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COVID-19 KQED Youth PerspectivesCOVID-19 KQED Youth Perspectives

A woman wearing a face mask as a precaution against COVID-19, coronavirus, walks past stores in Monterey Park, California on March 10, 2020. - Los Angeles County announced the first case of COVID-19 through community transmission. (Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP) (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)

 

As communities around the world are attempting to adjust to the COVID-19 crisis, KQED wants to hear from Bay Area teens about their experience. School closures, sheltering-in-place and disruptions from regular routines are undoubtedly hard on everyone, but young people face special challenges, like potentially missing prom, graduation or AP tests.

Teens can submit a recorded 1 - 2 minute audio perspective piece that addresses critical concerns for young people regarding the crisis.

Deadline: Friday, March 27 

Some questions to consider:

  • What is your home base during shelter-in-place experience? Describe your environment and daily routine? 
  • How long have you been at home and what’s the most frustrating or challenging thing you’ve had to deal with so far?
  • What are you most concerned about -- what’s your outlook on what lies ahead in the coming weeks for you and for the community/world?
  • What are your big questions about all of this?

Instructions

At heart, a Perspectives piece is personal, even if it touches on a political issue, local problem or universal truth. Perspectives that get on the air may share the following characteristics:

  • A compelling story that can be told in no more than two minutes (about 375 words) 
  • Vivid, precise language and word choice that bring the story to life in the mind of the listener
  • A window into an aspect of a young person’s life that helps define who they are and the world they live in

1- Listen to Examples

Meeting Expectations by Geraldo Gonzalez
That's so Gay by Olive Savoie

2- Write Your Script

Your script should be no longer than one page.

  1. Read this!  How to write a Perspective
  2. Need help writing?  Use this Graphic Organizer 

3- Record Your Audio

Recording audio on a smartphone is easy to do with these tips from Above the Noise host Myles Bess.

4- Submit

Upload your audio file to Soundcloud, YouTube or other streaming service (make sure to adjust your privacy settings to public). Add audio link and transcript to the submit form.

 

Questions: Contact Teresa Wierzbianska, Program Manager of Student Learning twierzbianska@kqed.org We will contact you if your piece is selected for broadcast.

Teachers: Looking for more resources to help your students write perspectives?  Check out the Perspectives curriculum page.