<p>So, I'm really interested in journalism. I am not allowed to take my school's newspaper class because you have to have taken the class freshman year, and I didn't take it as a freshman.</p>
<p>I would really love to write for my local newspaper, but I don't know how to inquire about this.
Would it be appropriate to ask if I could be a columnist for a local newspaper? I don't even have any journalism experience, but the thing is, I highly doubt that all of the teens nationwide writing for their own local newspapers had previous experience with journalism. </p>
<p>I fear coming off as obnoxious, especially by asking during this economic crisis. </p>
<p>It’s highly unlikely that they’ll allow you to be a columnist, in high school, without any journalism experience, and you’re probably unfamiliar with the standard journalism writing technique.
At most, they might allow you to intern. Asking to be a full columnist, unless your writing abilities are astonishing, is probably not the best idea.</p>
<p>It can’t hurt to ask, though.
At worst, you’ll be in the same position you are now.</p>
<p>I agree with PlattsburghLoser: It never hurts to ask. I would start with your high school paper though. I’m an editor on mine and we have the same Journalism I requirement, but we sometimes make exceptions and we are always willing to feature guest columnists. You could even work with them after school. If you don’t have any luck with your HS paper, try a small-scale local paper to get experience.</p>
<p>It might also be helpful to read some books on journalistic style so that you can show some experience.</p>