Reporting Assignment
For the reporting assignment, cherubs interview local Evanston residents. This year, cherubs had to report on reactions to two possible high-rise developments in Evanston. They learned basic interviewing skills and how to approach strangers.
Example
Jeff Scholl
“As a Chicago resident who works in Evanston, Marc Giordano said he is concerned development practices in his hometown could be spreading north.
“I’ve gone through neighborhoods in Chicago that have been gentrified. Once it starts, it doesn’t seem to stop,” said Giordano, 52, who works at his family business, the Giordano Dance Center.”
Read Jeff Scholl's Story
Descriptive Story
Cherubs go out into the world and find a person to observe. They take notes and then write a descriptive story that highlights an interesting aspect of the person. Everything is done without the subject's knowledge.
Example
Jessica Friedman
“The Ambrose Café walls speak. The deep blue welcomes customers, who stop by for iced coffee and 75¢ apples. A mini basketball hoop hangs next to a wooden shelving unit filled with for-sale ceramic dishware. The counter holds an espresso machine, rows of flavored syrups, and loose tea leaves in jars with handwritten labels. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows line the storefront. And he presides over all, a quiet lion in a grassland safari reserve.”
Read Jessica Friedman's Story
Fourth of July
It is a cherub tradition to write a color story about the local Evanston Fourth of July Parade. Cherubs try to find “a blade of grass” to develop a story, or a specific, interesting angle.
Example
Carley Lake
“Paul Miller spent his Fourth of July balancing a shopping cart on his chin.
Miller, 32, is director of Chicago Youth Circus' CircEsteem. He led his group of 17 jugglers, clowns and stilt-walkers down Central Street in Evanston's 86th annual Fourth of July parade.”
Read Carley Lake's Story |
Editorial
After the reporting assignment, cherubs learn to research and write a solid staff editorial. This year's topic was the military draft. Cherubs had to convince instructors whether the draft was a good or bad idea.
Example
Taylor Freret
“Rep. Charles B. Rangel (D-N.Y.) said he plans to introduce a bill to revive the military draft in 2007. Rangel’s proposal, however, would serve only to weaken the United States economy and military.”
Read Taylor Freret's Editorial
Trend Story
The trend story is the final cherub assignment. Cherubs find a trend topic that interests them. They then do considerable research and write an article that is suitable for publication.
Minimum word length: 1,000 words.
Examples
Allyson Bain
“Diane Elliston wants to “go green,” but her aspirations don’t suffice. For financial reasons, Elliston cannot own a green home, an environmentally-friendly house. Her only hope is to own one in the future. Complications such as cost and time leave Elliston finding alternate methods to help the environment.”
Read Allyson Bain's Story
Kim Kirschenbaum
“Jonathan Sigworth, 20, was on a school trip in India last year when his life changed forever. During a bike ride down one of Suri’s most dangerous roads, he hit a cluster of rocks and veered off a 50-foot cliff. Sigworth plunged headfirst, severing his spinal cord and suffering paralysis from his armpits down. But rather than allow his near-decapitation to ruin his life, he turned to online religion. He lamented the accident on Christian forums. He searched the internet for inspirational psalms.”
Read Kim Kirschenbaum's Story
Sam Grossman
“As a toddler, Dawson Sidler hid under furniture and fidgeted during church. At basketball games, the shrill sound of the buzzer irritated him to the point of tears. His parents just thought he was a little different.”
Read Sam Grossman's Story |
