Elon University School of Communications
Elon University offers a steady stream of visiting world leaders and nationally known communicators as a resource for its students. Recent contributors to our writing classes include, from left, USA Today higher education reporter Mary Beth Marklein; national TV correspondent Sander Vanocur; and Pulitzer-winning political columnist David Shribman of the Boston Globe.
Internship/Job-Hunting Advice
• Preparing a Portfolio: A professional portfolio is an essential part of your internship/job application. Click for details on portfolio prep.
• Putting Together a Dynamic Cover Letter: Don't waste words. Write a letter that piques the interest of the potential employer. Click for details.
• What to Include in a Resume': Rule number one is to assume that anything you did in high school is not worth inclusion. Click for details on resume' writing.
• Preparing to Take the Test: Media organizations often administer writing, editing and/or general-knowledge tests to prospective employees. Are you ready? Click for more.
Learning Tricks of the Trade
• Power Reporting: If you bookmark just one site, this is it. Assembled by Pulitzer-winning reporter Bill Dedman.
• Editor and Publisher: Complete coverage of everything happening in the news business. You can also sign up for a free E&P e-mail newsletter.
• The Poynter Institute: Poynter's slogan is, "Everything you need to be a better journalist," and it's true. It offers an incredible array of how-to help for broadcast, internet and print journalists and students.
• American Journalism Review: Offers articles on trends and issues in journalism.
• Investigative Reporters and Editors: Provides information for students, reporters and editors interested in investigative journalism.
• Reporter.org Offers links to all of the major journalism organizations, communications job sites and news sources on the Web.
• Society of Professional Journalists: A valuable resource for journalists and students.
Journalism Workshop
• Tips to Write Right Using Media Style: A quick course in some of the most common do's and don'ts for writing. Also includes "AP Style Will Rock You."
• A Simple Formula for Good Writing: Describes how you can break the creative process of critical thinking, conceptualization, information gathering, writing and editing into four simple steps - the "Four C's."
