Class Description

Is there a social justice issue you’d like to draw more attention to? Do you have a new approach for improving a community problem? Do you wish the media would provide a fresh perspective on a matter close to your heart? Join this workshop to turn those ideas into publishable articles! In this four-week course, experienced social justice advocate Sara Ramey will combine lecture and group discussion to help participants learn the tricks of the trade for writing powerful social justice articles. We will discuss key content and structure considerations; achieving the right tone through pacing, word choice, and other craft techniques; audience considerations to maximize impact; selecting the best publication strategy based on the chosen topic; and using one’s goal to derive the highest long-term impact from an article. We will also explore a range of interviewing techniques, including preparing effective questions, tips for eliciting vivid details and descriptions, capturing authenticity in voice, ethical considerations, and navigating common challenges that arise. We’ll conclude with a discussion on how to find the best publication route and how to pitch articles to the print media. By the end of the class participants will have: A workshopped 600-900 word article on a social justice topic of their choice A toolbox of skills for persuasive, factually-grounded, opinion writing Foundational techniques for professional interviewing An understanding of the market and the publication process for short-form social justice journalism Insight into effective pitching to begin contacting publishers This class is limited to 12 participants. All sessions will be recorded and the recording made available to registered participants. Instructor Bio: An experienced interviewer and storyteller, attorney and advocate, Sara has met with asylum seekers since 2012 to learn their stories and help them craft compelling narratives for U.S. immigration judges and to raise community awareness in local and national fora. She has written op-eds and journal articles in major publications, including The Dallas Morning News among many others.