Recommended reading for Advisers of relevant news stories:
The AP Guide to News Writing
This little book came to me in a box from ASU. It is small,
but oh so powerful. It came to light for me just how powerful when Steve
Elliott started his powerpoint presentation about “our stories” Wednesday
morning. Many of the things that he reviewed in this powerpoint are discussed
in this book. I read the first two chapters twice, just to make sure I understood
everything in them. Some of my favorite parts are:
chapter 1: Our treasury is words.
I highly recommend reading the Pulitzer Prize winning story
at the end of page 4. If it does not make your eyes well up, well, what can I
say.
chapter 2: Writing is the art of the second thought.
chapter 7: Said usually says it best.
chapter 8: Quotes lend authenticity.
Hopefully, I can put together a powerful lesson plan on news
writing skills for my students from this little book as well as all that I have
learned this week.
Linda Hopson
Adviser, Bellaire High School
Bellaire, Texas
Houston Independent School District
This is perhaps the greatest book ever at teaching the art of news writing. Tight and brightly written.
ReplyDeleteSteve Elliott
Arizona State University
Phoenix
I'm excited to get into it. I always have to remind myself to do what every speaker has told us...read, read, read. I need to focus on reading journalism materials. I am pretty good about reading the newspaper and magazine articles, but need to examine journalism more from an academic perspective. Before coming to the Institute, I was on the fence about wanting to get my masters and if so in what field. This institute cemented my desire to further my journalism education. Now I just have to win the lottery. The main point is that as teachers, we can never stop learning or things will pass us by.
ReplyDeleteChad Renning
Sandra Day O'Connor High School
Phoenix
I read the book as fast as I could after receiving it. It made me feel a little bit ashamed about my not teaching all of this stuff to my students. But then I remembered: i can teach it next year! What a great job we have where we get a reset each year (or each semester) and improve ourselves as much as our teaching.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Linda. I feel like I need the book reviews as much as the books sometimes in order to find the courage to get into them. Now I'm excited to read this one. And then, as Ryan said, we get to start fresh next year.
ReplyDeleteStephanie Platter
King's High School
Seattle