Sokanu: The Blog

What Is A News Reporter?

News reporters and correspondents (also known as journalists), gather news and information to keep the public informed about important events. They obtain their information through a number of sources. These may include personal interviews, contacts, wire services (news transmitted via satellite dishes), news briefings, and question-and-answer periods.

News reporters gather and assemble this information to be relayed to the public. Newspapers, magazines, television and radio stations rely on news correspondents to keep their readers, viewers and listeners informed.

What Does A News Reporter Do?

Reporters play an active role in gathering information on current events. A large portion of their day is spent investigating news before sending it in as a story. Some work as correspondents in offices located far from head office. They are sent to the places that important events are likely to happen.

Whether it’s working for a newspaper, TV channel, radio station or news website, there are two sides to reporting that must work in sync with each other: reporting and editing. The reporter compiles all the information needed to create a story and then edits the story to fit a specific news page or bulletin.

Reporters sometimes work in a specific ‘beat’ that fits with their writing talent. A beat is a media term for the area or topic a journalist covers, like crime, politics, sports, business, etc. They may work in one or several beats at a time depending on the size of a news organization. Generally, there are two kinds of newspapers that reporters work for - dailies and weeklies. Reporters for dailies usually have less time to find and report the news. They may work in only one beat. Reporters for weeklies have more time to do their research and typically have to cover several beats at a time. They may take photographs for their stories as well as general office work, in addition to their regular duties.

Television and radio reporters usually have less time to write and edit than those in the newspaper department. The news is often broadcasted immediately after or during an event. Reporters in this area learn very quickly how to convert information they receive into news clips suitable for broadcasting.

What Does It Take To Be A News Reporter?

The news doesn't wait for anyone, so reporters have to be quick and find the news while it is still relevant to be presented to the public. Reporting is not just about good writing, although that’s very important. A large portion of the reporter’s day is spent investigating the news before sending in the story. They must have excellent writing skills that allow them to tailor a news story to fit a specific kind of media in a short amount of time. Reporters must have excellent language skills and have the ability to communicate with people.

News correspondents also need to be fast learners. Once hired, beginner news reporters do most of their training on the job, moving from one department to another to get different types of experience. Adaptability is a necessary trait to have in order to deal with the pressure of many jobs. A novice reporter might start with obituaries or report on local police news before being assigned to more important events.

Early journalistic training can begin early; working on a high school newspaper or yearbook is a great source of experience. There are also many opportunities for college students to work as interns for newspapers or magazines. Many colleges offer courses in journalism but these students find it hard to compete with those who have a bachelor's degree in journalism.

Workplace

The work of a news reporter is usually hectic. They are under great pressure to meet strict deadlines. Newspapers have to get printed and delivered to people’s homes on time. Broadcast journalism leaves very little time for preparation. This means doing whatever it takes to get a story written and edited on time.

Some reporters work in comfortable, private offices; others may work in large rooms filled with other reporters clicking away at their keyboards while printers spit out page after page for editing. In an even more hectic environment, some reporters are on scene trying to get a story while sirens and police or curious onlookers distract from the task at hand. This kind of work can also get dangerous as reporters cover wars, political uprisings, fires, floods, and other disasters. It's important that reporters are able to stay focused and safe.

Working hours vary. Reporters that work for a morning papers, often work from late afternoon to midnight. Radio and television reporters are assigned to a day or evening shift. Magazine reporters usually work during the day. Reporters have to keep their days flexible in order to meet deadlines or follow breaking news. This kind of work demands long hours, irregular schedules, and some travel.

Salary

There are a number of factors that determine the salary of a news correspondent, including education, type of media, work experience, location, employer and talent. The average salary for a novice journalist sits somewhere in the $30,000 range, but as listed above, many factors determine this rate.

The quality of a journalist's/reporter’s writing can greatly affect their wage, as well as the company profile that he or she is working in. If one has earned a Bachelor of Arts and Science degree from a good institute, he or she may earn a starting salary of $22,000 - $50,000. Those earning a bachelor's degree specifically related to journalism can earn even more. Students who have obtained a master's degree in journalism can earn an additional $10,000 - $20 000 annually.

And of course, over time, as experience is gained and the quality of writing improves, a reporter’s salary will grow.

