Intro to the life of a journalist

After completing my final hours for summer mentorship, I have concluded with a prominent sense of what it means to be a journalist, or at least, have obtained a grasp on what defines this field of work. A majority of time is often consumed by research and writing down facts, followed by drafting articles, printing copies for the editor to overlook, and rewriting copy. To my delight, I have already successfully finished two "Our Town" assignments which were then published onto the online magazine at: claremont-courier.com

Below I have attached my first publication.

As requested, I am required to procure official documents that state the school is aware of me working with Claremont Courier. Once this task is accomplished, I can begin to contribute to the newspaper! This is an opportunity that I cannot wait to accept. For the time being, I am completing hours by researching details regarding a community dispute on whether the water company should be owned by it's city.

Interview Preparation

1. Who do you plan to interview? Why?

I plan to interview Sarah Torribio at Claremont Courier because she's a reporter and is familiar with creative nonfiction and the techniques used.

2.  You have to ask 5 questions.  What additional questions do you plan to ask?  Ask open-ended questions.

The additional questions I plan to ask are:

•If one were to persue a career in creative nonfiction what classes would you suggest they take in order to build the needed skills?

•Although creative nonfiction is relatively new, how does it compare to the various mainstream forms of fiction being published now?

•Creative nonfiction is often depicted as the marriage between journalism and fiction, from your personal experience can you validate that statement? If not then why?

Topic Choice and Working EQ

1. My topic is: Nonfiction creative writing

2. Write a question that helps to focus your research this month.

 In creative nonfiction, what specific techniques can be applied from journalism and creative writing in order to effectively convey both aspects in a pleasing literary style?

3. Post the working bibliography (WB) on the right hand side of the blog and share it so anybody can view it.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/lv?key=0ApR8npA1bx26dGo0QWU1OFIyd2Q1X0ttenJGalhvZGc&usp=drive_web

Summer Mentorship Component

1. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/lv?key=0ApR8npA1bx26dFRsR1llc3hSTTQ1N0Q5VjRVcmRrSGc&usp=drive_web

2. Over the course of the summer I mentored at Claremont Courier which can be contacted at:

(909) 621-4761

3. During my mentorship, the following questions were raised:

•If I were to persue a carrer in journalism, would it be enough to support me, financially?

•Since journalism requires an abundance of research, what sort of resources can journalists utilize that go beyond the internet?

•Although public newspapers possess a certain consistent writing style, how might a writer attain their own voice without disrupting the overall tone of the newspaper?

•Even though the articles produced by journalists are comprised of fact, detail, and quotes, are there still aspects of creative writing?

4. The most prominent piece of information I obtained through this experience was that although a career in writing isn't ideal financially, it can still be rewarding. That is, if the writer is persistent and is willing to "hustle" on the side.

5. My senior topic is going to be on creative writing and the many aspects of it that can be applied to journalism and freelance writing.

Blog 1: 2 Hour presentation

Blog assignment:

1. What presentations did you see?

 The presentations that I saw were: music performing and promoting, editorial publishing, occupational therapy, information technology, defense systems engineering, software development, music performance, music industry, warehouse op. management, homelessness, biochemistry (biofuels), Brazilian jiu jitzu,  information technology, theater acting, organic architecture, and domestic violence.

2. What questions do you have that haven't been answered about the senior project? 

Some questions that were left unanswered after senior presentations were the following: What is the best way to find an internship? Can you do more than three activities during senior presentation? Does your internship have to directly relate to your senior project topic?

3. What was the most important part of the senior project based on what you are seeing in 2 hour presentations?

The most important part about the senior project according to the 2 hour presentations that I watched, is to help students acquire a sense of what they wish to do and the skills needed to successfully convey that information to their peers.

4. What topic are you considering doing and why?

I am considering doing my senior project on creative writing and all the elements that make for a successful author. I chose this topic because my whole life I have always been passionate about writing, whether it be composing my own original songs, stories, or poetry. 

5. What are you doing for your summer mentorship?

For my summer mentorship, I plan to intern with my aunt who works for a publishing company.