Preface
 
Acknowledgments
 
About the Authors
 
Chapter 1: Audience-Centric Journalism
                              Thinking Ahead: Understand Your Audience
 
 
                              Media and Media Users Today
 
 
                              The Rise and Impact of the “Fake News” Phenomenon
 
 
                              What Do We Owe Our Audience?
 
 
                              What Attracts an Audience?
 
 
 
Chapter 2: Critical Thinking
                              Thinking Ahead: How to Fully “Get” a Story
 
 
                              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
 
 
 
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
 
 
 
Chapter 4: Expanded News Writing
                              Thinking Ahead: Learning to Break the Rules of Writing
 
 
                              Expanding the Inverted Pyramid
 
 
                              Writing With a Narrative Feel
 
 
 
Chapter 5: Social Media
                              Thinking Ahead: Rethinking How to Reach Readers
 
 
                              Social Media Tools for Your Toolbox
 
 
 
Chapter 6: Interviewing
                              Thinking Ahead: Avoiding the Awkwardness While Speaking to Others
 
 
                              Critically Thinking About Interviewing’s Purpose
 
 
                              Understanding the Interviewing Basics
 
 
                              Other Purposes for Interviews
 
 
 
Chapter 7: Basic Reporting: News That Finds You
                              Thinking Ahead: Getting Ready to Hit the Field
 
 
                              Basic Tips for All Event Stories
 
 
                              Stories Beyond Standard Events
 
 
 
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
 
 
 
Chapter 9: Broadcast-Style Writing and Voicing
                              Thinking Ahead: Writing Scripts and Building Stories
 
 
                              Broadcast Style: Different, Yet the Same
 
 
                              The Basic Elements of Broadcast Structure
 
 
 
Chapter 10: Collecting Audio and Visuals in the Field
                              Thinking Ahead: How to Get Enough Material to Build a Good Story
 
 
                              Types of Material You Gather
 
 
                              Making Your Video Valuable
 
 
 
Chapter 11: Editing Audio and Video
                              Thinking Ahead: Editing Your Raw Material Into a Polished Gem
 
 
                              Building a Story From Start to Finish
 
 
 
Chapter 12: Law and the Media
                              Thinking Ahead: The Law Is Your Friend
 
 
                              Understanding the First Amendment
 
 
                              Law Across Media Platforms: Levels of Protection
 
 
                              Let the Sunshine In: Rules for Transparency and Access
 
 
 
Chapter 13: Ethics
                              Thinking Ahead: Just Because You Can, It Doesn’t Mean You Should
 
 
                              Basic Approaches to Ethics
 
 
                              Tenets of Journalistic Ethics
 
 
 
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