Learn how to help a budding writer improve their writing skills in journalism by setting goals, sharing experience, challenging, listening, and celebrating.

But here's the catch: you are not supposed to share your experience in a "journalist style of writing". At least, not in the LEAD way of writing. You don't have to tell what happened, to whon, when and why in the first paragrapf. You can add some mystery and some drama to your writing. The trick is to answer one of those main questions on each paragraph and each time you do it, you have to trigger a new question.

How can you improve your mentee's writing skills in journalism?

If you are a journalist who wants to help a budding writer improve their skills, you might be wondering how to approach the mentoring process. Journalism is a complex and dynamic field that requires not only technical proficiency, but also creativity, curiosity, and ethical awareness. How can you guide your mentee to develop these qualities and produce engaging and accurate stories? Here are some tips to consider.

1 Set clear goals

The first step is to establish what your mentee wants to achieve and how you can support them. You should have a conversation about their strengths, weaknesses, interests, and aspirations. You should also agree on the frequency, duration, and format of your sessions, as well as the feedback methods and tools you will use. Setting clear and realistic goals will help you and your mentee stay focused and motivated.

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Tracey Groombridge

Training Manager at Lifeline Tas. Trauma and DFV specialist. Facilitator of Retreats, almost a journalist.
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Building their confidence, get them to write what they know. Start with what they are passionate about and then move to slightly more difficult topics to cover, that they may not be as familiar with. Good writing is about confidence and skill.

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2 Share your experience

One of the most valuable things you can offer as a mentor is your own experience. You can share your stories, insights, and advice with your mentee, and show them how you approach different aspects of journalism, such as finding sources, conducting interviews, writing leads, structuring articles, and editing drafts. You can also introduce them to your network, resources, and opportunities that might benefit them. Sharing your experience will help your mentee learn from your successes and mistakes, and gain confidence and perspective.

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Fernando Palacios

Latam Storytelling Pioneer | Founder @ Storytellers | International Keynote Speaker | Bestselling Writer | Awarded as World's Best Storyteller
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But here's the catch: you are not supposed to share your experience in a "journalist style of writing". At least, not in the LEAD way of writing. You don't have to tell what happened, to whon, when and why in the first paragrapf. You can add some mystery and some drama to your writing. The trick is to answer one of those main questions on each paragraph and each time you do it, you have to trigger a new question.

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3 Challenge your mentee

Another important role of a mentor is to challenge your mentee to grow and improve. You can do this by assigning them tasks, exercises, and projects that are relevant to their goals and interests, but also push them out of their comfort zone. You can also ask them questions, encourage them to explore different angles and perspectives, and provide constructive and honest feedback. Challenging your mentee will help them develop their skills, creativity, and critical thinking.

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4 Listen to your mentee

A good mentor is not only a teacher, but also a listener. You should pay attention to what your mentee says, writes, and feels, and try to understand their challenges, frustrations, and achievements. You should also respect their opinions, preferences, and style, and avoid imposing your own views or expectations. Listening to your mentee will help you build trust, rapport, and empathy, and tailor your guidance to their needs and goals.

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5 Celebrate your mentee

Finally, a mentor should also celebrate their mentee's progress and accomplishments. You should acknowledge their efforts, praise their work, and highlight their improvements. You should also celebrate their failures, and help them learn from them. Celebrating your mentee will help them boost their morale, self-esteem, and resilience, and inspire them to keep going.

Mentoring a writer in journalism can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience for both parties. By following these tips, you can help your mentee improve their writing skills in journalism, and also enrich your own knowledge and skills.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How can you improve your mentee's writing skills in journalism?

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1 Set clear goals

2 Share your experience

3 Challenge your mentee

4 Listen to your mentee

5 Celebrate your mentee

6 Here’s what else to consider

Journalism

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