How to report and write policy stories the public will actually read and use

National Press Club Journalism Institute

It’s one of the thorniest – and most important – challenges journalists face today: How do you get the public to read about policy? Whether you currently write for insiders (or outsiders who want to be on the inside), or you simply want to learn how to frame and report your work for maximum impact, this half-day workshop will give you the tools and knowledge to produce exclusive stories that reach people who don’t typically read about policy – and also make insiders sit up and take notice. 
The afternoon’s sessions will include: 
How to write policy stories that engage the public with story coach Andie Coller, a Politico and National Journal alum who will share tips on:
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What makes writing for the unengaged public different (and why you’re probably not writing for them even when you think you are);
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Why general-interest policy stories fail online, and how to avoid common traps;
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How to produce a great story for general readers, including 
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How to spot opportunities
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How to choose the right frame to get people to start reading
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How to choose the right information get people to keep reading (and maybe even act on what they learn);
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How to use these principles to produce better policy stories for insiders and political junkies, too. 
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This session will also include a half-hour workshop segment; after you register, you’ll have an opportunity to submit a story or piece of policy reporting you’d like to see transformed.  
When and how to humanize your policy stories, with New York Times investigative reporter Sarah Kliff, who will share insights on:
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When to make the connection between personal stories and policy; 
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How talking to regular people can help you break policy news; 
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How to find the right people to spotlight in your stories, including
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Best tactics on social media
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Pros and cons of working with advocacy groups
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Working with public records
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Other creative, outside-the-box approaches.
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Finding (and interpreting) the data your readers want and need, with McClatchy D.C. data reporter Ben Wieder, who will do a hands-on (bring your laptop!) session including: 
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How to approach data fearlessly. 
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Where and how to find the data your readers really need.  
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What questions to ask to determine if your data is trustworthy. 
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How to draw reliable conclusions from what you find (and how to test them before you publish)
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This National Press Club Journalism Institute program will be held at the National Press Club.  Doors will open at 12:45 p.m; the program will begin promptly at 1 p.m. Registration is required. The cost is $25 for members of the National Press Club and $50 for non-members. Please register here <A HREF="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-report-and-write-policy-stories-the-public-will-actually-read-and-use-tickets-93957207537" TARGET="_blank">https://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-report-and-write-policy-stories-the-public-will-actually-read-and-use-tickets-93957207537</A>.
Please contact Julie Moos with questions, <A HREF="mailto:jmoos@press.org" TARGET="_blank" REL="nofollow noopener noreferrer">jmoos@press.org</A> or 202-662-7507.
 
About the Instructors
Andie Coller is a journalist and editorial consultant who specializes in framing information for impact. She has been a reporter and editor at Politico, deputy editor of National Journal magazine, and national audience editor for McClatchy. She is a past program director of the National Press Club Journalism Institute. 
Sarah Kliff is an investigative reporter for the New York Times, where her work focuses on how the American health care system does (and doesn't) work for patients. She has previously written for Vox, The Washington Post, and Politico. She loves stories that can show the personal consequences of policymaking. 
Ben Wieder is a data reporter in the McClatchy D.C. Bureau who has focused on political influence, government contracts and predatory lending. He worked previously at the Center for Public Integrity and Stateline and has also written for FiveThirtyEight, The Chronicle of Higher Education and Newsday. 
 
About NPCJI
The National Press Club Journalism Institute promotes an engaged global citizenry through an independent and free press, and equips journalists with skills and standards to inform the public in ways that inspire civic engagement. As the non-profit affiliate of the National Press Club, the Institute serves as a beacon for journalism in the public interest.
 
Event details:
National Press Club
529 14th Street NW (14th & F Streets)
13th Floor – Conference Rooms
Washington, DC 20045
1 to 4:30 p.m. Friday, February 28th  
$25 for NPC members; $50 for general public

National Press Club

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How to report and write policy stories the public will actually read and use

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