Dynamics of News Reporting and Writing: Foundational Skills for a Digital Age

Preface
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Chapter 1: Audience-Centric Journalism
	Thinking Ahead: Understand Your Audience
	Media and Media Users Today
		Information Whenever and Wherever
		The “Infotainment” Phenomenon
		Fake News
		Info Glut: Choices, Choices and More Choices
		Shorter Attention Spans
		Audience Participation and Spiraling Viral Coverage
	Consider This: A Media Diet: Audience Wants Versus Audience Needs
	Defining Your Audience
		Readership Surveys
	HELPFUL HINTS: Demographic, Psychographic and Geographic Information on Your Readers
		Website Analytics
		Real People
	THOUGHTS FROM A PRO: Erik Petersen
	What Do We Owe Our Audience?
		Accuracy Above All Else
		Clarification of Value
		Fairness and Objectivity
	What Attracts an Audience?
		Fame
		Oddity
		Conflict
		Immediacy
		Impact
	The Big Three
Chapter 2: Critical Thinking
	Thinking Ahead: How to Fully “Get” a Story
	How Do We Think?
		Defining Critical Thinking
		Learning How to Think
	The Requirements of Critical Thought
	How to Approach a Story as a Critical Thinker
		Raising Vital Questions by Coming to Grips With the Topic
		Gathering and Assessing Relevant Information
		Thinking Open-Mindedly
	HELPFUL HINTS: The Topeka Test
		Communicating Effectively With Others
	Critical Thought and the Value of Your Questions
		Asking Questions to Get Quotes or Soundbites
	THOUGHTS FROM A PRO: Jill Geisler
		Asking Questions to Catch Up
		Don’t Let Your Ego Get in the Way
		Avoid Self-Importance
	Consider This: Fast Food News
	The Big Three
Chapter 3: Basics of Writing
	Thinking Ahead: Writing for a Newsreader
	HELPFUL HINTS: Building a Lead From the Inside Out
	A Quick Look at Types of Leads
		Name-Recognition Leads
		Interesting-Action Leads
		Event Leads
			Meeting
			Speech
		Second-Day Leads
	Identifying Problematic Leads and Potential Fixes
		“You” Leads
		Question Leads
		Quote Leads
		“Many People/Some People/Everybody/Nobody” Leads
	THOUGHTS FROM A PRO: Janelle Cogan
	The Inverted Pyramid: Ordering Information After the Lead
		Determine the Value of Your Information
		Support the Lead
		Use Small Chunks
		Know When to Stop
	Quotes: Letting Your Sources Tell the Story
		Direct Quotes
	HELPFUL HINTS: The 5-Minute AP Style Guide
		Indirect Quotes
		Partial Quotes
	Attributing Your Information
	Consider This: The Cases for and Against Fixing Quotes
		Verbs
		Structure
		Repetition
	The Big Three
Chapter 4: Expanded News Writing
	Thinking Ahead: Learning to Break the Rules of Writing
	Expanding the Inverted Pyramid
		Lead
		Bridge: Moving From A to C
		Background
		Basic Body Elements
		Looking to End the Story
	THOUGHTS FROM A PRO: Tony Rehagen
	Writing With a Narrative Feel
		Use a Descriptive Opening
		Weave a Narrative Thread Into Your Piece
		Tell Me Why I Care: The Nut Graph
		Draw Word Pictures for the Reader
		Build the Body
	HELPFUL HINTS: Secondary Senses: Smelling, Feeling
	Nonlinear Storytelling
		Visualizing the “Story Web”
		Understanding User-Controlled Navigation
			Nonlinear Versus Nonsensical
			Building Self-Contained Segments
	Consider This: The “Web as Buffet” Approach
	The Big Three
Chapter 5: Social Media
	Thinking Ahead: Rethinking How to Reach Readers
	What Is Social Media?
