Will studying journalism as my major restrict my writing to the point of changing my writing style?

Question

and possibly my way of thinking/viewing things? would creative writing be better for the balancing of the technical with the creative?

Answer 1

There are a number of writing styles, and you must be aware of them when writing.

1)  There is 'Journalese' which is the style that you would use writing for a newspaper and magazines. With this style you tend you put the essential ideas in the first sentence & paragraph to attract the readers attention and the rest of the story is expanding on the facts. You also tend to quote your sources within the story.

2)  Academic -- Here you start with what you intend to write about, write your essay/thesis then finish with a conclusion. Sourcing of material is done in footnote/endnote form and with a bibliography at the end.

3)  Formal Business -- Polite but to the point using minimal words.

4)  Informal/Personal -- This is the style when writing to a close friend or relative.

When I went to university I had already been a journalist for some 25 years and wrote in journalese which caused me to be marked down at university. It was only after I changed my writing style that my marks improved dramatically.

Answer 2

You should attempt to take as many writing classes you can. Expand your horizons. As long as you have enough intelligence and/or prior experiences to filter out the garbage, there is no negative education.

You should use all forms of writing you can to create your own form and expand your abilities. If you also get some form of degree or certificate this can also help you land bigger checks and be applicable to more writing jobs.