When we joined Portrait, we had no idea what we were getting ourselves into. We both had different reasons for signing up for this class but we both also only came in knowing one thing: that this was the class that made the newspaper.
There was a relative interest within us that encouraged us to want to find out more about this class. The only thing we wished we had going in was a guide on what to expect.
First 3 months:
The first few months of Portrait are centered around learning the basic rules of journalism such as AP style and journalistic etiquette. While all of the editors are in a separate room working on the first issue of the newspaper, the first-years are taking notes on all the rules of writing a newspaper. When this all began it felt a bit overwhelming as we had no idea there was so much behind creating a newspaper. Though these months were slow, they set us up to write in ways we had never thought to before. They also prepared us to create a working article for the paper. The first few months were mostly lectures. Our adviser, Cody Harrell, would stand at the front of the room and present his daily slides. Each day he would go over different layers of the AP style rules. Once in a while, there would be an assignment to assess your knowledge. Throughout these first few months it is important to connect with those on the editorial staff and other non-first years because once your regular cycle does start, these are the people that will help you the most through writing and editing to create your final piece.
First cycle:
Our first cycle was a part of the 3 months of training. For all of the new people, this was our first time writing anything for the newspaper to be handed out to the entire school. This was the first time our work was going to be handed out to the entire school. We had just begun to learn the ropes of doing interviews and following the correct rules in our writing. We had to learn to navigate all of the new resources we were given.
Most people start out with an online story. Online stories each have an individual due date, while print stories all have one final deadline. It feels like there is so much pressure on a print story because everyone receives the newspaper all at once. Seeing people read your stories around you vs. them reading it at home in private makes you feel two completely different emotions. Before we started Portrait we didn’t even know we had a website.
As the cycle began to come to a close we came out knowing and understanding more about writing a newspaper than we ever have. Once the paper is about to go out it’s all about making sure everything is right and everyone is done. This is where communication is essential, everyone in some way or another helps everyone. We have writers, photographers, and designers who all rely on each other to get everything done.
Grind night:
It isn’t what it sounds like. Grind night is the Tuesday of distribution week when we all stay after school to make sure everything gets done before we send the paper to get printed. As writers, we finalize our stories, our headlines, and our captions. This night is crucial in ensuring the completion of the paper as we are all able to come together and help each other with every last detail. The designers and editors have much more responsibility on this night since most of their work can’t happen until all the writer’s work is done. In Portrait, we have to be a team.
Our first ever grind night we had to get last minute photos for a story so we went outside and took a photo of us walking in. That was the only time we made it in the paper. It was really special to see a photo of us in there, since our stories are the only things that get in.
