Reviews
“He’ll get your kids to rethink their publication’s writing”
“Bobby Hawthorne is the Iron Man of Scholastic Journalism. Like the Marvel Cinematic Universe patriarch, he keeps showing up (this is the fourth edition of Radical Write). But just like Robert Downey Jr., each work draws us back in. And just like with every Tony Stark movie, we know we’re going to find a voice that’s funny but insightful, familiar but fresh.
Bobby Hawthorne’s latest edition will spark the rethinking of your high school publication writing. He’ll have your kids ripping apart their own writing in an effort to challenge themselves to create stronger narrative and voice. The coolest part is that he does this with —wait for it—narrative and voice. Crazy, huh. Bobby’s latest edition offers the teenage journalism student a visually inviting and accessible way to rethink their writing. He gets kids to ask better questions to achieve a stronger narrative.”
— Dow Tate, Shawnee Mission East HS, Shawnee Mission, KS
“I got my first copy of The Radical Write in 2002, and I’m not exaggerating—it changed the way I teach writing. After I got that first edition, my students began to write about people, not things, and their writing not only improved, but so did their ability to see and find the stories and to understand the world around them. Instead of writing stories about prom themes, they were telling the story of the prom queen who had been homeschooled until her senior year. Instead of talking about the role of the team manager, they wrote about the student who after serving in that role for four years got to play in his last game and scored four three-pointers in the final minute. This is not your typical book about journalistic writing: it’s slightly ironic, a little humorous and very entertaining as it gives suggestions and common sense tips to improve student writing, and there are tons of examples that let students what good (and bad) writing looks like. Not kidding—a life changer.”
“The Radical Write is the Right Choice”
“The Radical Write Second Edition was the only text my school district would let me purchase. Not that the powers that be knew anything about journalism, writing, editing, or storytelling, but after eight years of begging, I told them if they would finally agree to buy my program a text -- only one text -- it should be that one. We couldn’t find a better example then, and the fourth edition is more of the same – with just the right level of improvement.
Not straying from the horse that brought him (saddled with taskmaster questions and provoking discussion that fosters plenty of weighing and considering, but most importantly thinking), Bobby Hawthorne inserts modern examples pertinent for today’s roller-coaster media world. Armed with the underlying theme of personal responsibility required to find the real story underneath the layers of traditional fluff lurking in many student publications and media today, his style is professional, motivated, and collegiate. As a journalism teacher, I want my students to be challenged, and the author maintains this mentality as he asks the readers to plan a mission.
That strategy to relate a great story requires allegiance to the fundamentals of reporting and interviewing, which Mr. Hawthorne addresses in style and substance. In conjunction, he promotes a modern calling to work across all platforms. But his fourth offering is more “radical” than just updated material; flowing through every chapter is the feeling that combining work ethic-driven fundamentals with a guarded appreciation of technology can propel student effort toward realizing the impact of the true story (as opposed to a faceless issue or Heaven forbid another dated article). “We must evolve, or we die,” Mr. Hawthorne bravely notes. That’s probably more for the teachers than the students, but this book serves equally.
The text is teeming with student work that illustrates the desired path. It also features poor examples that may resemble what the kids are producing. He’s not afraid to address the need for change and if that means challenging the Canon of “formula,” then so be it. The chapters feature sidebars, quick-hitter advice blocks, and even folksy “Bob’s Thumbs up” anecdotal briefs designed to hammer home a particular theme such as the value of an expanded vocabulary or the need to approach interviewing with no assumptions.
The word “truth” appears often in every chapter. Mr. Hawthorne doesn’t simply hope to educate the students reading this text, he ardently wills them to learn. He implores them to push the envelope. It is obvious; he believes in them and respects their potential. Whether it is setting up the interview, constructing a lead, cultivating sources, captioning a photo or angling a boring story (READ: cliché) toward compelling status, his text is lively, fun, and pointed. He practices what he preaches on each of the 125 pages.
