Frequently Asked Questions

 

Is this a paid position?

No. Writing Wrongs is a nonprofit organization, currently funded by sponsorships and a lot of grassroots fundraising that we do throughout the year to provide this opportunity for students. It is a volunteer position. You are providing a service to the community by reporting on these issues, and the rewards are having your work published in the resulting book, as well as everything you’ll learn by participating in the program. You can also add this experience to your resume. Students who wish to submit community service hours to their club, fraternity or sorority, or honors program should submit any necessary paperwork to the program manager.

What will happen prior to the event?

Once you are are notified that you’ve been accepted to the program, it’s important to check your email regularly. It’s a good idea to sync your email to your phone. I will be in contact with you throughout the program, providing various reading material about the topic so that you arrive at Writing Wrongs 2020 armed with knowledge. There will be a Facebook or Slack group that requires participation.

I’ll send you a brief questionnaire that’s used to create your bio, which will be posted on this website as Writing Wrongs: Nationwide 2021 Staff.

I recommend organizing all the materials received in a folder or binder — or your Google drive, for those who prefer electronic storage. This is for your own purposes, and it doesn’t have to be anything fancy. But you’ll have all the info about Writing Wrongs in one place in case you need to reference it during your work.

We will meet virtually three times before Memorial Day weekend. In addition to orientation and brainstorming, these sessions will give you some time to get to know your fellow staff members. You’ll be working with the Writing Wrongs advisors individually and in groups to discuss your thoughts about whom to interview, what photographs you’ll take, book layout ideas, and any problems you foresee.

In the weeks between Zoom sessions, you’ll be completing the work discussed during the sessions.

What will happen on memorial day weekend?

This is the final work weekend of the program, and You’ll be meeting on Zoom throughout each day. Writers will meet with advisors for editing suggestions and revising article drafts. Designers will be working on adding articles and photographs to the book file. Photographers will be working on the latest photos and making sure that all captions are correct.

Monday morning, any last details will be wrapped up and you will be on you way back to school before noon.

What do I need?

You need a laptop or desktop and any other equipment needed to do the specific job: paper and pens, laptops, phone charging cords, etc.

Writers, an AP Stylebook is helpful if you have one. You will be provided with an AP reference file with the elements you’ll commonly encounter. A voice recorder is needed to record interviews; there are many apps that work well for this. Interviews MUST be recorded and uploaded to our Google Drive or otherwise forwarded to the program manager.
Videography students should have their own video camera or DSLR camera that has video capability. A tripod and any additional gear — lighting, microphone, etc. — would be great.
Designers’ computers should have Adobe InDesign installed, preferably the latest version.
Photographers need their own DSLR camera and Adobe Photoshop installed on their computer.

You may ask any questions by emailing Dawn at dawn@seekreporttruth.com.