Barbara
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Showing posts with label From Barbara. Show all posts
Showing posts with label From Barbara. Show all posts
10/21/09
Learning from photographers
This is the final presentation I did at KSPA last month. It focuses on using observation in reporting and tips we can learn from photographers. I used a lot of examples (photo and writing) from a yearlong series of stories I wrote and Ann Williamson shot during the 2006-07 school year at Highland Park High School. The PowerPoint includes links to Ann's brilliant slide shows.
Barbara
Barbara
Writing tips-From Start to Finish
Here's a PowerPoint I've revised a few times -- most recently before speaking at the KSPA fall conference at Kansas State. It's a whirlwind look at what goes into putting together a story.
Enjoy.
Barbara
Enjoy.
Barbara
Start To Finish
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10/20/09
10/1/09
Censorship in high school publications
Since I worked with two students from McPherson High School this summer, I found news of a story being censored from the student newspaper particularly interesting.
The Student Press Law Center reports that a story about two pregnant teenagers was censored from a recent issue: http://www.splc.org/newsflash.asp?id=1967&year=.
Kansas is quite unlike most states in the country in the rights it grants to student publications. While most public schools in the country operate under the Supreme Court's decision in Hazelwood, Kansas affords additional protections to the free speech rights of student journalists. (Coincidentally, the controversial student story behind Hazelwood also dealt with teenage pregnancy.)
Still, it's worth looking back at Hazelwood. The dissenting justices, I believe, expressed well why a handful of states like Kansas have laws offering additional freedoms to student journalists.
Writing for the dissent in Hazelwood, Justice Brennan said, "In my view the principal broke more than just a promise. He violated the First Amendment's prohibitions against censorship of any student expression that neither disrupts classwork nor invades the rights of others, and against any censorship that is not narrowly tailored to serve its purpose," wrote Justice Brennan.
The dissent concluded: "Instead of "teach[ing] children to respect the diversity of ideas that is fundamental to the American system," Board of Education v. Pico, 457 U.S., at 880 (BLACKMUN, J., concurring in part and concurring in judgment), and "that our Constitution is a living reality, not parchment preserved under glass," Shanley v. Northeast Independent School Dist., Bexar Cty., Tex., 462 F. 2d 960, 972 (CA5 [291] 1972), the Court today "teach[es] youth to discount important principles of our government as mere platitudes." West Virginia Board of Education v. Barnette, 319 U.S., at 637. The young men and women of Hazelwood East expected a civics lesson, but not the one the Court teaches them today."
I write more about student press rights, including links to the Kansas law for student journalists and links to what the Kansas Attorney General has said about documents and meetings that should be open to reporters, here: http://flinthillswriter.blogspot.com/2009/07/day-2-first-amendment-student-press.html. You'll also find information on the huge responsibility that comes with your additional rights as student journalists.
More on student press rights:
The Hazelwood decision in full: http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/cas/comm/free_speech/hazelwood.html
From the Student Press Law Center: http://www.splc.org/legalresearch.asp?id=4
The Student Press Law Center reports that a story about two pregnant teenagers was censored from a recent issue: http://www.splc.org/newsflash.asp?id=1967&year=.
Kansas is quite unlike most states in the country in the rights it grants to student publications. While most public schools in the country operate under the Supreme Court's decision in Hazelwood, Kansas affords additional protections to the free speech rights of student journalists. (Coincidentally, the controversial student story behind Hazelwood also dealt with teenage pregnancy.)
Still, it's worth looking back at Hazelwood. The dissenting justices, I believe, expressed well why a handful of states like Kansas have laws offering additional freedoms to student journalists.
Writing for the dissent in Hazelwood, Justice Brennan said, "In my view the principal broke more than just a promise. He violated the First Amendment's prohibitions against censorship of any student expression that neither disrupts classwork nor invades the rights of others, and against any censorship that is not narrowly tailored to serve its purpose," wrote Justice Brennan.
The dissent concluded: "Instead of "teach[ing] children to respect the diversity of ideas that is fundamental to the American system," Board of Education v. Pico, 457 U.S., at 880 (BLACKMUN, J., concurring in part and concurring in judgment), and "that our Constitution is a living reality, not parchment preserved under glass," Shanley v. Northeast Independent School Dist., Bexar Cty., Tex., 462 F. 2d 960, 972 (CA5 [291] 1972), the Court today "teach[es] youth to discount important principles of our government as mere platitudes." West Virginia Board of Education v. Barnette, 319 U.S., at 637. The young men and women of Hazelwood East expected a civics lesson, but not the one the Court teaches them today."
I write more about student press rights, including links to the Kansas law for student journalists and links to what the Kansas Attorney General has said about documents and meetings that should be open to reporters, here: http://flinthillswriter.blogspot.com/2009/07/day-2-first-amendment-student-press.html. You'll also find information on the huge responsibility that comes with your additional rights as student journalists.
