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Dynamics of News Reporting and Writing
Foundational Skills for a Digital Age
Second Edition
- Vincent F. Filak - University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, USA
January 2021 | 392 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
Dynamics of News Reporting and Writing: Foundational Skills for a Digital Age shows students how to approach their stories and think on their feet in the evolving media landscape. Recognizing that well-crafted stories are founded on sharp prose, author Vincent F. Filak covers more foundational elements of a newswriting textbook, like lead writing, structure, and storytelling, while also teaching students how to think critically and determine what matters most to their readers. The Second Edition includes even more writing and grammar exercises, discussions of social media and digital media advancements, and additional career-related examples to help students succeed upon entering the field.
Preface
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
Chapter 1: Audience-Centric Journalism
Thinking Ahead: Understand Your Audience
Media and Media Users Today
Defining Your Audience
The Rise and Impact of the “Fake News” Phenomenon
What Do We Owe Our Audience?
What Attracts an Audience?
The Big Three
Best of the Blog
Chapter 2: Critical Thinking
Thinking Ahead: How to Fully “Get” a Story
How Do We Think?
The Requirements of Critical Thought
How to Approach a Story as a Critical Thinker
How to Think Your Way Past Fake News
Critical Thought and the Value of Your Questions
The Big Three
Best of the Blog
Chapter 3: Basics of Writing
Thinking Ahead: Writing for a Newsreader
A Quick Look at Types of Leads
Identifying Problematic Leads and Finding Potential Fixes
The Inverted Pyramid: Ordering Information After the Lead
Quotes: Letting Your Sources Tell the Story
Attributing Your Information
The Big Three
Best of the Blog
Chapter 4: Expanded News Writing
Thinking Ahead: Learning to Break the Rules of Writing
Expanding the Inverted Pyramid
Writing With a Narrative Feel
Nonlinear Storytelling
The Big Three
Best of the Blog
Chapter 5: Social Media
Thinking Ahead: Rethinking How to Reach Readers
What Is Social Media?
Value of Social Media
Social Media Tools for Your Toolbox
Blogging
The Big Three
Best of the Blog
Chapter 6: Interviewing
Thinking Ahead: Avoiding the Awkwardness While Speaking to Others
Critically Thinking About Interviewing’s Purpose
Understanding the Interviewing Basics
Types of Interviews
Other Purposes for Interviews
The Big Three
Best of the Blog
Chapter 7: Basic Reporting: News That Finds You
Thinking Ahead: Getting Ready to Hit the Field
Reporting Basics
Event Coverage
Basic Tips for All Event Stories
Stories Beyond Standard Events
The Big Three
Best of the Blog
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
Beat Reporting
Drone Journalism
Personality Profiles
Working as a Watchdog
The Big Three
Best of the Blog
Chapter 9: Broadcast-Style Writing and Voicing
Thinking Ahead: Writing Scripts and Building Stories
Broadcast Style: Different, Yet the Same
Script Writing 101
The Basic Elements of Broadcast Structure
Story Types and Formats
The Big Three
Best of the Blog
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
Types of Material You Gather
Capturing Vivid Visuals
Making Your Video Valuable
The Big Three
Best of the Blog
Chapter 11: Editing Audio and Video
Thinking Ahead: Editing Your Raw Material Into a Polished Gem
Audio Bites Online
Video Bites Online
Pairing Script and Video
Building a Story From Start to Finish
The Big Three
Best of the Blog
Chapter 12: Law and the Media
Thinking Ahead: The Law Is Your Friend
Understanding the First Amendment
Law Across Media Platforms: Levels of Protection
Reporter’s Privilege
Let the Sunshine In: Rules for Transparency and Access
Rules for Recording
The Basics of Libel
Defenses Against Libel
Invasion of Privacy
The Big Three
Best of the Blog
Chapter 13: Ethics
Thinking Ahead: Just Because You Can, It Doesn’t Mean You Should
Why Ethics Matter
Basic Approaches to Ethics
Tenets of Journalistic Ethics
The Big Three
Best of the Blog
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 Final Cut and Premiere
Appendix E: Freelancing 101 (and Beyond)
Glossary
Notes
Index
Supplements
Instructor Site
edge.sagepub.com/filaknews2e
The open-access Student Study Site makes it easy for students to maximize their study time, anywhere, anytime. It offers flashcards, AP Style quizzes, and learning objectives that reinforce the most important material.
For additional information, custom options, or to request a personalized walkthrough of these resources, please contact your sales representative.
edge.sagepub.com/filaknews2e
The open-access Student Study Site makes it easy for students to maximize their study time, anywhere, anytime. It offers flashcards, AP Style quizzes, and learning objectives that reinforce the most important material.
For additional information, custom options, or to request a personalized walkthrough of these resources, please contact your sales representative.
Student Study Site
edge.sagepub.com/filaknews2e
The open-access Student Study Site makes it easy for students to maximize their study time, anywhere, anytime. It offers flashcards, AP Style quizzes, and learning objectives that reinforce the most important material.
For additional information, custom options, or to request a personalized walkthrough of these resources, please contact your sales representative.
edge.sagepub.com/filaknews2e
The open-access Student Study Site makes it easy for students to maximize their study time, anywhere, anytime. It offers flashcards, AP Style quizzes, and learning objectives that reinforce the most important material.
For additional information, custom options, or to request a personalized walkthrough of these resources, please contact your sales representative.
Text is very approachable for students and has up-to-date examples. Highly recommend.
Communication Studies, College Of The Sequoias
March 17, 2022
Chose different approach for the class -- and Filak's other book, Media Writing, with its broader focus including PR and Broadcast rather than just Journalism.
Journalism Dept, Long Island University
November 18, 2022
Sage College Publishing
