Write the most important info first, because news stories are cut from the bottom up. Make sure you check your facts and write accurately.

Finish your assignments on time and go after the best stories you can find within the confines of your class.

The link below is for online writing, but applies to all journalism.

Good luck, I’m sure you’ll get the hang on it in no time!

If writing for the school newpaper is, in fact, a class, there should be plenty of help there while you are learning. I have written several newspaper articles, a book and a magazine article. The magazine article was the first thing I ever submitted for publication to anyone. It was titled “My Fathers Hands” and I had never written anything prior to it. My dad died and I just felt he deserved more than a two inch obituary in a newspaper so I wrote a little capsule of his life. The point is it was very well received and I have been writing ever since. Find something that really inspires you, write it and rewrite it until you are satisfied it says what you want to say in a way others can understand. Accomplish that goal, being understood by your reader, and you will know how to write. You’ll be on your way and the course will help you improve in grammer, style, and punctuation.

Okay, I work for my student council, and do a lot of this. This is what I would say:

1. Always check grammar and spelling, even for the easiest things. It might reflect badly on you if someone reports a misprint.

2. As a journalist, you care about student voice. The newspaper is for student expression, and so you will do your best to communicate with your peers and other people to see what matters to them.

3. You must always work on the basis of fact: never speculate.

4. Go on. Keep trying. Don’t let people stop you, or be influenced by your friends to try and alter a story to make it more “gossip-worthy”.

“Good journalism…

… is to serve truth and democracy”

(I got that from the first link, which isn’t good for much else, but that is definitely relevent.)

For more hints, you could try these links. They might be a little too broadcasting-focused, but filter some of the answers though, and keep the ones that apply to you.

Well I went into Journalism for my high school paper, just observed how the papers were written, and wrote a paper similar to the style and made it on the team. I’m also a science major now, so english is definitely not my forte, but if you’re inspired, read a newspaper, and know how to write, then you shouldn’t have a problem. Good luck!

ps. It wouldn’t hurt to pick up a “Journalism for Dummies” book. Plus it’s class, it’s a learning experience!! People there aren’t professionals either.

try to find something that interests you and look for what is compelling about the subject. It doesn’t matter what the subject is, but as long as you can find a compelling story about it. Journalists are supposed to be objective, but being objective doesn’t mean not having a voice. Write with style and be judicious with your words. Think Hemmingway. Don;t always try to find the next big story. You will lose sight of what you are looking for. Remember journalism not only informs but also entertains. Find that balance and you will be great. Good Luck in finding your voice.

Well, try watching documentaries on Journalism. It may help you a little. And anyway, just write what you know about the stories. Try doing a fake one on your friends too.

A good journalist would never use the word “wanna”.

Do your research, write about what you know, use direct quotes to avoid a lawsuit, and get a good word format software that has grammar check and spell check.