(At right, Michael Roberts brainstorms with the class to map a story idea.)
Qualifying journalists’ work can be a difficult task for teachers, but Michael Roberts, deputy managing editor-staff development at The Arizona Republic, identified the foundation of defining good work – the idea.
“A story falls apart if the idea is poorly conceived,” he said today, in his presentation to the 35 high school journalism teachers at the ASNE Reynolds High School Institute in Phoenix.
To help journalists find a good idea, Roberts suggests taking any topic of interest and engaging students in story mapping. Begin with one idea at the center, and then call for suggestions about any subtopics related to the central story idea.
In today’s session, the topic “Halloween” generated ideas as diverse as a how-to story on picking out a good pumpkin to an opinion piece on whether it is acceptable for young girls to wear provocative Halloween costumes.
“After brainstorming, eliminate ideas, so you don’t get this mishmash of everything – like lint,” Roberts said.
Helping a journalism student through the development of a strong story idea, Roberts says, should be combined with two other pieces.
First, the adviser should provide clear standards for each type of submission to the publication.
Second, the student should engage in a process founded on the story idea and completed through a routine of reporting, organizing, drafting and revising.
“A story falls apart if the idea is poorly conceived,” he said today, in his presentation to the 35 high school journalism teachers at the ASNE Reynolds High School Institute in Phoenix.
To help journalists find a good idea, Roberts suggests taking any topic of interest and engaging students in story mapping. Begin with one idea at the center, and then call for suggestions about any subtopics related to the central story idea.
In today’s session, the topic “Halloween” generated ideas as diverse as a how-to story on picking out a good pumpkin to an opinion piece on whether it is acceptable for young girls to wear provocative Halloween costumes.
“After brainstorming, eliminate ideas, so you don’t get this mishmash of everything – like lint,” Roberts said.
Helping a journalism student through the development of a strong story idea, Roberts says, should be combined with two other pieces.
First, the adviser should provide clear standards for each type of submission to the publication.
Second, the student should engage in a process founded on the story idea and completed through a routine of reporting, organizing, drafting and revising.
Kye Haina
Kamehameha Schools Maui
Pukalani, Hawai'i
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