If you are passionate about writing and want to share stories about your community, build the skills you need? Enroll in this Citizen Journalism Workshop. It will help you develop the skills to create compelling, well-researched journalistic content—whether for a local publication, a community outlet, or a personal blog.
Offered on the UW-Stout campus over six two-hour sessions participants will discuss journalistic principles, develop interviewing, fact-checking, and editing skills, and gain hands-on experience structuring journalistic stories.
Through guided instruction, discussion, and applied practice, you will write stories that reflect the people, events, and issues shaping your community. You will also have the opportunity to pitch your story to local new organizations. The workshop aims to provide insight into the publication process and to help writers develop confidence as citizen journalists.
Scholarship support is generously provided through several local news organizations. Scholarships are open to all applicants and awarded based on available funding. Find more information below.
Dates: Tuesdays June 30, July 14, 21, 28, Aug. 4 & 11, 2026
Time: 5:00-7:00 pm Location: On-Campus, Harvey Hall, Room 140
What will you gain?
- Understand the fundamental principles of journalism.
- Develop skills in interviewing, fact-checking, and editing.
- Learn how to structure a journalistic story using the inverted pyramid.
- Gain experience working with Associated Press (AP) style.
- Explore the use of visuals and photography in journalism.
- Submit a finished story for publication consideration.
Who should enroll?
This workshop is perfect for community members who enjoy writing and have an interest in sharing the stories that matter most to their neighbors. No previous experience is required. Attendees will leave the workshop with the skills to write and potentially publish their own journalistic stories.
What will it cost?
- Scholarship Recipient: $49
This scholarship has been funded by generous donations from the Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation, Eye of Dunn County, and Local News Group (publisher of Menomonie News Net). Scholarships are open to all applicants and awarded based on available funding. - Early Bird Discount (Register by June 23, 2026): $139
- Stout Proud Discount (UW-Stout Faculty, Staff, Student, and Alumni Registration): $139
- Regular Registration: $169
IMPORTANT NOTES
Scholarship Applicants: If you plan to apply for a scholarship, do not register for the course until your scholarship application has been processed and you have received a confirmation email. Faculty/Staff/Students: Use your UW-Stout email when registering to receive the discount. Alumni: Reach out to [email protected] to receive a discount code BEFORE completing the registration form. Participants: Bring a personal laptop to class with the ability to send and receive feedback in Adobe PDF. FAQs: For information on Payment and Cancellation Policy, Disability Accommodations, and other issues.
Instructor: Kate Roberts Edenborg is a professor and the program director for the professional and technical communication degree at UW-Stout. She teaches journalism and media courses and also mentors students. Edenborg pursues grants that allow her to pay students to intern for non-profit community news outlets and collaborates with community members. She also was the previous faculty advisor for the campus news source, the Stoutonia.
Source: UW-Stout Continuing Education Webpage
