News Masterclass

Overview

This course develops the skills that enable delegates to generate more news leads and then write the stories that do them justice.

Who should attend

Journalists with at least two years' experience of news writing.

Course objectives

By the end of this practical course, you will be able to:

> Find the story, pick the angle and deliver it with impact

> Generate more stories, particularly off diary

> Develop contacts and build stories

Course content

What is News?

> Defining news

> Different approaches

> News for weeklies

> News hierarchies

Sources of News

> Where do we find our leads

> Networking and contacts

> Using press releases

> Finding business trends

> Competing with dailies

> Coping with spin

> Making a story stand up

> Measuring output

News in Action - Group Practical

> Review of news stories

News Writing Styles

> The basics

> Headlines

> Planning your structure

> Coping with info-overload

> Use of language

> Developing pace

Here's One I Prepared Earlier - Group Discussion

> Looking at delegates' work

> How to make improvements

The Great Story

> Delegates write their own news story from given material

> Followed by analysis and critique of the pieces