Personal Essays

What a journalist mom learns from her daughter’s foray into writing the news

From the pens of babes: A 9-year-old starts a neighborhood newspaper, and reminds her journalist mother about passion, fun and problem solving

By Traci Angel • May 18, 2021

Zara Morrison, 9, is the founder, publisher, editor, reporter and printer of the 74th Street Paw Print News, which provides animal news to her Kansas City neighbors.

This mobile editing challenge proves you can produce great video anywhere

Field Testing - Episode 4: The go-to tools for editing video don't need to include a fast laptop or big monitor

By Alexander Trowbridge • May 12, 2021

Narrative News

Sharpen your narrative journalism skills in 2021 at these writers’ conferences

(Updated May 13, 2021) A developing list of gatherings you can attend in person or online

By Madeline Bodin • February 17, 2021

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Narrative News

Taking the “student” out of student journalist

By Jacqui Banaszynski

April 15, 2021

A Salem, Oregon, school board apologized to the high school newspaper editor for criticizing work it deemed "too political"

From the Editor

Some uncomfortable challenges facing journalism

By Jacqui Banaszynski

April 13, 2021

The digital upheaval gutted the traditional business model, but those aren't the only issues we need to confront

From the Editor

Common-sense questions don’t always yield common-sense answers

By Jacqui Banaszynski

April 9, 2021

Resistance to the COVID vaccine carries echoes of past stories

Narrative News

Two anti-racist scholars and writers take on the cultural limits of “objectivity”

By Britny Cordera

April 7, 2021

In a final conversation at The Power of Narrative conference, Jelani Cobb and Ibram X. Kendi argue that narrative should be used to convey fuller truths

Narrative News

Shout-out to 2021 News Leaders Association winners

By Jacqui Banaszynski

April 6, 2021

And some reflections on awards as markers of journalistic history and the aspirations of narrative nonfiction

Narrative News

Chipping away at the opacity of power with David Fahrenthold

By Matt Tullis

April 1, 2021

At the BU Power of Narrative conference, Washington Post reporter David Fahrenthold urged small disciplines that can yield big stories

Narrative News

How to determine your own fate and income as a freelancer

By Sarah Kess

March 31, 2021

At BU's The Power of Narrative conference, two Seattle writers share tips from their successful approach to the business of freelancing

Narrative News

The power and purpose of a writer’s voice

By Madeline Bodin

March 30, 2021

The founding director of the BU Power of Narrative conference details the most important step you can take towards narrative journalism

Narrative News

How covering prep sports in retirement led to a spot on “60 Minutes”

By Jacqui Banaszynski

March 26, 2021

Sports hall-of-famer Dave Kindred went back to his roots and found new purpose and new acclaim

Narrative News

Journalist Angel Jennings on being in the community and bringing yourself to stories

By Rachael L. Kelley

March 25, 2021

At the BU Power of Narrative conference, Angel Jennings of The Los Angeles Times talks about drawing on personal experiences to guide more authentic reporting

Narrative News

Roy Peter Clark on productive writing through a pandemic year

By Katharine Gammon

March 24, 2021

From The Power of Narrative conference: Writing coach Roy Peter Clark finds that his tried-and-true habits kept him focused during the distraction of COVID

Narrative News

The Power of Narrative: Non-fiction narrative in challenging times

By Dawn Fallik

March 23, 2021

A keynote conversation from the annual conference, hosted by Boston University, which went virtual to a record crowd