creative writing and journalism

Truth And Creativity: Journalism Vs. Creative Writing

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Journalism and creative writing are two opposite ends of the literary rope. Their difference is grounded on the fact that journalism relies heavily on the truth, facts, current events, and knowledge. Creative writing, on the other hand, comprises much on art, fiction, and imagination. This is why these two ends don’t meet.

I am a writer. Although I haven’t exactly labeled myself in any specific genre yet, I consider myself a writer. Apart from publishing my novellas on Wattpad and posting free-verse poetry on my blog, I am also a student of Journalism in college and was once a campus journalist for the university publication. As an aspiring novelist and a student of Journalism, I have gained keen insights on the major differences between writing journalistically and writing creatively.

Let’s focus on journalism first. News articles, feature stories in magazines, sports news, and many others found in broadsheets and tabloids belong to journalism. In this side of writing, the writer must gather credible sources to write informational truth behind current issues. The issues should contain reliable facts that tell the masses any ongoing circumstance or situations happening in the community, country, and the world. It’s typical news. It should be informative, honest, and un-biased.

Now let’s turn our heads to creative writing. Poems, novels, plays, and short stories are all under this category. Creative writing allows the writer to delve deeper into his imagination to bring out the story that he desires to write about. In creative writing, the writer uses words to paint pictures and create worlds, situations, and characters that are fictitious but related to life. Creative writers usually incorporate the art of literature into their works.

In the history of written works, journalism was first conceived during the 1400s in Italy and Germany. That was the time when people started chronicling daily events to disseminate the information in their town. It was popularized throughout Europe in the 1600s when the printing press was invented. By the dawn of the 20th century, journalism spread worldwide and became a profession.

Looking back in the ages past, creative writing already existed way before the term was coined. Our ancestors already practiced this form of literature in the early days of human civilization. Even before language was invented, creative writing already existed. The proof stems on the carvings of ancient caves – paintings and symbols that tell lores of life. Poetry existed long before the existence of Christ. Tales of myth and legend were inscribed on primeval papyrus. Folk tales, fairy tales, ballads, and epics — these are the earliest forms of creative writing that serve inspiration to modern novels, short stories, and plays.

In the context of profession, journalists and creative writers are barred from each other. Their writing styles are far from similar. Based on my experience as a campus journalist, whenever I write a news article, it has to be concrete, understandable, and straightforward. My editor would always advise me to choose words that are easy to comprehend by the readers. Moreover, ideas are rarely used freely since a journalist has to rely solely on facts (except for opinion articles). It’s like writing something that isn’t yours. If you’re a journalist, you are the medium of information. Not to mention, the space on the newspaper or magazine is sometimes limited, so you have to be cautious in using concise words. Additionally, once you’re a journalist, you need to update yourself about any gist of the trending issues or the juicy news. How else can you write informatively to your readers if you don’t know what the news is about?

In creative writing, I always find freedom in exploring my mind and expressing my thoughts. Whenever I discover new ideas, I always find the time to write them down. Eventually, they will evolve into a story. Creative writing relies mostly on self-expression. It gives you the chance to write your testimony of everything around you. It is limitless, entertaining, and sometimes informational (some novels are based on facts but they are still considered fiction since the writer has added his personal ideas into them, thus taking part in the novel’s creation). If you’re a creative writer, you can use a multitude of words as long as they all create the art that magnifies your story. Furthermore, creative writing takes you to places you’ve never known existed, acquaints you to characters more interesting than anyone you know in real life, and introduces you to devices more extraordinary than the tools used in this world. The fiction you create comes from your head. Isn’t it amazing that creativity allows this?

About the author

Angelo Lorenzo

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Creative Writing vs. Journalism

What's the difference.

Creative writing and journalism are two distinct forms of writing that serve different purposes. Creative writing is focused on imaginative storytelling, where writers have the freedom to create fictional characters, settings, and plots. It allows for artistic expression and often explores complex emotions and themes. On the other hand, journalism is rooted in factual reporting and aims to provide accurate and unbiased information to the public. Journalists rely on research, interviews, and investigation to present news and current events. While creative writing encourages imagination and personal interpretation, journalism emphasizes objectivity and adherence to ethical standards. Both forms of writing require strong writing skills, but they cater to different audiences and serve different purposes in the literary world.

Further Detail

Introduction.

Creative writing and journalism are two distinct forms of writing that serve different purposes and require different skill sets. While both involve storytelling and communication, they differ in terms of their objectives, styles, and approaches. In this article, we will explore the attributes of creative writing and journalism, highlighting their unique characteristics and discussing the skills required for each.

The primary objective of creative writing is to entertain, inspire, and evoke emotions in the reader. It focuses on imaginative storytelling, often using literary techniques such as metaphor, symbolism, and vivid descriptions to create a rich and immersive experience. Creative writing encompasses various genres, including fiction, poetry, and drama, allowing writers to explore their imagination and express their unique perspectives.

On the other hand, journalism aims to inform, educate, and provide factual accounts of events and issues. Journalists strive to present unbiased and accurate information to the public, adhering to ethical standards and journalistic principles. They conduct research, interview sources, and report on current events, politics, social issues, and more. Journalism plays a crucial role in keeping the public informed and holding those in power accountable.

Style and Tone

Creative writing allows for a wide range of styles and tones, depending on the genre and the writer's intention. It can be poetic, lyrical, or experimental, with a focus on language, imagery, and the exploration of emotions. Writers have the freedom to create their own unique voice and experiment with different narrative techniques. The style and tone in creative writing are often subjective and can vary greatly from one writer to another.

In contrast, journalism follows a more standardized style and tone. Journalistic writing aims to be clear, concise, and objective. It prioritizes facts, evidence, and balanced reporting. Journalists strive to present information in a neutral and unbiased manner, allowing readers to form their own opinions based on the facts presented. The tone in journalism is typically formal and professional, focusing on delivering information rather than evoking emotions.

Research and Sources

Both creative writing and journalism require research, but the nature of the research differs. In creative writing, research is often focused on enhancing the authenticity and believability of the story. Writers may research historical events, cultural practices, or scientific concepts to create a realistic backdrop for their narratives. However, creative writing also allows for imagination and the freedom to deviate from reality.

Journalism, on the other hand, relies heavily on research to gather accurate and reliable information. Journalists must verify facts, interview sources, and cross-reference information to ensure the credibility of their reporting. They adhere to strict ethical guidelines and strive to present a balanced view by including multiple perspectives. Journalists must also be skilled at identifying credible sources and distinguishing between reliable information and misinformation.

Structure and Format

Creative writing offers more flexibility in terms of structure and format. Writers can experiment with different narrative structures, such as nonlinear storytelling or multiple points of view. They have the freedom to break traditional rules and conventions to create a unique reading experience. The format of creative writing varies depending on the genre, ranging from novels and short stories to poems and scripts.

Journalism, on the other hand, follows a more standardized structure and format. News articles typically follow the inverted pyramid structure, presenting the most important information at the beginning and gradually providing additional details. Journalistic writing also adheres to specific style guides, such as the Associated Press (AP) style, which provides guidelines for grammar, punctuation, and formatting.

Skills Required

Creative writing requires strong imagination, creativity, and the ability to craft compelling narratives. Writers must have a deep understanding of language, literary techniques, and storytelling elements. They need to be able to create well-developed characters, build immersive worlds, and evoke emotions through their words. Additionally, self-discipline and perseverance are crucial for completing longer works, such as novels or screenplays.

Journalism, on the other hand, demands strong research and investigative skills. Journalists must be able to gather information from various sources, critically analyze data, and present complex issues in a clear and accessible manner. They need to have excellent interviewing skills, the ability to work under tight deadlines, and a commitment to accuracy and objectivity. Journalists also need to stay updated on current events and possess a strong ethical compass.

In conclusion, creative writing and journalism are distinct forms of writing that serve different purposes and require different skill sets. Creative writing focuses on imaginative storytelling, aiming to entertain and evoke emotions, while journalism aims to inform and provide factual accounts of events. The styles, tones, research methods, structures, and required skills differ between the two. Both forms of writing, however, play important roles in society, allowing individuals to express their creativity and providing the public with essential information.

Comparisons may contain inaccurate information about people, places, or facts. Please report any issues.

Ready Set Study

Creative Writing Vs. Journalism

Are you torn between the worlds of creativity and facts? Do you find yourself yearning to express your imagination while also seeking to uncover the truth? In the battle of Creative Writing vs. Journalism, both majors offer unique opportunities to explore your passion for words.

Each path has its own curriculum, writing skills to develop, and career prospects to consider. Join us as we dive into the differences, similarities, and factors to consider when choosing between these two captivating writing majors.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

• The choice between creative writing and journalism depends on passion and career goals.
• Journalism offers more stable job prospects compared to creative writing.
• Creative writing allows for more creativity and exploration, while journalism follows strict guidelines and ethical standards.
• Career options for creative writing majors include publishing, editing, and content creation, while journalism majors have opportunities in news reporting, investigative journalism, and a wide range of media organizations.

Overview of the two majors: Creative Writing and Journalism

If you’re trying to decide between creative writing and journalism, it’s important to understand the key differences between the two majors.

In terms of job prospects, both fields offer unique opportunities. Creative writing allows you to explore your imagination and pursue careers in writing novels, poetry, or screenplays. However, the competition can be fierce, and the demand for creative writers may not be as high as that for journalists.

Journalism, on the other hand, offers a more stable career path, with job opportunities in newspapers, magazines, and online media. While creativity is still essential in journalism, the focus is on reporting facts and delivering accurate information to the public.

Both majors require strong writing techniques, but creative writing emphasizes storytelling and literary devices, while journalism emphasizes objective reporting and effective communication.

Ultimately, the choice between creative writing and journalism depends on your passion and career goals.

Overview of the curriculum and requirements of the two majors

To understand the differences between the two majors, you should consider the curriculum and requirements of each program. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect from a creative writing or journalism major:

• Creative Writing: Pros: Opportunity to explore and develop your unique writing style, freedom to express yourself creatively, and potential to pursue a career in various writing fields such as fiction, poetry, or screenwriting. Cons: Limited job prospects compared to journalism, less emphasis on practical skills like research and reporting.
• Journalism: Pros: Develop strong research and communication skills, gain practical experience through internships, potential for job stability and a wide range of career options in media organizations. Cons: Adapting to the evolving digital landscape, competition for jobs due to technological advancements.

Both majors are impacted by technology. Creative writing has seen the rise of self-publishing platforms and online writing communities, while journalism has been influenced by the shift towards digital journalism and the rise of citizen journalism. Understanding the curriculum and requirements of each major will help you make an informed decision on which path to pursue.

Overview of coursework, assessments, and assignments

The coursework in both majors includes a variety of assessments and assignments that are designed to develop your skills and knowledge in the field. In creative writing, you will engage in workshops, where you will receive feedback on your writing from both peers and instructors. You may also be required to analyze and critique published works, as well as complete writing exercises to enhance your creativity and mastery of different writing styles. In journalism, you will learn about news writing, investigative reporting, and multimedia journalism. You will be tasked with conducting interviews, writing news articles, and producing multimedia content. To give you a clearer picture, here is a table outlining the coursework, assessments, and assignments in each major:

Both majors offer a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application, allowing you to develop the skills necessary for success in either creative writing or journalism.

Comparison of Writing Skills Developed

Developing your writing skills in both majors will involve different techniques and approaches. In creative writing, you will focus on honing your creativity and imagination to craft compelling narratives and explore different literary devices. On the other hand, journalism requires a more factual and objective approach to writing, with an emphasis on accuracy and clarity.

To help you better understand the differences in writing styles between creative writing and journalism, here are two sub-lists:

• Use of descriptive language to create vivid imagery
• Freedom to experiment with different narrative structures and formats
• Emphasis on concise and informative writing
• Adherence to journalistic ethics and standards, such as fact-checking and unbiased reporting

When it comes to industry demands, creative writing skills are sought after in fields such as publishing, advertising, and content creation. Journalistic writing skills, on the other hand, are essential for careers in news reporting, broadcasting, and media.

Understanding these differences can help you choose the right path and develop the necessary skills for success in your chosen field.

Comparison of Career Opportunities and Job Roles in Writing

If you’re interested in pursuing a career in writing, understanding the different job roles and opportunities available in the industry can help you make an informed decision. When it comes to job stability, there is a notable difference between creative writing and journalism.

Journalism offers more stable job prospects due to the demand for news reporting and the presence of established media organizations. On the other hand, creative writing careers, such as being a novelist or poet, can be more unpredictable and dependent on individual success.

In terms of technology, both creative writing and journalism have been significantly impacted. The rise of digital platforms and social media has changed the way news is consumed, leading to the decline of traditional journalism outlets. However, this shift has also created new opportunities for freelance journalists and content creators.

Similarly, technology has opened avenues for self-publishing and online platforms, giving creative writers more control over their work and access to a wide audience. Overall, while both fields face challenges, technology has also brought forth new possibilities for writers in both creative writing and journalism.

Comparison of Salary Potential in Writing Careers

When it comes to salary potential, there can be a significant difference between various careers in writing. If you’re considering a career in writing, it’s important to understand the potential salary range for different paths.

Here are a few key points to consider:

• Long term job stability : Some writing careers, such as journalism, offer more stability in terms of employment. With a steady demand for news and information, journalists often have more consistent job opportunities compared to other writing fields.
• Potential for freelance work : On the other hand, creative writing careers, like novel writing or scriptwriting, may offer more potential for freelance work. As a freelancer, you have the flexibility to choose your projects and potentially earn higher rates for your work.

Keep in mind that salaries in writing can vary greatly depending on factors such as experience, location, and industry. It’s important to research and understand the specific salary expectations for the career path you’re interested in pursuing.

Similarities between Creative Writing and Journalism Majors

Keep in mind that as a journalism major, you can expect to develop strong writing skills and gain valuable experience in researching and reporting news stories.

The skills you acquire during your studies will not only be relevant to the field of journalism but can also be transferable to other industries.

The demand for individuals with strong writing skills is high across various sectors, including marketing, public relations, and communications.

As a journalism major, you will learn how to effectively gather information, conduct interviews, and write compelling stories that capture the attention of readers.

These skills are highly sought after in today’s digital age, where the ability to communicate effectively and engage audiences is essential.

Difference between Creative Writing and Journalism Majors

Contrary to popular belief, the focus of journalism majors is on reporting news stories, while creative writing majors focus on expressing their artistic ideas through writing. Here are the key differences between creative writing and journalism programs:

• Creative writing programs emphasize the development of writing skills, including fiction, poetry, and non-fiction writing, while journalism programs focus on news reporting, investigative journalism, and feature writing.
• Creative writing majors have more freedom to explore their creativity and experiment with different writing styles, while journalism majors follow strict guidelines and adhere to journalistic ethics.
• Creative writing programs often offer workshops and critique sessions, allowing students to receive feedback on their work, whereas journalism programs focus more on practical experience, such as internships and reporting assignments.
• Graduates with a degree in creative writing can pursue careers in various fields, such as publishing, editing, and content creation, while journalism graduates typically work in media organizations, newspapers, or broadcasting companies.

Pros of pursuing a degree in creative writing: opportunity for self-expression, development of writing skills, and versatility in career options.

Cons of pursuing a degree in creative writing: limited job opportunities, potential for financial instability, and subjective evaluation of work.

Pros of pursuing a degree in journalism: practical experience in news reporting, opportunities for investigative journalism, and potential for career advancement.

Cons of pursuing a degree in journalism: high competition for jobs, long working hours, and ethical challenges in reporting sensitive topics.

Factors to consider when choosing between Writing Majors

One important factor to consider when choosing between different writing majors is the potential career opportunities available in each field. When it comes to pursuing a creative writing major, there are both pros and cons to consider.

On the positive side, a creative writing major allows you to explore your passion for writing and develop your own unique voice. It also allows for more freedom and creativity in your writing process.

However, the downside is that career prospects can be more limited compared to other writing majors. On the other hand, a career in journalism offers a wider range of job opportunities, including roles in news reporting, editing, and broadcasting. It also provides a more structured and fast-paced work environment.

Ultimately, the decision between a career in journalism or creative writing depends on your personal interests, goals, and desired lifestyle.

Congratulations! You have now reached the end of this informative journey comparing creative writing and journalism.

Like two branches on the same tree, these majors offer unique perspectives and skills.

Creative writing allows you to paint with words, crafting stories that transport readers to new realms.

Journalism, on the other hand, empowers you to navigate the ever-changing tides of truth, capturing the essence of the world around us.

So, whether you choose to soar through the skies of imagination or dive into the depths of reality, the choice is yours.

May your writing journey be filled with endless possibilities and captivating tales!

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Master Storytellers: The Intersection of Journalism and Creative Writing

In the 2020 film “News of the World,” Tom Hanks plays a former Confederate Army officer who makes his living traveling the Reconstruction-era West, reading the newspaper aloud for the price of a dime. His audience, mostly men, crowd together in rough rooms, unbathed, unshaven, illiterate, and courteous only because for an hour, they can sit rapt like children, listening. Their reaction to the reading is so profound, the viewer is hard pressed to remember that they are hearing the news.

This is the power of story.

In This Article:

Journalism vs. Creative Writing: Fact and Story

Creative and journalistic writing skills: six and six storytellers, storytellers through journalism and creative writing, earn a professional writing degree at gcu.

The character in “News of the World” reads news. Journalism. And yet, the people listening hear only stories. The saga of settlement in the West chronicles how communication stretched to accommodate settlers’ hunger to know and understand events outside the isolated circle they occupied. People who reported these stories were indispensable.

But many journalists write creatively, too. Charles Dickens. Mark Twain. Ernest Hemingway. Joan Didion. Neil Gaiman. Geraldine Brooks.

These writers are all accomplished novelists — many of them award-winning authors.

And all of them started their careers in journalism.

Working as reporters, these writers learned that good stories connect people, making them feel like they belong — like they are part of a whole. A writer’s loyalty is always to the story, and to remain faithful, they must accurately portray the human condition in all its glory and pain and joy. This requires firsthand observations.

However, there is a difference between journalism and creative writing, despite these authors’ ability to translate their skills from one genre to the next. Journalists report truth, are responsible for accurate information and context, look at multiple points of view and, finally, build stories based on gathered facts, not opinions.

