Graphic by Angus Robertson

As students, writing is a skill we use constantly in school. From essays to regular assignments, it is an ability most use every day. Yet, it can often seem difficult to improve the quality of what we write. It can feel limiting and even boring to practice the same styles of writing again and again and again. An engaging and effective way to improve writing skills is through trying new styles. Writing encompasses hundreds of different literary elements, techniques, and structures. Working with those we haven’t used before can give us new perspectives and strategies, which we can then bring to the things we write, improving our work immensely. The new style I have used to improve my writing the most this new year is journalism.

I was curious when I signed up for journalism last year. I had an open elective slot and no real interest in any of the classes on offer. That was when I decided to give journalism a chance. It was unlike any class I had ever taken before, but I figured I had to pick something. What I did not expect after signing up was how much I would come to appreciate journalism. It is a very unique type of writing, which helped develop my skills as a writer in a variety of areas. I worked on how to convey information and ideas quickly and effectively. I learned how to take external information and turn it into an engaging story. Arguably most importantly, I have become more comfortable with putting more of my voice, more of my personality, into my writing.

Now, that sounds nice and all, but how useful are these skills? Why put such emphasis on what I learned? Well, all of these skills helped me to become a better writer overall, not just as a journalist. Being able to quickly and effectively convey information is a critical skill when working under a time crunch, whether a deadline for an assignment or a time limit for an essay. Interpreting a source, then being able to turn that interpretation into an engaging piece of writing is hugely important for most of what school asks us to write.  Even personality and voice can improve your writing. What is an argument essay, but a request for your ideas?. Even things like analysis essays and regular assignments ask for your interpretation of a question or piece of writing. All of these skills, even those that seem not very important or applicable, can help you improve your ability to write and the quality of what you produce.

In trying something new, something I had little knowledge of let alone experience with, I was actually able to improve myself and my abilities. By learning the journalistic style, working with its aspects both unique and more familiar to me, I developed my strengths as a writer in ways that I take from the class and use in all parts of my life, from school assignments to personal projects. Though journalism wasn’t a class taken due to a love or passion for the subject, I have come to appreciate how much it has helped me grow as a writer. Through taking a risk and experimenting with something wholly new to me, I discovered a very engaging style and a way to improve my abilities.

Trying new things is one of the best ways we can better ourselves, so if you are looking for a way to become a better writer, I would encourage you to give journalism a try. Experimenting with something unfamiliar can often seem daunting, or like a waste of time, but taking a risk on something new can often have a huge payoff. Journalism is something new which will prove greatly beneficial as you move forwards as a student and writer.