Professional editors value clips from student newspapers

-- Bob Longmore

“To be a good writer, a person needs to write, as much and as often as possible.” This advice comes from Hans Eisenbies, editor-in-chief of The Rake magazine. “Writing for publication is better than not, because it pushes a writer to work with an editor and to write for readership,” he adds. Metropolitan State University’s student newspaper is a place for writers to find their voice and begin to build a writing portfolio. This is, for many students, the first chance to write for publication, and is a very important step according to Eisenbeis. It is difficult for aspiring writers out in the world; it is a world filled with rejection. A near carte blanche opportunity to have articles published is a relished situation for anyone in the embryonic stage of a writing career

All aspiring writers have goals for themselves. Some want to write the great American novel, some want be a columnist for the Star Tribune, some want to work in television or radio. One thing these dreamers have in common is the uphill struggle to achieve their goals. Thankfully, for Metropolitan State University students there is The Metropolitan; a place to plant your heels and begin the climb to literary greatness.

When writers are first starting, their portfolio usually contains only articles from student newspapers. Tracy McCormick, Mpls. St.Paul Magazine’s special sections senior editor, says she is worried if a writer just out of college does not have clips from a student newspaper in his or her portfolio. According to McCormick, clips from a student paper give an accurate glimpse of a candidate’s writing ability. “If I can tell someone has flair or style, if I am impressed, I’ll try them out.” She says she is, “looking for quality. Someone who can write and put together a story.” McCormick says she does judge student articles in a portfolio a little differently than articles published in other places. She feels a clip from a student paper is a genuine indication of a writer’s talent because, typically, that clip has not felt the heavy hand of an editor.

Regardless of where a story has been published, that article will show your style to an editor. Clips from a student newspaper that appear in a portfolio show editors like Eisenbeis and McCormick that a potential writer has experience with the editorial and publication process.

When student writers start putting their portfolio together, it can be daunting. It is important to have many clips to choose from when assembling a portfolio. But it is more important, according to Eisenbeis, only to showcase the strongest of your articles. The skill of self-editing is a struggle for all writers. Eisenbeis adds, “Pick clips that have really strong leads; busy editors will usually read the first couple of grafs [sic] for a sense of your style and your competence as a writer.” Eisenbeis stresses self-editing and caution when choosing clips for a portfolio, saying, “…even if you are a gifted writer, some pieces are better than others. When you’re trying to get work, a weak piece will trump five strong pieces.”

Writing for The Metropolitan does not guarantee a future for any aspiring writer. It does, however, give interested students the ability to find out what writing for a publication entails. There are students who will only write one article during their academic career and there are students who will write dozens. Regardless of a person’s motivation or ambition, The Metropolitan is a place where one’s story can be told.

The Metropolitan Home || Calendar || Masthead || Contact
Metropolitan State University Homepage

All material © Metropolitan 2005, except as noted. All rights reserved.