Bobby Hawthorne said this edition will feature cool colors on the cover and hip title text. He knows the audience today has to see the work before actually commencing to read it. That’s the challenge he openly covets. Contrary to current views, he believes students want to read; however, the writer must provide content worthy of the effort. His text flows true to this theme. His “in-your-face” style, real-world examples garnered from years of teaching and writing in the field, and short-but-direct approach are focused to this end. It’s a mission that one must choose to accept. I only hope I can somehow pry another book purchase out of the School Board. It’s a book I need to read almost as much as my students.”
— Dean Hume, Newspaper Adviser, Lakota East High School, Lakota, OH
Let’s face it: most textbooks are a snoozefest. But “The Radical Write” not only features great student writing, but fun, insightful and inspiring narration from Bobby. One of the toughest things for a teacher to get across to high school students is to develop and trust in their own “voices” as writers. It’s just a little bit easier when you can provide those students with a book written with Bobby’s strong, intriguing voice. I don’t want some wimpy, namby-pamby “just do your best, honey” kind of text for my students. I want them challenged to do their very best, to see that high school students can write with skill and passion, without any “Well, that’s pretty good for a kid” nonsense. This text never apologizes. To not have copies of “The Radical Write” in your classroom is just willful ignorance, and you seem like a smart teacher. Buy the damn book.
— Jack Kennedy, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
“Bobby Hawthorne’s The Radical Write is a staple for my students. I’ve had it since the first edition, and Hawthorne’s approach to journalistic writing is so accessible to high school students. It’s a must-have for any classroom or newsroom. Half the battle of teaching kids journalism is getting them to present the news to their readers. The other half – the more difficult half – is getting those same journalists to present that news in a form that makes their audiences want to read it. ‘The Radical Write’ teaches both skills – how to present the news and how to write that news in a compelling manner. It’s a great resource in my classroom.”
“The latest edition of The Radical Write blends practical tips with fresh examples in a reader-friendly, purposeful and often humorous format relatable to students and approachable to teachers. As an educator I love the "EQs" and "Gimme Five" segments to close each chapter, and as a reader I love the tone and pace. In an era of heavy reliance on a hodge-podge of online sources to piece together a writing curriculum, The Radical Write proves the unparalleled value of a standard classroom text written specifically for student journalists.”
— Sarah Nichols, Yearbook Adviser, Whitney HS, Rocklin, CA
“Warning: Reading the Radical Write could cause a wholesale disruption of all that you hold dear in traditional journalism. It will result in abandonment of the inverted pyramid, inane “Imagine…” leads, month-old news summaries and other outdated practices of scholastic journalism. Side-effects include laughter at Bobby’s humorous voice, amazement at his many great examples and a dedication to narrative journalism – that is, telling actual stories about real people.”
— Jim Woehrle, Newspaper Adviser, Midland High School, Midland, MI
“I started using Bobby Hawthorne’s Radical Write shortly after the first edition was published in 1994. Finally, a journalistic writing textbook that recognized the increasingly-changing world of how news consumers absorbed information. Hawthorne’s book was radical insofar that it looked at the function of modern scholastic journalism, veering away from trite inverted-pyramid coverage and over emphasis on data, and focused on the essence of good story telling, namely people! If I could have only one textbook to satisfy all of my writing needs, the Radical Write is clearly head-and-shoulders above the rest.”
— Tom Pilcher, Media Adviser, Hoover HS, Des Moines, Iowa
“I am one of those Journalism teachers who began teaching Yearbook and Newspaper because no one else in my department wanted to. I had no background or education in Journalism so I was reaching for anything to help teach news writing. Bobby's book knocked down the walls built by the older traditional books I was using before. The Radical Write transformed the way I viewed and taught high school journalism. My students went from writing voiceless inverted pyramids to turning out powerful award-winning student-centered stories. My veteran students found it of such a value that they teach our new staff from the book. Written in a way that is easy to digest and inspiring, it is a must-read for all advisers and students of high school journalism programs.”
— Matt Varca, Yearbook & Newspaper Adviser, Grandview High School, Grandview, CO
I can’t imagine a high school journalism room operating without The Radical Write. Unlike other textbooks, this book not only helpful and insightful, it’s a fun read. I never have to worry about my students’ eyes glazing over when we read this book. The format is perfect for this generation of scan readers.
