |
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6:00 |
dinner
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dinner |
dinner |
dinner |
dinner |
dinner |
dinner |
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7:00
Orientation Meeting and Pizza
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More radio reporting |
Story writing and rewriting |
Movie about journalism ethics: Shattered Glass |
More radio reporting |
News Huddle with Pitts |
News Huddle with Pitts |
News Huddle with Pitts |
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8:00 |
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Story writing and rewriitng
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Movie: Shattered Glass |
More radio reporting
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News Huddle | News Huddle |
Movie Night |
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9:00 |
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Final Stories Due |
News Huddle with Pitts |
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News Huddle |
News Huddle |
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Week 2
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Saturday |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
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9:00 |
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Magazine Feature Writing with Susan Olasky |
More Feature Writing with Olaskys
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Begin Newspaper, magazine, radio fieldwork |
Continue Newspaper, magazine, radio fieldwork |
Final Newspaper, magazine, radio work |
Farewell Breakfast and goodbyes
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10:00 |
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Magazine Feature Writing with Olaskys |
More Feature Writing
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Newspaper, magazine, radio fieldwork |
Newspaper, magazine, radio fieldwork |
Final Newspaper, magazine, radio work |
Trips to airport |
11:00 |
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Magazine Feature Writing with Olaskys | More Feature Writing |
Newspaper, magazine, radio work |
Newspaper, magazine, radio fieldwork | Newspaper, magazine, radio work |
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12:00 |
lunch |
Lunch with World Magazine's NYC Reporter Emily Belz |
Lunch with World's Cheif Executive Office Kevin Martin and Founder Joel Belz |
Lunch |
Lunch |
Lunch |
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1:00 |
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Feature writing with Olaskys |
Final feature writing |
Newspaper, magazine, radio fieldwork |
Newspaper, magazine, radio fieldwork |
Final Newspaper, magazine, radio fieldwork |
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2:00 |
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Feature writing with Olaskys |
Final feature writing |
Newspaper, magazine, radio fieldwork |
Newspaper, magazine, radio fieldwork |
Final Newspaper, magazine, radio fieldwork |
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3:00 |
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Feature Writing with Olaskys |
Final feature writing |
Newspaper, magazine, radio fieldwork |
Newspaper, magazine, radio fieldwork |
Final Newspaper, magazine, radio fieldwork
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4:00 |
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Feature Writing with Olaskys
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Final feature Writing |
Newspaper, magazine, radio work |
Newspaper, magazine, radio fieldwork |
Final Newspaper, magazine, radio fieldwork
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5:00 |
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More Feature Writing |
Final feature Writing |
Newspaper, magazine, radio work |
Newspaper, magazine, radio fieldwork |
Final Newspaper, magazine, radio fieldwork |
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6:00 |
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Memorial Day cookout |
dinner |
dinner |
dinner |
dinner |
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7:00 |
Editing Night |
cookout |
Video/Photos Editing |
Video/photo edits |
Photo showings |
VideoShowings |
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8:00 |
Editing Night |
Movie Night |
Video/ Photos editing |
Video/photo edits |
Photo showings |
Video Showings |
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9:00 |
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Pre-Class Component
Pre-Class Component
Russell Pulliam, associate editor of The Indianapolis Star, is also a reporter who has worked at the Associated Press, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and other newspapers. He will give close attention to assignments 1 and 2. The students should be prepared to respond to Mr. Pulliam's e-mail comments as quickly as possible. The more editing you can receive before you get to WJI, the better.
Assignment 1, to be mailed to Russell.pulliam@indystar.co