The Universal Journalist
Key Guidance
London: Pluto Press, 6th ed. (2021), xii, 311 pp.
Contains index
ISBN 9780745343259 (pbk); 9780745343297 (pdf)
Other editions: 1st ed. 1996, 3rd ed. 2007
Signature commbox: 10-Journalism-E 2021
"This is the only 'how to' book on journalism written by writers and editors who have operated at the top level in national news. It has long been the go-to book of advice for young reporters. This edition includes a chapter on social media and is extensively updated throughout, with new content from Jemma Crew, an award-winning national news journalist. The book emphasises that good journalism must involve the acquisition of a range of skills that will empower trainees to operate in an industry where ownership, technology and information are constantly changing." (Back cover)
1 Journalism in an Age of Social Media, 1
2 What Makes a Good Reporter? 14
3 The Limitations of Journalism, 30
4 What is News? 41
5 Where Do Good Stories Come From? 55
6 Research, 70
7 Handling Sources, Not Them Handling You, 85
8 Questioning, 97
9 Reporting Numbers and Statistics, 120
10 Investigative Reporting, 141
11 How to Cover Major Incidents, 155
12 Mistakes, Corrections and Hoaxes, 168
13 Ethics, 182
14 Writing News and Features, 198
15 Intros, 226
16 Construction and Description, 243
17 Handling Quotes, 261
18 Different Ways to Tell a Story, 272
19 Comment, Intentional and Otherwise, 279
20 How to Be a Great Reporter, 294
2 What Makes a Good Reporter? 14
3 The Limitations of Journalism, 30
4 What is News? 41
5 Where Do Good Stories Come From? 55
6 Research, 70
7 Handling Sources, Not Them Handling You, 85
8 Questioning, 97
9 Reporting Numbers and Statistics, 120
10 Investigative Reporting, 141
11 How to Cover Major Incidents, 155
12 Mistakes, Corrections and Hoaxes, 168
13 Ethics, 182
14 Writing News and Features, 198
15 Intros, 226
16 Construction and Description, 243
17 Handling Quotes, 261
18 Different Ways to Tell a Story, 272
19 Comment, Intentional and Otherwise, 279
20 How to Be a Great Reporter, 294
