https://simontownsendjournalist.com Journalism wisdom from Simon Townsend. Practical guides on writing, interviewing, pitching, freelancing, and the craft of the trade. en-AU https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/so-you-want-to-be-a-journalist/are-you-a-real-journalist.html https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/so-you-want-to-be-a-journalist/are-you-a-real-journalist.html 2026-04-18 Return To Simon Townsend With Next Assignment, Not By Itself STUDENT's NAME ??????????????????????????? What makes a REAL journo? What are the tried and tested... So You Want to Be a Journalist https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/so-you-want-to-be-a-journalist/be-what-you-want-to-be.html https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/so-you-want-to-be-a-journalist/be-what-you-want-to-be.html 2026-04-18 Reprinted with permission Be what you want to be Author: Juan-Carlo Tomas Publication: Sydney Morning Herald The point: You're fed up and are not going to take... So You Want to Be a Journalist https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/so-you-want-to-be-a-journalist/career-advice-for-journalists.html https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/so-you-want-to-be-a-journalist/career-advice-for-journalists.html 2026-04-18 Career advice Can I advise you on what direction to take in your journalism career? Well, I can't advise anyone how to make up their minds about the great... So You Want to Be a Journalist https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/so-you-want-to-be-a-journalist/characteristics-of-a-good-journalist.html https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/so-you-want-to-be-a-journalist/characteristics-of-a-good-journalist.html 2026-04-18 What are the tried and tested main characteristics of a successful freelance journalist? Well, my answers are all cliches, and apply also to other occupations... So You Want to Be a Journalist https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/so-you-want-to-be-a-journalist/clippings-the-only-proof-you-are-a-journalist.html https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/so-you-want-to-be-a-journalist/clippings-the-only-proof-you-are-a-journalist.html 2026-04-18 ARTICLE WRITTEN FOR 'MEDIA' (Thursday liftout) IN 'THE AUSTRALIAN' Clippings the only proof Do journalism graduates have job skills? Simon Townsend says the... So You Want to Be a Journalist https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/so-you-want-to-be-a-journalist/copyright-a-simple-guide.html https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/so-you-want-to-be-a-journalist/copyright-a-simple-guide.html 2026-04-18 Copyright: a simple guide Copyright should become clearer during the course. Essentially copyright is the author's ownership in the words he/she has written... So You Want to Be a Journalist https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/so-you-want-to-be-a-journalist/curiosity-is-essential.html https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/so-you-want-to-be-a-journalist/curiosity-is-essential.html 2026-04-18 Lack of curiosity is some students' downfall I love tutoring. But it has ups and downs. And the worst down is realising that about 20% of my students will... So You Want to Be a Journalist https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/so-you-want-to-be-a-journalist/do-editors-hire-journalism-graduates.html https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/so-you-want-to-be-a-journalist/do-editors-hire-journalism-graduates.html 2026-04-18 Editors: do they hire graduates of your journalism journey? Students often ask if your journalism journey is respected in the industry. Yes indeed it is. So... So You Want to Be a Journalist https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/so-you-want-to-be-a-journalist/equipment-every-journalist-must-have.html https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/so-you-want-to-be-a-journalist/equipment-every-journalist-must-have.html 2026-04-18 My equipment Equipment Mobile phone Message service on mobile Phone camera A quality digital camera Dictionary Thesaurus You must own and constantly use a good... So You Want to Be a Journalist https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/so-you-want-to-be-a-journalist/excuses-about-getting-back.html https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/so-you-want-to-be-a-journalist/excuses-about-getting-back.html 2026-04-18 Excuses: making them to yourself People not 'getting back' to you is one of the great frustrations of journalism. This is what I, as an editor and TV producer... So You Want to Be a Journalist https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/so-you-want-to-be-a-journalist/famous-column-wise-advice.html https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/so-you-want-to-be-a-journalist/famous-column-wise-advice.html 2026-04-18 Famous Story, Wise Advice This is a famous column written way back in 1963. It led to the editors' wise saying: 'Always look for the gravedigger.' This means... So You Want to Be a Journalist https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/so-you-want-to-be-a-journalist/finding-famous-people.html https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/so-you-want-to-be-a-journalist/finding-famous-people.html 2026-04-18 Finding the famous This is about finding famous people (or experts). That