Journalistic writing also develops strong writing skills. For example, Ernest Hemingway started his writing career at age 17 at The Kansas City Star. He credits The Star with equipping him with expertise he used throughout his entire career. 1

In 1940 Hemingway said, “Those were the best rules that I ever learned for the business of writing.” “I’ve never forgotten them. No man with any talent, who feels and writes truly about the thing he is trying to say, can fail to write well if he abides by them.” 1

He was referring to The Star’s basic style rules. The first few: “Use short sentences. Use short paragraphs. Use vigorous English. Be positive, not negative.” 1

Those tenets affected his spare and direct style, certainly. But his gritty news beat on the 15th Street police station, General Hospital and Union Station played out human dramas in real life and real time.

Another journalist and novelist, Charles Dickens, reported on the courts in London. He used those details in “Bleak House,” among other novels, to show the absurdities of the law. His work “Great Expectations” explored the great chasm of the haves and have-nots in Victorian England. “David Copperfield” and “Oliver Twist” showed the injustices of child labor, something he personally experienced and strived to end during his life. 2

Mark Twain started his career as an apprentice typesetter before becoming a reporter. By the age of 18, he was traveling and contributing articles to several newspapers all the way from Kansas to Philadelphia and even England. His years in Hannibal, Missouri living and working on the Mississippi influenced his seminal works, “Huckleberry Finn” and “Tom Sawyer.” 3

When assessing the difference between journalism and creative writing, we should know that both journalists and creative writers must possess the skill of keen observation as well as the ability to transform what they observe into something meaningful for a reader. To begin, a writer must be able to do four things well: 

This is true no matter what a writer’s chosen discipline may be. Reporters must research a story to write it accurately — and, obviously, they interview sources every day. They must also be skilled at editing their own writing on a tight deadline.

Likewise, creative writers must research for accurate and believable fiction in any genre (not only historical fiction), and even creative writers interview experts. Producing work requires discipline, and due to the highly competitive market for short stories, poems and novels, a writer must edit their own work to perfection before publishing.

But there are other skills shared between journalism and creative writing in English.

One of the first things a journalist learns when covering stories is to ask six key questions: who, what, when, where, why and how. Reporters must find answers to these questions, then answer them — usually in the first sentence of a news article or broadcast. Reporters depend on these questions to get facts that form a complete story, whether it is just a few paragraphs reporting a fire or a long investigative exposé.

Likewise, fiction writers rely on six creative elements: point of view, characters, setting, plot, conflict and resolution. The writer carefully uses the six, crafting an entire story, whether it is 500 or 50,000 words. Just as journalistic writing must answer their six questions, creative writing must consider these six elements to build a story.

Strong stories depend upon structured narrative, characters and plots that guide the reader. Journalists who are adept at storytelling techniques capture the complexity of real-life events and experiences. By borrowing storytelling techniques from creative writing and using literary devices such as metaphor, simile and allusion, writers engage their readers on a deeper level. Richer storytelling makes reading more enjoyable — fiction and nonfiction alike.

Both creative writers and journalists depend upon effective use of language to evoke emotion and even affect action. Some of the most famous journalists used vivid prose to highlight social dilemmas and urgent issues. This language, when skillfully employed, enhances the necessary objectivity of journalism. In other words, when language is vivid and the story well-constructed, there’s a much higher chance that the reader will remember key aspects of news.

Carl Sagan, in his work “Cosmos,” states, “Writing is perhaps the greatest of human inventions, binding together people who never knew each other, citizens of distant epochs.” 4

Sagan is pointing out how writers embrace the timeless, vital task of writing. On the page — whether paper or digital, no matter whether fiction or nonfiction — the power of story is what attracts the reader and keeps a writer striving for connection. The strengths of both journalism and creative writing help writers tell the story accurately and create a story that speaks to the reader, transporting them somewhere they’ve never gone.

If you are inspired to tell stories that educate, encourage and connect people, you can get started in creative and journalistic writing in English at Grand Canyon University. Earn a bachelor’s degree in professional writing for new media and learn the art of writing for various media platforms. Complete the form on this page to learn more.

1 Miller, J. (2023, Feb. 7). A Newspaper Taught Hemingway to Write. Wall Street Journal. Retrieved on Jan. 31, 2024.

2 McEvoy, C. (2023, Sept. 19). Charles Dickens. Biography. Retrieved on Jan. 31, 2024. 

3 Mark Twain. (2021, Mar. 31). Biography. Retrieved on Jan. 31, 2024. 

4  Sagan, C. (1980). Cosmos: An appreciation. [Manuscript/Mixed Material]. Retrieved on Jan. 31, 2024.

Approved by faculty for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences on Feb. 9, 2024.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.

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Dec 02, 2016

What’s The Difference Between Journalism And Creative Writing? | FAQs

Whether you enjoy reading the news or getting lost in a work of fiction, there’s something to love about both journalism and creative writing. There are also a number of similarities between them: Both are mediums of writing stemming from a writer and his/ her stream of consciousness, for the reception of a more or less active audience.

But what are the key differences between journalism and creative writing?

As Andre Wiesner, Head Tutor of the  UCT Feature Journalism online short course , points out in this short video, the difference between journalism and creative writing goes beyond the fiction versus non-fiction distinction.

Looking for an industry that bridges the gap between journalism and creative writing?

Consider feature writing, or “creative journalism”, and get ahead with the UCT Feature Journalism online short course .

TELL ME MORE

Transcription There are several major differences between journalism and creative writing; at the same time, there can also be major overlaps between them. One of the key differences is that creative writing is usually understood to mean the writing of fictional novels. By contrast, journalism is centred on reportage – reporting on actual people and events. As a journalist, you don’t, or shouldn’t, make things up; as a fictional novelist, inventing alternative versions of reality is essential to the art. Another difference is that creative writing is usually about your self-expression, in one way or another. By contrast, journalism is other-directed – concerned with other people’s views, perspectives and lived realities. There are also overlaps. There are such things as creative nonfiction, narrative journalism, and indeed feature journalism. In these forms of writing, basically speaking, the content you work with is factual – but the way in which you write it (the form) is literary and creative. In other words, you use the tools of “fictional” creative writing to tell accurate, true-life narratives.

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• Meet Lady E

Journalism Vs Creative Writing: Two Sides of the Same Coin (3)

By Muhyideen Kolawole “In the media parlance, especially in the broadcast industry, it is often said that content is king….

“In the media parlance, especially in the broadcast industry, it is often said that content is king. From my experience as a broadcaster, journalist, speaker and writer, I have come to know that Context Is Queen.” – Lady E. 2005

That was the opening words of Ejiro Umukoro during the LightRay  Media Training and Mentoring Programme on Whatsapp. “Content,” she says “gives birth to the story, the story is not told without creativity and that’s the soul of journalism. In fact, without context, there’s no need to dig up facts, data, statistics, pictures, create infographics, etc.

“Journalism without humanization blended with facts, truth, happening events, indisputable knowledge becomes just information without a heartbeat. It’s the human readers see, it’s what makes them care they hear.” She emphasized in the training on Sunday. 

Running Thread

In every narration, we have what is known as a running thread: the story –- the sequence of events the writer focuses our senses on. But one might wonder why do some journalists’ stories take people’s attention while others’ don’t? The answer is simple. It is in the narration.

ART: DEALING WITH FACT AND FICTION

In journalism, a reporter tells what happened (fact), who did it happen to? (truth), where did it happen? (anecdotes, i-witness account, etc.,) how did it happen? (indisputable knowledge) why did it happen? (the event itself, news or current events, etc.)

 On the other hand, Ejiro Umukoro goes on to explain that “Creative writing is a blend of imagination, fiction, art, and dare I add some good dose of storytelling based on facts, collected data, anecdotes, knowledge, etc., that is ‘concocted’ to create a powerful story, the heartbeat of powerful writing.

“While imagination can become manifest in life and can become a journalistic pursuit when it impacts life, society, and survival in real life, it is interesting to note that this lack of imagination is exactly what differentiates creative writing from Journalism. 

“However, both use the art form of storytelling to give ‘life’ and ‘humanization’ to give POV (point of view, depth, richness, context, etc.,) to the story at hand.” She explains.

She goes on to show that “in creative writing, Real Life Crime has become a genre of Crime Fiction where art mirrors life as it happened based on facts. So that a crime reporter of today has a strong chance of becoming a great crime fiction writer with a honed writing/editing craft and a strong background in crime reportage, courtroom intrigues, court rules, privacy of victims, and exposure of offenders.”

THE CLINCHER

But what is the connection between both types of writing? Umukoro explains: “Creative Writing and Journalism have many areas of overlap. The reason for this overlap is because, just as creative writing has many genres so does journalism, the only difference being that one is more factual (Journalism) than the other (Creative Writing).

“What’s most fascinating about creative writing and journalism is that both styles employ the same form (literary and creative) to inform, educate, entertain, or report.

“That’s why in Journalism as with creative writing, we have different genres exploring forms like Creative nonfiction or Longform Journalism, Narrative Journalism, Feature Journalism, and Documentary Journalism.

“These forms (way of writing) of journalism use the tools and literary devices used to write creative fiction to write nonfiction in a literary and creative way. It is a powerful literary device or means to pull readers in, humanise a story or tell a story in a way that would otherwise not inspire people to read using accurate and true-life narratives to report an issue.”