List of Schools

http://education-portal.com/news_reporter_education.html

http://www.canadian-universities.net/Universities/Programs/Journalism.html (Canada)

http://http-server.carleton.ca/~mmcguire/J-Ed/j-prog/index.shtml (Canada)

http://www.journalismschools.com/ (United States)

http://www.squidoo.com/bestjschools (United States)

http://www.markovits.com/journalism/jschools.shtml (International)

What Is A Journalist?

In broad terms, journalists are writers that find and present information in many areas of life. In a more “traditional” sense, journalists are writers that find and research information to be presented to the public through mediums like newspapers, magazines, radio, television stations or the internet. In many ways, journalism is the backbone of media industry. Therefore, many media jobs require some aspect of journalism experience. The type of writing a journalist does, depends on the subject being covered. Another aspect that affects a journalist's job is the type of medium they produce news for.

What Does A Journalist Do?

Journalism is a broad career with many opportunities. Within different areas of media (television, radio, newspapers, magazines, etc.), there are specialized tasks for journalists. Depending on the size of an organization, a journalist may work one or many of these tasks:

Reporters are directly involved in the gathering of information. They conduct interviews, find sources, and pull together all the information needed to write a well-rounded news story. Reporters also present the information in a written or spoken form in news stories, documentaries, or feature articles. General reporters cover all kinds of news stories, but some may specialize in certain areas such as sports, politics, or lifestyle. Some reporters may work on staff for large news organizations, or as freelance writers, writing stories for whomever is paying them.

Sub-editors take stories written by reporters and put them into a form that suits the special needs of their particular newspaper, magazine, or website. Sub-editors do not gather the information themselves but rather they concentrate on how existing stories can be better tailored to match a specific audience.

Photojournalists use photography as a way of reporting the news. They may cover events with a reporter, taking photographs to represent a written story or attend news events on their own, doing both jobs. A photojournalist is like a reporter that must make decisions instantly in order to capture important events at the time they take place. They must carry photographic equipment and be able to make snap decisions. This may mean they are exposed to some obstacles like physical danger, crowds, or harsh weather.

The editor is the one in charge of deciding what goes in a newspaper, magazine, or news bulletin. He or she is responsible for the content that is to be written by the journalists and makes all final decisions.

The news editor is the person in charge of all news journalists. They make all the decisions about what stories to cover and who will do the work. In large news organizations, the news editor may have a deputy, often referred to as the chief of staff, whose job is to assign reporters to selected stories.

Feature writers write longer stories, which give more background to a news story. This type of writing involves a lot more in-depth research to give readers a lengthy and informative article.

What Does It Take To Be A Journalist?

Journalists must have a desire to find and write stories that are important to the people. There is a great deal of power that comes with being a journalist, as they decide and create what it is the public should see or read about. Journalists can be seen as “watchdogs” for the ordinary man or woman.

People trust journalists with facts, whether they are being given or received. This trust must be honored. One should never use journalism for selfish needs, but rather for improving the life of other people. Journalists must have a passion for the truth and exposing that truth to the people. But desire alone will not make a successful journalist.

On the technical side, a journalist needs to have excellent research skills and an ability to generate information and good content. They must be able to ask the right questions and understand situations quickly in order to produce coherent stories.

Like any writer, journalists should have a passion for language and all the ways it can be used. It's not just about the facts, but also about the way they are presented. Journalists need to have excellent writing and grammatical skills, and must always aim for accuracy. The best way of ensuring accuracy is to have a system for keeping track of facts, perhaps in a notebook. This way, when events are taking place, a journalist has a quick way to gather the information that he or she will use later.

To gather this information, journalists need to have determination (though sometimes perceived as aggressiveness) to ask all the appropriate and necessary questions until all the facts have been addressed. This may mean asking the hard questions that could upset people. It may be painful but there is respect to gain in the end. There is a simple rule: be polite but persistent.

Workplace

Depending on the type of article being written, a journalist works anywhere they are able to, in order to produce that story. There are two parts to creating a story. The first is being out on the field gathering the facts. Journalists need to find sources, attend functions and big events, and interview people. Anywhere that the news is happening, there's usually a journalist (or several) on site. Journalists have to know where to look for a story, as sometimes it is necessary to do some sleuth work when digging up information.