is, finding people to quote on the topic of your article. Here are some suggestions... So You Want to Be a Journalist https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/so-you-want-to-be-a-journalist/getting-into-book-publishing.html https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/so-you-want-to-be-a-journalist/getting-into-book-publishing.html 2026-04-18 Book publishing Sorry, I can't help you with direct advice or information on book publishing, or literary agents. I know little about the world of book... So You Want to Be a Journalist https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/so-you-want-to-be-a-journalist/how-to-become-a-columnist.html https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/so-you-want-to-be-a-journalist/how-to-become-a-columnist.html 2026-04-18 How to be a columnist A columnist is a person who has a regular spot in a publication and usually writes on the same topic each edition. Would YOU like to be a... So You Want to Be a Journalist https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/so-you-want-to-be-a-journalist/how-to-choose-the-right-publication.html https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/so-you-want-to-be-a-journalist/how-to-choose-the-right-publication.html 2026-04-18 Choosing a publication to write for Every journalist has to decide which publications to target. 'What should be my target publication?' Only YOU have the... So You Want to Be a Journalist https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/so-you-want-to-be-a-journalist/investigative-journalism.html https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/so-you-want-to-be-a-journalist/investigative-journalism.html 2026-04-18 You as an investigative journalist Being an investigative journalist is exciting, prestigious, well-paid - and important work. Such work goes only to... So You Want to Be a Journalist https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/so-you-want-to-be-a-journalist/journalism-across-australia.html https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/so-you-want-to-be-a-journalist/journalism-across-australia.html 2026-04-18 Simon started his career on the NSW Central Coast. He worked in Sydney, moved through Melbourne for television, spent time reporting overseas, and returned to... So You Want to Be a Journalist https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/so-you-want-to-be-a-journalist/people-in-stories-the-most-important-lesson.html https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/so-you-want-to-be-a-journalist/people-in-stories-the-most-important-lesson.html 2026-04-18 People The secret of creating your SALEABLE articles By SIMON TOWNSEND, Senior Tutor THIS IS THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT FACTSHEET I EVER SEND YOU. HUMAN BEINGS... So You Want to Be a Journalist https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/so-you-want-to-be-a-journalist/register-and-protect-your-name.html https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/so-you-want-to-be-a-journalist/register-and-protect-your-name.html 2026-04-18 You referred to registering and protecting a name. FIRST you must carry out preliminary phone directory searches to see if it's already registered and... So You Want to Be a Journalist https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/so-you-want-to-be-a-journalist/resourceful-journalist-how-to-be-a.html https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/so-you-want-to-be-a-journalist/resourceful-journalist-how-to-be-a.html 2026-04-18 The most valuable advice you'll ever receive about being RESOURCEFUL By SIMON TOWNSEND This might be the most valuable piece of advice you ever receive about... So You Want to Be a Journalist https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/so-you-want-to-be-a-journalist/simon-townsends-10-rules-for-freelance-journalists.html https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/so-you-want-to-be-a-journalist/simon-townsends-10-rules-for-freelance-journalists.html 2026-04-18 Simon Townsend 's 10 Rules for being a productive freelance journalist and staying successful Rule 1: Manage your fear of rejection The No. 1 fear of all... So You Want to Be a Journalist https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/so-you-want-to-be-a-journalist/simon-townsends-biography.html https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/so-you-want-to-be-a-journalist/simon-townsends-biography.html 2026-04-18 Biography updated January 2009 Born to be a journo Simon Townsend's personal and professional biography By G R Hart Simon Townsend has enjoyed a successful and... So You Want to Be a Journalist https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/so-you-want-to-be-a-journalist/studying-journalism-in-australia.html https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/so-you-want-to-be-a-journalist/studying-journalism-in-australia.html 2026-04-18 Simon did not go to university. He went to The Gosford Express at sixteen, and from there to the Sun, the Weekend Australian, A Current Affair, and the rest of... So You Want to Be a Journalist https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/so-you-want-to-be-a-journalist/the-complete-guide-to-finding-ideas.html https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/so-you-want-to-be-a-journalist/the-complete-guide-to-finding-ideas.html 2026-04-18 4-page complete guide to ideas By SIMON TOWNSEND