The Stand
November’s Journalism Workshop provided by The Stand was on How to Cover a Community Event and was presented by Prof. Steve Davis. This month we had 13 attendees — five new visitors and eight who have attended at least one prior workshop.
Prof. Davis discussed how to cover a local event by going in with a plan. His approach is to talk with a few people and then focus in on the most interesting thing happening at an event. For example, if he was doing a story on Mary Nelson’s second annual Youth Day Fair, he would speak with a child. Why? Because this event is for and about children.
He also suggested that the best way to start a story is with a person. In the case of this event, speak to a child, start with their point of view and then even close your story with a quote from the same child.
A good place to add background information on the event is after this opening. “This background information can be written up prior to even attending the event,” Prof. Davis said.
Then the story can focus on the most interesting aspect of the event and end with a strong quote.
With this strategic plan in place, a reporter can make the most effective use of their time.