Steady Hands: Writing Workshop for Thames Copywriters

by: Ivan Andrew Combalicer, Thames Undergraduate Student

Mr. Carlo Rivera, the Communication Program Chair of Thames International School and the facilitator of the workshop for Thames Copywriters opened “Steady Hands: Communicating in 2020 and Beyond” last November 27, 2020, with the statement: “The Communications course is one of the most powerful tools we have for changing the world.”

Providing clear information is a huge responsibility for every communicator in the age of the pandemic, as information dissemination influences and changes mindsets en masse. The COVID-19 pandemic is an opportunity for Thames copywriters to write news articles and stories that offer the public insight into what Thames International has to offer. The workshop answered the question of how Thames copywriters can effectively communicate and promote Thames International?

The workshop began with a “Fake News” icebreaker in which participants told two truths and a lie about themselves, and then had a lot of fun guessing which was which. After that, Mr. Rivera discussed the guidelines for the articles that will be assigned to the copywriters. He informed them that each copywriter will be given a week to write his or her article. He also gave advance warning that there will be instances where the copywriters will be asked to write on short notice. He reminded the copywriters to include testimonials and quotations to help readers feel what the article is about. 

After providing guidelines, Mr. Rivera asked everyone, “What is the hardest part of writing?”. Dani Marcelino, a sophomore, answered “The hardest part of writing is translating emotions into writing so that your readers are able to feel it.”. Mr. Rivera advised her to make the audience feel it, instead of telling them how to feel. He followed it up with, “Engineer the situation so that the emotions arise naturally.”. Other copywriters like Amidala Mallari and Monica Joslyn claimed that the hardest part is starting to write especially when there is no inspiration. Mr. Rivera suggested that they should not wait for inspiration to come especially if the given timeframe is short. He continued by saying that the secret is to “write something that sucks and then edit it until it doesn’t suck.”

Hannah Magdangal was also given the chance to share her sentiments on the idea of having to write a perfect first draft at instant. Mr. Rivera urged everyone to fail forward and just continue writing because “the alternative to failing is not trying”. He also said, “Sucking at something is step one of being awesome at it.”. 

Mr. Rivera ended the workshop with the announcement that more success stories will be written by the Thames Copywriters, so they should start learning how to interview. He also left a well-meaning pat-on-the-back reminder to the Thames copywriters that they are not alone, and can expect extraordinary support in these extraordinary times. 

Thames International is committed to building a new order for the world by giving talented students and entrepreneurs the tools to thrive and lead the way in a world beset by rapid change. If you’re interested in augmenting your skills and making connections with some of the brightest minds in business education today, please take a look at our future-proof undergraduate and postgraduate programs.