You are entitled to take great pride in having good ideas for articles. But I'm sorry to tell you that ideas... So You Want to Be a Journalist https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/so-you-want-to-be-a-journalist/the-filofax-a-journalists-contact-book.html https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/so-you-want-to-be-a-journalist/the-filofax-a-journalists-contact-book.html 2026-04-18 Filofax Contact Book Below is a Filofax (pictures from its website). Filofaxes were developed by a British army officer who wanted to keep notes, maps and data... So You Want to Be a Journalist https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/so-you-want-to-be-a-journalist/the-hardest-article-to-write.html https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/so-you-want-to-be-a-journalist/the-hardest-article-to-write.html 2026-04-18 Student: You have eight fingers and two thumbs with which to TYPE your work. You might be smart enough to have become a touch typist. Can you imagine the... So You Want to Be a Journalist https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/so-you-want-to-be-a-journalist/the-journalist-code-of-ethics.html https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/so-you-want-to-be-a-journalist/the-journalist-code-of-ethics.html 2026-04-18 Code Of Ethics Members of the union MEAA engaged in journalism commit themselves to: Honesty Fairness Independence Respect for the rights of others Report and... So You Want to Be a Journalist https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/so-you-want-to-be-a-journalist/the-three-cosmic-rules-of-writing.html https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/so-you-want-to-be-a-journalist/the-three-cosmic-rules-of-writing.html 2026-04-18 Reprinted with permission The Three Cosmic Rules of Writing By Dennis Palumbo As a veteran writer and a licensed psychotherapist specialising in writers'... So You Want to Be a Journalist https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/so-you-want-to-be-a-journalist/when-an-editor-explains-rejection.html https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/so-you-want-to-be-a-journalist/when-an-editor-explains-rejection.html 2026-04-18 Editors owe you nothing Well, an editor is not a teacher. He's not there to help you or to foster your career. That's my job. Use ME to work out why you were... So You Want to Be a Journalist https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/so-you-want-to-be-a-journalist/will-a-diploma-get-you-a-job.html https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/so-you-want-to-be-a-journalist/will-a-diploma-get-you-a-job.html 2026-04-18 Your qualification guaranteeing you a media job Many of my students ask me if winning their diploma guarantees a media job. You could ask that question of... So You Want to Be a Journalist https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/the-craft-of-writing/active-vs-passive-voice.html https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/the-craft-of-writing/active-vs-passive-voice.html 2026-04-18 Active / passive Like you, a number of students remain confused about active voice and passive voice. Here's a re-statement about active and passive voice... The Craft of Writing https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/the-craft-of-writing/adjectives-a-trap-for-new-writers.html https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/the-craft-of-writing/adjectives-a-trap-for-new-writers.html 2026-04-18 Adjectives a trap Do not depend on adjectives, use strong verbs. This is still one of the best pieces of advice I was given early in my career. Some early (or... The Craft of Writing https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/the-craft-of-writing/anecdotes-why-they-matter.html https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/the-craft-of-writing/anecdotes-why-they-matter.html 2026-04-18 Anecdotes I feel you could know more about the benefit of anecdotes. An anecdote is a small story. Column 8 in The Sydney Morning Herald is full of anecdotes... The Craft of Writing https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/the-craft-of-writing/apostrophes-a-simple-guide.html https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/the-craft-of-writing/apostrophes-a-simple-guide.html 2026-04-18 The apostrophe Many writers (even good ones) mis-use the apostrophe. But you will find that editors appreciate articles with correctly used apostrophes. A few... The Craft of Writing https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/the-craft-of-writing/bibliographies-and-references.html https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/the-craft-of-writing/bibliographies-and-references.html 2026-04-18 Now, regarding: copies of research articles copies of internet research bibliographies lists of references inventories thanks to everyone glossaries credits... The Craft of Writing https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/the-craft-of-writing/blah-blah-blah-empty-writing.html https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/the-craft-of-writing/blah-blah-blah-empty-writing.html 2026-04-18 Blah, blah, blah By Paul Sheehan Re-printed with kind permission of The Sydney Morning Herald World Youth Day is going to be a big event. Big. The Pope. But... The Craft of Writing https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/the-craft-of-writing/books-to-buy.html