For Students

If you are studying journalism or thinking about it

Read these in order. Each builds on the last. Roughly 15 minutes of reading in total.

Follow the For Students links at the end of each lesson. The separate section navigation leads elsewhere in the archive.

1

So You Want to Be a Journalist

Curiosity is Essential

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...
2

So You Want to Be a Journalist

Are You a Real Journalist?

What makes a REAL journo? What are the tried and tested main characteristics of a successful freelance journalist? Well, my remarks are all cliches...
3

So You Want to Be a Journalist

Studying Journalism in Australia

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...
4

So You Want to Be a Journalist

Do Editors Hire Journalism Graduates?

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...
5

So You Want to Be a Journalist

Clippings: The Only Proof You Are a Journalist

ARTICLE WRITTEN FOR 'MEDIA' (Thursday liftout) IN 'THE AUSTRALIAN' Clippings the only proof Do journalism graduates have job skills? Simon Townsend says the...
6

The Craft of Writing

Brevity: Every Word Must Earn Its Place

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...