PWAC - 6th Annual Daylong Seminar for Journalists

(The following is from the PWAC newsletter.)

For details on Kim Novak's class click here.

WORDSTOCK 2001, June 9 Ryerson School of Journalism
80 Gould St., Toronto (corner of Church and Gould).

It will be a low-cost affair: just $60 per person. Ryerson will be forced to cut off registrations at 200. First-come, first-served.

Registration in the School of Journalism Foyer Saturday, June 9 - 8:30 to 9:15 a.m.

Keynote Lecture: Saturday, June 9 - 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.

Eaton Lecture Theatre Workshops: 10:50 to 4:30 p.m.

Keynote speaker is Tom Regan, associate editor of the Christian Science Monitor. He will talk about what the Internet and convergence mean for today's and tomorrow's journalists. The Canadian-born Regan is an Internet pioneer who in 1994 put the first Canadian daily newspaper on the World Wide Web, the Halifax Daily News. He has gone on to lead the Christian Science Monitor's award-winning web operation. Workshops: 10:50 to 12:05 p.m.

So, you want to be a great copy editor: Shelley Robertson, one of the country's best copy editing instructors, will help you become the best copy editor you can be. Workshop will include hands-on copy editing and discussion.

Storytelling with a literary flair:
Nick Russell, University of Victoria lecturer who has been a regular at Wordstock, explores newswriting style beyond the obvious by using literary and storytelling techniques.

The compelling magazine feature.
Don Obe, just retired magazine instructor at Ryerson and one of the country's top magazine freelancers, gives advice on researching and writing a magazine feature with a strong point of view and a lively, compelling voice.

Writing for the Internet
Learn how to: repurpose traditional content for the Web, write heads, subheads, lists and stories for web sites. Understand how content is organized including the use of hyperlinks. Speaker: Ed Cassavoy, thestar.com

Photos and words go hand in hand.
Peter Robertson, Ryerson journalism instructor and former newspaper photo editor and designer, on the effectiveness of combining words and photos for maximum impact.

Civic journalism: a source for story ideas.
Ryerson journalism professor John Miller talks about how newspapers can forge new links with their communities and discover new, ground-breaking stories by practising civic journalism.

12:05 to 1:30 - Lunch: On Your Own

1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Getting the most from your interviews.
Paul McLaughlin, a Ryerson instructor and author on interviewing techniques, suggests the first step to good writing is material gathered through effective interviews. How to get the most out of an interview, easy or tough.

Editors: the reader's best friend.
Editing is not just catching spelling errors and cutting stories to fit on a page. Learn some tips on how to ensure every story you edit is relevant and fun for the reader. Speaker: Patti Tasko, senior supervising editor, The Canadian Press

A toolbox for writing a news feature.
Cathy Dunphy, an award-winning feature writer with The Toronto Star, shares some of her insights into writing strong and compelling newspaper features.

Opinions: building your best argument.
Nothing turns off readers more than a faulty argument, or hollow opinion. Toronto Sun senior associate editor Linda Williamson, one of the best editorial writers and columnists in Canada, has tips on giving someone a piece of your mind.

Writing for the Internet.
Learn how to: repurpose traditional content for the Web, write heads, subheads, lists and stories for web sites. Understand how content is organized including the use of hyperlinks. Speaker: Ed Cassavoy, thestar.com

Reporting: from your notes to the story.
Hamilton Spectator writing coach Kevin Cavanagh has helpful hints on how to organize a story from chaos, how to choose the best stuff and discard the rest.

3:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mining the Internet for stories:

Internet Research.
Rob Cribb, an award-winning investigative reporter with The Toronto Star, talks about how reporters can best make use of the Internet as a research tool. Session touches on the value of understanding computer-assisted reporting.

Great headlines all the time.
How to write great headlines by "wordstorming" every single word of a headline. Instructor: John Miller, Ryerson journalism instructor and former Toronto Star deputy managing editor who now leads headline writing sessions at newspapers.

Ethics in writing and reporting.
Nick Russell, author of a Canadian book on media ethics and credibility, engages participants in discussions on how loaded words can create ethical dilemmas that trigger public backlash and create reader scorn.

Finding your voice in your writing.
Ann Rauhala, Ryerson journalism professor and former reporter, editor with The Globe and Mail and CBC, talks about how to bring personality and structure to your writing, how to avoid losing the point of your story.

Handling the technology beat.
David Akin, a National Post reporter who covers technology, talks about getting to know your beat, cutting through the hype and looking for stories that matter in a crowded technological world.

Small newspapers and great reporting:
Kim Novak, Simcoe Reformer managing editor, and Elaine Smith, winner of a National Newspaper Award, on what it takes to do great work at small dailies and community newspapers.

To register:
Mail a cheque for $60 payable to:
Ryerson Journalism Alumni Association (Wordstock)
350 Victoria St.,
Toronto, Ont. M5B 2K3.
(Please include all information below so Ryerson can mail or e-mail you confirmation)

NAME:
ORGANIZATION:
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PHONE: FAX: (if applicable)
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Check or indicate first choice of workshops per each time slot:
10:50 to 12:05 p.m.
* So, you want to be a great copy editor:
* Storytelling with a literary flair:
* The compelling magazine feature:
* Writing for the Internet:
* Photos and words go hand in hand:
* Civic journalism:
1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
* Getting the most from your interviews:
* Editors: the reader's best friend:
* A toolbox for writing a news feature:
* Opinions: building your best argument:
* Writing for the Internet:
* Reporting: from your notes to the story:
3:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
* Mining the Internet for stories:
* Great headlines all the time:
* Ethics in writing and reporting:
* Finding your voice in your writing:
* Handling the technology beat:
* Small newspapers and great reporting: