Painting a Picture through Words

Ritanjali Hastir, Associate Editor, 9th July, 2019, Shimla

The students of Loreto Convent Tara Hall, Shimla, got an opportunity to experience first-hand information on the art of news writing and story writing in a workshop on Journalism and Mass Communication organized by Keekli, in the school here today. The whole idea of the workshop was to make sure that children learn to use their creative writing skills in a way that can help them paint a visual for their readers and thereby make their vision alive for others too to experience.

Various aspects of journalism were touched during the workshop by Vandana Bhagra, Printer, Publisher and Editor of Keekli An Ode To Innocence, monthly bilingual newspaper. Students got first-hand information on how a piece of writing can be made effective and impressive so that the reader is glued to the piece of article and cannot drop it in the middle.

In an hour long workshop, students were given information about the concept of 5Ws and 1H – the crux of writing. They were further guided about keeping in mind simple yet important points to make their writing effective. They were told about always having a beginning, middle and conclusion to their writing so that the idea that they wanted to convey should be loud and clear.

Further studies were given on the spot exercise on how to form 500 words article out of a simple picture going by the saying that – A Picture is Worth A Thousand Words. In this on the spot activity, students managed to form an interesting news item based on a picture depicting an overcrowded bus. Students also learnt how to write an article by simply looking at the picture which in itself gives sufficient information, if only the students were attentive and had an eye to see.

The workshop turned out to be a great success as the young aspirant writers were seen eager to present their ideas and writing skills. They all cleared their doubts and also inquired about the possibilities this line holds for their future.

Students were also offered Internship programme under Keekli newspaper so that they could further enhance their writing skills and gain some practical knowledge in the field of journalism.