News Reporting and Writing
, by Missouri Group
- ISBN: 9781319034818 | 1319034810
- Cover: Paperback
- Copyright: 10/7/2016
Prepare yourself for a career as a reporter no matter the medium as News Reporting and Writing takes you through the essentias of reporting and writing, giving you a foundation fin the profession whether you end up working in print or digital media.
BRIAN S. BROOKS came to the Missouri School of Journalism in 1974 after working in Vietnam as an information officer (for which he received a bronze star) and as a reporter, copy editor and night city editor at the Memphis (Tenn.) Press-Scimitar. He served as news editor and then as editor of the Columbia Missourian before becoming director of the Journalism Network in 1989. Along with faculty member Phill Brooks, he was responsible for bringing a $15 million grant from IBM Corporation to the School of Journalism from 1989 to 1997. While on sabbatical from 1997 to 1999, Brooks was editor of The Stars and Stripes, the U.S. military newspaper in Europe. He directed that newspaper’s coverage of the Bosnia mission, the U.S. entry into Kosovo and the bombing of Belgrade. For this work, he was awarded the Department of Defense Civilian Distinguished Service Medal. For more than 30 years, Brooks has served as deputy director or director of the Dow Jones Newspaper Fund editing internship program at Missouri. Students from schools nationwide are trained at the summer workshop for careers as newspaper copy editors. Brooks was chairman of the school’s editorial department from 1999 until January 2003, when he became associate dean for undergraduate studies and administration. That same year he was named Outstanding Faculty Member on campus by the MU Greek system. He was inducted into the Missouri Press Association’s Newspaper Hall of Fame in 2009. Brooks holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the Missouri School of Journalism.GEORGE KENNEDY worked for 10 years at daily newspapers in Delaware and Florida before joining the Missouri School of Journalism faculty in 1974. At Missouri, Kennedy has served as chairman of the Editorial Department and as associate dean. Many recent alumni know him best as managing editor of the school’s teaching newspaper, the Columbia Missourian — a position he held for almost 12 years. Kennedy’s academic interests center on journalistic practice and the future of the profession. He has been a Fulbright lecturer in New Zealand and a visiting professor in Slovakia and Spain. His most recent articles have appeared in The American Editor and Columbia Journalism Review, and he has co-authored three textbooks in reporting and writing. Kennedy holds a bachelor’s degree and a doctorate from Missouri and a master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania.DARYL MOEN is the former editor of three daily newspapers and author or co-author of four journalism textbooks. He has redesigned 18 newspapers and given more than 200 seminars on writing and design in the U.S. and abroad. Daryl has taught newspaper design, reporting, beginning and advanced editing, advanced writing, editorial writing, graduate problems courses and directs graduate professional projects and theses. As a teacher, Daryl attempted to lead students to answers rather than provide them. He believes that showing is more powerful than telling, that finding the "why" gives students the tools to adjust to changing conditions for the rest of their careers and that doing is more effective than listening. As a faculty member in a professional school, Daryl worked closely with his students to make industry contacts and find jobs. He helped scores of students find not only their first jobs but also their second and third jobs, and encouraged them to use the Missouri alumni network to find jobs.
DON RANLY became head of the magazine sequence in 1976 (a position he held until 2004), just two years after he joined the Missouri School of Journalism faculty. Before making Missouri his home, Ranly worked for eight years in Wisconsin, Ohio and Indiana as a newspaper reporter, a magazine editor, a weekly columnist, a radio host and a television producer, director and host. Ranly’s broad experience is also reflected in his education: he has master’s degrees in journalism and speech from Marquette University, a certificate in film, radio and television from New York University, and a doctorate from the Missouri School of Journalism. During his 30 years of service at the school, he has conducted nearly 1,000 writing and editing seminars for press associations, corporations, associations and individual newspapers and magazines. He has also authored or co-authored five books and published several audiocassettes and videos on reporting, writing and grammar. In 1995, Ranly received a Mizzou Alumni Association Faculty-Alumni Award and was named the O.O. McIntyre Distinguished Professor of Journalism. Three years later, he won a University of Missouri Golden Chalk teaching award and co-authored Publication Editing (Kendall/Hunt). In 2002, he was named a Fellow of the International Association of Business Communicators; in 2003 he won one of the University of Missouri’s most prestigious teaching awards, the William T. Kemper Fellowship. In 2012 Ranly was named an "Icon of Education" by Ingram’s Kansas City Business Magazine.
