5 answers
Elija
Student
1
Question
Asked
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What kind of skills and classes could assist me in pursuing journalism ?
I’m a freshman in high school. I enjoy writing and interviewing my friends and family. So I would greatly appreciate some help to discover if this is the right fit for me.
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5 answers
Brian P. D. Hannon
Journalist / Former College English and History Teacher
38
Answers
Bangkok, Thailand
Updated
Brian P. D.’s Answer
Until you have decided what specific areas you want to cover as a journalist, the best thing to do is to take an array of courses that provide a broad education in all the subjects you find interesting. Politics, government, business, education, arts and culture, science and technology are all topics that you could learn about in classes at school. If you are interested in possibly writing about business, for instance, take classes in math, economics, and basic business practices. If you want to specialize in coverage of the environment, take classes in biology, chemistry and geology.
Any sort of computer course will be extremely helpful now and in the future. This is not only helpful for reporting about technology, but simply for the purpose of understanding how to share stories in a society that is becoming increasingly reliant on computers and mobile technology for exchanging information. In addition to social media, learn how to work with content management and internet publishing platforms such as WordPress and GoogleDocs, as well as graphic design, web design, page layout, and digital video, audio and photography programs and apps including Adobe Photoshop and InDesign, GIMP, and all the standard Microsoft Office programs including Word, PowerPoint, Publisher, and Excel. Many software tutorials are posted as videos online at YouTube and other sources that can be located with a quick Google search, and there are numerous lists of helpful software for journalists that can be found online.
Be sure to study history, which is as wide open as journalism in terms of focusing on anything you may want to cover as a reporter. History courses will help you understand why the world is the way it is now and how it became that way. You cannot fully share and explain stories about current events with your readers, listeners, or viewers unless you understand the background of your stories and how those situations and events came to be. This could mean studying the history of different time periods – ancient, early modern, or modern history – as well as the history of different geographic regions, from the history of the United States, Europe or the Middle East right down to the history of your own city or town. Studying the history of social and protest movements and figures, such as the Suffragette and Civil Rights movements and Ghandi’s nonviolent protests, will provide a better understanding of modern advocacy and civil society movements such as Black Lives Matter, Occupy Wall Street, and MeToo.
In a related area, courses teaching the basics of philosophy would be helpful in understanding ethics and civil society and provide a good foundation for responsible journalism.
Also, studying a foreign language – any foreign language – will be an asset to you in future journalism jobs. The more people you can communicate with and understand, the more stories you can report.
Finally, learn how to type properly and not just peck at the keyboard with one or two fingers. The typing class I took in high school still benefits my daily work as a journalist.
Any sort of computer course will be extremely helpful now and in the future. This is not only helpful for reporting about technology, but simply for the purpose of understanding how to share stories in a society that is becoming increasingly reliant on computers and mobile technology for exchanging information. In addition to social media, learn how to work with content management and internet publishing platforms such as WordPress and GoogleDocs, as well as graphic design, web design, page layout, and digital video, audio and photography programs and apps including Adobe Photoshop and InDesign, GIMP, and all the standard Microsoft Office programs including Word, PowerPoint, Publisher, and Excel. Many software tutorials are posted as videos online at YouTube and other sources that can be located with a quick Google search, and there are numerous lists of helpful software for journalists that can be found online.
Be sure to study history, which is as wide open as journalism in terms of focusing on anything you may want to cover as a reporter. History courses will help you understand why the world is the way it is now and how it became that way. You cannot fully share and explain stories about current events with your readers, listeners, or viewers unless you understand the background of your stories and how those situations and events came to be. This could mean studying the history of different time periods – ancient, early modern, or modern history – as well as the history of different geographic regions, from the history of the United States, Europe or the Middle East right down to the history of your own city or town. Studying the history of social and protest movements and figures, such as the Suffragette and Civil Rights movements and Ghandi’s nonviolent protests, will provide a better understanding of modern advocacy and civil society movements such as Black Lives Matter, Occupy Wall Street, and MeToo.