More on student press rights:
The Hazelwood decision in full: http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/cas/comm/free_speech/hazelwood.html
From the Student Press Law Center: http://www.splc.org/legalresearch.asp?id=4
9/17/09
KSPA: K-State here I come
For those heading to the Kansas Scholastic Press Association fall conference Sept. 22 at K-State, I hope you're able to come to some of my sessions on writing. If you can't make it or are heading to (gasp) KU, I'll post some of my information on the blog. Here's what I have planned:
From start to finish
This is my nuts and bolts class, but even a seasoned high school reporter will learn something in this class. We’ll talk about finding that great story idea and seeing it through to publication. Along the way, we’ll cover who you need to interview, the questions you should ask, how to tell the story, alternative ways to tell a story, graphic ideas, ways to draw in photographers, what to look for during interviews, and the writing and editing process. Count on reading some great examples and sharing story ideas along the way.
Hey Tweeps!
Embrace your favorite technology to connect with the student body and tell stories. I’ll show you cutting-edge use of Twitter and other technology to improve reporting. Most important, we’ll talk about the basics you can then translate to the next latest and greatest fad. That means, even when Facebook and Twitter disappear, you’ll know what’s important for the future.
Click.
This session is all about grasping what photographers know and great writers can learn. Learn how to embrace all of your senses as you tell stories. We’ll read the best of the best in descriptive writing, look at beautiful photography and embrace details. And we’ll get out of the classroom to practice what we learn — at least for a few minutes.
From start to finish
This is my nuts and bolts class, but even a seasoned high school reporter will learn something in this class. We’ll talk about finding that great story idea and seeing it through to publication. Along the way, we’ll cover who you need to interview, the questions you should ask, how to tell the story, alternative ways to tell a story, graphic ideas, ways to draw in photographers, what to look for during interviews, and the writing and editing process. Count on reading some great examples and sharing story ideas along the way.
Hey Tweeps!
Embrace your favorite technology to connect with the student body and tell stories. I’ll show you cutting-edge use of Twitter and other technology to improve reporting. Most important, we’ll talk about the basics you can then translate to the next latest and greatest fad. That means, even when Facebook and Twitter disappear, you’ll know what’s important for the future.
Click.
This session is all about grasping what photographers know and great writers can learn. Learn how to embrace all of your senses as you tell stories. We’ll read the best of the best in descriptive writing, look at beautiful photography and embrace details. And we’ll get out of the classroom to practice what we learn — at least for a few minutes.
8/19/09
KSPA Fall Conference
Hope to see some of the advanced writer graduates (yep, I'm calling you graduates) at the KSPA Fall Conference at Kansas State University. Why? I'll be there, and it's going to be a great day.
I just got the invite to talk about writing at the conference Sept. 22 and happily agreed. Now, what would you like to know more about? Twittering the news? Writing with detail? Kansas Open Records Act? Kansas Open Meetings Act? Dog grooming?
Seriously, what would help you. Post your ideas here. Or, if you're too shy for that, e-mail me at barbara.hollingsworth@cjonline.com.
Thanks!
Barbara
I just got the invite to talk about writing at the conference Sept. 22 and happily agreed. Now, what would you like to know more about? Twittering the news? Writing with detail? Kansas Open Records Act? Kansas Open Meetings Act? Dog grooming?
Seriously, what would help you. Post your ideas here. Or, if you're too shy for that, e-mail me at barbara.hollingsworth@cjonline.com.
Thanks!
Barbara
8/6/09
Swap ideas
As the school year gets rolling, I thought this would be a good chance to swap great story ideas. To get the ball rolling, here are some thoughts:
1. Find a first-year teacher at your school to profile -- maybe check back in throughout the year. A few years ago, I wrote about how one out of every three teachers leaves the profession within their first three years. The Kansas State Department of Education could get you newer figures.
2. School districts had fewer jobs to fill this year. One reason is that teachers who had planned to retire earlier are sticking with the profession until the economy turns around. (No one wants to leave when their investments are looking shaky.)
3. Some behind the scenes preparations for the start of school could be interesting, especially if you look for a quirky angle. For example, who cleans up and fixes all the old band instruments?
Any other ideas?
1. Find a first-year teacher at your school to profile -- maybe check back in throughout the year. A few years ago, I wrote about how one out of every three teachers leaves the profession within their first three years. The Kansas State Department of Education could get you newer figures.
2. School districts had fewer jobs to fill this year. One reason is that teachers who had planned to retire earlier are sticking with the profession until the economy turns around. (No one wants to leave when their investments are looking shaky.)
3. Some behind the scenes preparations for the start of school could be interesting, especially if you look for a quirky angle. For example, who cleans up and fixes all the old band instruments?
Any other ideas?
7/24/09
Thanks for an awesome week
Hi Advanced Writers--
Thanks for a super week. It was a reminder of how much I love writing and how lucky I am that Linda invited me back to work with such amazing young writers. I wish I had been able to write at your level when I was still in high school.
Enjoy the rest of your summer. And if anyone wants to share stories in the future, send them to me at barbara.hollingsworth@cjonline.com, and I'll post them here.
Thanks and best wishes.
Barbara
Thanks for a super week. It was a reminder of how much I love writing and how lucky I am that Linda invited me back to work with such amazing young writers. I wish I had been able to write at your level when I was still in high school.
Enjoy the rest of your summer. And if anyone wants to share stories in the future, send them to me at barbara.hollingsworth@cjonline.com, and I'll post them here.
Thanks and best wishes.
Barbara
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