Thoughts of a JMC Major

I've learned a lot in Advanced News Writing this semester, but the question to ask is, what will I take with me after graduation?  All of my journalism courses have reinforced my negative views of media, but they have also given me explanations as to why I might feel that way.  The experience has not been negative, it has been wonderful.  I've learned how to interview people and network with people more effectively.  I've become a better writer, and my thoughts and ideas are more readily transferred onto paper than they were four years ago.  This is exactly what I had hoped for when I entered the program, and all of my classes have helped me become a better writer.  What I did not get was a reassurance that my negativity was unfounded, but for a critical mind, this applies to most parts of life.  My biggest surprise came last year, when I learned that many students in the program believed that the ends justified the means, and that unethical behavior was justified by the positive results.  This did not necessarily surprise me, but it did disappoint me.  What I did not expect was to have a very similar opinion about journalism after graduation to the views I had at the end of high school.  I would love to have become a more diligent worker rather than a procrastinator, but that change has been minimal.  The advice I would give to incoming journalism students is the same advice that I would give to a person in any field of study: think critically.  

Profiling a Professor

My first story this semester was a profile piece that I wrote about April Miller, a film and English professor at the University of Northern Colorado.  

The difficulty in this task was finding the time to interview people who may have had something to say about Miller.  Scheduling meetings that fit the busy lives of students and teachers, as well as myself, was a great challenge.  Despite the difficulty in scheduling, it was very easy to find positive feedback about Miller, because everyone had something wonderful to say about her.  It was easy to find people who have had a positive experience working with her, or taking one of her classes.

This assignment was a learning experience, from the planning and the research, to the writing and revising.  I learned how to sharpen my skills as a reporter and information gatherer, and also how to be on my toes during interviews.  I learned that questions may come up during interviews that you had previously not thought of, and they may change the complexion of the story.  I also gained an understanding of how to use quotes more efficiently.  There is a great amount of impact in the way you use quotes, some function better when they are paraphrased, and I learned that during the revision stage.

Overall, I wrote a good profile story.  It got my message across, and was supported by evidence.  The language I used in my descriptions painted a picture for the reader, and I made the story relevant to readers.  I do have many things to work on, most importantly my ability to gather information.  I needed more information to back up my claims, and more time to research and interview would benefit my writing in the future.  I also need to spend more time revising, because that is the most important part of the writing process, and I squandered the opportunity to perfect my profile.

I've learned a lot about writing in doing this profile piece.  There are strengths in my writing, but there is still plenty of room for improvement.