Summary of Key Points
This article is a record of the review session held by the Advanced Training Camp for 8 articles published in March 2026. It focuses on 9 common issues faced by novice writers, such as interview questioning, anonymity and use of real names, title writing, writing efficiency, and the use of AI. Through discussions among editors, authors, and reviewers, practical methodologies for creation have been identified to help writers transform their scattered experiences into systematic skills.
Detailed Analysis
1. Interview Questioning: Don’t Limit Respondents with Leading Questions, but Also Avoid Vague Ones
Novice interviewers often make two mistakes: either their questions are too guiding (for example, “Do you think the media industry has no future?”), which indirectly restricts the respondents’ answers, or they are too general (for example, “What’s your opinion on cross-industry collaboration?”), resulting in vague responses.
Solution: Combine open-ended and closed-ended questions. Start with open-ended questions to allow respondents to express themselves freely, then follow up with specific closed-ended questions for more details (for example, “Was it the salary issue or a desire to explore a new field?”). If you encounter interesting information outside the planned scope, pursue it further—for instance, if a respondent mentions a bottleneck, ask, “What exactly was the bottleneck, and how did you overcome it?”
2. Anonymity and Sensitive Information: Protect Privacy While Maintaining Authenticity
Anonymity is more than just changing one’s name; it’s also about avoiding being identified. For example, if a respondent does not want to reveal their identity, in addition to hiding their name, obscure industry details and relationships (for example, refer to “a position at an internet company” instead of “the marketing department at XX large corporation”).
When handling sensitive information, follow these three rules:
1. Avoid negative comparisons between industries—rephrase statements like “XX media is better than YY media” as objective facts (for example, “XX media focuses more on in-depth reporting”).
2. Use precise language when referring to policies—replace phrases like “the company was awarded a G20 project” with “there were many opportunities associated with the project” to avoid misunderstandings.
3. Double-check and verify all information—have the respondent confirm details such as names and dates, and ensure important content is supported by recordings or evidence.
3. Titles: Three Tips to Catch Readers’ Attention
The title directly affects readership. A good title should:
- Include multiple keywords: For example, “Philanthropy × Advertising × Large Corporations: Five Cross-Industry Internships That Realized My Media Dreams” contains five keywords that appeal to different readers.
- Hit on Pain Points: For example, starting with a question like “Would you sacrifice 80% of your study time for an internship?” directly addresses students’ concerns about employment.
- Be Concrete: Phrases like “Seeing Both the Trees and the Forest” are more engaging than “Reporting News from a Sociological Perspective”; they provide a clear understanding of both the individual and the broader context.
4. Slow Writing Speed? The Root Cause is Lacking a Framework During Interviews
Slow writing for novices often stems from not having a clear structure during interviews. This could be due to focusing too much on unimportant details (for example, writing too much about an unimportant first internship), failing to follow up on key points, or lacking background information.
Solution: Establish a framework during the interview. Consider what details to include in the introduction, what highlights to use for the title, and what the main message of the article will be. Experienced journalists have this structure in mind before even starting to write; they simply fill in the gaps with evidence. For example, when interviewing at a disaster site, decide in advance what aspects of the story to highlight (e.g., the reason for perseverance over six years) and then ask questions accordingly.
5. AI in Writing: A Useful Tool, but Not a Replacement
AI can be helpful, but it cannot replace human judgment:
- Useful Applications: AI can improve language (e.g., making sentences smoother), verify information (e.g., confirming key industries under the “14th Five-Year Plan”), and organize data (e.g., calculating the proportion of different types of internships).
- Limitations: AI cannot create core content such as respondents’ opinions or detailed stories, as these lack emotional depth and authenticity.
- Best Practice: Clearly indicate when AI was used. If the article still stands on its own without the AI, then it was used appropriately; if it falls apart without it, it indicates lazy writing.
These methods are based on practical experiences. By practicing them, novices can avoid common pitfalls and develop a more systematic approach to writing, moving from relying on intuition to using proven techniques.