Today was our 6th training session for the Community Reporter Training Course, the tutor was John Baron the journalist. He explained the difference between writing headlines for printed material and on line publishing, he suggested that whereas headlines for printed material can use word play to good effect, blog headlines are best written succinctly, this increases the likelihood of search engines speedily sorting internet searches.
John pointed out that an introduction sets the scene to a story and is ideally best kept to no more than thirty words. I didn’t quite manage that this time! After explaining the 5 Ws of good journalistic story telling and reminding us
that journalists
and all writers have to work at their art, having to continually rework pieces, I found this reassuring, as I always have to tweak what I write, we were paired up to collaborate at constructing a story from a set of random sentences cut from a news story, group feedback and comparison showed we had differing opinions about ordering the main points.
John and Terry suggested we might like to put links into out blog stories………I will be practising this before our next session as I don’t think I quite got that.
The stimulation of learning new techniques , the social aspect of the training and an increased awareness, between sessions, for observing potential images for photographs or interesting stories has helped me stay committed to attending.every week.
Like many people my enthusiasm for opportunities to learn often sees me over commit while my mood is stable, and as I was already taking part in singing with the ‘Healing Voices’ choir,* (part of the Arts and Minds Network),http://www.artsandmindsnetwork.org.uk/community-groups/, they meet Tuesday afternoon, 2-4pm from 18th September at the Swarthmore Education Centre, 2-7 Woodhouse Square, contact Jane 0775 881131, and a cookery course with Jamie’s (Oliver) Ministry of Food, I was apprehensive about accepting the invitation to take part in this additional 8 week free course but I’m pleased I did.
*The Healing Voices choir will be performing in the Light on World Mental Health day, 2nd October.
Su
Leeds Wellbeing Web 
I’m glad you decided to do the course too, Sue. I’ve really enjoyed your contributions – always a little surprise or two. For instance I didn’t know that John Baron was still involved with the Guardian. I wonder if he’s the Secret Footballer?
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Sadly I’ve not played football for quite some time, Terry! But yes, still contribute to uardian at least once or twice a month
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Su you seem to have mastered the art of forging links – good stuff! Really interesting article (you make me sound good!). Nicely structured – well done! – John
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