Citizen Journalism Workshop
Schedule:
January 28 & March 4: In-person, 5 p.m.-7 p.m.
February 4, 11, 18, 25: Virtual only, 5 p.m.-7 p.m.
Cost: $29 w/Scholarship, $149 regular
Scholarship: Click here to apply. This scholarship has been funded by generous donations from the WI Newspaper Association Foundation, Eye on Dunn County, and Local News Group.
About the Workshop
Do you have a passion for writing and want to share your community’s stories? This Citizen Journalism Workshop is designed to equip local residents with the skills to produce compelling, well-researched journalistic content. Whether you’re writing for a local publication or your own blog, this course will guide you through the essentials of journalism, from interviewing to editing.
Over the course of six sessions, you'll gain practical experience in writing stories that reflect the people, events, and issues shaping your community. By the end of the workshop, you’ll not only have written your own news stories but also gained insights into the process of getting them published.
Who Should Attend?
This workshop is perfect for community members who enjoy writing and have an interest in sharing the stories that matter most to their neighbors. No previous experience is required—just a curiosity about journalism and a desire to improve your writing. Attendees will leave the workshop with the skills to write and potentially publish their own journalistic stories.
Key Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this workshop, participants will:
- Understand the fundamental principles of journalism.
- Develop skills in interviewing, fact-checking, and editing.
- Learn how to structure a news story using the Inverted Pyramid.
- Gain experience working with Associated Press (AP) style.
- Explore the use of visuals and photography in journalism.
- Submit a finished story for publication consideration.
Course Modules
Each session will focus on a combination of lecture-based learning and hands-on practice with your own stories. Here’s what you’ll explore week by week:
- Week 1: Interviewing & Sources
Learn to select the right sources, gather data, and solidify your story idea. - Week 2: News Story Structure & Interview Preparation
Master the Inverted Pyramid structure and prepare for your first interviews. - Week 3: Story Types & Publication Preferences
Discover different types of news stories and challenges in interviewing. - Week 4: Associated Press Style & Story Drafting
Get hands-on practice with AP Style and share drafts for feedback. - Week 5: Accuracy & Editing
Learn essential fact-checking techniques and role-play editor/writer scenarios. - Week 6: Photography, Visuals, and Interactive Elements
Enhance your story with visuals and discuss how to submit it for publication.
Kate Roberts Edenborg is a seasoned journalist and educator with a Ph.D. in journalism and mass communication. With years of experience working as a professional journalist and teaching journalism at the university level, they bring a wealth of knowledge on both the theory and practice of storytelling. Their expertise ensures that you’ll gain practical skills and insights directly applicable to your writing journey.
UW-Stout Continuing Education & Conferences welcomes individuals with disabilities and individualized needs. To request accommodations, please contact us at continuinged@uwstout.edu or 715-232-2793. While we encourage requests at least two weeks in advance, we will make every effort to accommodate those made closer to the program date. All requests are confidential.
The Universities of Wisconsin is an EEO/Affirmative Action employer and complies with Title IX and ADA requirements, offering equal opportunities in employment and programming.
If you need to cancel, you can substitute someone else at no charge, otherwise please see the outlined cancellation fees below. If we cancel the program, you'll receive a full refund. Special cases may be considered.
More than 14 days from start date:
Full refund will be given to registrant.
14 day or less from start date:
An administrative fee of 3% of the registration cost plus $5 will be deducted from your refund.
If you are registered and do not attend the program, you are responsible for the full fee.