At this point during the training, she addressed an unspoken concern. “I know you have been thinking if we can combine the two to print a factual story in a powerful compelling way. Yes, we can do that.” She explains.

In fact, Lady E adopted this style in her investigative series: Broken Girls and Broken Boys  Trapped Under COVID-19 published by the Guardian ( https://m.guardian.ng/features/broken-girls-and-broken-boys-trapped-under-covid-19-lockdown-part-ii/amp/ ) and amplified by the Pulitzer  Center in the USA doing a special backstory on her investigative series:  https://pulitzercenter.org/blog/behind-story-ejiro-umukoro-nigerias-shadow-pandemic .

It turns out that sample 2 writing is an except from Umukoro’s about to be released mental health crime novel Distortion to be launched on 13th October.

[A week before the lockdown was declared in Abuja, a 16-year-old girl was beaten with a knife and stabbed repeatedly with a pair of scissors by her aunt, Juliet Nnadi, an officer with the Nigeria Civil Defence Corps (NCDC). The 16-year-old, according to neighbours, was brutalised by her aunt and went through untold hardship.

“Many of the neighbors told us that the screams of Uloma being beaten daily usually woke them up,” Taiwo Akinwade, the Coordinator of Stop The Abuse Against Women, a non-governmental organization based in Abuja, explains to me. Akinwade said she and her team visited Lugbe, the neighborhood in Abuja where Nnadi lives to investigate the case.

“The locals cannot believe the teenager is a niece to the perpetrator because oftentimes the officer denies Uloma from going to school and makes her stand under the sun,” says Akinwade.]

Enjoy the rest of the story on the Guardian ( https://m.guardian.ng/features/broken-girls-and-broken-boys-trapped-under-covid-19-lockdown-part-ii/amp/ ) and await the next parts of this class. 

Muhyideen Kolawole is a student journalist, final year student of English Language, and an African Liberty Writing Fellow. 

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Distinguishing Journalism from Creative Writing

Key Takeaways

• Journalism is the activity of writing on real-world events and conveying news and information, while creative writing involves using imagination to produce an original work.
• Journalists often have to work under time constraints and use simple, concise language, whereas creative writers have more freedom in their use of language and have no time constraints.
• Journalism is focused on the public domain, while creative writing is focused on the private domain, although it may draw inspiration from public settings.

Journalism and creative writing are two distinct forms of writing, with a number of differences between them. Journalism involves writing about events that occur in the world, encompassing all forms of news and information. A person who practices this art is known as a journalist. Journalism can be a challenging profession. In contrast, creative writing is an activity where the writer has the freedom to be creative and produce an original piece of writing. The main difference between journalism and creative writing is that journalism reports on real-life events, while creative writing is based on the writer’s imagination. As a result, the element of truth is not as important in creative writing as it is in journalism. This article will explore the differences between these two forms of writing.

What is Journalism?

Journalism refers to the activity of writing about events that occur in the world, including all forms of news and other information. A journalist is someone who engages in this activity. Becoming a journalist requires a great deal of commitment. A journalist must adhere to the truth of the events that occur in their area or country and be able to write about them in an engaging manner that captures the attention of the reader. However, this does not mean that journalists can use their imagination to make stories more interesting. Instead, language and words are the only tools a journalist has to reach their readers. Therefore, to keep readers engaged, journalists use simple yet powerful language.

What is Creative Writing?

Creative writing is an activity in which the writer has free rein to be creative and produce an original piece of writing. To become a creative writer, one must have a talent for words and an interest in understanding human life and experiences. Creative writers should seek inspiration not only from the world around them but also from their own imagination. Becoming a creative writer is an exciting profession, as it allows the individual to create and live within their own works. Creative writing encompasses many different forms, including poetry, drama, plays, and fiction. A creative writer should develop their language skills to create a new world through their work. This is not an easy task and can sometimes be quite tedious. However, becoming a creative writer can be a very rewarding profession.

What is the difference between Journalism and Creative Writing?

Definitions of Journalism and Creative Writing: Journalism: Journalism refers to the activity of writing about events that occur in the world, including all forms of news and other information. Creative Writing: Creative writing is an activity in which the writer has free rein to be creative and produce an original piece of writing. Characteristics of Journalism and Creative Writing: Time Constraint: Journalism: In journalism, the writer or journalist often has to struggle with time constraints, as they need to meet deadlines. Creative Writing: In creative writing, the writer does not face any time constraints. Domain: Journalism: The journalist is at the heart of the public domain. Creative Writing: The creative writer is in the private domain, although they may seek inspiration from public settings. Use of Language: Journalism: A journalist typically uses simple, concise language to convey the message as clearly as possible. Creative Writing: In creative writing, the writer can use language to bring their imagination to life.   Image Courtesy: 1. “CBC journalists in Montreal” by Conrad Poirier  [Public Domain] via Commons 2. “Stipula fountain pen” by Power_of_Words_by_Antonio_Litterio.jpg: Antonio Litterioderivative work: InverseHypercube [CC BY-SA 3.0] via Commons

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Breaking into Creative Nonfiction, Part 1: The Basics

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How is it reported and written? Creative nonfiction relies on: •  Immersion reporting and research • Documents (public and private records) • Tools of literary realism: Scene-by-scene construction; Dialogue: Point of View; Status details (Wolfe) • Description (Sense of place, character, time) • Reflection •  Narrative frames (Chronology; parallel narrative; In media res) •  Segmentation •  Extra-literary design • The “ line between fact and fiction ” and John Hersey’s “ Legend on the License” — None Of This Is Made Up

>>Coming Thursday: Part 2, Breaking into Creative Nonfiction

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Here’s how we teach creativity in journalism (and why it’s the 5th habit of successful journalists)

In the fifth in a series of posts on the seven habits of successful journalists , I explore how creativity can be developed in trainee journalists. You can read the posts on curiosity , scepticism , persistence and empathy here.

Describing journalism as a creative profession can cause discomfort for some reporters: we portray journalism as a neutral activity — “Just the facts” — different to fiction or arts that appear to ‘create something from nothing’.

But journalism is absolutely a creative endeavour: we must choose how to tell our stories : where to point the camera (literally or metaphorically), how to frame the shot, where to cut and what to retain and discard, and how to combine the results to tell a story succinctly, accurately and fairly (not always the story we set out to tell).

We must use creativity to solve problems that might prevent us getting the ‘camera’ in that position in the first place, to find the people with newsworthy stories to tell, to adapt when we can’t find the information we want, or it doesn’t say what we expected (in fact, factual storytelling requires an extra level of creativity given that we can only work with the truth).

All of those are creative decisions.

And before all of that, we must come up with ideas for stories too. The journalist who relies entirely on press releases is rightly sneered at: it is a sign of a lack of imagination when a reporter cannot generate their own ideas about where to look for news leads, or how to pursue those.

Creativity has been the focus of a range of research on journalism, from the role that technology plays and tools that can help improve creativity to papers that explore “how journalistic creativity plays out in day-to-day journalism ” or “ When Creative Potentials are Being Undermined By Commercial Imperatives “.

Recent waves of research on innovation in the industry are also often concerned with the barriers to, and enablers of, creativity that makes innovation possible. This is an era that requires creativity from the industry.

Three forms of interactivity

Creativity – and a desire to express it – is also one of the main reasons that people choose to study journalism .

The challenge for journalism educators and trainers, often, is how to transform that raw communicative impulse into something more journalistic than the formats it tends to express itself in: writing opinion pieces, for example, or video blogs.

Something, actually, more creative .

First, then, it’s important to separate those three forms of creativity and explore each separately:

• Creativity of story ideas
• Creativity in problem-solving (newsgathering and production)
• Creativity of storytelling (communication)

Creativity of ideas

Image by Denise Krebs

Creativity of ideas is perhaps the form most highly valued by employers. A regular complaint when hiring is that job applicants may have technical skills, but no good story ideas.

So where do good ideas come from? Among other things, wide and regular reading . People who don’t read or listen to much news reporting make things difficult for themselves in three ways:

• Firstly, they are more likely to come up with basic ideas that are already being done ;
• Secondly, they have less raw material (inspiration) to work with; and
• Thirdly, they are less likely to know what a good idea looks like .

So one of the most basic things we do in journalism education is to expose students to a wide range of journalism . We might do that through assigned readings, through regular newsletters and recommendations, or in-class.

Asking them to reverse-engineer a story is one particularly useful teaching technique to help students to understand where a reporter might have got a story lead from, and then developed that into a published or broadcast story.

A common mistake that journalism students make when brainstorming story ideas is to suggest a topic , not a story :

“I am going to write a story about climate change”.

A good tip is to be as specific as possible , and return to those 5 Ws and a H to help:

• Who can you write a story about? Is there a specific person who is doing something newsworthy?
• Where might a story be taking place, or have taken place? Is there a location which is experiencing some sort of change – or will do – or has done and this has topical relevance?
• What is new, or surprising?
• When is something taking place? Is there an upcoming event you can report on?
• How can you report this story in a way that is interesting? Could you do your interview in an unusual way? Is there a first-person experience you could write about? (‘A day in the life’)
• Why would a particular story be newsworthy now ? Why would it appeal to your audience?

Mark Lee-Hunter’s Story Based Inquiry method , where the journalist outlines a hypothesis to guide their newsgathering, is another useful technique to use to help refine more investigative or in-depth story ideas.

