I'm Brittni Drayton

Reflecting on my journey through the Multimedia Journalism class this semester, I find myself submerged in a newfound understanding of journalism, news reporting, and the nuances of factual storytelling. The excitement that fueled my engagement in this class stems from the realization that journalism aligns harmoniously with my passion for poetry and storytelling. As a passionate writer accustomed to the realm of creative expression, this class presented a distinctive challenge — to craft factual narratives without the influence of personal opinion.

One of the most significant revelations during this semester was uncovering my unintentional penchant for injecting personal perspectives into my writing. As a descriptive writer, I had not fully recognized the depth of my opinionated tendencies until the class demanded a meticulous removal of subjectivity from my articles. This challenge served as a crucial point of growth, pushing me to reassess and refine my approach to storytelling.

In exploring the facets of journalism, I successfully navigated the terrain of finding news and constructing compelling stories. Engaging with readers became a forte, establishing a connection that transcended the screen. While my poetry and storytelling background infused creativity into my journalistic endeavors, the class provided a structured framework for engagingly presenting factual information.

One aspect I particularly appreciated in my work was the meticulous attention to attribution. The importance of attributing quotes and information became evident during the editing process, transforming the writing from opinionated to credible. This adjustment, highlighted in the revised articles, reinforced the journalistic integrity required in factual reporting.

In the process of crafting narratives, I sought to accomplish a seamless integration of facts and storytelling elements. The articles on The Rod Wave Concert exemplify this fusion, presenting information in a narrative format that captivates readers while adhering to journalistic principles. The articles represent an achievement in balancing creativity with factual accuracy.

While my work achieved success in various aspects, there were challenges, notably the subtle insertion of opinion in my initial drafts. This challenge manifested most prominently in the choice of words and descriptions. For instance, in the initial description of the Rod Wave concert, subjective terms such as "graced" and "confidently" were replaced with more neutral language in the revised version, contributing to a more objective and informative tone.

Through the lens of my articles, I've learned that news reporting demands a delicate dance between creativity and factual accuracy. The journey through this class illuminated the significance of balancing engaging storytelling with the responsibility of presenting information objectively. The articles serve as tangible examples of this synthesis, where engaging narratives unfold within the constraints of factual reporting.

As a journalist and learner, I've come to appreciate the meticulous craftsmanship required in news reporting. Each word and sentence carries weight, shaping the reader's perception of the information presented. The rigor of this class instilled a deep appreciation for the precision demanded in factual storytelling.

Looking back, my journey as a student in this class reveals a trajectory marked by challenges, revelations, and growth. The exposure to journalistic principles, the refining of my writing skills, and the conscious effort to eradicate personal bias from my work have collectively contributed to my development as a storyteller in the realm of factual reporting.

In conclusion, the Multimedia Journalism class has been a humbling, enlightening experience, providing a platform for me to bridge my passion for storytelling with the demands of factual reporting. Through the process of writing articles on diverse topics, I'm honing my skills, confronting challenges, and gaining insights that will undoubtedly shape my future endeavors in the field of journalism.