The Alternate View by Britany

The Alternate View by Britany - August 2017 Scholarship Essay

"Good morning class. My name is Professor Ramirez and welcome to 'The Alternate View'. In this class we will be looking at what is a story, how to get the story, the different viewpoints of the story and how the story affects the audience."

Teaching is about impacting others in a positive way and helping them understand why something is worth understanding. True journalism is not the clickbait news with bizarre headlines but it is the strong leads and moving quotes of people's words storytelling their lives in a specific moment that changed them. If I had to choose a subject to teach as a college professor it would have to be journalism. I have been in journalism for four years now and no other class has been able to teach me how to find the stories people should/need to share with the public.

Being able to ask a person questions, seeing and hearing their answers. Watching as their faces and body language give as much of an answer as their words. Listen and catching the different emotions from every question bring them. Then putting all the pieces together, lead ,transition, quote, transition, quote, etc. The lead setting up the story with the basic information for news stories or illustrating the setting of a specific place for features. Going into detailed transitions and striking quotes. Finally ending with a strong quote that will stay with the audience, a quote that will inspire the reader and hopefully allow them to fully understand and take in everything the subject/s felt in that moment. Even though some topics or subjects will be controversial amongst society and the media it is a gamble the writer must take.

Giving the opportunity to spread someone’s story, giving the person the voice they have trouble using to share their experiences with the world. That is what has helped me choose the journalism path. Teaching others how to find a story, writing the story knowing that it will affect every individual differently and taking a risk with the media on the viewpoint each side will follow. The slow process of interviews, the careful planning of writing, but a surprising result within the audience is something that must be shared and will be a joy to teach.