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YOUNG REPORTERSFOR THE ENVIRONMENT

Youth-Led Environmental Journalism

Guide to Writing like an Environmental Journalist

PRESENTS

Young Reportersfor the environment

YOUNG REPORTERS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT is an international project from the

Foundation for Environmental Education. In Canada it is coordinated by EnvironmentalDefence, with support from Sears Canada.

ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENCEENVIRONMENTAL DEFENCE protects the environment and human health. We research

solutions. We educate. We go to court when we have to. All in order to ensure clean

air, clean water and thriving ecosystems nationwide, and to bring a halt to Canada's

contribution to climate change.

FOUNDATION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATIONFOUNDATION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION (FEE) is a non-governmental and non-profit

organization aiming to promote sustainable development through environmental

education (formal school education, training of staff and general awareness raising).

FEE is mainly active through our five environmental education programs: Blue Flag,Eco-Schools, Young Reporters for the Environment, Learning about Forests and

Green Key.


Youth-Led Environmental Journalism Young Reportersfor the environment

Hey, Young Reporters!

If you’re reading this guide it’s because you care about yourenvironment. You understand that writing is a powerful toolfor telling people about what’s happening in the world andwant people to be aware of what’s happening in their ownbackyards.

You also might know that by submitting an article to YoungReporters for the Environment you have the chance to haveyour piece published in an international publication, wincool prizes, and use your article to gain valuable attentionon an important issue.

In this guide, you will discover everything you need to knowto become an effective Young Reporter for the Environment.

We have all the tips for writing a great news article from ourresident writing expert Vanessa, and by the time you’re doneyou will have an excellent piece that will educate peopleabout a significant environmental issue in your community.

Before you jump in, check out the next page for a briefoverview about everything you need to know to submityour article and then, you are good to go!

With students from all across Canada, We can’t wait tosee everyone’s submissions. So what are you waiting for?

YOUNG REPORTERS [email protected]

Editor’s Guidelines

Part of the fun of Young Reporters is the chance to have your articleprinted in an international publication and to win cool prizes.In order to be eligible, there are just a few quick things you’ll needto keep in mind:

1. Stories should be about the following topics:

• climate change • agriculture• coastlines • cities• energy • waste• water • biodiversity

2. Make sure you include local content. We’re interested in how this topicaffects your community!

3. Your article should be no more than 1000 words.

4. If you would like to be eligible for the contest, you will need to submit yourpiece by April 30, 2010.

That’s it! Now let the writing begin...



Top Tips for Writing

If you have a knack for the written word, this book is for you. Becoming an effectivejournalist will take a little practice, but the process will also be fun and leave youwith a great article and superb skills.

Vanessa Farquharson is a veteran environmental writer. Asthe resident environment reporter for the National Postshe knows all the tips for writing a great piece. She has puttogether six steps for writing an article that is engagingand interesting. Use this guide as a quick overview on howto write a news article, or check out www.youngreporters.caif you want more advice from Vanessa.

Step #1:Choosing YourSubject

While Young Reporters for theEnvironment requires that youchoose one of seven subjects,they are quite broad and thedifficult part can sometimes benarrowing it down. Here areVanessa’s tips for selecting anengaging and exciting story.

Vanessa’sTop Tips:

Be In the Know. Reading otherpeople’s stories will help youknow what is being talkedabout and what other aspectsof the story could be covered.

Discover Your Passion. It’simportant to write aboutsomething you feel passionateabout. If you are interested inthe subject, it will come throughin your writing.

FOR MORE TIPS FROMVANESSA, PLEASE VISITwww.youngreporters.ca

Choose Your Subject

CLIMATE CHANGE

AGRICULTURE

COASTLINES

CITIES

ENERGY

WASTE

WATER

BIODIVERSITY

Step #2:Keeping It Local

One of the easiest and best ways to appeal to your readers is to relate a big issueback to what is happening in your own community. The challenge of YoungReporters is to let the world know what environmental issues are happening in yourtown or neighbourhood. For an interesting article be sure to find the local appeal.


