J243 Advanced Narrative
Sometimes the best way to tell a reported story is to tell the story, using techniques of fine fiction: character, scene, pacing, dialogue, tension, strategically-placed backgrounding. For this course we’ll do a lot of reading—articles, book excerpts, essays, graphic novel-style journalism. Most will come in the form of a two-volume reader, and we’ll focus on…
Read MoreJ298 Narrative Longform Master’s Project Seminar
This class is for second years only and is a continuation of those who were already enrolled in the fall semester. This course meets every other week. News is news: “US, Canada Go To War; Naval Battles in Great Lakes” or “J-School Lecturer Nabbed in Bank Heist.” A reader will read to the end of…
Read MoreJ298 Feature Writing
“She wakes to the sound of breathing. The smaller children lie tangled beside her, their chests rising and falling under winter coats and wool blankets. A few feet away, their mother and father sleep near the mop bucket they use as a toilet. Two other children share a mattress by the rotting wall where the…
Read MoreSpecial needs trusts bring peace of mind to aging parents of children with disabilities
By Hannah Frances Johansson, This story was originally published by CNN on September 13, 2024. Berkeley, California CNN — Over a decade before her husband’s death, Linda Tung was already concerned with estate planning. Their daughter, Rachel, was born with cerebral palsy, a neurological condition that can greatly hamper mobility. Planning for Rachel’s financial future, one without the…
Read MoreDaniella Jiménez
Graduate Thesis Showcase: Narrative
Please join us to share and celebrate the moving and powerful work of our 2024 graduate students in the Narrative Writing program at Berkeley Journalism. Our graduating students will read excerpts of their work and interview each other about the process of reporting and writing stories on topics from punk rock and senior surfers to…
Read MoreJ242 Long-form Storytelling: Profiles
Hey you. I see you. You’ve done your share of news stories and news features, maybe even some smaller magazine pieces. But now you want to level up. Maybe because you’ve got a story that’s bigger: higher stakes, more complex. Maybe because you dream of writing a deep investigative piece, or a heartbreaking human drama,…
Read MoreJ298 Narrative Longform Master’s Project Seminar (Every other week)
Note: This class meets every other week for the fall semester. The instructor will coordinate with the class on the exact timing. News is news: “US, Canada Go To War; Naval Battles in Great Lakes” or “J-School Lecturer Nabbed in Bank Heist.” A reader will read to the end of such a story no matter…
Read MoreJ298 How To Be An Editor
Enrollment requires faculty approval; details to follow. This course is designed to be a tasting platter for the aspiring print or online editor, or anyone curious about the job. It’s also a great course for writers who want to learn how editors think, and use those skills to make their own work better. Almost anyone…
Read MoreJ298 Narrative Capstone (Narrative 2nd-years)
This is a course designed expressly for second-year students on the narrative track. The aims of the course are to help narrative students troubleshoot reporting and writing challenges; develop winning pitches for their stories; compile portfolios; and prepare for the job market. We will workshop stories and pitches, meet with editors, and cover strategies for…
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