Opinionated people don't always write the best opinion articles

"I'm angry about 'such-and-such event' and I absolutely intend to tell to you why you should be be angry too through this rant I am trying to pass off as journalism."

There are some common mistakes that those who are new to opinion writing, and especially young journalists, make when it comes time to write an opinion article or column. All too often when the writer is attempting to present an insightful view of what they see as a better solution to a problem, the product ends up seeming like an ill-informed rant or temper tantrum.

Everyone loves (photographing) a parade

All too often as a student journalist the assignments that you receive will involve tedious board meetings, the newest organizational system being employed by the library on campus or the paving of the student parking lot. When an exciting story like the student union protesting increases in tuition fees arises, it is not only great in terms of writing, but the photos will undoubtedly come out better than when I covered a three hour long board meeting. Below are tips for photographing protests, marches and parades.

Flakey staff members common, but easy to combat

It’s 9 p.m. on production night and the issue is still a few hours away from being sent to the printers after hours of layout design, proofreading and writing articles at the last minute to fill space. Exhausted and frustrated, you continue to stare at a backlit computer screen, hunched over the keyboard, wondering what you did so wrong that you ended up in this predicament.

Every college editor's nightmare on production day
by: Laurenjmapp

Photographing food best done in natural lighting

In today’s digital age, especially with news organizations downsizing, it is important to have more than one skill-set within the field of journalism. As such, if you’re looking to become a food writer, it is not only necessary that you be able to write about food in an informed and entertaining fashion, but depending on the news organization that you’re working for, you may also be required to take photographs to go alongside your articles or blog posts.

Balancing life as a student journalist difficult, but possible

Becoming a journalist may seem like a dead-end career choice, but with mass media evolving and growing at a rapid rate, it is becoming ever more important to pursue this field of study.

There are many books and websites out there to help the budding, college journalist, but very few sources show the firsthand experience in navigating college as a journalism major. As you begin your career studying the history of the field, it may be hard to transition between being a student, joining the campus newspaper, having a life, and balancing it all.