A Reflection of Journalism

By: Mary Elizabeth Butler

I entered this course with a mindset and preconception of Journalism that has drastically altered throughout the journey of this class. I was unaware of the depth embedded in this style of writing and have learned that Journalism is so much more than just news. I have been made aware that prior to, during, and after the production of this type of writing is conducted, a very complex set of standards must be met and upheld. I always knew of what “makes news” based on my awareness of what the media usually produces. However, deep diving into every single aspect of the process, like we have in this class, has opened my eyes to the way the media chooses to distribute this news. It did not surprise me that there are multiple different approaches and styles with the creation of journalistic work as there is with all types of writing. But what I have learned and acquired are the skills necessary to choose and decide how I would like to present information to the public. The same story and same information can be presented in a multitude of ways. I could start with an anecdotal lead choosing a story with relevance to make the readers want to continue, or even begin with suspense and mystery to leave the public with the need to continue the read. It is very beneficial to know that the writer has the ability to decide the outcome of the reader's reaction and impact just by their choice of words. Not only is this beneficial to know as a writer, but as a citizen who pays attention to the media, I will now always look at it with a different light. It really makes me think about how the media reports the facts of news, but depending on the style of journalism, any narrative can be created.