In a related area, courses teaching the basics of philosophy would be helpful in understanding ethics and civil society and provide a good foundation for responsible journalism.
Also, studying a foreign language – any foreign language – will be an asset to you in future journalism jobs. The more people you can communicate with and understand, the more stories you can report.
Finally, learn how to type properly and not just peck at the keyboard with one or two fingers. The typing class I took in high school still benefits my daily work as a journalist.
Marlene Ridgway
Feature Writer
7
Answers
Leland, North Carolina
Updated
Marlene’s Answer
Most writing positions are looking for experience and communication skills. I recommend taking at least a few comm classes, such as interviewing!
Good luck!
Good luck!
Afolabi Oladayo
Poet
7
Answers
Texas City, Texas
Updated
Afolabi’s Answer
As a freshman in high school interested in pursuing journalism, here are some skills and classes that can be beneficial:
Writing Skills: Focus on improving your writing skills by practicing different styles, tones, and formats. Consider taking English classes to develop your grammar, syntax, and vocabulary.
Creative Writing: Engage in creative writing classes to enhance your storytelling abilities, which will be valuable for feature articles and human interest stories.
Journalism or Newspaper Class: If your school offers a journalism or newspaper class, definitely consider enrolling. These classes often cover news writing, reporting, ethics, and journalistic standards.
English Literature: Literature classes can expose you to various writing styles and techniques, expanding your understanding of narrative structures and language usage.
Media Literacy: Understanding how media works and analyzing different types of media can help you become a more critical and informed journalist.
Public Speaking: Strong communication skills are essential for interviews, presentations, and speaking engagements. Public speaking classes can boost your confidence.
Research Skills: Learn how to conduct thorough research, fact-check information, and cite sources properly. This is crucial for accurate reporting.
Digital Skills: Familiarize yourself with digital tools, social media platforms, and content management systems commonly used in modern journalism.
Photography and Multimedia: Classes in photography and multimedia can help you develop skills in capturing compelling images and creating engaging multimedia content.
Ethics and Media Law: Understanding journalistic ethics and media laws is important to maintain integrity and avoid legal issues in your reporting.
Interviewing Techniques: Learn effective interview techniques to gather information and quotes from sources. This is a cornerstone of journalism.
Critical Thinking: Classes that encourage critical thinking and analysis will help you approach stories from different angles and viewpoints.
Foreign Language: Learning a foreign language can broaden your ability to cover international stories or communicate with diverse sources.
Internships or Extracurricular Activities: Consider joining your school newspaper, participating in writing clubs, or seeking internships at local media outlets to gain practical experience.
Remember, journalism is a dynamic field, and staying curious, adaptable, and open to learning will be key to your success.
Writing Skills: Focus on improving your writing skills by practicing different styles, tones, and formats. Consider taking English classes to develop your grammar, syntax, and vocabulary.
Creative Writing: Engage in creative writing classes to enhance your storytelling abilities, which will be valuable for feature articles and human interest stories.
Journalism or Newspaper Class: If your school offers a journalism or newspaper class, definitely consider enrolling. These classes often cover news writing, reporting, ethics, and journalistic standards.
English Literature: Literature classes can expose you to various writing styles and techniques, expanding your understanding of narrative structures and language usage.
Media Literacy: Understanding how media works and analyzing different types of media can help you become a more critical and informed journalist.
Public Speaking: Strong communication skills are essential for interviews, presentations, and speaking engagements. Public speaking classes can boost your confidence.
Research Skills: Learn how to conduct thorough research, fact-check information, and cite sources properly. This is crucial for accurate reporting.
Digital Skills: Familiarize yourself with digital tools, social media platforms, and content management systems commonly used in modern journalism.
Photography and Multimedia: Classes in photography and multimedia can help you develop skills in capturing compelling images and creating engaging multimedia content.
Ethics and Media Law: Understanding journalistic ethics and media laws is important to maintain integrity and avoid legal issues in your reporting.
Interviewing Techniques: Learn effective interview techniques to gather information and quotes from sources. This is a cornerstone of journalism.