Preface PART ONE JOURNALISM AND JOURNALISTS1 The Nature of News
Journalism and the News ► LaunchPad Solo: User Generated ContentGetting Information Today Hard News Soft News FeaturesElements of a Good News Story Impact Conflict Novelty Prominence Proximity Timeliness Engagement SolutionsConvergence in Journalism ► LaunchPad Solo: Convergence and Essential SkillsThe Role of Journalism Challenges to American Journalism ON THE JOB Journalists’ Responsibilities in a DemocracyAccuracy, Fairness and Bias Accuracy and Fairness Dealing with BiasThe Issue of ObjectivityWhat Is Not NewsSuggested ReadingsSuggested WebsitesExercises
2 The Future of Journalism
Technology and Jobs in Journalism
The Impact of Digital Technology on Newspapers Sidebar: Delivering the News in New WaysNewspapers: Still the Source of Most NewsOther Legacy Media Are Affected, TooNew Models for Providing the News ► LaunchPad Solo: Internet Media Entrepreneurs: Newsy.com, with Jim SpencerEmbracing Citizen Journalism ► LaunchPad Solo: Newspapers Now: Balancing Citizen Journalism and Investigative Reporting When Citizen Journalism Fails Forms of Citizen Journalism Prospects for Journalism GradsSidebar: Engaging the Community ON THE JOB The Lure of New MediaSuggested ReadingsSuggested WebsitesExercises
PART TWO REPORTING TOOLS
3 Interviewing
Preparing for the Interview Interviewing for the News Story Interviewing for the Profile ON THE JOB Getting the Tough Interview Interviewing for the Investigative Story Gathering Information Requesting an InterviewDoing an Audio or Video Interview ► LaunchPad Solo: Radio: Yesterday, Today and TomorrowUsing the Telephone, Email, Instant Messaging or Skype for InterviewsSetting Up the InterviewPreparing Questions Researching Questions Phrasing Questions Open-Ended Questions Closed-Ended QuestionsEstablishing Rapport Interview Approaches Other Practical ConsiderationsEnsuring Accuracy and Fairness Using a Recorder Taking Notes Verifying Information Observing Asking Follow-Up Questions Using Other TechniquesEnding the InterviewSuggested ReadingsSuggested WebsitesExercises
4 Handling Quotations and Attributions
What to Quote Directly Unique Material Use Good Judgment in Selecting Quotes Don’t Use Direct Quotes for Straight Facts Use Quotes That Move the Story Forward Consider Using Dialogue to Tell Part of the Story The Unique Expression Important Quotes by Important PeopleAccuracy and Fairness in Direct Quotations ANNOTATED MODEL Using Quotes Effectively Verification ►LaunchPad Solo: Computer Assisted Reporting Quoting from Email, Social Media, the Internet and Chat Rooms Using Someone Else’s Direct Quotations Practicing Prepublication Review ON THE JOB Reinventing a CareerAltering Quotations Paraphrasing Quotes Using Partial Quotes Capturing Dialect or Accent Mixing and Matching Questions and Answers Correcting Grammar in Quotes The Case for Correcting Grammar The Case Against Correcting Grammar Removing Redundancies Deleting Obscenity, Profanity and Vulgarity Avoiding Made-Up QuotesAttributing Direct and Indirect Quotes ANNOTATED MODEL Using Attributions When to Attribute ANNOTATED MODEL Using Anonymous Sources How to Attribute BOX: He Said, She Said—Punctuating Direct Quotations Attributing Written SourcesHandling On- and Off-the-Record Information Problems with Anonymous Sources Disagreement About Terminology Background InterviewsSuggested ReadingsSuggested Websites Exercises
5 Gathering and Verifying Information
Accurate Information: The Basis of a Good Story► LaunchPad Solo: The Objectivity Myth The Discipline of Multiple Sources ANNOTATED MODEL Integrating Multiple Sources into a Story The Discipline of Verification Online Sources of Information News Archives: The Place to Start Search Engines News Sites, Social Media and Content Aggregators ► LaunchPad Solo: Media Effects Research Commercial Database Services Government Databases Special-Interest Databases Custom Databases On the Job The Challenges of Editing for the Web Traditional Sources of Information The Traditional Newsroom Library Other Traditional SourcesSuggested Readings Suggested Websites Exercises
6 Using News Releases as Sources
The Importance of News Releases Types of News Releases ► LaunchPad Solo: Filling the News Hole: Video News Releases Announcement Releases ON THE JOB Reading News Releases: Sweat the Small Print Cause-Promoting Releases Image-Building Releases Handling News Releases Rewriting an Announcement Release Rewriting a Cause-Promoting Release Rewriting an Image-Building ReleaseRewriting a News Release — An Example Read the News Release Carefully Check for Accuracy and Fairness Do Additional Research and Interviews Get Back to the News Release Contact with Questions Write the Story ANNOTATED MODEL Integrating News Release InformationSuggested ReadingsSuggested WebsitesExercises
7 Reporting with Numbers
