Contents
The basic skills and resources – Gathering experience and networking – Assignments
Books and equipment – Running a business – Assignments
The feature defined – The stages in production – Assignments
Staff writers’ ideas – Freelance writers’ ideas – Development techniques – The place of specialism – Checklist – Assignments
The world of features – Aiming at versatility – Assignments
Likely targets – Celebrities – Children – Crime – Education – Health and medicine – Old age or retirement – Travel – Assignments
7 The commissioning and the editing
The editor’s point of view – Preparing to pitch – How to pitch – Using your network – Organizing the assignment – When to send specs – Dealing with editors – Assignments
Reliable sources – An interviewing strategy – Verification skills – Assignments
9 Researching and writing online
Internet basics – Researching online – A writer’s experience – Creating your own website – Writing online – Assignments
Checking for the right ingredients – Putting your file in order – Discovering what to say – Matching order to content – Assignments
Examples of teamwork – Titles – The intro – The ending – Links – Appendages – Assignment
12 Developing writing techniques
Choose the precise word – Be simple and concise – Prefer the familiar word to the unfamiliar – Use the concrete rather than the abstract – Avoid clichés – Be positive and honest – Write as you speak – Vary your pace and rhythm – Assignments
Describing memorably – Narrating compellingly – Explaining fully – Arguing convincingly – Finding your own style – Assignments
Entering the market – Relevance or art? – Subjects for your pictures – Choosing your equipment – Working with a photographer – Pictures from other sources – Graphics – Captions – The business aspects – A nomadic career – Assignments
Advertising and PR defined – Advertising copywriting – From PR into journalism – Obtaining publicity work – Techniques for publicity writing – Assignments
16 Interview features and profiles
Choice of interviewee – Getting commissioned – Setting up the interview – Choosing the method – Preparing the questions – Interviewing techniques – Editing the transcript – Formats for writing up – Following up – Assignments
Learning from the best – Getting a slot – All kinds of discoveries – Many working methods – Assignments
How to become a reviewer – The reviewer’s tasks – The writing-up process – Books – Music – Art – Theatre – Films – Television – Assignments
Opportunities galore – A marketing strategy – Producing specialist features – Samples published – Specialist columns – Research and fact checking – Assignments
Guides to the market – Choosing your countries – Some likely opportunities – Syndication – Assignment
Copyright – Libel – The question of attribution – Ethical concerns
National Union of Journalists – Professional Code of Conduct | |
The Society of Authors’ Quick Guide 1: Copyright and Moral Rights | |