Reporting & Writing
Reporting
Reporting is at the core of how I understand and tell stories. It allows me to gather diverse perspectives, ask meaningful questions and ground my stories in accurate, well-researched information. My reporting process is thoughtful and reflective, using cycle reflections to evaluate each step and continuously improve my approach. Through this work, I hope to highlight the importance of responsible reporting in informing audiences, representing communities and creating stories that are both credible and impactful.
1. Background Research
In journalism, being accurate and providing context is everything. This is why I always begin my reporting process with in-depth background research. In doing so, I have a better understanding of the bigger picture, am able to ask more informed questions and ensure I avoid spreading misinformation. By grounding my work in facts from the start, I am able to tell stories that are not only compelling but also credible.
2. Interviewing
Another essential part to journalism is interviewing. For me, this step is not just about getting a quote to pop into a story, its about learning the depth of a story, ensuring your providing accuracy and making sure to get the full story of every story. I don’t settle for the easiest, quickest voice to get. I seek the sources who will offer depth and firsthand insight. This along with including multiple perspectives ensures that I am not a one-sided storyteller. When interviewing, I stay fully engaged and open-minded so I can ask thoughtful questions and truly listen to what the source is saying.
3. Drafting
After interviewing, I begin drafting my stories. I always make sure to do this after I interview so I'm not locked into a preconceived angle. This ensures that my reporting is flexible and true to what I actually learn. I start by selecting the most compelling quotes and insights and then work to build a structure around them. My process involves outlining key points first and then going in to add details. This helps me stay organized while still focused on allowing the story to develop naturally.
4. Self-editing
Once I have a draft complete, I always take time to self-edit before submitting my work. I read everything out loud to check for flow, clarity and tone. This not only helps me catch small grammatical errors but also any awkward phrasing or missing context. I also fact-check all names, dates or small details to ensure accuracy. This step is critical for polishing my writing and making sure what I am submitting is as strong as possible.
Cycle Reflections
After each cycle, every member of the ODYSSEY Media Group completes a cycle reflection. In this essay, they reflect on their best and worst interviews, growth as an interviewer and what they could improve on. Although to some these assignments can be seen as busy work, to me, cycle reflections are pivotal in growing as a reporter. I use these assignments to hold myself accountable and realize things I could have done differently. Why was my worst interview my worst? How can I use this to improve in the future? If I failed to get multiple perspectives on a story that needed it, how can I ensure I do in the future? This opportunity to look over the work I've done and reflect allows me to continually improve.
Writing
Reporting is at the core of how I understand and tell stories. It allows me to gather diverse perspectives, ask meaningful questions and ground my stories in accurate, well-researched information. My reporting process is thoughtful and reflective, using cycle reflections to evaluate each step and continuously improve my approach. Through this work, I hope to highlight the importance of responsible reporting in informing audiences, representing communities and creating stories that are both credible and impactful.
Beyond The Mat
When I was a Sports Staffer, for Issue 2 of our 2023-24 magazine, I wrote a feature on the CCHS wrestling team. I combined a Q&A with the head coach and a photo essay capturing the intensity of practices/rhythm of the season. While the story itself was relatively straightforward, it taught me a lot about the importance of preparation and background research. Coming into interviews with a wide range of thoughtful concepts helped me draw out meaningful insight and coming in with knowledge on the team helped me ask the right questions. This piece also showed me how important and meaningful visual storytelling can be.
Playing for Pops
Award Winner
For Issue 3 of our 2023-24 magazine, I wrote a profile on CCHS basketball senior La’Neric Gill. This was the first big story I ever wrote and I completely underestimated how challenging the process would be. I went into without the preparation I needed which led to multiple follow-up interviews, extra questions and several rounds of edits. While it was frustrating and lowered my confidence as a writer, the experience overall has pushed me to grow as a reporter. In the end, I was proud of how the profile came together and grateful for how much I learned and been able to carry into future stories.
Eighth Grade Gladiators
award winner
Coming to end of my time as a Sports Staffer, for the last Issue of our 2023-24 magazine, I wrote a two-page story on eighth graders playing for CCHS JV sports teams. Coming off of writing a profile where I struggled, this story helped build back my confidence and was one of my most successful stories that year. This was largely due to the preparation I put in beforehand. I researched my topic thoroughly, interviewed a variety of sources and while it wasn't as long or in-depth as my story for Issue 3, I still take a lot of pride in how it turned out. Comparing it to my earlier work from the year, I can clearly see how much I’ve grown in my reporting, organization and ability to write a cohesive story.
Liya's Lineup: WNBA
For Issue 4 of our 2024-25 magazine, I wrote my first-ever editorial and it was only the second time I had taken a stance in my writing. Transitioning from news to opinion was challenging, especially when it came to flow and breaking out of objective habits, but my passion for the topic drove me forward. I was fully invested in getting the story published, and no matter how many rounds of edits it took, I kept refining it. I learned how to build a persuasive argument, lean into voice and trust my instincts as a writer. In the end, that persistence paid off, and the piece became one of my favorite stories I’ve ever written.
Editorial: Liya's Lineup
For my first editorial as Sports Editor I wrote about the WNBA’s rise in popularity and cultural relevance. I entered the reporting process eager but initially struggled to refine a clear angle, which pushed me to approach my interview with a professor with an open mind. That conversation helped shape the focus of the editorial and gave me the confidence to fully commit to the writing process. Looking back, this editorial represents a turning point in my role and set a strong foundation for my future editorials.
My second editorial explored the topic of team prayer in sports, a subject that challenged me more than I anticipated. As a Jewish athlete, I drew from personal experience while working to carefully to balance storytelling with factual context and data. This required extensive revision and close attention to word choice. While this editorial is not my strongest piece, it deepened my appreciation for unique sports coverage and reinforced that growth as a journalist comes from tackling difficult stories as well as successful ones.
My work VS yours:
TikTok Ban
For Issue 3 of our 2024-25 magazine, I wrote an opinion piece arguing that TikTok is essential for high school students, countering another staffer’s opposing viewpoint. Going into the story, I hadn’t realized how challenging it can be to balance strong opinions with factual accuracy. Though the piece was short, it introduced me to the layers of effective opinion writing and helped me discover how much I enjoy taking a stance in my work. With guidance from more experienced writers, I crafted a compelling and well-supported argument, an experience that gave me the confidence and skills to continue developing my voice in future opinion pieces.
Throughout my time on staff, I’ve written a range of short reviews for the variety section of our magazine, from 150-word food blurbs to a more in-depth, 250-word roundup on a local milkshake restaurant. When I first tackled a cultural buzz piece as a freshman, I struggled to find my voice and figure out what made a review stand out. I didn’t yet know how to go beyond surface-level impressions. But with each piece, I’ve learned to dig deeper, I’ve learned to balance praise with criticism and consider details like atmosphere, originality and visual appeal. Over time, I’ve developed a sharper eye and a stronger sense of how to craft reviews that are thoughtful, engaging and unique.