Proportion Percentages and Percentage Change Populations, Samples and Margins of Error Percentage Change and Percentage Points Averages and Medians RatesInterest and CompoundingInflationTaxes Sales Taxes Income Taxes ON THE JOB Working with Numbers Property Taxes Budgets Budget Basics Finding Stories in Budget Changes, Trends and ComparisonsFinancial ReportsMixing Numbers and Words ► LaunchPad Solo: Freedom of InformationSuggested ReadingsSuggested WebsitesExercisesPART THREE STORYTELLING8 The Inverted Pyramid
Importance of the Inverted Pyramid Story ► LaunchPad Solo: Magazine Specialization TodayFinding the Lead Writing the Inverted Pyramid Lead Emphasizing Different News Values ANNOTATED MODEL A Sample Inverted Pyramid Story What, So What and What’s NextVariations on the Inverted Pyramid Lead The "You" Lead The Immediate-Identification Lead The Delayed-Identification Lead The Summary Lead The Multiple-Element Lead ON THE JOB Inverted Pyramid — A Basic Tool Danger Signals Leads with FlairStory Organization The One-Subject Story The Memo-Structure Story ANNOTATED MODEL A Single-Subject Inverted Pyramid Story ANNOTATED MODEL A Memo-Structure Story The Multiple-Element StoryWriting a Story Across Media Platforms Tweeting Breaking News Initial Online Story ANNOTATED MODEL The Classic Inverted Pyramid Story Full Story with Ongoing Updates Checking Accuracy and AttributionsSuggested ReadingsSuggested WebsitesExercises
9 Writing to Be Read
►LaunchPad Solo: Community Voices: Weekly NewspapersGood Writing Begins with Good Reporting ON THE JOB Setting the Hook in the OpeningAccurate, Specific Details Use Concrete Examples Show, Don’t Just Tell Use Words PreciselyCoherence Decide on the Order of Elements Select the Proper Sentence Structure Use the Precise Conjunction Use Transitions ANNOTATED MODEL Using TransitionsConciseness and Simplicity Be Concise ANNOTATED MODEL Editing for Conciseness Keep It SimpleCorrect and Effective Language Figures of Speech Careful Word Choice Bias-Free Language Correct Grammar and PunctuationThe Tools of Narration Scenes Dialogue Anecdotes ForeshadowingSuggested ReadingsSuggested WebsitesExercises
10 Alternatives to the Inverted Pyramid
Chronology Where to Start A Sample Outline The Nut Paragraph, Foreshadowing and the "To Be Sure" The EndingNews Narrative News Narrative with News Emphasis ANNOTATED MODEL News Narrative with News Emphasis News Narrative with Narrative EmphasisFocus Structure ANNOTATED MODEL News Narrative with Narrative Emphasis Writing the Lead Writing the Setup The Transition and the Nut Paragraph Foreshadowing The "So What" The "To Be Sure" ON THE JOB Tips for Writing Writing the Body Writing the EndingService Journalism ► LaunchPad Solo: Narrowcasting in MagazinesSuggested ReadingsSuggested WebsitesExercises
PART FOUR WRITING FOR SPECIFIC MEDIA
11 Writing for Digital MediaThe Web as a Unique Media FormReaders’ Expectations of the Digital Media Readers Want the News Right Away ► LaunchPad Solo: Going Viral: Political Campaigns and Video Readers Want to Have Their Say Readers Want Multimedia Variety Readers Want the News Upfront Readers Want to Customize Content The Big Story: An Alternative Approach The Audience Is International Structure Is All-Important ANNOTATED MODEL Layering Content on the Web ON THE JOB An Online CareerGuidelines for Writing for the Web Think Immediacy Save Readers Time Provide Information That’s Quick and Easy to Get Think Both Verbally and Visually Cut Your Copy Use Lots of Lists and Bullets Write in Chunks Use Links Internal Connections External Connections Give Readers a Chance to Talk BackWriting with Search Engines in MindWriting for Blogs Wide-Ranging Subject Matter ► LaunchPad Solo: Net Neutrality Professional StandardsThe Roles of Social Media Verifying Information Reaching Readers Writing Effectively and Correctly Benefiting as a JournalistSuggested ReadingsSuggested WebsitesExercises
12 Writing News for Radio and Television
► LaunchPad Solo: Going Visual: Video, Radio and the WebWhat Radio and Television Do BestCriteria for Selecting Radio and Television News Timeliness Information Rather Than Explanation Audio or Visual Impact Emphasis on PeopleWriting Radio and Television News Characteristics of Radio and Television News Writing Immediacy ANNOTATED MODEL Use of Verb Tenses in a TV Story Conversational Style Tight Phrasing Clarity Story Structure Writing the Radio and Television Lead Writing Lead-Ins and Wrap-Ups Writing to the Video ON THE JOB Writing News for Radio, Television and MoreUsing Social Media in Radio and Television ► LaunchPad Solo: Television Networks Evolve: Cable, Satellite, Broadband Blending Online with On-Air Guidelines for Using Social Media ON THE JOB Be Ready to Meet the ChallengePreparing Radio and Television News Copy Format Names and Titles Pronunciation Abbreviations Symbols and Numbers Quotations and Attributions PunctuationSuggested ReadingsSuggested WebsitesExercises
