Overview of what has been learned in MCJ102 this semester

This semester has been very interesting for me because I am finally getting to understand more about mass communications and journalism.  MCJ 102 has opened my eyes to what really goes into media writing. I will never look at another newspaper article the same or listen to an advertisement on the radio or television without thinking of the processes that went into making it.

I have learned so much about the proper usage of grammar and punctuation with the Associated Press book. It is true that this book will become your best friend.  Even with the book I still make mistakes. There is so much to learn.

I have learned how to create news leads, print releases, broadcast news, web writing, writing public relations releases,writing radio and television news stories, writing advertisements scripts for radio and television with a storyboard.

When I first started my assignments I had no confidence in myself, but as the semester is coming to an end I have developed so much more confidence in my writing abilities. I actually have enjoyed all the different types of writing. I like the creative side of making advertisements, but I have an extremely difficult time keeping the advertisement short.  I believe though that my favorite type of writing is the print news.  I can write longer sentences here.  If I can keep my words down I actually really enjoyed writing the 30 second radio ad script.

Before this class I had never blogger or used twitter.  At first I did not like having to do this. I found my self seeing or hearing about something and thinking that I should remember that so I can blog or tweet about it.  I enjoy the quick way that you can tweet information and how you can blog a lot of information.  I already have other news worthy information to blog about.  I believe that after this class I will be blogging and tweeting.

What I have learned about myself and this class is that I am a procrastinator but in a good way.  I found that when I would read the assignment I would have to mull it over in my mind for a bit of time before I could put my thoughts down on paper.  I would think of the different ways to write a lead that would draw my attention.  Usually it would hit me as I was typing the way the lead should read to hopefully draw the attention of the reader or listener in.

This summer I am going to become a better typist. Right now my typing skills are not the greatest. I need to increase my speed and use the proper technique. I look forward to next semester to put the skills I have been taught in this class to further use.