This template can be used to help stimulate students’ creativity – image from Visual Paradigm

The SCAMPER method is another approach used to encourage creativity that can be adapted to journalism . The acronym represents a list of 7 techniques:

• Put to another use

So, for example, you might try some of the following:

• Find an article you like and substitute an element (e.g. same interview approach, different person). Or substitute the form (change an interview to a news article, or a report to a liveblog)
• Combine two ideas (e.g. do an FOI request and a first person story)
• Adapt an idea: what can be added to it? (more interviews, some data, a gallery?)
• Modify it: what can be changed? (the location? The timeframe?)
• Put an idea to another use : can you repeat a story from elsewhere in your local area, or field, or just update it?
• List the elements of your story and eliminate one or more to make it more focused
• Can you reverse the order of the story, or the elements being used?

Variety is important: a story from one field can inspire an approach in another; connections can be made across time and space.

Some educators have created card decks to help stimulate just these sorts of creative processes. Journalism+Design ‘s card deck forms the basis for students working in situations based on a combination of prompts (e.g. “make a mind map”) and limitations (e.g. time, audience) in .

Andy Dickinson ‘s journalism.cards “aims to encourage critical and creative thinking when developing ideas”. Key to these cards, argues Dickinson , is the building of confidence:

“A working sense of how these ideas play out gives you the confidence to challenge them, play with them and mould ideas to fit — confidence and experience allow us to be creative.”

Creativity in problem-solving

Journalism often doesn’t go to plan: an interview may be dull or an interviewee pull out, events may be cancelled or underwhelm, a dataset is limited, or fails to show the pattern we were expecting. As I wrote in a previous part of this series : this is why persistence and tenacity is so important.

The difference between the journalist and the non-journalist is that we still find a story to tell .

When an event is cancelled, for example, a journalist has the problem-solving creativity to come up with a new idea.

It might be to write a new story about why it was cancelled, or the challenges facing this particular event organiser, or events organisers more generally. Or there is a piece to be written about the cost of security for the event.

Or the decision is made not to write about this event at all but go to a list of backup story ideas (always have one!)

When an interviewee pulls out we have to think creatively about ways to solve that problem: is there a way to persuade them to change their mind? Where can we find alternatives? How can we re-angle the story around a different interviewee and still use some of the material we’ve gathered? (This to some extent comes under the quality of adaptability .)

Working through some of these scenarios is a useful exercise in developing the sort of resilience that editors want from reporters.

A live news day is one of the most common ways that educators create situations for these obstacles to occur, as students are ignored by, or turned down by, potential interviewees.

The key is to frame this for students as a creative process , not a linear or binary succeed-or-fail situation. Role-playing some of the most common scenarios (the reluctant or boring interviewee; the cancelled event) may help give students more confidence in approaching those situations.

We can also introduce students to ways in which professional journalists have adapted to similar situations: the coronavirus pandemic of 2020 has provided endless examples of journalists’ creativity, for example.

From sports reporters who “once had a job dependent on their constant presence at both home and road games, practices, press conferences” and now have to come up with story ideas that don’t rely on the rhythm of the season, to working as a radio reporter from home ; from conducting virtual interviews to designing a distributed newsroom . The industry press, reporters’ blogs and Twitter accounts have been overflowing with examples of how creativity can play a central role in the job — and those examples have been invaluable for those learning how to become journalists themselves.

Creativity in storytelling

In the Republic of Romania where I was neither born nor raised, Abortion was pretty accessible most of the days, Women were chilling out, maxing, relaxing all cool, Getting safe and legal abortions that weren’t at all cruel pic.twitter.com/kzjUNkwFFA — Mona Chalabi (@MonaChalabi) October 27, 2020

In terms of expression, creativity allows us to recreate and work with the forms of news and feature genres in different media.

Like any form of expression, the first step is to look at lots of examples and learn the unwritten rules of those: the inverted pyramid, the fact-quote-colour rhythm of the feature, the kabob structure of the longform article.

But right now we are living through what must surely be the most creative era in the history of journalism: reporters are no longer constrained by their primary platform (print, radio or TV) and to one medium (words, audio or video). The addition of online as a platform has required reporters to creatively adapt to the challenges of multiple media and genres .

Moreover, the creation and ongoing development of new genres — the blog, the liveblog, the interactive, the podcast, the datavis, the infographic, the tweet, the audio slideshow, the social video, the livestream, the 360 video, the VR experience, the Snapchat/Instagram story — means a journalist’s creativity doesn’t stop with the ‘mastery’ of one particular form: there is always another to explore.

Image by eliztesch

There is a risk, however, that this leads to too big a focus on technical creativity — the skills of storytelling — at the expense of time spent on the other forms.

For that reason it’s important to devote time to exploring these new forms editorially: what is generic about the liveblog or social video for example? (Answers might include a bullet list of key updates; or the use of text captions).

At Birmingham City University I’ve created a module dedicated to exploring new formats in exactly this way with MA journalism students, with its own Medium publication where students independently explore how professional storytellers have tackled the creative challenges of different formats before reporting their own stories across multiple platforms.

Of course, our enjoyment of creativity can stray into indulgence : we may be tempted to use long words to show off our vocabulary, where in fact shorter simpler ones may be more effective and more easily understood by our audience; or we might use a new storytelling form such as VR just because we can rather than because it works best for the story.

And that is where the sixth of the seven essential qualities of successful journalists — discipline — comes in: the subject of the next post…

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On Tue, 17 Nov 2020 at 07:32, Online Journalism Blog wrote:

> Paul Bradshaw posted: ” In the fifth in a series of posts on the seven > habits of successful journalists, I explore how creativity can be developed > in trainee journalists. You can read the posts on curiosity, scepticism, > persistence and empathy here. Describing journalism as ” >

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Creative writing vs. journalism.

When we discuss creative writing and journalism, people often think they are completely separate styles of writing. People do not think the two styles of writing have similarities, which for the most part this is true. Creative writing is used when we are writing fiction, while journalistic writing describes news stories and real events. However, professional writers should not just be good at either one or the other. A professional writer should be comfortable writing both from a journalistic standpoint and a creative writing standpoint. Why might you ask? Why should you be good at writing creatively if you are a journalist and why should you be good at writing journalistic works if you are only a fiction writer?

The Two Are Not So Different

While on the surface level the two styles of writing seem to have nothing to do with each other, this is a falsely assumed notion. When you are writing as a journalist, while you are writing fact, you also need to include creative elements to your story. Now we are not referring to making anything up, but we are referring to story and sentence structure. When you are writing a journalistic piece, it is important to hook a reader and have them maintain a constant interest throughout the story. Again, this does not mean making things up to make the story seem more interesting, but it does mean how the story flows in a manner that not only makes sense, but also captivates the reader. Both creative writers and journalists write stories . A journalist writes fact and a creative writer writes fiction, but all stories share a key element. That key element is the natural flow of the story. That also includes a hook and a plot that creates a cohesiveness that your reader can follow. This concept takes creativity, so in a way if you are writing a journalistic story, you need to understand how to creatively tell that story.

For example, let's take a look at 60 Minutes. 60 Minutes is a journalism driven show that portrays stories and in a fantastically creative way.The journalists on 60 Minutes do not simply interview someone for the entire show. What they do is they dive deep into the story, putting themselves into the field to show you exactly what is happening with an interview tied in to explain the event from a different perspective. The coordinators of the show specifically do this in a creative way to attract audiences.

Now, while we are talking about writing and not broadcasting, this example carries over just as well as any other. Take a look at autobiographies, everything in an autobiography is nonfiction, journalistic work. However, the author tells you their story in a creative way in order for you to not only follow, but enjoy what you are reading and yet still learn something.

From a creative writer’s perspective, journalistic writing might feel out of your wheelhouse. However, it is not that far off from what you are already good at. A creative writer already understands how to creatively portray a storyline. This is a concept that some journalists have a hard time with. Some creative writers make up stories purely from their imagination, but some creative writers also base their story on their real life experiences. Journalism is simply a creative way of portraying real life , timely events that have occurred. With basic training in the field, a creative writer will theoretically have all of the elements that they would need to write a story based on what they have witnessed and gathered in the field. This act is not all that different from forming a story in your head. The difference is simply writing what you see versus what you come up with. Then, you would just write the story based on what you saw. Like mentioned prior, both journalists and creative writers write stories.

All stories have a hook, a plot, and a conclusion. It is important for creative writers to also understand that not everything has to come from one’s imagination. Real life events can also have an impact on your writing. While for journalists this is all they write about, creative writers need to have this skill in their wheelhouse as well to be the best writer they can possibly be. A true professional writer should understand this phenomenon and be comfortable doing both journalistic and creative writing work.

Career Opportunities

You may only want to be an author or you may only want to be a journalist, but sometimes life throws some curveballs at you and it can be hard to do one or the other. Having the capability of writing both journalistic and creative writing works will benefit your career tremendously. How many times have you seen a journalist release a book? It happens all too often. Being a jack-of-all-trades is something not only writers should look to achieve, it is something everybody should strive to become.

