“Anyone can learn how to write”
Do you often write news items or texts for a website? Do you regularly conduct interviews or translate scientific information into “plain language” and would you like to improve your skills? Then register for the summer course ‘Journalism and Effective Writing’, which is taught by Riki Janssen (editor-in-chief of Observant) and Wammes Bos (freelance journalist and former senior editor at Observant).
In this article, former participants talk about how they experienced this course eight years ago and last year.
From 2014 to 2021
Eight years ago, in the summer of 2014, Denise Villerius participated in the course. At the time, she worked at the Alumni Office. For a new column for the newsletter she created herself, she wanted to interview former students who had left for, for example, America or Australia after their studies. Because she did not possess the necessary skills for conducting and processing interviews, she decided to enrol in the course.
Stefanie Hollanders (office manager at YUFE) and Joyce de Vos (health education officer at MUMC+) have also participated in the course. For Stefanie, it had been on her wish list for as long as it is taught at Maastricht Summer School. Last year her wish finally came true.
As a UM or MUMC+ employee, you can use your personal development budget to finance the course (in consultation with your department head or team leader).
If you want to know more about this course (only available in Dutch) or see the complete course offer, please visit our website.
How do you translate something complicated into “plain language”?
Both Stefanie and Joyce write texts on a daily basis. Stefanie often writes emails and letters on behalf of her director, and is responsible for preparing minutes and communicating decision-making to third parties. “It is not always easy, because how do you 'translate' a specific subject for a wide audience? How do you write concisely without losing any meaning? And above all: how do you deliver a high-quality piece under great time pressure?” Joyce is engaged in science journalism. “Do you want to share scientific results with the world? Bring it on. For me this is a great opportunity to translate something complicated into "plain language". After I had attended a workshop from Riki, I wanted to learn more.”
“People with a passion for writing”
How did they experience the course? Denise was part of a nice group that consisted of UM employees, but also people from outside UM. Each and every one of them were “people with a passion for writing”. She experienced the obligation to deliver something under pressure and the constructive feedback she received afterwards as very pleasant. For example, they were expected to write a piece in half an hour: “I was amazed that I managed to do it.” The course met her expectations and was easy to combine with her work. After completing the course, she felt more confident in her work: “I trusted my own skills more and believed that I could do it”.
Learning from your course coordinator and from each other
For Stefanie, the group of nine students immediately felt familiar. “By assessing each other's pieces honestly and with respect, you learn not only from your course coordinator, but also from each other. I have found that to be very valuable.” She liked writing a column the most: “The creative freedom we got made me excel at this task.” The most important thing she learned during the course is “to have confidence in yourself. Anyone can learn how to write, with their own talent and specialty. As long as you focus and don't let yourself be distracted by incoming e-mails or apps, you can even do it with a deadline that is breathing down your neck.”
A positive challenge
Joyce loved the course: “I recommend it to anyone who wants to learn how to write (better) in clear language and with a common thread.” It was not easy, but “experienced journalists Wammes Bos and Riki enabled us to take a few big steps every day”. Why it was not easy? “How you write is not only a matter of personal taste, but it also depends on the context and your target audience. For instance, you can be more creative when writing a blog post than when you are writing for a website or patient information, which requires more nuance. How do you make something that is complicated simpler, without making it too simple?” That is a challenge that she takes on with even more pleasure since completing the course.
Read more about Stefanie and Joyce in their blogs: www.twistedsister.nl and https://devoszietdoordebomenhetbos.blogspot.com/.
By: Naomi Nijssen (text), Bernard Hermant (via Unsplash), Denise Villerius, Prisca Visser and Joyce de Vos (photography)
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