Just four in 10 consumers say they have at least a fair amount of trust and confidence in the mass media to report the news fully, accurately and fairly. (Gallup)
It is time for a revolution.
Young aspiring journalists and media writers need to be armed with a wealth of information. They need canny interviewing skills and fact-finding techniques. They must be prepared to compete with the best in the business. And they must be able to adapt their writing to a multitude of platforms, ranging from traditional print to online and social media, innovative broadcasts and podcasts, and public relations. But mostly, students of media need to be trained to tell the truth, to make sound, ethical judgments in the reporting and analysis of news, and to present stories that are fair and balanced.
That's what Journalism for All/Writing Across Platforms is for. It is a beginning guide to a credible and incredible career.
Journalism for All/Writing Across Platforms is a book for beginning media writers everywhere with the love of telling a story clearly, truthfully and without bias.
Written by Terry Nelson, with 35 years of teaching news writing, Journalism for All/Writing Across Platforms:
- Is suitable for media students on college campuses as well as high-school journalism classes whose instructors intend to teach fact-based journalism to students who will be writing for their student publications and beyond.
- Features chapters divided into weeks that correspond with a typical school calendar semester schedule.
- Provides practice and reinforcement via worksheets at the end of each section.
- Contain short profiles about young journalists in the various media fields, who have stories to tell and messages to relay to those in high school and college studying for careers in communications.
- Emphasizes the 6-Step Process for effective researching, interviewing and writing for various media - whether print or online news, broadcasting or public relations.
Week 1 A Media Evolution
College blogger addresses diversity: Communication major Erma Udota
Practice
Week 2 A Media Revolution
Meet Frank LoMonte, Executive Director of the Student Press Law Center
“Coverage of Sensitive Stories” with Salt Lake City reporter Mariah Noble
Practice
Week 3 The Basics
Practice
Week 4 Step #1: Idea
“This Kind of Work Matters” with IU investigations editor Hannah Alani
Practice
Week 5 Step #2: Research
Practice
Week 6 Step #3: Report
Practice
Week 7 Step #4: Organize
Practice
Headlines
Weeks 8/9 Step #5: Write
“Writing With Your Camera” with The Columbus Dispatch newspaper photojournalist Adam Cairns
Practice
Week 10 Step #6: Revise
Practice
Weeks 11/12 The Citizen Journalist
“Regarding Your Social Media...Be Smart” with Washington Redskins’ website managing editor Andrew Walker
Practice
Weeks 13/14 Broadcasting
“Young TV Reporter Offers Advice” with WTHI-TV reporter Hunter Petroviak
“10 Things I Love About Being a Radio Deejay” with promotions director and on-air personality Pam Thrash
Practice
Weeks 15/16 Public Relations: Building Trust
“Get and Stay Involved” with recent PR graduate Rich Smith
“Life Lessons” with chief of staff for the Office of President at Indiana State University Teresa Exline
Practice
Terry
Nelson
Terry Nelson has taught journalism courses and advised publications for Indiana high school students for 35 years. Most recently, she is an instructor of journalism at Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Indiana, teaching media writing, reporting and investigative journalism classes.
Nelson has been honored for her commitment to student journalism by the Dow Jones Newspaper Fund as their National Journalism Teacher of the Year and by USA Today newspaper as a member of the All USA Teacher Team. She has been presented the Pioneer Award by the National Scholastic Press Association; the Gold Key by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association; and the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Journalism Education Association – along with some other goodies.
Not bad for a girl from Gary, Indiana, who dreamed of becoming either a nun, a clown or the first female editor of the Chicago Tribune.