A FRIENDLY LEAD

by EDWARD ANTON

THERE are a number of everyday words which are capable of producing varying—and often totally opposite—effects upon different individuals. In most cases, no doubt, it is the result of association of ideas and not of aestheticism in sound.

Take, for example, the word " School." To one man it suggests nothing but humdrum tasks, discipline, res- traint and punishment, while to another it recalls happy memories of proud achievement, of progress and of joyous companionship.

I have frequently been confronted with the former attitude of mind to the word " School" in my corres- pondence with people who have a wish to turn their latent literary aspirations to some practical account. They are usually men and women with special knowledge or experiences—or, perhaps, ideas—which would provide excellent material for stories or articles : but they are conscious that they lack acquaintance with Press technique, and are desirous of acquiring it. But when I mention The London School of Journalism as provid- ing the surest means of assistance they are apt to " shy " and say, " Oh! a School)" in a tone of voice which tells me very plainly that the word has conjured up visions of fixed rules, stereotyped teaching, set exercises and a Procrustean reduction of personality to uniformity.

In reality, nothing could be further from the truth. If I were to attempt to describe the methods of The London School of Journalism in a phrase, I would call it " a friendly lead." The term describes it very aptly—for the assistance given by the School is certainly friendly, sympathetic, and comprehending; and it leads the would- be writer, step by step, to the desired goal, aiming at the development of the writer's individuality instead of reducing him to a uniform standard of ineffective medi- ocrity.

And, if you consider the matter, it is not only a good method—it is the only method by which you can bring latent literary powers to successful fruition. Standard- ised instruction, " mass " methods and stereotyped exercises are valueless for the reason that probably no two writers ever have precisely the same outlook on things, the same ideas, or the same aspirations. One man may wish to write nature studies or sketches of life and character ; another aims at contributing articles on social, economical, or political problems. A third desires to write narratives of adventure or experiences which he has encountered, or to weave stories of love, romance, or crime. There is no end to the variety of aspirations which fill the breasts of those who seek to contribute to the many hundreds of journals which welcome the contributions of non-professional writers; and the London School of Journalism is the only School I know of which caters effectively for their need of guidance, criticism, and friendly help.

That opinion is shared by the Press as evidenced by the warm commendations of such important organs as " The Spectator," " The Morning Post," " Daily Tele- graph," ' Truth," " Public Opinion" and numerous others. Of equal significance is the fact that, in many cases, the proprietors of great newspapers have sent members of their editorial staff to become students of the School in order to perfect their style and develop their journalistic individualities.

The School does not fit the student to the curriculum —it adapts the curriculum to the individual needs and aims of the student. For instance, an absolute beginner may require a certain amount of elementary instruction in the early stages or he may be undecided as to whether his bent is for stories or for articles, and may require advice on this point before he engages on a course of instruction.

On the other hand, the student may be one who has attained a certain facility in writing and stands in no need of definite " lessons." What he chiefly wants is sympathetic collaboration and criticism in order that his work may receive those finishing touches which so often mean all the difference between acceptance and rejection.

Or, again, he may be one who has a good store of excellent raw material in the form of experiences, reminiscences, or ideas but is not quite sure how to make the best use of them.

In all these cases competent and painstaking assistance is forthcoming without stint—true collaboration, con- scientious instruction, and experienced guidance and advice of the extent or character called for.

The results of this excellent method of assisting new writers is to be seen in the Press of the British Empire, for there is no newspaper, journal, or magazine of any consequence in which you will not find the work of those who were piloted to success by Sir Max Pemberton and his able staff of authors and journalists at The London School of Journalism.

WHAT " THE SPECTATOR " SAYS : " Having been allowed to examine its work in practice, I can only envy those who have received such sympathetic and highly- skilled instruction in their early efforts. The series of lessons go far to make clear what each journalist should aim at; but the most valuable part of the training is the very full and candid opinion that is given upon every- thing that is submitted."

The instruction is by correspondence, but it may be supplemented, where desirable, by personal interviews with the instructor.

Anybody, in short, who takes the trouble to inform himself of what the School has done and is doing to assist would-be writers to produce successful MSS. will be speedily convinced that a course of correspondence train- ing under that institution is a dependable road to success.

FREE CRITICISM

Sir Max Pemberton, the Director of Studies, is always willing to give readers of The Spectator the benefit of his opinion and advice, and he will be assisted in this if a MS. of some kind be submitted to the School for that purpose. No fee is charged and no obligation incurred.

Prospectus, giving fullest particulars of the various Courses, Fees, Method of Instruction, etc., post free on application to :

Prospectus Dept.,

THE LONDON SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM,

57 GORDON SQUARE, LONDON, W.C. 1.

Tel.: Museum 4574.