The second part is the writing. If a journalist works for a large news organization, he or she may have an office (or desk) to work at in order to meet strict and short deadlines. Freelance writers can work from home or anywhere that they are able to produce well-written work.

Salary

There are a number of factors that determine the salary of a journalist, including education, type of media, work experience, location, employer and talent. The average salary for a novice journalist sits somewhere in the $30,000 range, but as listed above, many factors determine this rate.

The quality of a journalist's writing can greatly affect the wage, as well as the company profile that he or she is working in. If one has earned a Bachelor of Arts and Science degree from a good institute, he or she may earn a starting salary of $22,000 - $50,000. Those earning a bachelor's degree specifically related to journalism can earn even more. Students who have obtained a master's degree in journalism can earn an additional $10,000 - $20,000 annually.

And of course, over time, as experience is gained and the quality of writing improves, a journalist's salary will grow.

List of Schools

http://www.canadian-universities.net/Universities/Programs/Journalism.html (Canada)

http://http-server.carleton.ca/~mmcguire/J-Ed/j-prog/index.shtml (Canada)

http://www.journalismschools.com/ (United States)

http://www.squidoo.com/bestjschools (United States)

http://www.markovits.com/journalism/jschools.shtml (International)

What Is An Editor?

Editors are critical readers that love words. They are the people who prepare the writing of others for publication. Editors are seen as gatekeepers between the writer and audience, and they have to take a dual-sided point-of-view in order to keep both parties happy. Authors know their stories inside and out and have had a strong relationship with their manuscript for years. Audiences, on the other hand, have no emotional attachment to books that they have not read yet and are quick to judge any novel that they pick up to read.

The editor needs to edit a manuscript from both points-of-view. Changes that are to be made must feel like the author's authentic voice to keep him or her happy with the new and improved manuscript. The manuscript may also need changes that will keep the audience pulled in and interested for the length of the novel. One of an editor’s many challenges is to find a balance between the two.

What Does An Editor Do?

Editors supervise a range of functions in a publishing house and have many tasks that need to be accomplished before a book is ready to be launched. When people hear the word “editor” they usually imagine someone who spell checks and is a stickler for grammar. While this is true, a lot more goes into editing a manuscript. When a manuscript is picked for publication there are many alterations and decisions that need to be made before the book can go to print. These alterations are made by different kinds of editors.

The first editor a manuscript goes through is the Acquisitions Editor. This is the editor that picks out the manuscript and decides if it would be a profitable choice for the Publishing House. He makes a pitch to the House to publish the manuscript and figures out all the budgeting, marketing, and contractual decisions. He is also the editor that facilitates communication between publisher and writer.

When a manuscript has been chosen it may need a heavy amount of editing. This work goes to the Developmental Editor. This editor works very closely with a writer as they try to develop the work to be its best. Content, organization, and presentation are all considered. He assists the writer in developing material including characters, setting, and plot, if needed. He may suggest additional research to be done to “flesh out” certain parts of the material for clarity and to create better flow. He makes comments on style, structure, and flow of information. Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are also checked along with URL links, captions, graphics, footnotes, references, photos, tables, quotes, bibliography, and citations. This type of editing is the most invasive, so the editor works closely with the writer to be sure that he approves changes and his original voice is preserved.

Next in line is the Line Editor. He goes through a manuscript line by line and finds grammar and spelling errors that compromise the quality of the material. He makes sure that word choice contributes to the overall tone of the book. In some publishing fields the Line Editor and Copy Editor positions are combined into one.

The Copy Editor is the one to go over a manuscript before it's ready for print. He examines the document for inconsistencies in theme, style, and factual information. He checks permissions for copyright material and ensures there will be no legal conflicts. Grammar, spelling, and punctuation are also scanned again. The main purpose of a Copy Editor is to make sure the import of text is clear and amusing for the reader.

In the home stretch, the edited manuscript goes to the Production Editor who oversees the transition between manuscript and published book. He is the last person to review the material before print. He manages the typesetting, artwork, and budgeting and ensures quality is met in all other areas of editing.

What Does It Take To Be An Editor?

