Writing for Girls' Life taught me how to write articles in a completely different tone than the articles I would typically write in the classroom. Since the magazine is aimed at middle school and high school girls, the tone of voice is more conversational and uses a lot of slang that girls in that age group would understand. At first, it was difficult to write conversationally because it is the opposite of how we are taught to write as journalists. However, I actually loved being able to convey information in a way that makes sense and is enjoyable for that target age group.
I also learned how to pitch new and exciting article ideas each week. Following the news became more important than ever because if something was trending online, I could pitch an article idea based on that topic. I also learned that I can have fun with pitches while still making them relevant and entertaining. One of my favorite articles to write was on how teen celebrities were social distancing. It was a relevant topic that teens would relate to, but it was also a fun piece to research and create.
Above I have captured a few of the various headlines for articles I have written in order to show the wide variety of topics I covered throughout my internship. The one part of this experience that most helped me grow as a journalist was seeing the opportunities available to people interested in entertainment writing. In the classroom, it can be hard to break out of the hard news bubble journalism professors put us in and it can feel as though there are not as many options for students looking to go into entertainment. However, having the chance to write about a wide range of topics has completely changed my perspective. I know now that entertainment writing is equally as important as hard news and there are plenty of opportunities for students to go into that field.