Archive for the ‘Student bylines’ Category

Greetings, intro, etc.

January 31st, 2011 by Jack

Welcome (and for some, welcome back) to “The Craft of Research,” the official research blog for the Spring 2011 Broadcast Craft class of John Schiumo and Marc Kusnetz.  It’s the spot for research lessons, handouts, news, tips and whatever else comes up during the semester.

My name is Jack Styczynski, and while this marks my sixth semester teaching research at the J-school, it’s my first in Broadcast Craft.  I couldn’t be more excited about the new assignment!

When I’m not here, I’m a researcher at NBC and the New York Times.  If you’re interested in more career details, click here.  One thing you’ll probably notice is that I’m a big college hoop-head.

Despite the fact I make a living as an online searcher, you may also notice past readings posted here and even my humorous Christmas post demonstrate a concern for the effects computers are having on us.  Matt Richtel of the Times often makes me feel old and feeds my fear.  For example, he shows why I worry about our brains on computers and why I don’t own a mobile phone.

Speaking of my concern with computers and stuff I’ve read in recent months, should we now fret about technology making some journalists obsolete? Or will Patch save us all?

This is tech! On my bike at the train station. No cell? No car since '95 either.

This is tech! On my bike at the train station. No cell? No car since '95 either.

Anyway, enough about me and my technology nightmares. I note that a few of you were busy during the break. Nathan Frandino had a story in the Daily News about Coptic Christians in Queens mourning a loss. Laura Shin had several bylines for OurTownNY. And Annais Morales had New York Post stories here, here, here, here, here, here and here, continuing her quest to be known as the hardest working woman in the biz. Either that or she’s addicted to getting love on this blog.

Research bonus: The Census Bureau’s American Community Survey now includes the first ever 5-year estimates from 2005-2009, and the New York Times has made some nice use of them.  On the subject of demographics, Social Explorer now has an excellent database of religion statistics right down to the PUMA level. We will be digging into Census and demographic numbers this semester.

Happy Thanksgiving!

November 24th, 2010 by Jack

At this point, everyone should have received a final grade on the research-inspired enterprise assignment.  To give you an idea how you did relative to the rest of the class, the median grade was a B+.  Good job, overall.  In particular, every rewrite resulted in a better finished product.  Thanks for your effort.

Now don’t eat too much!

Today’s bonus: Annais Morales has another byline in the New York Post, and it’s no turkey!

Byline bonanza

November 13th, 2010 by Jack

Our class has had several bylines in the last few weeks…

On the News Service, check out Bianca Seidman-Shvarts’ coverage of the College Music Journalism (CMJ) music marathon here and here. And don’t miss multimedia profiles by Jennifer Hamblett on an art-world chronicler and Yudith Ho on a restorer of antique brass cash registers.

Last but not least, Annais Morales got bylines in the New York Post here and here. Why am I not surprised to see the NYPD mentioned in the first article? I’m imagining her running toward synagogues in search of bombs.

Kudos to all!

Bonus bylines: Now that college basketball season is upon us, you can critique the teacher’s work here, here and here. Or you can just crack on the picture below. I swear I was not falling asleep! (I’m sure ace photographer Ray Floriani is humored by catching me mid-blink.)

Interviewing Villanova basketball coach Jay Wright at Big East media day.

Interviewing Villanova basketball coach Jay Wright at Big East media day.

Post-script

May 25th, 2010 by Jack

First and foremost, nice job by everyone on the State of the Stimulus site.  It looks terrific.

On an individual basis, congrats to Jordan Shakeshaft for this piece on “The Local” blog about the Pratt Institute Fashion Show, including video.

Bring on summer!  Have a good one.

Another byline for Michael

May 1st, 2010 by Jack

Michael Cohen’s report on chatter in some circles about the political future of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie found a home on NewJerseyNewsroom.com.

Today’s bonus: Tinamarie Vella of the Research Center had a good post this week on polling resources.

Schedule change

April 21st, 2010 by Jack

Due to your court visit Tuesday, the court research lesson originally scheduled for this week has been pushed back to Wednesday, April 28th.  I’m also aware the visit precluded you from attending the Facts on File research clinic, which was unfortunate.

On a brighter note, we have more class bylines to report…

Vishal Persaud had a piece in the Mott Haven Herald about an after-school program at P.S. 18 in the Bronx.

Michael Cohen wrote another story about a Golden Gloves boxer with a side gig in modeling, this time for Urban Latino’s web site.

Today’s bonus: The Library of Congress will be housing Twitter’s entire archive, and users may not have a chance to opt out!

Odds and ends

April 12th, 2010 by Jack

First and foremost, a reminder about next week’s research clinics offered by the Research Center.  I highly recommend attending, especially the Facts on File session Tuesday at 12:30.  It will be worth your while, guaranteed.

Going back to last week’s lesson for a moment, I read an interesting article in the Weekly Standard about the Census Bureau’s “Orwellian American Community Survey.”

From the byline congratulations department, Danny Gold’s story about crime plaguing a senior citizens housing development in Brooklyn made City Limits.

As for my own work, if you heard me mention my “manual labor” during our break in class last week, I was talking about my trip to New Orleans last month.  Photos and a story are here.

Educational bonus: In case you missed it, Alan Schwarz of the New York Times did some great enterprise work last week.  Stories here, here, here and here.  Also, here is some stinky, but good, enterprise reporting from AM New York.

Fun bonus: The Film Forum is in the midst of showing a month’s worth of newspaper-related flicks.

More clips and tips

March 26th, 2010 by Jack

Yesterday, Michael Cohen profiled a Golden Gloves boxer for the Daily News.

And Andrea Swalec continues her productive ways at “The Local” for the New York Times with stories on the Green Apple Café and Kif.

Keep up the good work!

Today’s bonus: Have you checked out YourNabe.com for New York City neighborhood news?

Double bonus: If we’re lucky, maybe FOIA requests will be processed faster soon.

Clips of the week

March 14th, 2010 by Jack

On the New York City News Service, a package chronicling the recent Green Expo included contributions by Liza Eckert, Eugenia Miranda and Jordan Shakeshaft.

At NBC Local Integrated Media, Vishal Persaud noted that a vintage Nintendo package sold on eBay for $13,000.

Last but not least, Andrea Swalec has been busy at “The Local” for the New York Times with stories on vacant apartments and a long-delayed supermarket.

Congrats to all!

Today’s bonus: You may want to check out the links below from a recent faculty training presentation on limiting legal risk in journalism and avoiding plagiarism.

Welcome to Craft II–The Research Wing

January 28th, 2010 by Jack

My name is Jack Styczynski and this is my fourth semester teaching research in Craft classes–my second with Rebecca Leung and first with David Lewis.  If you’re interested in my professional background, click here.  Personally, I’m a big New Orleans Saints fan (WHO DAT!) and a huge college hoop-head.

The primary purpose of this blog is to give you online access to my lesson material from class.  But you’ll also want to check in frequently for posts on my most recent research discoveries, such as the All Things Census blog, Databases and E-Journals from the New York State Library and the Listorious directory of Twitter accounts.

You’ll also see me spreading the love for some of your latest published work, such as that by Liza Eckert and Andrea Swalec this month, and Vishal PersaudJordan Shakeshaft and Erica Soto in December.

Welcome back, and see you soon!