reporting

Photo Credit: Steven DePolo

The Rapidian will be exploring venues for neighborhood news bureaus in a few weeks.

Using neighborhood news bureaus to strengthen links

by Laurie Cirivello (LCirivello) on Tuesday Jun 29th, 2010 in OPINION

From The Rapidian staff*: Currently, The Rapidian is primarily an online news platform, facilitating and distributing text, video and audio reports generated by people in our community. But as designed, it is also intended to have a real, physical, place-based presence.

About: Laurie Cirivello (LCirivello)

Executive Director of Community Media Center and publisher (aka "mom") of The Rapidian. Also, wife, mom, part time artist, and general busybody.

Reports on: General Rapidian news, op-eds, urban exploring, arts

Photo Credit: KristineCarpenter

Finding out about your community can quickly lead to finding story ideas.

Find story ideas by getting involved

by Matthew Russell (mattsimoto) on Tuesday May 18th, 2010 in OPINION

From The Rapidian staff*: Of the reasons we often get at The Rapidian for contributors experiencing writer's block, a common one is difficulty finding story leads. Luckily, this problem can be tackled not only with resources found on therapidian.org, but also online and in the community.

About: Matthew Russell (mattsimoto)

I am Content Facilitator for the Rapidian. I like to ride bikes, make cookies and feed the homeless peanut butter sandwiches. I really like Grand Rapids.

Relate to the reader by making sure you are framing your subject matter the right way.

Defining your article by newsworthiness and content

by Matthew Russell (mattsimoto) on Tuesday Feb 2nd, 2010 in OPINION

From Rapidian staff*: When submitting stories for the Rapidian, they must be categorized into one of three groups--News, Local Life and Opinion. The differences between these three groups may seem minimal but there are actually defining traits to each one. Backing a story up with outside sources and direct quotes or paraphrased material can help form a news or local life story. Eliminating personal pronouns and framing someone else's viewpoint instead of your own can move an opinion piece into the local life realm.