Instructors: Emilia Askari and Julie Halpert

Time: Fridays 1-4PM

1.5CR

Specific skills to be covered include:

1. Understanding how the media industry is evolving and how that affects public discourse on environmental issues.

2. How to choose and develop environmental story ideas that will appeal to large audiences.

3. How to conduct an interview with questions that will reveal the best information from news sources; how to woo reluctant sources; and how to handle questions from reporters when you are the news source.

4. How to write an article using the best story structure. This includes crafting an introduction that will grab readers from the beginning of the piece; writing a summary paragraph with broad sweep and relevance; using quotes most effectively; and developing a memorable way to conclude the piece.

5. How to use Sound Slides to build multi-media stories.

6. How to write short opinion pieces that will attract attention and be strong contenders for publication - both in print and online.

7. How to blog effectively and better understand online communication techniques.

8. How to quickly and persuasively make a point to a journalist, the public or an audience of powerbrokers, drawing attention to environmental stories.

9. How to safeguard against violations of journalism ethics.

10. How to consider using the Freedom of Information Act to research environmental issues, for example by using government databases.