Editors spend their time running their eyes over text looking for errors and changes that can be made to better enhance the material. It's so important that they have patience and pay attention to every detail. It takes a lot of focus and time to be able to read a document through an Editor's eyes and to make it publishable. They need to have a good sense of the language and should be knowledgeable and updated on current affairs. This makes their job easier if they already know a bit about what they are reading. Editors do not need to know every rule about grammar, punctuation or spelling, but they do need to know how to use the resources that will help them make those decisions.

An English or Journalism degree is recommended, but not mandatory, to get into the publishing world as an Editor. A master’s degree is also something you may consider. Like many careers, editing is something that is learned on the job. Starting at an entry-level position and learning the job by doing the job, is the best way to move up in a publishing house.

Workplace

Editor's hours are generally determined by the production schedule, and by the type of editorial position they have. Most salaried editors work in-house, dealing with production deadlines and the pressures of trying to produce accurate work. This is advantageous because they get to learn how the production works from the inside.

Advances in electronic communications have changed the work environment for writers and editors alike. Editors can do a lot of their editing from their homes or wherever they feel the most comfortable. This is both good and bad. Their schedules and hours are a lot more flexible and they have more independence.

Schedules and budgets are tight in a publishing house so a lot of employers don't want to risk new freelancing editors. They may be less likely to hire someone with no in-house experience. With experience, editors will know what they can handle and what projects might be too much. At some point they learn when to turn down a project. The most important thing is that editors use their time well and meet all deadlines. After all, they are working as part of a team and everyone must do their part.

Salary

The typical wage for editors is $20-$75 per hour and ranges depending on experience. Editors usually work forty hours per week but time is not necessarily a constraint. Work hours purely depend on the workload or deadline to be met. The average salary for a starting editor is around the $30,000 range and increases with experience. An editor that that been working for many years can earn up to $80,000.

List Of Schools

http://education-portal.com/colleges_with_journalism_major.html

http://crazyindustry.blogspot.com/2005/03/becoming-editor.html

What Is A Television Writer?

A television writer is a skilled writer responsible for the developing, writing, and revision of scripts so that they are ready for the silver screen. They are responsible for creating all plot lines, characters, dialogue and situations. Episodic television writers also work as producers to oversee the budget and overall quality of production of a series. Television writers usually work as part of a group of writers to ensure that scripts are written well and meet strict deadlines. 

What Does A Television Writer Do?

Television writers are responsible for the production of a television series from the beginning processes of writing a script to the launch of a pilot episode. They prepare scripts for a wide range of television programs including soap operas, comedies, dramas and documentaries. A pilot episode may be “picked up” by a network for a contracted television series. Some writers also create ads for local sponsors, previews for upcoming shows and station announcements.

A major change has taken place in television production in recent years. No longer are studios spending millions of dollars on long-term development deals with writers in hopes that they will provide them with a hit show for the studio. More recently, studios engage writers to create or contribute pilot scripts to be considered for development. A pilot script, also known as a pilot episode or series premiere, is the first episode in a television series. Pilot episodes are created as a test run to determine if a television series will be well received on air. The studio is granted a number of options to involve the writer in the processes of writing and producing a script. The benefit to this is if the studio is not happy with a script, it can cut its losses early, while only having to pay the initial script fee. These deals, referred to as “one of’s”, are the dominant form of television series writing deals.

When a script is picked up for a pilot episode, the writer is involved in many aspects. He will be the one to hire the director of a given episode, work with a line producer to hire a crew, and supervise casting and post-production efforts. The head writer is also referred to as the “showrunner”.

What Does It Take To Be A Television Writer?

As with any career in the writing world, the way to gain experience and build a portfolio is to write. A television writer builds something like a portfolio called a “spec script”. A spec script is a sample of writing that showcases a writer's knowledge of the craft and lets others know that he has an understanding of the format of television writing. It could be an original television pilot or a script for an existing show. A good spec will illuminate a writer's skills.

Once their foot is in the door, a television writer is under the gun to write shows that meet strict deadlines. When a writer is creating a spec script he can use as much or as little time as he/she needs. Working in television means a writer has to meet very short deadlines that may change day to day.