PART FIVE BASIC STORIES13 Covering a BeatImportance of Beat Reporting ► LaunchPad Solo: Agenda Setting & GatekeepingPrinciples for Reporters on a Beat Be Prepared Reading for Background Talking to Sources ON THE JOB His Beat: The White House Be Alert Be Persistent Insisting on a Responsive Answer Following Up on Slow Developments Be There Be WaryBeat Reporting Across Media Platforms The Benefits and Challenges of Reporting Across Platforms ANNOTATED MODEL A Crime Story Across Media Platforms Using Social Media to Find Sources—and Audiences ►LaunchPad Solo: Newspapers and the Internet: ConvergenceCovering the Most Important Local Beats City and County Government The Schools Higher Education Police Sports Sports Reporting Is Beat Reporting Developing Contacts Digging for the Real StorySuggested ReadingsSuggested WebsitesExercises
14 Speeches, News Conferences and Meetings
► LaunchPad Solo: What Makes Public Television "Public"?Distinguishing Among Speeches, News Conferences and MeetingsGetting Ready to Cover the Story Preparing for the Speech Story Preparing for the News Conference Story Preparing for the Meeting StoryCovering Speeches, News Conferences and Meetings The Medium Matters Getting the Content Correct Describing the Participants Being Observant Arriving, Positioning Yourself and Staying OnStructuring and Writing Your Story Writing the Speech Story ANNOTATED MODEL Analyzing a Speech Story Writing the News Conference Story Writing the Meeting Story ON THE JOB Speeches, News Conferences and MeetingsSuggested ReadingsSuggested WebsitesExercises15 Other Types of Local StoriesYour Preparation Preparing for the Crime Story Preparing for Accident and Fire Stories Preparing for the Court StoryWriting the Story The Crime Story ANNOTATED MODEL Comparison of a Breaking News Story and a Follow-Up Story Accident and Fire Stories The Court Story Avoiding Libelous Statements ON THE JOB "Every Story Is Important" Types of Courts and CasesReporting a Case Step-by-Step— An Example A Breaking-News Tweet A Typical First Story Follow-Up Story: First Court Appearance Follow-Up Story: Preliminary Hearing Follow-Up Story: Arraignment Follow-Up Story: First Day of the Trial Follow-Up Story: Trial Testimony Follow-Up Story: Verdict Sentencing and AppealsOther Issues in Crime and Court Reporting The Free Press/Fair Trial Controversy Gag Orders and Closed Trials Covering Sex Crimes Sex Crime Victims Sex Crime Offenders Press-Bar Guidelines Cameras in the Courtroom Coverage of Minority Groups ► LaunchPad Solo: Fake News/Real News: A Fine Line Coverage of Terrorism Crime and Social Media Issues of Taste and Ethics Reporting Details of a Crime Reporting Confessions and Prior Convictions Identifying JuvenilesObituaries and Life Stories Crafting a Lead Building the Story Writing Life Stories Sources of Information The Mortuary Form The Newsroom Library Interviews with Family and Friends Cause of Death Private or Embarrassing InformationSuggested ReadingsSuggested WebsitesExercises
16 Business and Consumer News
The Growing Importance of Business Journalism Specialized Business News ► LaunchPad Solo: The Money Behind the Media Global Reach Wide Range of TopicsHow to Report Business Stories Avoiding Jargon and Finding the "So What" Putting Sources at Ease Watching Out for Biases and Conflicts of Interest ON THE JOB Translating Business into EnglishWhere to Find Business Stories Records and Reports Corporate Data Investment Data Financial Ratios Company Filings Trade Press Newsletters Court Records Local Regulators Other Sources Human Sources Company Executives Public Relations Sources Academic Experts Trade Associations Chamber of Commerce Officials Former Employees Labor Leaders Other Sources Announcements and Meetings Reporter EnterpriseLooking at the NumbersCovering Consumer News Where to Find Consumer News Government Agencies Consumer Groups Private Businesses How to Report Consumer StoriesSuggested ReadingsSuggested WebsitesExercises
PART SIX SPECIALIZED TECHNIQUES17 Investigative and Data-driven Reporting
Investigative Reporting: An American Tradition ► LaunchPad Solo: Investigative Reporting ResourcesThe Process Beginning the Investigation Carrying Out the Investigation Getting It Right Writing the Story Selecting an Effective Story Structure and Lead Including Proof of the Story’s Credibility Striving for Clear, Simple Explanations ON THE JOB Investigative Skills for All Planning the Multimedia Aspects of the Story or SeriesThe Sources Human Sources Written Sources Public Records Nonpublic Records ► LaunchPad Solo: Shield Laws and Non-Traditional Journalists Problems with Written SourcesComputer-Assisted Reporting ►LaunchPad Solo: The Power of Images: Amy Goodman on Emmett Till ON THE JOB Driving Investigations with CARSuggested ReadingsSuggested WebsitesExercises
18 Working in Public Relations
