storytelling
Final Thoughts Issue 6
from the editor
HELLO THERE, READER! Somehow the Spring semester is already coming to a close. In the other issues of storytelling I've focused on one topic and delved into how it is changing the way we tell stories. In this issue I will be reflecting on everything I've learned. I hope you enjoy.
YOURS TRULY, Carol Wright EDITOR IN CHIEF @_CAROL_WRIGHT
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Final Thoughts Writing by Carol WrightÂ
I didn't know exactly what to expect from Storytelling when I first decided to take the class but I assumed I would enjoy it and I was right. My experience with the class was positive. I felt like with each new project I was gaining new skills or strengthening skills I had. I know that I have a lot of room to improve when it comes to different ways to tell stories but I do feel like the class gave me the opportunity to explore new platforms and experiment more. I learned a lot throughout the class but I definitely learned the most in our comics and podcasting segments. I don't consider myself very artistic because I'm not that great at drawing or painting and so the comics segment was daunting. Once we had to make the comic and the zine I couldn't believe how fun it was and how creative that you could get with it. From the comics/zine segment I learned that you should not limit yourself when it comes to all the ways you can tell stories. I also learned about the arts/comics scene that's in DC and isn't discussed often. Mainly I learned that journalists often do use comics and zines to tell specific stories and to tell stories that are better told with illustrations than text. I definitely had noticed illustrations at times but after that assignment I understood the importance of a comic when it came to journalism.
During the podcasting segment that was my first time learning how to put a podcast together. I used Adobe Audition
to
edit
the
audio,
learning
the
program
wasn't
terrible
because
I
have
experience
editing
video/audio in Premiere but I still found Audition to be a bit difficult at first. Once I got my head around that program I had to figure out where to get the music and lastly where to publish the actual podcast. I decided to use Anchor after hearing about it when listening to more established podcasts and that was a great fit and not difficult to publish on. The only setback is that you're only allowed to publish one podcast per account. The podcasting segment definitely taught me a skill that I think will come in handy. Podcasting is the big way to tell stories right now and I think as I go into the workforce, being able to fully edit a podcast is something that will be helpful so I will definitely be working on those skills.
In terms of high-level takeaways I have to remember that when it comes to telling stories I have to think outside of the box. We learned how journalists are using new technology and platforms to tell more dynamic stories and it makes me want to explore those areas. The main challenges in this course was learning new platforms for certain assignments and also understanding that technology can glitch and all of that so you need to be prepared for any issues that may arise. Each assignment was very different and fun to learn and I don't think I would change any of the assignments/work that we had to do. I know that podcasting wasn't necessarily on the syllabus but I do think it's something that should stay on. Overall, I enjoyed the class and am happy with the subjects we learned about and the new skills I have.
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Applying These Tactics in Real Life Writing by Carol WrightÂ
How I as a budding journalist can use these new skills: If I want to have a more in depth interview with someone podcasting would be the best medium for it. When it comes to telling stories with social media you need to have a plan for what you want to say and you need to make sure your message gets across in one photo or video. One thing that I've learned through this class is that I need to get creative with the way I tell stories. There are so many platforms and there's no reason not to take advantage of them.
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