Critical Thinking: Classes that encourage critical thinking and analysis will help you approach stories from different angles and viewpoints.
Foreign Language: Learning a foreign language can broaden your ability to cover international stories or communicate with diverse sources.
Internships or Extracurricular Activities: Consider joining your school newspaper, participating in writing clubs, or seeking internships at local media outlets to gain practical experience.
Remember, journalism is a dynamic field, and staying curious, adaptable, and open to learning will be key to your success.
Rekha Parthasarathy
Public Relations -- Media -- Communications
5
Answers
San Jose, California
Updated
Rekha’s Answer
Hi Elija-
Awesome! That is a great interest. See if your high school offers a Creative Writing class. I was surprised to see my daughter's high school offer that (most schools do not, but this could be changing). Then, see if you could take any classes related to digital photography, video production/broadcast media or similar. These are adjacent areas to writing and skills that you can build on later should you decide to go into print or broadcast journalism or become a YouTuber! Also, you have Public Relations (PR) as a viable career path down the road. It's great when you've first worked as a journalist (or studied journalism) and then go into PR.
As such, pay closer attention to the various writing styles teachers ask you to follow for submitting research papers at school (e.g., Chicago style writing or APA style). As FYI, news media uses the AP style of writing, which isn't used much in business writing. Also, pay close attention as the years go by to what subjects interest you -- for writing and interviewing people. Is it sports? Is it about investing money? Is it about corporations? Let your interests evolve naturally. Don't force it. And if you decide to go in a completely different direction, that is fine too! :) You have to choose a career your heart wants. There will be days you'll have to work very hard. Liking what you do will make those days easier. Hope this is helpful to you. Take care!
Awesome! That is a great interest. See if your high school offers a Creative Writing class. I was surprised to see my daughter's high school offer that (most schools do not, but this could be changing). Then, see if you could take any classes related to digital photography, video production/broadcast media or similar. These are adjacent areas to writing and skills that you can build on later should you decide to go into print or broadcast journalism or become a YouTuber! Also, you have Public Relations (PR) as a viable career path down the road. It's great when you've first worked as a journalist (or studied journalism) and then go into PR.
As such, pay closer attention to the various writing styles teachers ask you to follow for submitting research papers at school (e.g., Chicago style writing or APA style). As FYI, news media uses the AP style of writing, which isn't used much in business writing. Also, pay close attention as the years go by to what subjects interest you -- for writing and interviewing people. Is it sports? Is it about investing money? Is it about corporations? Let your interests evolve naturally. Don't force it. And if you decide to go in a completely different direction, that is fine too! :) You have to choose a career your heart wants. There will be days you'll have to work very hard. Liking what you do will make those days easier. Hope this is helpful to you. Take care!
Seth Stevenson
Writer
9
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Seth’s Answer
Read a lot of great non-fiction books -- find the best ones about topics that interest you. As you read, think about the techniques the authors are using to describe real people and actual events in ways that sound like an exciting movie.
Look for interviews with famous people you find interesting, then think about the questions the interviewer asked, which questions resulted in the best answers, and what made some questions better than others.
Practicing interviewing on friends and family is a great idea. Try recording your interviews and then transcribing them, so you can see exactly what was said and think about what different questions you could have asked that might have resulted in interesting answers. One neat trick in interviewing is to wait in silence and see if the interview subject will fill the silence by talking. Another trick is to say the interview has ended and then ask a few more questions in a casual way -- people will often relax and give better answers when you do this.
Good luck!
Look for interviews with famous people you find interesting, then think about the questions the interviewer asked, which questions resulted in the best answers, and what made some questions better than others.
Practicing interviewing on friends and family is a great idea. Try recording your interviews and then transcribing them, so you can see exactly what was said and think about what different questions you could have asked that might have resulted in interesting answers. One neat trick in interviewing is to wait in silence and see if the interview subject will fill the silence by talking. Another trick is to say the interview has ended and then ask a few more questions in a casual way -- people will often relax and give better answers when you do this.
Good luck!