Remember Your Readers. Thefirst thought we have when weread an article is usually ‘Sowhat?’ So think about whatwould matter to your readers ifyou were writing for your localnewspaper.

Levy the Local. We all tend tobe most interested in thingsthat are happening near to us,so act as if you are writing foryour local newspaper and talkabout how your subject affectsyour community.


QUESTION:What are the firstthree questions that come tomindwhen you are thinking about yoursubject on a local scale?

1.

2.

3.

Step #3:Do Some Digging

To be an effective reporter you’re going to have to get the facts. There will oftenbe many people and sources to choose from and making a careful selection ofsources will help create a factual and engaging article. Performing interviews isideal, but you should do some digging as well – check out the Resources sectionof the YRE website for more tips.

Check out www.youngreporters.cafor a list of resources. Better yet,when you find a good one shareit with other Young Reporters byemailing it to [email protected]

MY TOP WEBSITES:

1.

2.

3.


Step #4: Writing

By now, you should have a headfull of information and a blankpage in front of you – don’tworry! Now is when you willturn all your research into anews article. Below you will findVanessa’s top tips for how towrite an effective piece. Checkout the next page for a samplestory from Vanessa.


Get Them Hooked. Begin withthe most interesting part of thearticle before going into thefacts. You want to get peopleinterested and reading more!

Leave Your Opinions At Home.The job of a reporter is topresent all the arguments andfacts in a piece so the readerscan come to their own conclusions.

Keep ‘Em Short. Keeping yourparagraphs to a couple sentenceseach can help to make thereading manageable and ensurepeople will keep reading to theend!

The Golden Rule of Plagiarism.Don’t do it. Any ideas you getshould be credited to theoriginal source. If you’re notsure, check with someone.

Now go on –get writing!


Below is an example of Vanessa Farquason’s writing from The National Post — Oct. 11, 2008.

Step #5:Editing

This is where you will turn yourdecent writing into a rockin’ pieceof environmental journalism!You can edit your story as youwrite it, but Vanessa says shefinds it easier to write the wholething and then start going overit with a fine tooth comb.


Here are my top tips for editing.Use this as a checklist while youreview your article.

Spelling. Use the spell checkfunction on your computer andtry reading your article back-wards. It will help you look atthe spelling of each individualword.

Check the Facts. Did you coverall the basic questions in yourarticle?

Read out Loud. Does yourarticle make sense? Readingyour article out loud or tosomeone else is a good tomake sure your article isgrammatically correct.

Finding Balance. Did you strikea fair balance between allopinions and sources on theissue?


Step #6:Final Touches and Submitting

You’re almost finished your first piece – Congratulations! Now there are just a fewtouches that will help make your pieces especially interesting


Choosing a Headline. It shouldbe clear from the headline whatthe story is about, although youwon’t want it to be a wholeparagraph long! Check out someheadlines from your local paperto help get the idea, or read moreat www.youngreporters.ca

A Picture is Worth… you know.As wonderful and descriptiveas your piece may be, the rightpicture can go a long way inbringing it to life. Be sure youhave permission to use thephoto you’re choosing, orbetter yet, take your own!(For photo tips, visitwww.youngreporters.ca)


Submitting Your Piece

By the time you have finished this book hopefully you will have tried out allthe tips and tricks and created a photo you want to submit to Young Reporters.You now only have to submit it to officially become a Young Reporter for theEnvironment. It’s easy!

Log on to www.youngreporters.ca. Go to the “Submit” section and fill in therequested information – this will make you eligible for Canadian prizes and tohave your piece on the YRE Canada website.

You will automatically receive an email with instructions on how to submit yourpiece to the international competition so you have the chance to win furtherawards.

For more information visit the website, or email: [email protected]

Thanks for participating in YOUNG REPORTERS FOR THEENVIRONMENT! Check out the website for more ideas to stayinvolved with environmental issues in your area.



www.youngreporters.ca

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