Basic Storytelling in Any Medium
This course teaches students the basic building blocks of a journalistic story. They will learn the difference between a topic and a story and how to shed their impulse to produce a rote, academic essay. By the end of the class, they will know how to ask compelling and tough questions during an interview and understand when to paraphrase and when to quote. They’ll learn how to put all the puzzle pieces of their reporting together from top to bottom, including writing a killer lead and crafting a clear nutgraf – the paragraph that tells the reader what the story is about.
Groups of 3 or more: $350 for 5 1-hour sessions
Individual: $75/hour
Perfecting the Personal Narrative
This course offers an ideal opportunity for anyone trying their hand at a personal narrative. It's also a treasure for any high school student freaked out about writing that college application essay. I will interview the student to mine their life for what might make an interesting essay thread. I’ll guide him or her throughout the writing process, teaching how to banish cliches, sentimentality and other common mistakes. The finished piece will dazzle any audience or college administrator.
Groups of 3 or more: $350 for 5 1-hour sessions
Individual: $75/hour
Finding the Story
This course will help students learn where to look for stories and how to recognize one. Is the story idea original? It is going to tell an audience something fresh, useful or interesting? Where is the drama and tension in the story? Does it have extraordinary characters? What impact could the story have after publication or air?
This course will also offer critical insight on filing public records requests to obtain documents that can be goldmines for story ideas.
Groups of 3 or more: $350 for 5 1-hour sessions