ThreeSixty’s Opinion Writing Workshop starts this fall!
Do you have something to say about the world around you? Want to see your opinion published in local media?
ThreeSixty Journalism’s Opinion Writing Workshop is your chance to sharpen your voice, strengthen your writing, and share your perspective with the Twin Cities and beyond. We welcome experienced, and aspiring high school storytellers, writers, and journalists.
What to expect
Over the course of 4 days (Saturdays, 10/3, 10/10 and 10/24 and 10/31), you will be equipped with tools to develop and craft a well-researched opinion piece that is publishable by our local media partners. Working with our our staff and partners, you will learn how to transform your thoughts into persuasive writing that can spark conversation and change.
Students receive guidance through prompts and facilitated brainstorming to select a timely topic about community life. You are not expected to come ready with a topic, but you can start thinking about your topic beforehand. You will receive a short pre-workshop reading to help you start thinking about topics. Students will need to finish the reading before the workshop starts.
- Timely topics connected to community life include politics and civic engagement, culture and the arts, education, health, immigration, climate change, and identity.
- You can pick a topic with national significance, but the argument should be approached from a hyperlocal lens that is grounded in the communities, experiences and questions closest to them.
Student opinion stories that are timely, current, and thought-provoking will be published on ThreeSixty’s website and annual magazine, as well as in local Twin Cities media outlets. Past student opinion pieces have published in the Minnesota Star Tribune, MinnPost, Racket, and Sahan Journal.
- We are taking a multimedia approach to this year’s workshop. In addition to a 800-850 written piece, students with have the option of recording a video/audio teaser that will be published on our social platforms!
Students will receive a $200 stipend that covers their transportation costs and for their completed work. All stipends are contingent on our attendance policy; tardiness, absences, and low engagement will result in docks to the stipend.
What you will do
- Learn how to write a structured opinion piece that offers new critical insights to your audience
- Conduct basic research to make your opinion persuasive and credible
- Work closely with media professionals in all stages of writing, from drafting to fine-tune editing
- Sharpen critical thinking, presentation, and youth leadership skills
- Make a creative editorial cartoon to accompany your piece
Hallmarks of a ThreeSixty Journalist
In the Opinion Writing Workshop, youth journalists can explore reparative storytelling and how their opinion can be the start of change in their communities. Journalism and advocacy are both interconnected and distinct. Opinion and commentary pieces can spark change and bring awareness to issues that need change and advocacy.
This workshop sharpens students’ ethical, technical, and entrepreneurial skills for storytelling and civic leadership.
Application Process
The Opinion Writing Workshop is open to all Twin Cities high school youth. This is a competitive process with spots for 15-18 students. Accepted students are expected to attend all four workshop days from 9 am to 3 pm (dates below).
Competitive applicants will have an interest and some experience in writing and media-based storytelling. We seek traits of curiosity, eagerness, open-mindedness, and diligence.
The priority application closes September 16 at 4 p.m. (i.e., students hear back earlier). The application will stay open for any remaining spots, which will be awarded on a rolling basis.
Accepted students will hear back no later than Monday, September 21.
Note: Signing up does not mean you have been accepted. Accepted students will receive an acceptance email. Accepted students need to confirm they accept their seat. Unclaimed seats will be given to waitlisted students.
Dates and Time
This is a FOUR day workshop. Students must be able to attend all four days. Lunch and snacks will be provided everyday.
4 non-consecutive Saturdays (October 3, October 10, October 24, October 31), 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
NOTE: We will not meet on October 17 (MEA Weekend), but encourage students to work on their opinion pieces that weekend on their own.
Location
Schoenecker Center at the University of St. Thomas in Saint Paul.
2210 Summit Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55105
Who Should Apply?
This workshop has a competitive application. We are seeking students with an open mind and critical thinking skills, or who demonstrate ability to develop these skills. Strong writing skills and/or argumentation skills are not required, but students will be expected to develop these capacities in this workshop.
Submit your application for the Opinion Writing Workshop, here.
ThreeSixty Values
Justice, Connection, Ingenuity, Youth Leadership
ThreeSixty Mission
ThreeSixty Journalism is a multimedia storytelling program for Minnesota youth. Grounded in journalism and focused on contributing to more accurate narratives and representative newsrooms, ThreeSixty offers technical, ethical, and entrepreneurial training for fulfilling careers in storytelling and civic leadership. The program has been housed at the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of St. Thomas since 2001.
Questions: denise.huang@stthomas.edu
Local newsrooms who have supported the Opinion Writing Workshop:
Curious about what a student opinion piece looks like? Check out past stories!