Television uses a lot of material. An hour long drama needs a new script every five to seven days. A typical TV deadline takes a week to go from an approved outline to a good first draft. A good writer should be able to accomplish it in four days, which leaves one day to fix mistakes. No one expects perfect work, but they do expect constructive work that can be built on. With such a demanding schedule, a writer is NOT allowed to have writer's block. It's just not an option. A schedule must be stuck to and a writer must be able to power through a script and make it happen.

The most negative thing a writer can do for a network is to deliver a show late. A network has a slot in their schedule for a show. If a show is late then the network will have to find something else to fill that slot with and that means money is lost and people lose their jobs.

Something else writers have to take into account is the internal structure of television. Because commercial breaks are the bread and butter of television, the story needs to be structured with cliffhangers to take place at the end of an act, so that the audience will want to return to the show once the commercials end. A studio's goal is to keep the viewer tuned into the show, and to make them want to return for the next week's episode. It's vital that writers structure episodes in this way to keep the audience interested.

Workplace

Writing a spec script can take up as much time of a writer's schedule as he/she needs as it only matters when the script is complete. When a writer is working with a network, he/she is on a strict schedule. Writers are usually part of a writing team to ensure that the writing can be completed well and on time. The writing team may consist of anywhere between four to twenty (or more) writers. This all depends on the budget, show, and the preference of the showrunner. This may mean a room full of people sketching ideas and writing scripts, surrounded by pots of coffee to keep up their energy. What matters most in a writing team is that the work is done efficiently and well so that a show can air on time.

Salary

Under the Writer's Guild Agreement (which governs most television projects), the price for rendering a half hour script is $30,000 while an hour-long script is $43,000. For this price the studio will be entitled to a story, first draft and final draft of the script. In some cases, the studio will bargain for a story, first draft, two sets of revisions and a polish. Usually, the writer/creator will receive a higher pilot writing fee than mandated by the WGA. It may range from $50,000 (for a relatively inexperienced writer) to $250,000 for an experienced and established writer. This money only applies to the “one-of” deal.

In many cases, when a pilot is picked up and ordered to production, the studio will guarantee the writer employment as an “executive producer” of the pilot episode at a negotiated fee. The WGA does not govern these producing fees. A writer's experience and social influence are taken into account during negotiations. These fees for producing such services can range between $15,000 - $100,000. Here is a great link with specific fees based on WGA 2008 Schedule of Minimums. http://www.wga.org/subpage_writersresources.aspx?id=68

List of Schools

http://www.humber.ca/program/television-writing-and-producing (Canada)

http://specialprograms.tisch.nyu.edu/object/tvwritingcert.html (U.S.)

What Is An Author?

Authors are lovers of language. Their passion is writing well-crafted pieces of work.  Authors work closely with words and use the fundamentals of language to evoke images, generate ideas, create musicality, inform, and to do so in a way that readers find accessible. There are many different types of authors, including novelists, poets, journalists, screenwriters, playwrights, copywriters, and so on, that stem to many genres, including academic, creative, business, professional, and journalistic writing.

What Does An Author Do?

For as many different types of books and published writings there are in the world, there are as many different types of authors that write them. Very simply, an author writes. A very loose definition of a professional writer is one who is paid for his or her writing.

So what does an author's write? The answer could be just about anything, from flash fiction (300 to 1000 words) or novels (40,000 words and up). In between the two are novellas, novelettes and short stories. Freelance authors may also contribute to magazines or journals. Another form of work that authors may work in is called ghost writing. Ghost writers write books, articles, stories and other texts that are officially credited to another person. Ghost writers have to work hard to keep the voice consistent with that of the official “author.”

There are many basic modes of writing that authors work in, including creative, descriptive, expository, narrative, and persuasive. Creative writing is meant to entertain the reader. Under the umbrella of creative there is fiction, poetry, scriptwriting, and the loosely defined, creative non-fiction. Creative writing is more reader-oriented as it is meant to capture the reader and keep them interested and invested in a piece of work for the length of a piece. Descriptive writing may be categorized under creative too, as it is meant to create vivid and clear images in the readers' minds describing a person, place, or event. Expository writing is meant to inform or explain. Journalistic writing falls under this category as it is meant to inform the reader about events, places, people, or the general happenings of the world. Narrative writing follows the path of a story arch, having a beginning, middle, and end that includes a platform, a conflict, the rising action, the climax, and a closing resolution or conclusion. Persuasive writing works to persuade the reader using supporting evidence to influence the reader's way of thinking.

