by Helen Womack | 12 Sep 2023 | Education, Educators' Catalog, Journalism, Media Literacy, News Decoder Tips, Russia
A blank page confronts every writer on deadline. Turning that empty space into an article someone might read takes more than simply hitting keys on a keyboard. Two images of a woman at a typewriter trying to find an idea. Photo illustration by News Decoder. This...
ND correspondent Helen Womack takes us through her process of going from a blank page to a published article in this piece on confronting writer’s block. How can we help students find their voice?
Exercise: Read the article with your class, then have students brainstorm pitches that they can submit to News Decoder. How might their initial ideas be transformed into a publishable piece? Consider: global/local relevance of pitches, at least two sources to interview to investigate the topic, students’ unique angle on the topic. Students should then submit a pitch for an opportunity to work with our editors to be published on our global news site.
For further tips on interviewing and drafting, direct students to our asynchronous E-Learning courses. If you’re not a member of our school network, contact us to learn more about these members-only resources.
by Marcy Burstiner | 4 Jul 2023 | Media Literacy, Reporting
It can be difficult to tell the difference between fact and opinion. And some things we consider true may not be true to all people. (Illustration by News Decoder) At News Decoder we are all about fact-based journalism. That means that the information in a news story...
by Helen Womack | 24 Nov 2022 | Culture, Personal Reflections, Writing
Writing should not tie you up in knots. It is no more formal than speaking. Write as you would speak. Think of writing as speaking on paper. (Courtesy of Lansing Community College Library) Two authors taught me how to write. One was British civil servant Sir Ernest...
by Enrique Shore | 15 Sep 2020 | Journalism, Media Literacy, News Decoder Tips, News Photography
Technology has revolutionized news photos since I launched my career decades ago. But the maxim “always be prepared” still holds true. All photos by Enrique Shore “Luck is when opportunity meets preparation.” So said Manuel León Lopez, my photojournalism...
by Nelson Graves | 22 Jun 2020 | News Decoder Tips, News Decoder Updates, Writing
What’s the secret to good writing? It’s a process that can push authors outside their comfort zones as they challenge their assumptions. In her award-winning story, Claire Wang looked dispassionately at three countries as they struggled with COVID-19....