Public Relations: A Different Approach to News Defining Public Relations A Range of Interests Objectivity and Public Relations Writing ► LaunchPad Solo: Give and Take: Public Relations and JournalismThe Main Focus of Public Relations Writing The Message The Audience ON THE JOB Know Why You Are Communicating The Media Television, Radio and Newsstand Publications The Internet: An All-in-One Medium Social Media Internal Publications, Brochures and BillboardsPersuasive Writing Your Attitude Credibility and TrustNews Releases That Get Attention Know What News Is and How to Write It Know the Structure and Operations of Newsrooms Know the People in the News Media and the Jobs They Hold Know the Style of Writing That Fits the Medium Know How to Distribute Information OnlineDigital News Releases ANNOTATED MODEL News Release Responding to a Crisis ANNOTATED MODEL Social Media News ReleaseSome Final AdviceSuggested ReadingsSuggested WebsitesExercises
PART SEVEN RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
19 Media LawThe First Amendment: Journalists’ Rights and ResponsibilitiesLibel Identifying Libel Libel Suit Defenses Truth Privilege Fair Comment and Criticism The Actual Malice Test and Public Officials The Actual Malice Test and Public Figures ON THE JOB The Keys to Avoiding Libel The Negligence Test and Private Citizens Libel Remains a Danger Libel and the InternetInvasion of Privacy Trespassing Portraying in a "False Light" Causing Unwanted Publicity Offensive to a Person of Ordinary SensibilitiesProtection of Sources and Notes ► LaunchPad Solo: Bloggers & Legal RightsAccess to CourtsCopyright and Fair UseSuggested ReadingsSuggested WebsitesExercises
20 Ethics
The Public Perception of Journalism Ethics ► LaunchPad Solo: Journalism Ethics: What News Is Fit to Print? Bloggers as Watchdogs Journalism Codes of EthicsThree Ethical Philosophies The Ethics of Duty The Ethics of Final Ends or Consequences ON THE JOB Develop Your Ability to Identify Ethical Situations Situation Ethics: The Ethics of Specific Acts No Moral Absolutes Love of Neighbor The Greatest Good for the Greatest Number Ayn Rand’s Rational Self-InterestResolving Ethical IssuesEthical Problems for Journalists Deceit Conflicts of Interest Friendship Payola Freebies Checkbook Journalism ON THE JOB Nurturing a Healthy Ethical Process in an Ever-Changing Environment Participation in the News Advertising Pressure Magazines and "New Financial Pillars" Invasion of Privacy Crime Victims Juvenile Offenders Victims of Child Abuse and Their Families Sexual Orientation Public Figures Photos and Video Withholding Information Incorrect and Incomplete InformationPlagiarism
Social Media Ethics
Suggested Readings
Suggested Websites
Exercises
Appendix 1 20 Common Errors of Grammar and Punctuation
Appendix 2 Wire-Service Style Summary
Appendix 3 Society of Professional Journalists’ Code of Ethics
Glossary
Index
Annotated Models
Copy Editing and Proofreading Symbols
Videos
Journalism and the News ► LaunchPad Solo: User Generated ContentGetting Information Today Hard News Soft News FeaturesElements of a Good News Story Impact Conflict Novelty Prominence Proximity Timeliness Engagement SolutionsConvergence in Journalism ► LaunchPad Solo: Convergence and Essential SkillsThe Role of Journalism Challenges to American Journalism ON THE JOB Journalists’ Responsibilities in a DemocracyAccuracy, Fairness and Bias Accuracy and Fairness Dealing with BiasThe Issue of ObjectivityWhat Is Not NewsSuggested ReadingsSuggested WebsitesExercises
2 The Future of Journalism
Technology and Jobs in Journalism
The Impact of Digital Technology on Newspapers Sidebar: Delivering the News in New WaysNewspapers: Still the Source of Most NewsOther Legacy Media Are Affected, TooNew Models for Providing the News ► LaunchPad Solo: Internet Media Entrepreneurs: Newsy.com, with Jim SpencerEmbracing Citizen Journalism ► LaunchPad Solo: Newspapers Now: Balancing Citizen Journalism and Investigative Reporting When Citizen Journalism Fails Forms of Citizen Journalism Prospects for Journalism GradsSidebar: Engaging the Community ON THE JOB The Lure of New MediaSuggested ReadingsSuggested WebsitesExercises
PART TWO REPORTING TOOLS
3 Interviewing
Preparing for the Interview Interviewing for the News Story Interviewing for the Profile ON THE JOB Getting the Tough Interview Interviewing for the Investigative Story Gathering Information Requesting an InterviewDoing an Audio or Video Interview ► LaunchPad Solo: Radio: Yesterday, Today and TomorrowUsing the Telephone, Email, Instant Messaging or Skype for InterviewsSetting Up the InterviewPreparing Questions Researching Questions Phrasing Questions Open-Ended Questions Closed-Ended QuestionsEstablishing Rapport Interview Approaches Other Practical ConsiderationsEnsuring Accuracy and Fairness Using a Recorder Taking Notes Verifying Information Observing Asking Follow-Up Questions Using Other TechniquesEnding the InterviewSuggested ReadingsSuggested WebsitesExercises
4 Handling Quotations and Attributions
