Reporting for the Media [Paperback]

Fred Fedler (Author), John R. Bender (Author), Lucinda Davenport (Author), Paul E. Kostyu (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0155037242 | ISBN-13: 978-0155037243 | Publication Date: November 1996 | Edition: 6th

Now in its eighth edition, Reporting for the Media continues its outstanding tradition in journalism education. Providing both students and instructors with a firm foundation on which to build journalistic success, it emphasizes the most important skills and characteristics of effective reporters--how to be engaged in and curious about the world and how to articulate a good story.
Reporting for the Media, 8/e, introduces students to news writing and reporting by focusing on such basics as grammar and mechanics, traditional story structures and styles, interviewing techniques, reporting on speeches and meetings, and common ethical dilemmas. Taking into consideration the increasingly multimedia nature of journalism, this new edition includes material on broadcast writing and convergence. It also covers prewriting, using the Internet, and computer-assisted reporting. The eighth edition features new exercises in nearly every chapter, expanded coverage of grammar--including parts of speech--and thoroughly updated real-life examples and illustrations, many covering issues that have arisen since 9/11. As in previous editions, this book features reading lists, discussion questions, suggested projects, five useful appendices, and end-of-chapter checklists. Reporting for the Media, 8/e, is an ideal text for introductory news writing and reporting courses.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"After nearly two decades of teaching beginning newswriting, I can say without reservation that this is the best text on the market. It not only offers clear and concise instructions about how to approach this writing style, but also offers students copious end-of-the-chapter exercises that give them 'real world' experience in writing for the media."--Paula Horvath-Neimeyer, University of North Florida

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Fred Fedler is at University of Central Florida. John R. Bender is at University of Nebraska, Lincoln. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 615 pages
• Publisher: Harcourt College Pub; 6th edition (November 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0155037242
• ISBN-13: 978-0155037243
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,754,709 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Medication for Writing Cramps, September 25, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Reporting for the Media (Textbook Binding)

The seventh edition of Reporting for the Media is a useful tool for those just starting to learn to write a news story. It provides the basic underlying elements of a news story. With the formula provided, the reader learns the do's and don't's of the world of reporting news. From being accurate and concise to using correct style, the book provides a good tips for beginning news writers interested in expanding their knowledge. I recommend this book to professors needing a textbook for their classroom, or reporters who simply want to improve their newswriting.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lacks bling, but good resource for writers., February 28, 2006

By 

Maris Jacob (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Reporting for the Media (Paperback)

This book was required for my journalism 200 class.
Its many examples of excellent news writing, useful for journalists, could interest political science, marketing or creative writing majors or those with activist inclinations. Some of the featured writers also write fiction. The co-influence of the two genres are evident and that style is gaining popularity in new "info-tainment" venues. The text helps one understand how news is chosen and spun, as well as the down and dirty details of writing for a newspaper.
This book is brain food. Healthy, if not a favorite. By itself, the book is only for those in touch with their inner nerd. No shame, there. If you are reading it on your own, buy a used older edition (it should be cheap, as it will likely be missing the tear-out exercise pages) or just check it out from the library.
Assuming use as a class text, the style examples and facts of the book are interesting, but also contains a narcoleptic amount of tedious material, e.g. grammar, copy-editing, etc. If you are a student scope out your teacher and get a good one. The field stories he or she shares will make or break the class. If you are a professor, this book is a rock-solid resource, but you'll need to supplement it to keep your students awake.
I gave this book four stars because it absolutely does what it says it will, explains media reporting, but only if one defines "media" as traditional, old-school, print media. The lost star is because the book fails to address the fact that media is rapidly adjusting away from traditional print forms. This book should be volume one of two, with two being devoted to new forms of media and public relations--blogging, podcasting, undercover marketing, etc., many of which strive to entertain as they inform.

RELATED READING: For a historical view of traditional journalism, check out Tony Hillerman's autobiography, Seldom Disappointed: A Memoir. Hillerman worked in a variety of journalistic positions from 1948 to 1962 and later became famous as the best-selling author of the Joe Leaphorn (Navajo) mysteries. Either his Horatio Alger-like rise or his Catch-22 experiences in the military would be enough to make a good story, but don't just read the book. Hillerman's laconic narration is not to be missed.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Informative, October 25, 2005

By 

S. York - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Reporting for the Media (Paperback)

I bought this book for my JOUR 201 class and it is very good as an introduction to journalism. It is a bit dry, but overall a good tool for the early journalist.