Innovation in College Media

The first week of publication each fall means, for me, getting back into the routine of doing a daily critique. The critique is my most important, day-to-day teaching tool. Every adviser does it a little differently, but for me it consists of a marked-up newspaper, a written sheet or two stapled on top, and then the same written material placed online so students can access it from anywhere. I try to view the paper and Web site as a typical reader, raising questions and comments the public might have. 

A thorough critique takes time – particularly when done over the course of a typically busy newsroom day. I try to make myself start early and be mostly done by noon, before the newsroom fills with students and everyone’s occupied with tomorrow’s paper instead of today’s. 

If the critique isn’t done and placed in the newsroom by early afternoon, students start asking about it. They read it religiously; I always tell them it’s one person’s take on that day’s product and that they shouldn’t put too much stock in it. But they do. Creative people – writers, photographers, designers – crave feedback on their work. I’ve realized over the years that the daily critique is often the only constructive feedback our students get.  

I’ve also realized that, once they graduate, it may be a long time before they get thorough feedback on their work. At small dailies and weeklies, only the best editors find time for regular critiques. The rest starve their staffers, who end up leaving because they aren’t growing. 

My process has become more complicated over the years, as more and more students have wanted feedback. Our Web site has lots of unique material, so I need to comment on a few items there each day. Our online radio station produces daily podcasts; those need attention, too. Most days, there just isn’t time to focus on everything. So I’ll direct most of the comments to the most prominent issue that day. Most often, I focus on good reporting and writing. Sometimes it’s grammar and style problems. Sometimes it’s photo composition, or good design. But I do try to include at least one daily comment on each major aspect of the paper: reporting, writing, editing, design, photo, online. The critique needs to relevant to every student every day. 

I’d be interested to see comments from other advisers / students / alumni about different forms critiques can take. What works for you?