What to Quote Directly Unique Material Use Good Judgment in Selecting Quotes Don’t Use Direct Quotes for Straight Facts Use Quotes That Move the Story Forward Consider Using Dialogue to Tell Part of the Story The Unique Expression Important Quotes by Important PeopleAccuracy and Fairness in Direct Quotations ANNOTATED MODEL Using Quotes Effectively Verification ►LaunchPad Solo: Computer Assisted Reporting Quoting from Email, Social Media, the Internet and Chat Rooms Using Someone Else’s Direct Quotations Practicing Prepublication Review ON THE JOB Reinventing a CareerAltering Quotations Paraphrasing Quotes Using Partial Quotes Capturing Dialect or Accent Mixing and Matching Questions and Answers Correcting Grammar in Quotes The Case for Correcting Grammar The Case Against Correcting Grammar Removing Redundancies Deleting Obscenity, Profanity and Vulgarity Avoiding Made-Up QuotesAttributing Direct and Indirect Quotes ANNOTATED MODEL Using Attributions When to Attribute ANNOTATED MODEL Using Anonymous Sources How to Attribute BOX: He Said, She Said—Punctuating Direct Quotations Attributing Written SourcesHandling On- and Off-the-Record Information Problems with Anonymous Sources Disagreement About Terminology Background InterviewsSuggested ReadingsSuggested Websites Exercises
5 Gathering and Verifying Information
Accurate Information: The Basis of a Good Story► LaunchPad Solo: The Objectivity Myth The Discipline of Multiple Sources ANNOTATED MODEL Integrating Multiple Sources into a Story The Discipline of Verification Online Sources of Information News Archives: The Place to Start Search Engines News Sites, Social Media and Content Aggregators ► LaunchPad Solo: Media Effects Research Commercial Database Services Government Databases Special-Interest Databases Custom Databases On the Job The Challenges of Editing for the Web Traditional Sources of Information The Traditional Newsroom Library Other Traditional SourcesSuggested Readings Suggested Websites Exercises
6 Using News Releases as Sources
The Importance of News Releases Types of News Releases ► LaunchPad Solo: Filling the News Hole: Video News Releases Announcement Releases ON THE JOB Reading News Releases: Sweat the Small Print Cause-Promoting Releases Image-Building Releases Handling News Releases Rewriting an Announcement Release Rewriting a Cause-Promoting Release Rewriting an Image-Building ReleaseRewriting a News Release — An Example Read the News Release Carefully Check for Accuracy and Fairness Do Additional Research and Interviews Get Back to the News Release Contact with Questions Write the Story ANNOTATED MODEL Integrating News Release InformationSuggested ReadingsSuggested WebsitesExercises
7 Reporting with Numbers
Proportion Percentages and Percentage Change Populations, Samples and Margins of Error Percentage Change and Percentage Points Averages and Medians RatesInterest and CompoundingInflationTaxes Sales Taxes Income Taxes ON THE JOB Working with Numbers Property Taxes Budgets Budget Basics Finding Stories in Budget Changes, Trends and ComparisonsFinancial ReportsMixing Numbers and Words ► LaunchPad Solo: Freedom of InformationSuggested ReadingsSuggested WebsitesExercisesPART THREE STORYTELLING8 The Inverted Pyramid
Importance of the Inverted Pyramid Story ► LaunchPad Solo: Magazine Specialization TodayFinding the Lead Writing the Inverted Pyramid Lead Emphasizing Different News Values ANNOTATED MODEL A Sample Inverted Pyramid Story What, So What and What’s NextVariations on the Inverted Pyramid Lead The "You" Lead The Immediate-Identification Lead The Delayed-Identification Lead The Summary Lead The Multiple-Element Lead ON THE JOB Inverted Pyramid — A Basic Tool Danger Signals Leads with FlairStory Organization The One-Subject Story The Memo-Structure Story ANNOTATED MODEL A Single-Subject Inverted Pyramid Story ANNOTATED MODEL A Memo-Structure Story The Multiple-Element StoryWriting a Story Across Media Platforms Tweeting Breaking News Initial Online Story ANNOTATED MODEL The Classic Inverted Pyramid Story Full Story with Ongoing Updates Checking Accuracy and AttributionsSuggested ReadingsSuggested WebsitesExercises
9 Writing to Be Read
►LaunchPad Solo: Community Voices: Weekly NewspapersGood Writing Begins with Good Reporting ON THE JOB Setting the Hook in the OpeningAccurate, Specific Details Use Concrete Examples Show, Don’t Just Tell Use Words PreciselyCoherence Decide on the Order of Elements Select the Proper Sentence Structure Use the Precise Conjunction Use Transitions ANNOTATED MODEL Using TransitionsConciseness and Simplicity Be Concise ANNOTATED MODEL Editing for Conciseness Keep It SimpleCorrect and Effective Language Figures of Speech Careful Word Choice Bias-Free Language Correct Grammar and PunctuationThe Tools of Narration Scenes Dialogue Anecdotes ForeshadowingSuggested ReadingsSuggested WebsitesExercises
10 Alternatives to the Inverted Pyramid
Chronology Where to Start A Sample Outline The Nut Paragraph, Foreshadowing and the "To Be Sure" The EndingNews Narrative News Narrative with News Emphasis ANNOTATED MODEL News Narrative with News Emphasis News Narrative with Narrative EmphasisFocus Structure ANNOTATED MODEL News Narrative with Narrative Emphasis Writing the Lead Writing the Setup The Transition and the Nut Paragraph Foreshadowing The "So What" The "To Be Sure" ON THE JOB Tips for Writing Writing the Body Writing the EndingService Journalism ► LaunchPad Solo: Narrowcasting in MagazinesSuggested ReadingsSuggested WebsitesExercises
