From the Editor

#3 rule of pitching: Flyspeck your copy

In story pitches, first impressions count

By Jacqui Banaszynski • November 20, 2020

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Story Craft

A master of sports journalism tackles a new writing challenge: narrative on Facebook

National Sports Media Hall of Famer Dave Kindred's posts about visits to his ailing wife, his late grandson and life during COVID hit a chord with readers

By Greg Bowers • November 18, 2020

Strictly Q&A

Writing past politics to a “female way of approaching things” in commentary

Schmoozing with 2012 Pulitzer winner Mary Schmich of the Chicago Tribune on interviewing sensitive subjects, sharing her life, and aging

By Bonnie Miller Rubin • November 17, 2020

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From the Editor

#3 rule of pitching: Flyspeck your copy

By Jacqui Banaszynski
November 20, 2020

In story pitches, first impressions count

From the Editor

Writing history as we live it

By Jacqui Banaszynski
November 10, 2020

Daily coverage of political chaos in the U.S. is telling the deep narrative of our times as they happen

From the Editor

Story roots and consequences

By Jacqui Banaszynski
October 20, 2020

Putting an issue in context means reporting its origins and exploring its implications

From the Editor

#2 rule of pitching: Respect submission protocols

By Jacqui Banaszynski
October 9, 2020

Following form doesn't have to limit creativity, and shows you are a professional

From the Editor

#1 rule of pitching: Study the publication

By Jacqui Banaszynski
September 25, 2020

Researching the basics of the site you're pitching to — story length, purpose and tone — reveals respect for the work of reporting

From the Editor

7 Fatal Flaws of Story Pitches

By Jacqui Banaszynski
September 3, 2020

How to identify common mistakes that get in the way of landing that big idea

From the Editor

The power of a pronoun

By Jacqui Banaszynski
August 25, 2020

A few thoughts on advances in women's rights as seen through language

From the Editor

If no one reads the news, did it happen?

By Jacqui Banaszynski
July 22, 2020

A reflection on the wall of indifference — and the touchstones of hope

From the Editor

How to become a “five-tool” storyteller

By Jacqui Banaszynski
July 14, 2020

Journalism requires multiple skills or tools, which means it requires a team

From the Editor

Four questions mine for bottomless wisdom

By Jacqui Banaszynski
July 10, 2020

Writing coach Chip Scanlan brings back "Chip on Your Shoulder," which features formatted interviews that yield a surprising range of answers

From the Editor

The challenge of writing a life in two lines

By Jacqui Banaszynski
June 10, 2020

How contemplating the essence of your own brief obituary can teach you how to report and write about others

From the Editor

A confluence of hard news that demands uncomfortable considerations

By Jacqui Banaszynski
June 9, 2020

Essays following the death of George Floyd challenge journalists to confront racial blindness in society, in their newsrooms and in themselves

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