News in a New Century : Reporting in An Age of Converging Media

Rating:
Summary: Emphasis on "shoe leather" reporting
Review: Using this text for an advanced newswriting course, I like its emphasis on "shoe leather" reporting. My entering students have learned the basics of newswriting skills but not necessarily the vigor of pursuing a story with many dimensions.

A proliferation of examples produces not only sample news stories but a running account from myriad reporters portraying both their curiosity and persistance in pursuing a story.

Another strength of the text is its coverage of the way reporters in different media struggle to draft a story. With students in communication classes fuzzy about where they will "land"--in print, radio, TV, or electronic reporting--the multiple viewpoints are relevant.

Teaching from this highly current book, I applaud these features in each chapter:

integration of law/ethical issues

summary boxes

exercises and assignments

use of databases and computer-assisted reporting