Jon Smith & Joanne Butcher 
Essential Reporting 
The NCTJ Guide for Trainee Journalists

‘If you want a book that instructs you about all the technical skills you need to pass the examinations set by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) and embark on a career in journalism, then this is the book for you. It outlines the basic knowledge required to succeed as a trainee reporter. Shorthand, intros, writing styles, subbing, layout, the way newsrooms work and how to find things out are among the range of skills described.’

– Times Higher Education

‘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

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.

Table of Content

What you Need

Character, Attitude, Knowledge, Skills, Equipment

What′s News?

What News Stories Have in Common – and Why Some Get Printed

Finding Out

News and Information Sources

A Day in the Life

What it′s Like Being a Reporter

First Tasks

Handouts, Calls, Weddings, Anniversaries, Retirements, Deaths

Out and About

Public events, Speeches, Meetings, Press conferences, Pictures

Talking to People

Vox pops, Ring-rounds, Surveys, Interviews, Death knocks

The Unexpected

Major incidents, Weather stories, Human interest

Shaping the Story

Story length, Structure, Angles, Intros

Writing the Words

News stories, Writing for pictures, Presentation

English Matters

Grammar, Punctuation, Spelling, Style

Working Online

Reporting, Writing, Designing, Interacting

Audio and Video

Multi-media, Audio & Radio, Video & TV

Court Reporting

Courts, Inquests, Tribunals, Inquiries

Local Politics

Contacts, Councils, Town halls, Political parties, MPs, Elections

Specialist Areas

Sport, Crime, Education, Environment, Health, Industry, District reporting

Features

News backgrounders, Entertainment features, Reviews

Training

A guide to the NCTJ