PART FOUR WRITING FOR SPECIFIC MEDIA
11 Writing for Digital MediaThe Web as a Unique Media FormReaders’ Expectations of the Digital Media Readers Want the News Right Away ► LaunchPad Solo: Going Viral: Political Campaigns and Video Readers Want to Have Their Say Readers Want Multimedia Variety Readers Want the News Upfront Readers Want to Customize Content The Big Story: An Alternative Approach The Audience Is International Structure Is All-Important ANNOTATED MODEL Layering Content on the Web ON THE JOB An Online CareerGuidelines for Writing for the Web Think Immediacy Save Readers Time Provide Information That’s Quick and Easy to Get Think Both Verbally and Visually Cut Your Copy Use Lots of Lists and Bullets Write in Chunks Use Links Internal Connections External Connections Give Readers a Chance to Talk BackWriting with Search Engines in MindWriting for Blogs Wide-Ranging Subject Matter ► LaunchPad Solo: Net Neutrality Professional StandardsThe Roles of Social Media Verifying Information Reaching Readers Writing Effectively and Correctly Benefiting as a JournalistSuggested ReadingsSuggested WebsitesExercises
12 Writing News for Radio and Television
► LaunchPad Solo: Going Visual: Video, Radio and the WebWhat Radio and Television Do BestCriteria for Selecting Radio and Television News Timeliness Information Rather Than Explanation Audio or Visual Impact Emphasis on PeopleWriting Radio and Television News Characteristics of Radio and Television News Writing Immediacy ANNOTATED MODEL Use of Verb Tenses in a TV Story Conversational Style Tight Phrasing Clarity Story Structure Writing the Radio and Television Lead Writing Lead-Ins and Wrap-Ups Writing to the Video ON THE JOB Writing News for Radio, Television and MoreUsing Social Media in Radio and Television ► LaunchPad Solo: Television Networks Evolve: Cable, Satellite, Broadband Blending Online with On-Air Guidelines for Using Social Media ON THE JOB Be Ready to Meet the ChallengePreparing Radio and Television News Copy Format Names and Titles Pronunciation Abbreviations Symbols and Numbers Quotations and Attributions PunctuationSuggested ReadingsSuggested WebsitesExercises
PART FIVE BASIC STORIES13 Covering a BeatImportance of Beat Reporting ► LaunchPad Solo: Agenda Setting & GatekeepingPrinciples for Reporters on a Beat Be Prepared Reading for Background Talking to Sources ON THE JOB His Beat: The White House Be Alert Be Persistent Insisting on a Responsive Answer Following Up on Slow Developments Be There Be WaryBeat Reporting Across Media Platforms The Benefits and Challenges of Reporting Across Platforms ANNOTATED MODEL A Crime Story Across Media Platforms Using Social Media to Find Sources—and Audiences ►LaunchPad Solo: Newspapers and the Internet: ConvergenceCovering the Most Important Local Beats City and County Government The Schools Higher Education Police Sports Sports Reporting Is Beat Reporting Developing Contacts Digging for the Real StorySuggested ReadingsSuggested WebsitesExercises
14 Speeches, News Conferences and Meetings
► LaunchPad Solo: What Makes Public Television "Public"?Distinguishing Among Speeches, News Conferences and MeetingsGetting Ready to Cover the Story Preparing for the Speech Story Preparing for the News Conference Story Preparing for the Meeting StoryCovering Speeches, News Conferences and Meetings The Medium Matters Getting the Content Correct Describing the Participants Being Observant Arriving, Positioning Yourself and Staying OnStructuring and Writing Your Story Writing the Speech Story ANNOTATED MODEL Analyzing a Speech Story Writing the News Conference Story Writing the Meeting Story ON THE JOB Speeches, News Conferences and MeetingsSuggested ReadingsSuggested WebsitesExercises15 Other Types of Local StoriesYour Preparation Preparing for the Crime Story Preparing for Accident and Fire Stories Preparing for the Court StoryWriting the Story The Crime Story ANNOTATED MODEL Comparison of a Breaking News Story and a Follow-Up Story Accident and Fire Stories The Court Story Avoiding Libelous Statements ON THE JOB "Every Story Is Important" Types of Courts and CasesReporting a Case Step-by-Step— An Example A Breaking-News Tweet A Typical First Story Follow-Up Story: First Court Appearance Follow-Up Story: Preliminary Hearing Follow-Up Story: Arraignment Follow-Up Story: First Day of the Trial Follow-Up Story: Trial Testimony Follow-Up Story: Verdict Sentencing and AppealsOther Issues in Crime and Court Reporting The Free Press/Fair Trial Controversy Gag Orders and Closed Trials Covering Sex Crimes Sex Crime Victims Sex Crime Offenders Press-Bar Guidelines Cameras in the Courtroom Coverage of Minority Groups ► LaunchPad Solo: Fake News/Real News: A Fine Line Coverage of Terrorism Crime and Social Media Issues of Taste and Ethics Reporting Details of a Crime Reporting Confessions and Prior Convictions Identifying JuvenilesObituaries and Life Stories Crafting a Lead Building the Story Writing Life Stories Sources of Information The Mortuary Form The Newsroom Library Interviews with Family and Friends Cause of Death Private or Embarrassing InformationSuggested ReadingsSuggested WebsitesExercises
