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Extraordinary work from ordinary students

Early in their academic careers, Miami University journalism students get
a solid introduction to the arts of reporting and writing for the news
media. They cover speeches and meetings and issues in the community.
Later, most hone their skills in Feature Writing, turning basic
journalistic work into more stylish stories. And, of course, a good number
practice the profession at The Miami Student, WMSR, WMUB, other on-campus work and many off-campus internships. And yet many students leave the university without tackling more complicated stories, without producing one or two really terrific examples of journalism and without showcasing their superior writing skills.

That, at least, was my pitch in proposing a Journalism Capstone called
Depth Reporting. I wanted to create a class where students read some of
the best of what’s called “long-form journalism” – and then took a crack
at replicating that work. My goal: For each student to leave the class
with two depth reporting pieces and two primo clips to wow potential
employers.

I ended up the one wowed by the students.

Over the course of the semester, I read stories about an undercover cop
and regular patrol officer; about a young marriage in crisis and another
tested by an unexpected pregnancy; about the “typical” Miami freshman, the
“typical” Miami Girl and the “typical” ROTC student; about Miami’s place
in civil rights history; about drug use and sexual activity on campus;
about sorority “pass down” houses and fraternity growth plans; about
ordinary citizens making extraordinary contributions; and about ordinary
students facing extraordinary challenges.

From beginning to end, students were in charge of their work. They
selected their stories, their sources and their reporting methods. They
provided regular updates and outlines to mark their progress. They
produced a first draft and, after editing and coaching, a finished story.
They secured the art and wrote the headlines. At the end of the process,
they analyzed their own work with an “author’s afterward.”

All of that appears here, along with student photos, bios and resumes. I
invite you to pour yourself a cup of coffee, settle down before the screen
and click through to read their work. I think you’ll be wowed, too.

Patricia Gallagher Newberry
journalism faculty
Depth Reporting instructor