Student's name ??????????????????????

How determined are you? Send to Simon with next assignment

How determined are you to GET your story? Are you extremely determined to obtain information, research and quotes? Or do you give up if faced with obstacles? Or don't you know? Or are you SO determined that you annoy people?

Write the NUMBER of your chosen answer in this column ?

By phone, I'd sweet-talk anyone - switch operators, secretaries, spouses, even children - anyone - in order to get through to the person I need.

1.Don't know 2.I don't crawl 3.Sometimes 4.I suppose so 5.Of course!!

A harmless white lie doesn't hurt anyone, but it could get me what I want.

1.Don't know 2.I don't lie 3.Maybe 4.I think so 5.Agree 100%

If my interviewee labelled me "pushy", this is how I would feel:

1.Don't know 2.I'd hate it 3.Prefer not 4.Wouldn't worry 5.I'd be proud

I would hand-deliver an article to an editor even though he had not asked for it.

1.Don't know 2.Never 3.Maybe 4.If first time, yes 5.Always, absolutely!

If hand-delivering an article I would insist on seeing ONLY the editor.

1.Don't know 2.Never 3.If it seemed right 4.Why not? 5.Of course!

After my un-solicited article arrived at my target publication, this is how long I would wait to follow-up by phone:

1.Don't know 2.I don't harass people 3.Four weeks 4.One week 5.Next day

Creating articles is 50% research and 50% interviewing.

1.Don't know 2.No, 80% research, 20% interview 3.No, 60% research, 40% interview 4.Agree,50/50 5.No, 20% research, 80% interview

I would beg an uncooperative person to have pity on me, saying if I don't produce an article I can't pay the rent or similar pathetic plea.

1.Don't know 2.Revolting! 3.Unlikely 4.If pushed 5.Whatever it takes

If forced to do an interview BEFORE research, I'd not tell my interviewee.

1.Don't know 2.No, I would admit it 3.Too hard to fake it 4.I think I agree

5.Need interviewee's confidence so I must fake it

If someone I desperately need to interview repeatedly doesn't return my calls I would call him/her time and time again.

1.Don't know 2.Prefer to quit the job 3.Unlikely 4.Possibly 5.Ten calls a day!

Add the numbers for a total score:

10

Do you REALLY want to be a freelance journalist . . ?

11 to 20

You have low determination when faced with uncooperative people.

21 to 30

You are fairly determined, but not determined enough to ALWAYS quickly and effectively get to the people you need, and persuade them to cooperate.

31 to 40

You are determined enough to usually win jobs and editors' assignments.

41 to 45

You are extremely determined. Combined with your talent you will succeed.

46 to 50

You possibly come across as pushy and annoying. Tone it down.

Simon Townsend Media Tests 2006 Devised and developed by S P Townsend and republished with his permission.

Comments to Simon:???????....?????..................?????????????????????????

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