In elementary school, I dreaded any type of writing. Even in ISTEP, I was horrified of picking up my pencil to write a senseless story I knew I couldn’t make perfect. Going into my freshman year of high school, I was still horrified to write any essay. While the school year went by, I slowly started to enjoy the art of journalism. Writing in Mr. Engle’s class gave me the confidence to continue writing. Not only do I write for my class assignments, I want to continue journalistic writing for the rest of my life.

Writing essays of any sort gives me another voice. Being able to express my opinion allows me to be heard when no one is willing to listen. Everyone has different ways of expressing their thoughts whether it is out loud or through actions. I find it much more productive to write mine down. Yes, I realize most people probably don’t read them, but I feel as if the world knows how I feel towards a certain subject. I cannot fathom the importance of getting student’s opinions out to the world. Our opinions and thoughts mean just as much as anyone else’s. Not only does writing allow me to have a voice much louder than the one I physically obtain, writing also gives me more courage and individuality in my lifestyle.

Writing gives me the courage to speak my opinions whether they seem to be rational or irrational. In one of my past features, I wrote about the holocaust. Although this event was horrific to me, I seem to feel a desire to learn more about it. After that feature was published, a friend of mine asked me why I have such strong feelings towards the event. He knew I wrote the essay, but he wasn’t convinced that I have so many thoughts or opinions concerning the incident. Having my essay to back up my thoughts gave me the courage to stand up for what I believed. I constantly referred back to my story giving facts to support my opinions. Without my writings, I would have been tongue-tied right at the scene.

In today’s society, we are given a set of rules we are supposed to live by. Writing gives me the strength to break through the stereotypical wall built by the press and social media sites. Personally, I do not like to show what I am capable of publically, but if someone sets out a pen and a piece of paper, I spill out my whole heart into my words. I have no boundaries or rules to hold me back. Having that small sense of freedom gives me the courage to tackle every obstacle in my way. Journalism is my life saver.

Don’t get me wrong, I had that phase where writing an essay at all left me shaking in my seat, but I grew to love every part of the process of making my stories. My version, or interpretation, of writing is irrevocable. I will always love to write and express my little ideas. Writing didn’t turn out so bad after all!