What I've learned from NewsTrust

After a semester of reviewing stories on NewsTrust.net, I’ve been able to detect flaws in others’ writing so I don’t make the same mistakes. At first, you’d think that I could acquire this skill by picking up a newspaper every once in a while, or by editing a classmate’s paper. In most cases, that is true. However, the website offers a really helpful tool when rating a story—a review guide.

The areas that are supposed to be rated are factuality, fairness, sources, context, depth, enterprise, relevance and grammar. All the terms seem like simple concepts, but not always. I learned that there’s a lot more to writing a cohesive and complete news story than I thought. Actually, it was difficult to remember what each aspect meant at first. I kept referring to the automatic pop-up definitions, which took me a lot of time. Eventually my understanding of the meanings improved and over time, I could acknowledge certain points (like making mental notes) while reading the stories.

So in other words, NewsTrust’s review guide forced me to pay attention to each aforementioned quality that makes a proper news story. If it weren’t for the review guide, I’d still be pondering the usual suspects of editing (grammar and spelling).

Not to mention, I’d still be getting most of my news from Detroit radio stations or news channels playing in the background while getting ready for or driving to school in the morning. Before I was assigned NewsTrust stories, there wasn’t very much diversity in my news sources. As much as a budding journalist as I’d like to think of myself as, I lacked knowledge for the rest of the world (and still do sometimes). Sure, I was aware of EMU’s campus and news happening in Livingston and Washtenaw counties. But as far as world news, I was almost clueless. I hate to give myself that little of credit, but it’s true!

I feel so much more aware of my fellow inhabitants just from browsing the website’s news section. So, after having such an eye-opening experience, I’ll probably keep this website close to me and reference it often.

Free program teaches leadership

“How can you lead a group without truly knowing yourself first?” asked Jessica Potter, who attended the Emerging Leaders Series (ELS) last year and is volunteering now. “It’s not always about being loud either—it’s about confidence.”

            The program, offered every fall/winter semester, is aimed at those who want to enhance their speaking skills and identify the strengths and weaknesses they already encompass. Later on, the awareness of values aids in deciding which kind of leader they want to become.

             But first, they must get through eight weeks of self-exploration and interactive presentations. At each of the group’s weekly meetings, open discussions about current events are conveyed and everyone presents a relevant quote, article or video clip. According to the Program Coordinator for Orientation Ayanna McConnell, this array of news has been successful in sparking conversations on diversity and community.

            “It gets them talking about stuff they really care about,” she said. “And when they’re more loosened up, they’re less likely to hold back in discussions.”

            By creating a confidential atmosphere, ELS has attracted all sorts of majors and continues to grow in attendees. The current session has 21 attending—several more than the last session. However, McConnell explained that expanding is not her goal. She would rather lead a tight nitch group because she believes it would be less intimidating for her students.

            The current series is halfway finished but there’s already a noticeable difference in participants. For McConnell, who has been involved in ELS for three years, this isn’t a big surprise.

            “You start to notice their growing confidence after a while. They go from being shy, to testing the water and speaking up, to feeling like they matter,” said McConnell. “Knowing that I’ve had a hand in that is so rewarding.”

            And that’s why, she argued, ELS is different than a speech class. The program is like a toolbox, preparing students with the tools, like confidence and self-value, they need to efficiently guide others.

            Everyone who participates also receives Learning Beyond the Classroom credit. Sign-up is accessible through the Campus Life website. The program is free and held on the third floor of the Student Center every Wednesday 4:30-6:30 p.m.

            As the second half of the program approaches, McConnell will continue to introduce her followers to a wide range of secrets in becoming a successful leader. Last week, she taught them how to facilitate discussions and this week, they were expected to practice that lesson. When it all adds up, she hopes that strong leaders will have been molded out of the once timid students who needed help finding their voices.  

Practice leads

B) Fewer than half the city's school buses started this morning due to the overnight low of 18 degrees below zero, forcing buses to only run on country routes.

The overnight temperature of 18 degrees below zero forced various schools to shut down and city-route school buses to not run.

C) A record in lottery ticket sales was set this week as the Lotto jackpot climbed to $9.4 million.

This week's Lotto jackpot is up to $9.4 million and climbing while a record in ticket sales is made, tripling last week's sales. 

Good Leads

Leads--they're the one chance a writer has to draw the audience in. A title is often too short to really explain the article so its all up to the lead sentences. There isn't one main rule-of-thumb about them. It depends on the type of article being created, whether its a feature, news or a review.

Feature articles generally work well with creative and catchy leads for the reason that they aren't typically very serious pieces. Use your imagination. They can be a quote, a character description or a step back in time. News leads, on the other hand, should spit out the most important information immediately. If the article is about an increase in unemployment, say that right away. Do not waste time by dancing around that topic. State the facts and the continue the story with the next most newsworthy information. Reviews and other A&E articles of that nature can start off with a lead similar to features- creative. Perhaps the writer could start off with something unique about the band, author, etc. the audience may not know.