So, your instructor has required you to start a blog. Now what?
It’s time to get writing. Since our subject is News Reporting and Writing, your posts can relate to journalism, reporting, interviewing, storytelling, the news media, newsmakers, media law and ethics, privacy, the Internet, election coverage … you decide.
Perhaps you’d like to share your news story, transcribe an interview, or comment on another story you read (and include a link to that story). Comment on the election, campaign issues or coverage of the candidates. Tell about the challenges you face as a journalist.
Here are some tips on blogging from Kurt Greenbaum, online news director at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
- Just do it, and often. While he recommends daily, shoot for several times a week. As Kurt notes: “The whole point is to develop a community of readers around your blog. … If you don’t show up regularly, they won’t either.”
- It’s OK to write less. Or as Rob always says: “Less is best.”
- Keep it conversational.
- Welcome comments, and respond if you feel compelled. After all, one of your goals is to engage others in a conversation.
See Kurt’s article for more.
My bottom line is that you pick subjects that you find interesting and have fun with this assignment.
-rp-
(Photo credit: Sarah Palin at the Republican National Convention, Sept. 3, provided by NewsHour)