'Precisely what it says on the cover - a down-to-earth essential handbook for anyone embarking on a career in journalism. All you need to know about avoiding newsroom minefields and attracting the editor's attention for the right reasons. If only it had been around in my day!' - Bob Satchwell, Executive Director, Society of Editors
'... an excellent practical guide to the whole business of reporting.' - Writing Magazine
This is a book for everyone who wants to be a journalist: a practical guide to all you need to know, learn and do to succeed as a trainee reporter in today's newsroom.
Although the world of journalism is changing fast, as technology blurs the boundaries between newspapers, radio, television and web-based media, the reporter's core role remains the same: to recognise news, communicate with people, gather information, and create accurate, balanced and readable stories.
Essential Reporting, written by an experienced NCTJ examiner, explains how to do this. Contents include:
· What makes a good reporter
· What is news, and how to find it
· How newsrooms work
· Day-to-day life as a reporter
· Key reporting tasks
· Covering courts and councils
· Successful interviewing
· Writing news stories
· Specialist reporting
· Handling sound, pictures and the web
It also contains a wealth of advice, tips and warnings from working journalists, a guide to NCTJ training and examinations, a glossary and a guide to further reading.
It will be invaluable to anyone embarking on a career in journalism and is the NCTJ's recommended introductory text for all students on college and university courses preparing them to become successful reporters.
