Describes student reaction to an internship program in journalism. Suggests that students must learn that formula and boredom are basic to the work world but that they can lighten this routine with their own inventiveness and creativity. (MM)

The justification for including a year-long course in practical writing and editing in a research-oriented university's writing program and a description of that course are presented in this paper. Discussed are the responses to four questions: What is practical or survival writing? How much is there of it? What can a university gain from teaching…