Writing for the iPhone generation

In this generation, we have an attention span of a goldfish; due to the ever-changing technology, the iPhone generation may be the unluckiest generation yet. Our attention can only be captured for minutes at a time, which is why as a journalist, this convention has helped me realize the importance of capturing a reader’s attention.

Entertainment journalism is the closest type of magazine-style-writing a newspaper has. In the seminar “Magazine Features and Getting Them Published,” we learned that all magazines have a targeted audience. Gossip magazines such as Star, target young college females, while trash-talk magazines such as Globe target the older generation.

These magazines work overtime to capture their reader’s attention. The current generation has a fear of commitment, as far as reading goes. If the artwork for the article doesn’t capture their attention, the page will be flipped and the article will remain unread.

As a journalist, it is our job to capture their attention with a headline or the first few words of the lead. Most writers have the habit of reading their local newspaper’s articles, whether they’re features or reviews, and attempt to copy their writing style. That’s mistake number one; the point of writing is to create your own style within guidelines.

Writing music reviews is an underrated task; many think it’s easy to listen to a compilation and write their thoughts on it. But music reviews is more than just a track list and some opinions. It takes more than clichés to convince your reader to pick up an artist’s album. “Soaring singles” or “funky beats” is over played. How many artists can have these funky beats? Chances are you don’t want to plan your career as a journalist around your local newspaper, so do yourself a favor and don’t write like them.

The current generation has an obsession with writing things that are “obscure.” They want to write about unheard of bands and artists. Part of the job is writing about things you may not personally like. Your job isn’t to like what you’re writing about, it’s simply just to write it.

Collaboration is extremely important in this field. You must be able to sit down with a room full of editors and not be discouraged when you’re idea is turned down. Perhaps only one in nine ideas will be used, but it doesn’t mean all nine weren’t excellent. Collaboration begins with simple layout ideas but can reach other areas as well. Many times, editors will have to sit down to discuss the direction of a story or how to interview the subject.

College journalism is tricky. Your audience is still growing and developing. Creating stories for your targeted audience is key. They want to know about their campus and things that relate to their home. They want to know more about what they have little knowledge on.

If you’re going to write about movies, be sure it’s a movie your audience will see. Try and tell the difference between a flop and a blockbuster. Anyone can Google a movie review, so set yours apart from the rest. This is where your own writing style comes into play. If you’re going to write about food, write about food in their area; even if you’re doing pizza reviews, convince them the pizza you’re eating is the best. If you’re writing about fashion, college kids can’t afford to buy the latest Paris trends. They want to know where they can buy cool, cheap t-shirts that match their Converses.

Knowing your audience is a challenge sometimes, but it’s easy when you relate to yourself as your audience. Ask yourself what you want to know more about, then write about it.

Brittany Tuft '15

Lifestyle Editor