	HELPFUL HINTS: How to Build an Audience
	Value of Social Media
		Easy Access on All Your Devices
		Choose Sources You Trust
	THOUGHTS FROM A PRO: Mac Slavin
		Read, Share, Repeat
	Social Media Tools for Your Toolbox
		Text
	HELPFUL HINTS: How to Tweet as a Reporter
		Twitter
		Reddit
		Storify
		Visuals
			Instagram
	Consider This: How to Fight Fake News in the Facebook Era
		Snapchat
		Video
			YouTube
			Periscope and Facebook Live
	Blogging
		Focus on Audience Interests
		Establish a Tone
	HELPFUL HINTS: How Best to Use Social Media for Your Audience
		Offer Quick Reads
		Be Timely
	The Big Three
Chapter 6: Interviewing
	Thinking Ahead: Avoiding the Awkwardness While Speaking to Others
	Critically Thinking About Interviewing’s Purpose
		Who Is This Person?
		What Value Does This Source Have to the Story?
		How Badly Do I Need This Source?
	Consider This: Email Interviews
	Understanding the Interviewing Basics
		Preparing for the Interview
		Getting the Interview
		Interacting With Your Source
		Working With Your Questions
		Interview Flow
	HELPFUL HINTS: Identifying and Fixing Problems With Your Questions
		Taking Good Notes
		The End of the Interview
		Following Up
	Types of Interviews
	HELPFUL HINTS: On-the-Record and Off-the-Record Interviewing
		Breaking News
		News Conference
		Person on the Street
		Hostile
	HELPFUL HINTS: 32 Obituaries in a College Campus Newspaper
		Profile
	Other Purposes for Interviews
		Confirming Information
		Fishing for Quotes
	THOUGHTS FROM A PRO: Pat Borzi
		Provoking a Reaction
			Does This Matter to My Story?
			Am I Asking the Question at the Right Time?
			Am I Asking the Question in the Best Possible Way?
	The Big Three
Chapter 7: Basic Reporting: News That Finds You
	Thinking Ahead: Getting Ready to Hit the Field
	Reporting Basics
		Research the Topic
			Previous Stories
			Source Documents
			Official Websites
		Seek Sources and Plan Interviews
		Make Sure You Are Sure
			Check Spelling
			Review Proper Nouns
	Consider This: Is Objectivity Dead?
	Look Into the Numbers
	Event Coverage
		Speeches
		Meetings
		News Conferences
	HELPFUL HINTS: Gathering Quotes at Public Events
		Sporting Events
	Basic Tips for All Event Stories
		Understand Your Purpose
		Improvise and Adapt
		Look Outside of the Event
	Stories Beyond Standard Events
		Localizations
	THOUGHTS FROM A PRO: Ryan Wood
		Crime and Disasters
			Stay Calm
			Stay Safe
			Stay Focused
	The Big Three
Chapter 8: Beyond Basic Reporting: News You Have to Find
	Thinking Ahead: How to Find Bigger Stories That Matter
	The News Feature: How to Find Stories in Everyday Life
	HELPFUL HINTS: Ways to Find Stories
	Beat Reporting
		Types of Beats
		Getting Started: How to Become Immersed in Your New Area
			Interview Your Predecessor
			Read Your Publication
			Talk to Your Boss
		Building Your Beat: How to Make Friends and Influence People
			Get Out of the Office
			Build Sources
			Gather Documents
	HELPFUL HINTS: Three Big Tips for Succeeding on a Beat
		Continuing Coverage: Simple Ways to Refresh Beat Reporting
			Keep in Contact With Sources
			Revisit Older Stories
			Connect the Dots
	Personality Profiles
		Interviewing for the Profile
	THOUGHTS FROM A PRO: Jaimi Dowdell
		First Interview
		Second Interview
		Third Interview
	Working as a Watchdog
	Consider This: Is the Big Story Worth It?
	The Big Three
Chapter 9: Broadcast-Style Writing and Voicing
	Thinking Ahead: Writing Scripts and Building Stories
	Broadcast Style: Different, Yet the Same
	THOUGHTS FROM A PRO: Lauren Leamanczyk
	Script Writing 101
		Write Short
		Use Active Voice
		Write for the Ear
		Consider Pace and Flow
	HELPFUL HINTS: Understanding Broadcast Vocabulary
		Keep It Conversational
	The Basic Elements of Broadcast Structure
		The Lead
		The Body
		The Close
	HELPFUL HINTS: TIPS FOR WRITING SCRIPTS
	Story Types and Formats
		Reader
		Voice-Over
		VO/SOT
	Consider This: The Use of “You”
		Package
	The Big Three
Chapter 10: Collecting Audio and Visuals in the Field
	Thinking Ahead: How to Get Enough Material to Build a Good Story
	Tools of the Trade
		Microphones
		Audio Recorders
		Video Cameras
			What Is Your Goal?
