General Writing Advice

A new journalist in any of the publications should start by writing news stories first. Often, there is a mistaken belief that it is easier for someone inexperienced to write a column or an editorial. This is a bad idea on many, many levels.

New staffers need to learn to walk before they can run, and that means tackling the basics of solid journalism first. It's that sort of solid reporting, writing, and editing experience that makes the best editorial writers and columnists possible. Ask the following:

• Am I in my first year on staff? Write news and leave opinion writing to the more experienced.
• Am I nervous about interviewing students, teachers, administrators? Nervousness is good! Do more news stories and those feeling will be reduced.
• My copy comes back in ribbons from my editors. Is that okay? Getting edits is good! You're learning! Do more news stories and those edits will be fewer and far between.
• I think my opinion on topic X is important. Should I write an opinion? Look at the points above. If any of those apply, think about how to approach the topic as a news story and cover it fairly. If you can't cover a story fairly, let someone else take it on or talk with the editors about a possible editorial for the editorial writers.