Now that you understand how similar the two styles of writing are, it is not impossible to do both. Why limit yourself to be one or the other when you can do both? If you only wanted to be a creative writer, it would be great for you to write amazing fiction novels that fly off the shelves and possibly even land a movie deal of some kind. However, it is extremely hard to do, not everyone can be JK Rowling. It would also be great to be a journalist that skyrockets to the top early on and become an anchor for a big-time network, but again it is extremely hard to do. Having the ability to write creatively and journalistically opens all kinds of doors for your career.

If you decide to take on this challenge and strive to be a jack-of-all-trades, it is still important to pick a focus. Much like how when you go to college, you have to decide on a major and a minor, the same goes here.You have to decide between journalism and creative writing which would be your major and which would be your minor. That doesn't mean that they won't get a similar amount of attention, it just means that you have to decide which career path you would rather put more energy into.

For instance, your day job can be a journalist at a local station or paper trying to work your way up the pendulum. While in your off time, you are working on a creative writing piece-- whether that is a book, a screenplay, or poetry. On the flip side, if you decide you really want to  dive headfirst into the world of creative writing, your side hustle would be to do freelance work for a local paper or a magazine of your choosing. Either way it is important not to limit your possibilities . The world of writing, both on the journalistic and creative side, can be a hard place to find success.

Though, when you are working hard to perfect your craft in the two styles of writing, success will eventually come in time. And sometimes, this success is not in the field that you expected it to be. Maybe you wanted to write great fiction novels and end up finding success with your coverage of sports or politics. Maybe you wanted to find great success in your coverage of up-and-coming bands or the music industry and you somehow find your way through the fiction novels that you have been writing on the side. That does not mean to give up on one or the other. It is simply a wake up call that says, “You are good at this, your other stuff needs some work, but keep going.” The point being, be as open minded as possible and accept all challenges, and hurdle every obstacle thrown your way.

Comfort Will Come

An important word in this article is “comfortable.” Professional writers should feel comfortable writing journalistically and creatively. What you decide to do with this ability is completely up to you. All we are saying is that it is important to write in both ways no matter your career path. Also, it is important to understand that if you are good at one or the other now, that you won't be great at the other form of writing right away. Do not expect to jump from journalism to creative writing and vice versa and feel comfortable doing so immediately. That comfort will come in due time, as will the recognition for your work.

At first, your writing will be subpar and that is more than okay. As writers we need to soak in all the information that is thrown at us and adapt, learn from our past experiences and through our peers. This means you have to take a leap of faith knowing that if you act as a sponge, that you will eventually find comfort in both writing in a journalistic and creative way.

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Bachelor of Science in Creative Writing – Journalism Captivate Your Readers

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100% online, 8-week courses

Transfer in up to 75% of the degree total

Expand Your Reporting and Writing Skills with an Online Journalism Degree from Liberty University

Have you ever wanted to write for a magazine, news journal, or website? If so, then this program might be for you! At Liberty, you can learn how to compose original text with your own creative flair. Our journalism degree can help you gain the research and writing skills needed to craft compelling pieces that captivate your reader and move them emotionally.

Liberty University’s Bachelor of Science (BS) in Creative Writing – Journalism is an exciting and dynamic degree program that can help prepare you for a career in the media industry. With a focus on writing for social media, news and print, and multimedia storytelling, this journalism major can help equip you with the skills and knowledge you need to excel in a variety of fields.

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Why Choose Liberty’s BS in Creative Writing – Journalism Degree?

There are many reasons why you might choose to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Creative Writing – Journalism. One of the main benefits of this degree is that it is 100% online, making it convenient and accessible for students with busy schedules. Additionally, this program is designed to be completed in just 120 credit hours, allowing you to earn your degree quickly and start your career sooner.

Furthermore, the Bachelor of Science in Creative Writing – Journalism program is unique in its focus on both creative writing and journalism. This means you’ll gain a well-rounded education that can provide a great foundation to begin a career in news media and content writing. Whether you want to be a journalist or branch out into other areas of writing, this degree can provide a pathway to accomplishing your goals.

Liberty’s online journalism degree is taught by experienced writers and journalists who have a wealth of knowledge to share. They’ll provide you with guidance and feedback as you develop your skills and work on your writing.

What Will You Study in Our Online Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism?

In the Bachelor of Science in Creative Writing – Journalism program, you can learn competencies that are essential for success in a variety of journalism and creative writing industries. From writing novellas to writing for theater and film, you have the opportunity to develop many abilities that can help boost your marketability. Some of the skills you can develop include:

• Writing and Storytelling : You can learn how to craft compelling stories that engage and inform your audience, whether writing news articles, feature stories, or multimedia content.
• Journalism Fundamentals : You will explore the basics of journalism, including how to conduct interviews, fact-check information, and write in a style that is appropriate for different types of media.
• Print and Digital Publishing : In today’s media landscape, digital skills are essential. You can learn how to use a variety of digital tools and build platforms that focus on maturing your writing skill and brand.
• Professional Skills : In addition to creative and technical skills, you can also develop the professional skills you need to succeed in the workplace – including teamwork, communication, and project management.

Additionally, you can learn how to write for cultural engagement and convey nuanced meaning in your work. Your studies will culminate in a senior capstone that will synthesize the knowledge and training you have gained over the course of this journalism degree.

Potential Career Opportunities

• Professional blogger
• Social media coordinator

Featured Courses

• WRIT 201 – Introduction to Creative Writing
• WRIT 400 – Editing for Publishing
• WRIT 404 – Print and Digital Publishing
• WRIT 417 – Writing for Cultural Engagement

Degree Information

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To continue our mission of providing affordable education,  electronic textbooks are provided for all undergraduate courses at no cost to you. As a full-time student, this could save you an estimated $800-2,000 per year on textbooks!

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Admission requirements.

• A non-refundable, non-transferable $50 application fee will be posted on the current application upon enrollment (waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required) .
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Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy .

*Official high school transcript requirement may be waived with college transcripts from an accredited college/university showing at least 12 earned credit hours with an acceptable GPA.

Note: A 2.0 or above cumulative GPA is required for admission in good standing.

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High school transcript policy.

Applicants may submit a High School Self-Certification Form in lieu of a final official high school transcript in order to enroll in up to 12 credit hours at Liberty University.

• Applicants may submit a college transcript showing 12 or more credits from an accredited institution and a High School Self-Certification Form in lieu of high school transcripts.

Students must submit official high school transcripts, or official college transcripts showing at least 12 credit hours earned with an acceptable grade point average (GPA) from an accredited institution, in order to register for additional courses.

The official high school transcript, GED requirement, and High School Self-Certification Form can be waived if the applicant has earned an associate degree or higher.

Final transcripts must reflect all coursework and final grades received for grades 9-12, a graduation date, and an overall GPA. (Mailed transcripts must be in a sealed and unopened envelope.)

Unofficial College Transcript Policy

Unofficial transcripts combined with a Transcript Request Form can be used for admission. Official transcripts are required within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first, and will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.

Before sending unofficial college transcripts, please make sure they include the following:

• Your previous school’s name or logo printed on the document
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• A list of completed courses and earned credit broken down by semester
• Degree and date conferred (if applicable)

Official College Transcript Policy

An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to [email protected] .

If the student uses unofficial transcripts with a Transcript Request Form to gain acceptance, all official transcripts must be received within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first. Failure to send all official transcripts within the 60-day period will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.

Military Transfers

If you have military-only transfer credits (completed basic training and enlistment), you must request an official military transcript. Please go to the Military Transfer Credit webpage to request your military transcript.

International Applicants

If you are an international applicant, you may be required to have your international transcripts reviewed. Information regarding the transcript evaluation process for international students can be found by visiting NACES .

Admissions Office Contact Information

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• Tuition discounts – $250 per credit hour for undergraduate courses
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*Not applicable to certificates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does liberty partner with and bestselling authors.

Liberty University has partnered with New York Times bestselling author and Christian novelist, Karen Kingsbury, to create the Karen Kingsbury Center for Creative Writing. Your curriculum includes content developed by Karen Kingsbury herself.

Is Liberty University accredited by anyone?

Liberty University holds institutional accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges ( SACSCOC ).

Who teaches the classes in this degree program?

This online journalism bachelor’s degree is taught by experienced professionals who are experts in the fields of journalism and creative writing.

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Journalism and Creative Writing Specialization

The Journalism and Creative Writing specialization helps students develop the research, interviewing, writing, editing and multimedia storytelling skills that are crucial to success across a broad spectrum of fields and professions in this information age.

Our faculty of professional writers and editors will teach you to research, report, interview, and write about urban affairs, politics, crime and the courts, arts and culture, law, education, science, sports and many other topics. Students have an opportunity, through the Media Internship program, to gain professional experience during their studies. All students are invited to showcase their reporting, writing and editing skills through participation in Dollars & Sense, the national-award-winning Baruch College magazine. The program also features opportunities for student awards, paid internships, and full-tuition fellowships.

For creative writing students, this specialization, which is affiliated with the extraordinary Harman Writer-in-Residence program, can help you to improve your own writing. You will find your own voice, as you experiment with a range of writing forms, including biography, creative non-fiction, fiction, and screenwriting–and expand your ability to create literary prose that reflects both your talent and critical thinking skills.

