Student Resources

Learning Objectives

Chapter 1

In this chapter, you will learn:

1. there are four traditional values of news that, when mastered, help develop the skills of good news judgment.
2. how new media has impacted and empowered the audience.
3. how new technologies impact the streams of information flow so news is now personal, local, social and mobile.
4. that reporters need to also be curators of information, and know the interplay of influence between email, TV, print, text, social media and the Web.
5. that every story has a life cycle—some longer than others.
6. each newsroom creates its own culture, but the positions and the news cycle are similar in function, if not in name, across newsrooms.
7. news germinates from a variety of places.
8. digital and social media require special attention as they blend into the flow of news.
9. old methods for determining audience are changing across radio, television, and the Web.
10. traditional journalistic ethics must always be on the forefront for journalists.

Chapter 2

In this chapter, you will learn:

1. the elements that add up to a good visual story.
2. how to find the main point of your story.
3. the importance of building a story around a memorable person.
4. the types of action in a story.
5. the types of conflict in a story.
6. how to hook and engage viewers with surprises.
7. basic audio concepts.
8. different ways to present radio and TV stories.
9. how to plan a reporter's on-camera appearance.

Chapter 3

In this chapter, you will learn:

1. what is a source.
2. how to decide whom to interview.
3. how to develop sources and build a beat (or focus area).
4. the importance of reporter etiquette.
5. the importance of being prepared.
6. reporting strategies for common assignments.
7. how to use social media to improve newsgathering.
8. the importance of versatility.
9. how to ensure accuracy in reporting.
10. strategies for defeating deadline pressure.
11. how to stay on top of the story.
12. the lifestyle of a reporter in today's media landscape.

Chapter 4

In this chapter, you will learn:

1. the value of documents in reporting.
2. how to begin a document search.
3. about the Freedom of Information Act.
4. the difference between federal and state open records.
5. how to create a records request.
6. about your right to attend open meetings.
7. what to do if you are excluded from an open meeting.
8. the basic concepts of computer-assisted reporting.
9. the concept of a focus area (or beat).
10. how to develop a focus area.
11. strategies for covering common focus areas.
12. the concept of investigative reporting.
13. best practices for investigative reporting.

Chapter 5

In this chapter, you will learn:

1. the importance of the five stages of interviewing.
2. that there are several different types of interviews depending on the circumstance.
3. the different rules for using sources in stories.
4. ways to prepare in advance so that you can control the interview.
5. how to prepare for the interview by doing research and asking the right kind of questions.
6. the art of asking questions in the correct way.
7. that sometimes you just have to hit the streets to get the interview.
8. why it is important to be aware of different diversity issues while interviewing people.
9. that setting up for your interview could impact how well it goes.
10. that reporters have to be aware of time and how it will impact which questions you ask and the order in which you ask them.
11. why one of the most important skills of a reporter is listening.
12. why paying attention to body language during an interview can reveal information about the interviewee.
13. how to successfully conclude an interview.
14. the value of going through a mental reporter's checklist before heading out the door.

Chapter 6

In this chapter, you will learn:

1. effective workflow and good habits to ensure quality video and sound.
2. to identify the five most common mistakes when it comes to capturing video and sound.s
3. the elements of a video sequence.
4. how to organize a shoot to maximize efforts.
5. the purpose and operation of key equipment, including cameras, tripods, lights, and microphones.
6. proper placement of both two lights and three lights in an interview setting.
7. how different microphones can be used effectively on the same story.
8. challenges faced by network-level multimedia journalists.
9. the concept of nonlinear editing.
10. how to avoid jump cuts and cutaways.
11. ethical considerations of audio editing.

Chapter 7

In this chapter, you will learn:

1. the steps in the writing process, which begins with focusing the story and ends with revising it.
2. different ways to organize and structure a story.
3. how to write sound into a story.
4. techniques for writing and revising a lead.
5. techniques for developing the middle of a story.
6. how to write clearly and concisely.
7. different ways to end a story.
8. that the more you revise, the better the story will be.
9. how to troubleshoot common style problems.
10. how to format radio and TV scripts.

Chapter 8

In this chapter, you will learn:

1. what a producer is and the producer's key role in a newsroom.
2. the importance of Producer Vision.
3. how to find, develop and organize content for a newscast.
4. the qualities of being a good producer.
5. how to create a rundown using newsroom organizational software.
6. how to add value to the newscast by creating variety, using strong writing and incorporating graphics.
7. how a producer must maintain synergy with the production crew.
8. steps that ensure a smooth and clean live newscast.
9. what to learn from each newscast to ensure the next is even better.
10. other producing roles in the broadcast news industry.

Chapter 9

In this chapter, you will learn:

1. why it is important to develop a healthy self-image as you approach on-air work.
2. the role of TV news consultants.
3. how picking successful role models from local and/or network broadcasters on both radio and television can provide the students inspiration, guidance and practical types while they develop a style of their own.
4. credibility is more important that how one looks or sounds.
5. the key to credibility is knowing what you're talking about—best accomplished through a healthy news media diet.
6. proper diaphragmatic breathing is the key to a credible broadcast voice.
7. tips for using a teleprompter.
8. proper grooming for television, including makeup, hairstyles and what to wear on the air.
9. practical tips for going live from the studio from a wide range of professionals.
10. practical tips for going live from the field.

Chapter 10

In this chapter, you will learn:

1. the audience's changing viewing habits and the challenges of producing news quickly 24 hours a day on multiple platforms.
2. how producers plan a multiplatform approach to breaking news and how to avoid pitfalls by establishing an online media policy.
3. the best medium for telling different parts of an online story.
4. how to prepare a TV script for the Web, optimize Web headlines for search engines (SEO) and write sidebars.
5. techniques for communicating with your audience through blogs.
6. the basics of webcasting, audio slideshows and podcasting.
7. different ways of communicating with your online audience.

Chapter 11

In this chapter, you will learn:

1. common legal pitfalls journalists face each day.
2. the meaning of trespass.
3. the legal considerations of concealing a source's identity.
4. the role of copyright when considering content (written or visual) for your story.
5. the protection of fair use and parody.
6. what defamation is.
7. the difference between libel and slander.
8. how to defend yourself against defamation.
9. about a person's right to privacy.
10. the difference between public disclosure of private facts, false light, intrusion and misappropriation.

Chapter 12

In this chapter, you will learn:

1. why Walter Cronkite is a role model for ethical broadcast journalism.
2. about professional journalism organizations and their individual codes of ethics.
3. a model for a personal code of ethics based on Walter Cronkite's legacy.
4. the eight core concepts of journalistic ethics.
5. that your own personal code of ethics can be a blueprint for your professional life.

Chapter 13

In this chapter, you will learn:

1. the importance of words and pictures and their impact on coverage.
2. the need to identify the importance of diversity coverage and its impact on connecting with the community.
3. identifying the role that personal bias can play on coverage.
4. the importance of identifying stereotypes.
5. the importance of knowing the community and making sure stories reflect it.
6. how inclusive storytelling can make your stories more interesting and vibrant.
7. the importance of identifying your community and diversifying your sources.
8. how to describe people in your stories.
9. how to be an inclusive journalist even when fighting deadline pressure.

Chapter 14

In this chapter, you will learn:

1. how the size of a TV market can impact a students job opportunities.
2. the importance of internships when it comes to building your resume.
3. other options for building your resume beyond the internship.
4. the impact professional programs can have on preparing you for the job market.
5. how to sell yourself to potential employers.
6. where to search for job openings.
7. what to do after the job applications have been sent out.
8. how to prepare for the actual job interview.
9. what happens after the interview.