			What Recording Format Do You Want?
			What Are Your Sound Options?
			What Accessories Matter?
		Still Cameras
	CONSIDER THIS: The Smartphone—The Amphicar of Journalism
		Mobile Phone Camera
		Compact Camera
		Mirrorless and Digital Single-Lens Reflex (DSLR) Cameras
	Types of Material You Gather
		Ambient Sound
		B-Roll Video
		Interviews
	HELPFUL HINTS: Basic Types of Shots
	Capturing Vivid Visuals
		Tell a Story
	HELPFUL HINTS: Captions Count
		Grab Actions and Reactions
	THOUGHTS FROM A PRO: Brian Urbanek
		Abide by the Rule of Thirds
	Making Your Video Valuable
		Plan Your Shoot
		Properly Frame and Compose Your Shots
		Stick With Stable Shots
		Keep Focused
		Get More Than You Think You Need
		Take Multiple Shots of the Same Thing
		Learn to Relax
	The Big Three
Chapter 11: Editing Audio and Video
	Thinking Ahead: Editing Your Raw Material Into a Polished Gem
	Audio Bites Online
		Check for Clarity
		Tell a Story
	HELPFUL HINTS: Identifying Problematic Video
		Weigh Size Versus Value
	Video Bites Online
	Pairing Script and Video
	CONSIDER THIS: Using Raw Video
	Building a Story From Start to Finish
		Import Your Video
		Review Your Footage
		Work With Your Audio Track
		Select Shots and Form Sequences
	HELPFUL HINTS: When to Use Each Shot in Your Story
		Avoid Gimmicky Transitions
		Add Graphics and Other Elements
	THOUGHTS FROM A PRO: Brandon Kinnard
		Review the Package for Any Errors
	The Big Three
Chapter 12: Law and the Media
	Thinking Ahead: The Law Is Your Friend
	Understanding the First Amendment
		Misconceptions About the Amendment
			No One Can Stop You From Publishing Anything You Want
			Nothing Bad Can Happen to You After You Publish
			Professional Journalists Enjoy Stronger Protections Than Other People
			The First Amendment Is Clear and Absolute
	Law Across Media Platforms: Levels of Protection
	Reporter’s Privilege
	Let the Sunshine In: Rules for Transparency and Access
		Open Meetings
		Open Records
	THOUGHTS FROM A PRO: Charles N. Davis
	Rules for Recording
	The Basics of Libel
	HELPFUL HINTS: When Someone Tells You, “I Don’t Like This! I’m Suing You!”
	Defenses Against Libel
		Truth
		Opinion
	HELPFUL HINTS: Understanding Fault and Damage
		Privilege
	Invasion of Privacy
		Intrusion
	CONSIDER THIS: Drones: Journalism Future or Journalism Fad?
		False Light
		Public Embarrassment of Private People
	The Big Three
Chapter 13: Ethics
	Thinking Ahead: Just Because You Can, It Doesn’t Mean You Should
	Why Ethics Matter
	Basic Approaches to Ethics
		The Golden Mean
		The Categorical Imperative
		The Principle of Utility
		The Veil of Ignorance
		The Principle of Self-Determination
	Tenets of Journalistic Ethics
		Honesty
			Be Upfront in Your Reporting
			Keep Your Promises
			Be Fair
		Accuracy
			Verify Information
			Avoid Misinformation
		Diversity
			Reject Stereotypes
			Give Voice to All
		Compassion
			Think Before You Act
	CONSIDER THIS: The Trouble With Twitter: Journalists as Private Citizens
		Be Human
		Independence
	THOUGHTS FROM A PRO: Andrew Seaman
		Avoid Conflicts of Interest
		Resist Being Manipulated
	Accountability
		Acknowledge Mistakes
		Explain Yourself
	The Big Three
APPENDIX A: Using FOCII to Build Your Leads
APPENDIX B: Résumés, Cover Letters and More
APPENDIX C: A Deeper Dig Into FOIA and State Public Records Laws
APPENDIX D: Step-by-Step Editing Processes for Avid, Final Cut and Premier
Glossary
Notes
Index