https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/the-craft-of-writing/books-to-buy.html 2026-04-18 You ask about books. I always recommend Abbey's. It is at 131 York Street, opposite Sydney's historic Queen Victoria Building. Abbey's Bookshop and Language... The Craft of Writing https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/the-craft-of-writing/brevity-every-word-must-earn-its-place.html https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/the-craft-of-writing/brevity-every-word-must-earn-its-place.html 2026-04-18 Brevity Sometimes you use unnecessary words. BREVITY is one of the basic elements of good writing. You need to go over your work to weed out EVERY unnecessary... The Craft of Writing https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/the-craft-of-writing/bullet-points-use-with-care.html https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/the-craft-of-writing/bullet-points-use-with-care.html 2026-04-18 Bullet points (or dot lists) Modern journalism strives to make it easy for the reader to read quickly, so bullet points (or dot lists) are frequently used... The Craft of Writing https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/the-craft-of-writing/business-speak.html https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/the-craft-of-writing/business-speak.html 2026-04-18 'Business speak' is boring and poor journalism Some of the words and phrases you were using are what I call boring 'business speak'. It is the stuffy language... The Craft of Writing https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/the-craft-of-writing/buzzwords-stop-using-them.html https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/the-craft-of-writing/buzzwords-stop-using-them.html 2026-04-18 Buzzwords Careful of using too many buzzwords But , you might enjoy this interview!! Frank Lingua, president and CEO of Dissembling Associates, is the nation's... The Craft of Writing https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/the-craft-of-writing/can-could-should-would-will-shall.html https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/the-craft-of-writing/can-could-should-would-will-shall.html 2026-04-18 You need to know about correct usage of words. Here are four sets of words about which even experienced freelance journalists can get confused over correct... The Craft of Writing https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/the-craft-of-writing/capitals.html https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/the-craft-of-writing/capitals.html 2026-04-18 Capital letters Some directions to my students on capitals: ?I would ask that you don't write in ALL CAPITALS. First of all it looks awful. Second it makes the... The Craft of Writing https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/the-craft-of-writing/cliches-corny.html https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/the-craft-of-writing/cliches-corny.html 2026-04-18 '*' What a corny cliche. You can say that about anything. Will your dog win the lottery? Will the sun come up tomorrow? Will Burke and Wills return? Well, only... The Craft of Writing https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/the-craft-of-writing/colon.html https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/the-craft-of-writing/colon.html 2026-04-18 You need advice about the colon (:) . . . a full stop on top of a full stop. It's different to the semi-colon (;) which is a full stop on top of a comma. I... The Craft of Writing https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/the-craft-of-writing/commas-the-essential-guide.html https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/the-craft-of-writing/commas-the-essential-guide.html 2026-04-18 A comma is a useful and important punctuation mark. And it is commonly mis-used. Too many commas in the one sentence A sentence with two, three, four or five... The Craft of Writing https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/the-craft-of-writing/commonly-confused-words.html https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/the-craft-of-writing/commonly-confused-words.html 2026-04-18 Some word pairs in English are so close in look and sound that a lot of journalists, even good ones, mix them up. This is the working reference Simon used to... The Craft of Writing https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/the-craft-of-writing/compliment-complement.html https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/the-craft-of-writing/compliment-complement.html 2026-04-18 You've mixed up compliment and complement. Compliment is something you communicate to someone, such as 'You have gorgeous hair' or 'You're the greatest!'... The Craft of Writing https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/the-craft-of-writing/eg.html https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/the-craft-of-writing/eg.html 2026-04-18 In journalism, never write e.g.: eg = exempli gratia But who knows the old Latin expression exempli gratia? Did you know? I didn't. I had to look it up... The Craft of Writing https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/the-craft-of-writing/ellipsis.html https://simontownsendjournalist.com/articles/the-craft-of-writing/ellipsis.html 2026-04-18 You have not used the ellipsis correctly. An ellipsis is three fullstops or dots, like this . . . It's not four or five dots or a great string of them. The... The Craft of Writing