Doing the critiques: Let’s think disruption

Meranda Watling posted a comment that I thought should get extra “play” in the main body of the blog. The Daily Kent Stater’s critiques of the print edition include the following questions – all of which are good:

• What’s the most helpful or informative piece we had in the paper?
• What’s the most distinctive story aimed at our college audience?
• Something I learned from today’s paper.
• A lede that really works.
• A risk with design, photography or writing.
• A photograph that tells a story in itself.
• Eye-catching design in the newspaper.
• A headline that grabs readers into a story.
• Mistakes to learn from and avoid next time.
• Other special praise.

Now, let’s apply those critique questions to online. Notice the question about “risk with design, photography or writing”? No offense, but when was the last time anyone really saw serious *risk* in print involving design or photography? You want to talk real risk, let’s get those photographers out there shooting video. Let’s get those reporters collecting audio. There’s some real risk. Or even more so, respond to some of the comments on your online stories. Risk? Try using your Web content management system as the copy workflow instead of Microsoft Word. Talk about rocking your world. Post something online first. Include some links in a story. Think outside the box.

As an adviser, are you critiquing the online site like you do the print version? If not, why not? If so, how are you doing it? Drop a note in the comments.

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