Sports Writing
Through IONYOU Media, I have had the privilege to cover multiple professional sports. From interviewing to building a feature story, every aspect of reporting and writing is present all while I have to maintain professionalism because most of the time I am the youngest journalist in the room.
THE BEST OF THE BEST
PROFFESIONAL LEAGUES I HAVE COVERED IN-PERSON
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TIME WITH IONYOU MEDIA
As the written editor for IONYOU Media for nine months, I encountered every aspect of what it means to tell stories through written media. From the process of applying for credentials to writing articles and game recaps while the game is still in season, every experience curated my skills as a writer and reporter, but then translate into my broadcasting as well. Becoming a better writer expanded my vocabulary, my grammatical analysis, and so much more, directly benefiting me as a speaker/verbal communicator through play-by-play broadcasting.
SKILLS USED WITH IONYOU
EXPEDIATED WRITING
Before/During
IONYOU prided itself on producing quality articles and photos in a expediated fashion which meant my articles had to be ready to go as fast as possible. In some scenarios, I was publishing my article as the referees blew the last whistle. This was a difficult skill to learn, but it helped me prepare for every scenario and learn to become effective while still being fast.
FACTUAL EDITING
During/After
I made a lot of mistakes, but between grammar and punctuation I grew as a writer. When I would edit I would start to eliminate mistakes made previously in my initial time naturally creating a faster and less tedious editing process each time I wrote a new article. Part of this routine is going back and reading my articles to take notes and make mental points to improve for the next one.
COMPLIMENTARY ADDITIONS
After
Publishing articles in a quick manor often meant that the only commentary in the written piece was from me, leaving a lot to be desired in terms of depth. However, after attending the press conference and sometimes conducting player interviews, I would return to the already published article and add quotes and references that created a more in-depth perspective for the reader.
Feature Stories
A feature story is like a deep dive into a topic, giving you more than just the facts. It explores people's stories, emotions, and the bigger picture in a way that's interesting and relatable, not just straight-up news or recap. It is a form of writing that should be held in a high regard, and that is what I try to do.
Reporting
I love reporting, especially before games, because it is scripted and is less pressure. Sometimes there is second or even third takes all providing all the grace in the world. My reporting has mostly been visual, tying directly into my broadcast journalism, but the aspect of reporting is integrated into every area of this art.
Live Tweeting
The requirements and constraints of my roles as a broadcaster and writer prevent live-tweeting from being a part of my normal gameday routine, however it has been slotted on occasion. Tweeting for IONYOU gave me a new perspective on how some fans watch games, with some not being completely glued to their TVs, but instead flocking to social media to discuss moments and look for updates. Being a part of that X/Twitter live feed was special. You can view one of them here: LINK