Program Prerequisite

JRN 2500  The Individual and the News in the Information Age 3 credits

Core Journalism Curriculum (15 credits)

JRN 3050  Journalistic Writing 4 credits

JRN 3220  Media Ethics 3 credits

JRN 3500  Advanced Reporting and Writing 4 credits or JRN 3510 Multimedia Reporting 4 credits

JRN 5050  Media Internship I (offered each fall) 4 credits

JRN 5051  Media Internship II (offered each spring) 4 credits

JRN 5052  Summer Media Internship 4 credits or JRN 4920 Narrative Writing (ENG 4920) 4 credits

Specialization Electives (9-11 credits)

JRN 3060  Feature Article Writing 3 credits

JRN 3064  Photojournalism (ART 3064) 3 credits

JRN 3065  Electronic Research Methods and Resources for Writers (LIB 3065) 3 credits

JRN 3100  Copy Editing 3 credits

JRN 3200  Business and Financial Writing 4 credits

JRN 3210  Television Field Reporting 3 credits

JRN 3280  Documentary Film (ENG 3280) 3 credits

JRN 3300  Science Communication 3 credits

JRN 3400  Journalistic Criticism and Reviewing 3 credits

JRN 3450  Journalistic Blogging 3 credits

JRN 3600  Creative Nonfiction 3 credits

JRN 3610  Workshop: Fiction Writing (ENG 3610) 3 credits

JRN 3615  Sudden Fiction – Crafting Short Short Stories (ENG 3615) 3 credits

JRN 3630  Workshop: Playwriting (THE 3052) 3 credits

JRN 3650  Workshop: Film and Television Writing 3 credits

JRN 3800  Environmental Reporting 3 credits

JRN 3900  Topics in Journalism 3 credits

JRN 4200  Press Coverage of Politics and Policy 3 credits

JRN 4220  A Century of Muckraking: Investigating Corporations, Corruption and Governmental Crooks 3 credits

JRN 4730  Journalism and the Literary Imagination 3 credits

JRN 4750  Investigative Reporting 3 credits

JRN 4920  Narrative Writing (ENG 4920) 4 credits

JRN 5000-5002  Independent Study in Journalism Variable

JRN 5052  Summer Media Internship 4 credits

JRN 6001H-6002H  Journalism Honors I and II 3 credits

Two courses in Literature at the 3000 level or above 6 credits

Department of Journalism and the Writing Professions: 646-312-3974 Professor Josh Mills: 646-312-3937

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Creative writing & journalism courses, creative writing and journalism courses for yale college students, fall 2024 courses.

Students may take more than one creative writing class this term, but not two in the same genre: Drama, Fiction, Nonfiction or Journalism, Poetry.

A current (and continually updated) listing of all English course offerings is available on  Yale Course Search  (YCS).

Some courses will require an application in advance; a list will be posted here by Friday,  March 15 . Those applications will be due by noon on  April 5 . Applicants will be notified of decisions by  April 12 . When registration period begins, admitted students must add the course to their Registration Worksheet and request Instructor Permission in  YCS . Instructors will approve admitted student requests in YCS; approved students must then return to YCS to Confirm Changes and complete registration in the course. Admitted students who do not complete registration in the course by  May 1  may have their places filled from the waiting list. Applicants who submit after the April 1 deadline may be accepted to the waiting list.

Online Application Tip:  log into your Microsoft account using your Yale email address and password.  Please note that if you are trying to access the form while logged into any email on your browser that is not your Yale one, the page will not load.

Where no application is required in advance, students may enroll during registration period by submitting an instructor permission request through YCS or by enrolling on a first-come-first-served basis, depending on the course.  Please check the course sites on  Canvas   for further information ; these can be accessed through YCS by clicking on the Syllabus link in the course window.

Proposals for independent study courses are due at noon on  April 2 . Students will be notified by 5:00 pm on  April 10  whether the proposal has been approved or revisions are required.

Introductory Creative Writing Courses

ENGL 123 Introduction to Creative Writing. Richard Deming, Marie-Helene Bertino, Emily Skillings, and R. Clifton Spargo.

ENGL 404-01 The Craft of Fiction. Michael Cunningham. Information Session April 5, 12:00 or 2:00 in LC 317 IF YOU MISSED THE INFORMATION SESSION, please fill out this questionnaire and upload it here by noon on April 10  (use your Yale email address and password to login).

ENGL 404-02 The Craft of Fiction. Adam Sexton.

ENGL 405 The Craft of Graphic Narrative. Alison Bechdel. ENGL 405 Application Email your application to alison.bechdel@yale.edu . I’ll let you know by August 20 whether you’ve been accepted. You’ll need to submit an instructor permission request via YCS  to accept your enrollment in class. Applications received after August 19 will be considered for the waiting list.

ENGL 447 Shakespeare and the Craft of Writing Poetry. Danielle Chapman. This hybrid course is an exciting blend of creative and critical writing. Students decide before midterm whether they want to take the course as a Renaissance Literature or Creative Writing Credit, and this determines whether their final project is a creative portfolio or critical paper.

Professional Writing/Production Courses

These courses do not count toward the Creative Writing Concentration.

ENGL 412 Literary Production: Poetry. Maggie Millner.

ENGL 413 Literary Production: Prose. Jack Hanson.

Intermediate Creative Writing Courses

ENGL 407 Fiction Writing. Marie-Helene Bertino. ENGL 407 Application

ENGL 411 American Horror Stories. Brian Price.

ENGL 419 Writing about Contemporary Figurative Art. Margaret Spillane.

ENGL 421 Nonfiction Writing: Writing about Architecture. Christopher Hawthorne.

ENGL 425 Writing the Television Drama. Aaron Tracy.

ENGL 441 Making Comics. Alison Bechdel. ENGL 441 Application Email your application to  alison.bechdel@yale.edu . I’ll let you know by August 20 whether you’ve been accepted. You’ll need to submit an instructor permission request via  YCS  to accept your enrollment in class.  Applications received after August 19 will be considered for the waiting list.

JDST 345/ENGL 431 Ghostwriting. Joshua Cohen.

LITR 348/ENGL 456HUMS 427/JDST 316 The Practice of Literary Translation. Robyn Creswell.

THST 215/ENGL 434 Writing Dance. Brian Seibert.

Advanced Creative Writing and Journalism Courses

ENGL 453/THST 320 Playwriting. Donald Margulies. ENGL 453 Application

MB&B 459/ENGL 459/EVST 215 Writing about Science, Medicine, and the Environment. Carl Zimmer.  See the Syllabus via YCS for application information.

ENGL 460 Advanced Poetry Writing. Cynthia Zarin. ENGL 460 Application

ENGL 461 The Art and Craft of Television Drama. Derek Green. ENGL 461 Application

ENGL 463 Writing Outsiderness and Interiority. Rachel Kaadzi Ghansah.  ENGL 463 Application All undergraduate students are encouraged to apply, regardless of class year!

ENGL 465 Advanced Fiction Writing. Michael Cunningham. ENGL 465-01 Application

ENGL 465 Advanced Fiction Writing. Caryl Phillips. ENGL 465-02 Application

ENGL 467 Journalism. Steven Brill. ENGL 467 Application

UPDATE: TO ALL APPLICANTS TO ENGLISH 467A (FALL, 2024)

FROM: STEVEN BRILL 

I have now notified all those who applied for the English 467 seminar who have been admitted, meaning that if you have not received such a notice and confirmed your intention to join the program, I was unable to admit you this year. As always, this is the only unpleasant aspect of my involvement in the Yale Journalism Initiative. I’m confident that everyone who applied would have done well. But I had to made decisions on the right mix of participants based on a variety of factors. With that in mind, I want to stress that one of those criteria was that in many cases I chose rising seniors and juniors over rising sophomores because sophomores will have additional opportunities to participate. So, while some rising sophomores were included in the mix, most were not – and  if you are a rising sophomore I urge you to apply again next time around.

ENGL 469 Advanced Nonfiction Writing. Anne Fadiman. ENGL 469 Application

ENGL 474 The Genre of the Sentence. Verly Klinkenborg. ENGL 474 Application

ENGL 484 Writing Across Literary Genres. Cynthia Zarin. ENGL 484 Application

Independent Study

ENGL 487 Tutorial in Writing. Staff.  ENGL 487 Application

ENGL 489 The Creative Writing Concentration Senior Project. Staff.  ENGL 489 Application

Questions? Contact Erica Sayers or Jane Bordiere.

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Creative Writing

Hone your craft with the pros, start a lifelong apprenticeship in the literary arts.

The creative writing program that nurtured Dennis Lehane ’88, best-selling author and HBO writer/producer, is now accepting applications to earn B.A. and BFA degrees. But you don’t have to be gunning for a Hollywood contract to enroll. Our liberal arts graduates also go on to MFA programs and careers in journalism, media, PR, editing and publishing, counseling and software design.

Only@Eckerd

Writers in paradise.

Spend 8 days in workshops with writers like Andre Dubus III, Anne Hood, Laura Lippman, Lori Roy, Stewart O’Nan, David Yoo and Laura Williams McCaffrey. This writer’s conference is held on our Florida campus every January.

Facetime with famous authors

You’ll also have the chance to meet and talk with other celebrated writers including Stephen King, Carl Hiaasen, Julianna Baggott and Mark Bowden. These and other literary lights give talks here throughout the year.

Get help paying for college

Need help with finances? In addition to the academic scholarships we hand out upon application, you can apply for the Artistic Achievement Award .