16 Business and Consumer News
The Growing Importance of Business Journalism Specialized Business News ► LaunchPad Solo: The Money Behind the Media Global Reach Wide Range of TopicsHow to Report Business Stories Avoiding Jargon and Finding the "So What" Putting Sources at Ease Watching Out for Biases and Conflicts of Interest ON THE JOB Translating Business into EnglishWhere to Find Business Stories Records and Reports Corporate Data Investment Data Financial Ratios Company Filings Trade Press Newsletters Court Records Local Regulators Other Sources Human Sources Company Executives Public Relations Sources Academic Experts Trade Associations Chamber of Commerce Officials Former Employees Labor Leaders Other Sources Announcements and Meetings Reporter EnterpriseLooking at the NumbersCovering Consumer News Where to Find Consumer News Government Agencies Consumer Groups Private Businesses How to Report Consumer StoriesSuggested ReadingsSuggested WebsitesExercises
PART SIX SPECIALIZED TECHNIQUES17 Investigative and Data-driven Reporting
Investigative Reporting: An American Tradition ► LaunchPad Solo: Investigative Reporting ResourcesThe Process Beginning the Investigation Carrying Out the Investigation Getting It Right Writing the Story Selecting an Effective Story Structure and Lead Including Proof of the Story’s Credibility Striving for Clear, Simple Explanations ON THE JOB Investigative Skills for All Planning the Multimedia Aspects of the Story or SeriesThe Sources Human Sources Written Sources Public Records Nonpublic Records ► LaunchPad Solo: Shield Laws and Non-Traditional Journalists Problems with Written SourcesComputer-Assisted Reporting ►LaunchPad Solo: The Power of Images: Amy Goodman on Emmett Till ON THE JOB Driving Investigations with CARSuggested ReadingsSuggested WebsitesExercises
18 Working in Public Relations
Public Relations: A Different Approach to News Defining Public Relations A Range of Interests Objectivity and Public Relations Writing ► LaunchPad Solo: Give and Take: Public Relations and JournalismThe Main Focus of Public Relations Writing The Message The Audience ON THE JOB Know Why You Are Communicating The Media Television, Radio and Newsstand Publications The Internet: An All-in-One Medium Social Media Internal Publications, Brochures and BillboardsPersuasive Writing Your Attitude Credibility and TrustNews Releases That Get Attention Know What News Is and How to Write It Know the Structure and Operations of Newsrooms Know the People in the News Media and the Jobs They Hold Know the Style of Writing That Fits the Medium Know How to Distribute Information OnlineDigital News Releases ANNOTATED MODEL News Release Responding to a Crisis ANNOTATED MODEL Social Media News ReleaseSome Final AdviceSuggested ReadingsSuggested WebsitesExercises
PART SEVEN RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
19 Media LawThe First Amendment: Journalists’ Rights and ResponsibilitiesLibel Identifying Libel Libel Suit Defenses Truth Privilege Fair Comment and Criticism The Actual Malice Test and Public Officials The Actual Malice Test and Public Figures ON THE JOB The Keys to Avoiding Libel The Negligence Test and Private Citizens Libel Remains a Danger Libel and the InternetInvasion of Privacy Trespassing Portraying in a "False Light" Causing Unwanted Publicity Offensive to a Person of Ordinary SensibilitiesProtection of Sources and Notes ► LaunchPad Solo: Bloggers & Legal RightsAccess to CourtsCopyright and Fair UseSuggested ReadingsSuggested WebsitesExercises
20 Ethics
The Public Perception of Journalism Ethics ► LaunchPad Solo: Journalism Ethics: What News Is Fit to Print? Bloggers as Watchdogs Journalism Codes of EthicsThree Ethical Philosophies The Ethics of Duty The Ethics of Final Ends or Consequences ON THE JOB Develop Your Ability to Identify Ethical Situations Situation Ethics: The Ethics of Specific Acts No Moral Absolutes Love of Neighbor The Greatest Good for the Greatest Number Ayn Rand’s Rational Self-InterestResolving Ethical IssuesEthical Problems for Journalists Deceit Conflicts of Interest Friendship Payola Freebies Checkbook Journalism ON THE JOB Nurturing a Healthy Ethical Process in an Ever-Changing Environment Participation in the News Advertising Pressure Magazines and "New Financial Pillars" Invasion of Privacy Crime Victims Juvenile Offenders Victims of Child Abuse and Their Families Sexual Orientation Public Figures Photos and Video Withholding Information Incorrect and Incomplete InformationPlagiarism
Social Media Ethics
Suggested Readings
Suggested Websites
Exercises
Appendix 1 20 Common Errors of Grammar and Punctuation
Appendix 2 Wire-Service Style Summary
Appendix 3 Society of Professional Journalists’ Code of Ethics
Glossary
Index
Annotated Models
Copy Editing and Proofreading Symbols
Videos
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