Analytical vs. Creative

Journalistic versus academic writing is like comparing the right and left sides of the brain.

Although writing is considered to be a more creative activity, academic writing is about as left-brain as you get. You use high level words and complex sentences, a lot of which tends to be unnecessary, to prove some complicated thesis.

Journalistic writing on the other hand, needs to be simple and concise. Using simple words and structure allow the average reader to understand and take interest in it. There is also a range of creative ledes an author can use when constructing a story.

An Insight into www.nlgja.org

I found the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association's website to be very diverse. It made the proper distinction between 'gay' and 'lesbian'. There was no use of the word homosexual, which is considered to be an inappropriate term for sexual orientation. They state clearly in their mission statement that their goal is to "foster fair and accurate coverage of LGBT issues." They make it clear that are against professional bias of any kind, and seek to develop unbiased reporting methods in their members. They are not advocating sexual orientation, nor are they an elite group whose members must be LGBT. They are simply a group of journalists of all manners of sexual orientation, who believe that LGBT issues need to be reported in a fair and unbiased manner. Though they have a few scholarships that are for students who are both LGBT and pursuing a journalism degree, that is the only preference they give. They offer jobs, internships and programs for anyone, regardless of sexual orientation. The stories they have posted on their website come from a variety of writers. There are men, women, African-Americans, Caucasians and many other diverse people contributing to the content of this website. Their workplace campaigns involve the idea of fairness and equality for everyone, not just the LGBT community. Overall, I think this website is a great example of diversity online.

The Challenges of Diversity

The challenge for me, with language and sensitivity for diversity, is that it sometimes fails to swings both ways. Particularly aggravating is when there is double standard. Certain cultures find it perfectly acceptable to use certain words or play into stereotypes about their culture that are unacceptable for the rest of society. Secondly, people forget diversity refers to all walks of life. People believe they are the underappreciated culture; therefore, respect for diversity should cater to them. Diversity is equal appreciation of all people. We must all be held to the same standards in respecting diversity.

The Challenges I Will Face

English is my favorite subject, and writing one of my favorite assignments. Give me a paper over an exam any day. My high school prepared me for the world of academic writing; writing for mass media is another story. My greatest challenge will be brevity and simplicity. I have been trained in academic writing to use complex diction, training that has even found it's way into my every day vocabulary. I need to learn how to write in a way easily understandable to everyone. I also need to use fewer words to get my point across: hence the challenge of this assignment.

Entering the World of Journalism and Mass Comm.

If you are considering a major within the Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communications, one of the first courses you will have take is JMC 2033, Writing for Mass Media. This course is a professional preparation and practice course, and is designed to help you better understand the value of using words to achieve professional goals whether you are a print or broadcast journalist, an advertising professional, public relations practitioner, documentary filmmaker, or a novelist.

The goal of JMC 2033 is help students improve writing skills through practice and proficient gathering of information, identifying and organizing what you want to say, and developing a sense of audience. You will gain an understanding of the specific conventions of writing for mass media/multimedia outlets and the core values of possible professions. The course will teach you to develop media literacy and professional skills, practice various types of media writing, and ultimately help you to narrow down your professional interests.

The course is divided between a fifty minute lecture and two hour lab, both of which meet twice a week. The lab and lecture have equal weight in the overall grade a student earns in the class. The lecture will focus on specific concepts and skills necessary for thinking and performing as professional communicators, and is the framework for the actual writing exercises given to students in the lab section of the course.

Entry into the course requires the prerequisite/concurrent enrollment in JMC 1013, passage of writing skills test, and sophomore standing.