In Their Own Words

Without my mentors through the creative writing department, I wouldn’t be in graduate school studying for my MFA with the opportunities ahead of me to teach and write. With their support, I was able to study travel writing in Paris and London, which was instrumental in my growth as a writer and a person. The creative writing department at Eckerd College is a hidden gem—once you find it, you must hold onto it! —Olivia Jacobson ’22

Beyond the Classroom

• INTERNSHIPS
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• LOCAL HOT SPOTS

Creative Writing majors have interned on campus with our student newspaper, The Current , and our literary magazine, Eckerd Review . Another recent student was an editing intern at I Love the Burg , a creative agency in downtown St. Petersburg.

Pay it forward by tutoring with Journeys in Journalism . This community program teaches local elementary, middle and high school students how to be reporters, photographers, editors and page designers for their school newspapers.

Spend a term living at our London Study Centre and studying the literature of Great Britain. Includes a week of travel and tickets to epic museums and theatre productions. Or choose from one of 300+ other destinations we offer every year.

Eckerd is just a stone’s throw from some of America’s hottest literary landmarks and events. Check it out:

• The Earnest Hemingway Home
• The Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings historic site
• Miami Book Fair (November)
• Zora Neale Hurston Festival (January)

Popular classes

Craft of writing.

This course reviews poetic and narrative language and introduces the concept of literary texture. Present what you write in class at public readings held on campus once a semester.

Writing Workshop: The Personal Essay

Learn about literary essays by reading masters like Harry Crews, Eudora Welty and Joan Didion. This class explores how to use imagination to shape format, technique and your own personal style.

What can I do with a Creative Writing degree?

• Business Manager
• Educational Assessor
• Media and Newspaper Reporter
• Software Designer of Interactive Fiction
• Technical Writer

Where our Creative Writing majors go to graduate school

• Chapman University
• Emerson College
• Florida International University
• George Mason University
• Hollins College
• Indiana University
• Stanford University
• The Johns Hopkins University
• The University of Miami
• The University of North Carolina at Greensboro
• University of Alabama
• University of Iowa Writers Workshop

Where our Creative Writing majors go to work

• Bluewater Books & Charts
• Dupont Registry
• Novelist & Poet
• St. Petersburg College
• Time Magazine

St. Petersburg, Florida 33711 800.456.9009 or 727.867.1166

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Literary journalism is another essay form that is best reserved for intermediate and advanced level courses, but it can be incorporated into introductory and composition courses. Literary journalism is the creative nonfiction form that comes closest to newspaper and magazine writing. It is fact-driven and requires research and, often, interviews.

Literary journalism is sometimes called “immersion journalism” because it requires a closer, more active relationship to the subject and to the people the literary journalist is exploring. Like journalistic writing, the literary journalism piece should be well-researched, focus on a brief period of time, and concentrate on what is happening outside of the writer’s small circle of personal experience and feelings.

An Example and Discussion of a Literary Journalism

The following excerpt from George Orwell is a good example of literary journalism. Orwell wrote about the colonial regime in Marrakech. His father was a colonial officer, so Orwell was confronted with the reality of empire from an early age, and that experience is reflected in his literary journalism piece, Marrakech :

Orwell isn’t writing a reflective, personal essay about his travels through Marrakech. Neither is he writing a memoir about what it was like to be the son of a colonial officer, nor how that experience shaped his adult life. He writes in a descriptive way about the Jewish quarters in Marrakech, about the invisibility of the “natives,” and about the way citizenship doesn’t ensure equality under a colonial regime.

Generating Ideas for Literary Journalism

One way to incorporate literary journalism into an introductory or intermediate level course is simply to have students write personal essays first. Then the students can go back and research the facts behind the personal experiences related in their essays. They can incorporate historical data, interviews, or broaden the range of their personal essay by exploring the cultural or political issues hinted at in their personal essays.

If a student writes, in passing, about the first presidential candidate they were eligible to vote for, then they can include facts and figures around that particular election, as well as research other events that were current at that time, for example. As with other essay forms, students should find topics that are important to them.

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Creative and Professional Writing Certificate

The certificate in creative and professional writing will enhance your writing skills, introduce you to new and exciting career pathways and boost your confidence as a writer. You’ll take one core course from the Writing Studies M.A. program, followed by four electives of your choosing. Saint Joseph's University offers a variety of professional courses, such as Writers at Work, Poetry Today and Writing for Publication , plus creative writing courses that include screenwriting, fiction writing and nonfiction writing.

What Sets Our Program Apart

Our faculty are noted writing experts who have the experience and network to support you in your writing career. Evening classes are small and designed for working professionals. Work at your own pace by choosing one, two or three courses per term. The certificate can be completed in as little as two semesters or up to two years.

The certificate in creative and professional writing is a stackable certificate, meaning the credits you earn can be applied toward a master's degree. Students who successfully complete the certificate program with a GPA of 3.0 or higher can then take five additional courses to earn an M.A. in Writing Studies.

You’ll take one core course from the Writing Studies MA program, followed by four electives of your choosing. Saint Joseph's University offers a variety of professional courses, such as Writers at Work, Poetry Today and Writing for Publication , plus creative writing courses that include screenwriting, fiction writing and nonfiction writing.

What Can You Do with a Creative and Professional Writing Certificate?

Saint Joseph's University's creative and professional writing certificate is designed for anyone seeking professional development, a career in writing or communications, knowledge of publishing or guidance in portfolio development for further graduate study. Certificate holders have gone on to pursue the following career positions:

• Technical writer
• Medical writer
• Public relations manager
• Communications director

Program Details

View required courses for this program in the  academic catalog . Please contact us if you have any questions about the program curriculum.

Affordable tuition rates can be found on our tuition and fees website . *

*Pricing does not include room and board, health insurance or any professional, clinical or transportation fees. Visit our tuition & fees page for a detailed breakdown.

Financial Aid & Discount Eligibility: Financial aid and discount options may be available to you to help offset the cost of your degree. Explore your options on our  financial aid page .

Graduate assistantships  are offered on a limited basis. Please contact the program director for availability.

Admission Information

• Apply  online .
• Submit official college transcripts from all colleges attended.
• Submit a personal statement.
• Submit resume.
• Submit two letters of recommendation.

Visit our  graduate admission information page  to learn more about admission requirements, key deadlines and how to submit your application.

Graduate applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. New students may enroll in courses during the fall, spring or summer semesters.

Start Terms:

• Fall: August and October
• Spring: January and March
• Summer: May

If you’re applying as an international student, you must provide proof of English Language Proficiency and Certification of Finances along with your application. Check the  graduate admission page  for additional requirements.

SJU is a Yellow Ribbon School that accepts GI education benefits. Our  Office of Veterans’ Services  can help you access and understand your benefits.

Explore Other Degree Programs

Writing Studies MA

Saint Joseph’s Masters in Writing Studies offers flexible course scheduling for working professionals who seek to understand diverse styles of writing.

English & Professional Writing BLS

From the classroom to the boardroom, English majors at Saint Joseph’s University are not only detailed with each word choice but are able to express critical information to many different audiences in engaging ways.

An English degree from Saint Joseph’s University offers excellent training for a broad range of careers, from public relations to teaching to journalism and beyond. Employers continue to seek talented and articulate individuals who can analyze complex situations, and a degree in English will teach you how to write both creatively and persuasively.

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Communications Classes and Degrees

Communications classes.

As a St. Petersburg College student, you can take classes in communications, reading, writing, speech, English and foreign languages, literature, film, and mass communications. Communications classes are offered online and on campus and can help you meet the general education requirements for an Associate in Arts transfer degree within Florida's 2 + 2 system.

At SPC, we encourage you to take a film class for an overview of the history of motion pictures and its influences over time. Or explore a myriad of life experiences, cultures and beliefs in your literature class. Or master the speech skills you need to make an impact in public and communicate professionally.

Communications Degrees and Transfer Plans

• Communication A.A. Transfer Plan
• Digital Communication & Multimedia Journalism A.A. Transfer Plan - USF St. Petersburg
• English Creative Writing A.A. Transfer Plan - USF St. Petersburg
• English Creative Writing A.A. Transfer Plan - USF Tampa
• English Literary Studies A.A. Transfer Plan - USF St. Petersburg
• English Literary Studies A.A. Transfer Plan - USF Tampa
• English A.A. Transfer Plan
• Journalism A.A. Transfer Plan - FAMU
• Mass Communications A.A. Transfer Plan - USF Tampa
• World Language French A.A. Transfer Plan - USF Tampa
• World Language Spanish A.A. Transfer Plan - USF Tampa

LANGUAGE STUDIES

English for Academic Purposes (EAP) If English is not your primary language, our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) classes will bring your skills up to college level so you can succeed in your classes. The EAP program features a series of English as a Second Language courses to meet the needs of non-native English speakers. The program is designed for those students who are interested in learning to read, write, speak, listen and understand the English language in order to earn a degree or certificate at SPC.

New students will take a placement test for their English skills and placed in the appropriate level of study indicated by their scores: Basic I, Basic II, Intermediate or Advanced. Students enrolled in 12 credit hours of EAP will be considered full-time students. A credit course in pronunciation is also available.

Study a foreign language If you want to earn a bachelor's degree but have not had two consecutive years of a foreign language, we can help. St. Petersburg College offers credit classes in Spanish, French and American Sign Language.