Authors use their voice in the form of text to express ideas, thoughts, images and information. Whether they write novels from their own research and imagination or articles for others as freelance writers, the work is up to them.

What It Takes To Be An Author

Authors have one main goal, and that is to produce a well-crafted body of work. This takes a lot of time and attention to detail. Authors need to have a very clear understanding of language and the mechanics of it. While an editor can help with technical mistakes, an author needs to have an excellent understanding of grammar and punctuation, as it makes an editor's job much easier and a manuscript more accessible. Publishers look for manuscripts that have few mistakes, as they will be more inclined to publish pieces that involve the least amount of revision.

Another important element of being a writer is dealing with patience and pressure. Every professional author has deadlines to meet, which puts a lot of pressure on them. At the same time, creative flow does not always work in the same timeline. As with novels, patience is key as it sometimes takes years to write one and it very rarely comes all at once. Ideas have to be explored and developed. Plot lines can be moved and shifted around. Character motivation may change.  Authors have to trust their instincts and let the ideas come as they may. Authors have to find that happy place between getting the writing onto paper and giving their best work by the time that deadline comes up.

To be an author also means one has to have thick skin. A novel may not be accepted on its first try. Or second. Or tenth. Rejection hurts, but it's important that writers keep at it. Maybe the reason a manuscript is not accepted is because it needs some revision. It may be worth having another look at it. Writers need to be persistent to get their work published.

Lastly, but most importantly, writing is a passion. A writer must love writing to do it well and for a long time.

Workplace

An author's workplace is typically any place that he/she is able to produce work. For some, that may mean a quiet desk with a computer, surrounded by books, encyclopedias, a dictionary and thesaurus. Some may find the gentle hum of conversation an easy writing background and find a place in a coffee shop to tap on their laptop. Some prefer the old-fashioned method of paper and pen to produce their work. The options are endless, as long as authors are able to find a comfortable place to be creative and productive.

It's important that authors remember that they inhabit the body of a human. Writers will sometimes be so tuned in to the creative moment, that they may forget to take care of their bodies. Writers need to take regular breaks to eat or rehydrate. Sitting in a chair for a long period of time is hard on the back so it's important that writers stretch and move around to let their bodies loosen up. If writers ever find themselves stiffening up while working, they need to remember that stimulation with the outside world is imperative for absorbing information to write about, so they should take a break! Stand outside. Breathe fresh air. Go for a walk. Writers need to let their brain and body readjust to movement so that they are refreshed for the next writing session. Most importantly, they need to enjoy what they're doing and have fun!

Salary

An author's salary varies on a huge level. They may make millions. They might make nothing. It all depends on the type of writing and how well it sells. Authors are all self-employed in the sense that they are not full-time or part-time employed by a publisher. Author and publisher conduct business by signing contracts for the production of one or more books. The author can work for either a flat fee or a percentage. When a contract is being negotiated, usually the author receives an advance. An advance is a lump sum of money that must be earned back with future royalties on the sales of the book(s).

Let's say that you receive an advance of ten thousand dollars for a single book. This means that you would need to earn ten thousand dollars in royalties from sales of that book, before you will receive any additional royalties.

In some cases, a book may not earn enough money to pay off the advance. Let's say that your book earns four thousand dollars in royalties. If your advance was ten thousand dollars, that means that six thousand needs to be earned to pay off that advance. Depending on the contract, publishers could request that the unearned six thousand dollars be paid back. That being said, this rarely happens in practice.

Writing is a labor of love. It's never a guarantee that a lot of money can be made. Many writers have other jobs to subsidize their cost of living. It's all about the passion in the work. If you love to write, do it! 

List Of Schools

http://www.be-a-better-writer.com/creative-writing-degree.html

Note:

Almost all colleges and universities have an English major. Not all colleges have a creative writing or literature major. That said, the University of Iowa's Writers Workshop is probably the best writing school in the nation. There are only a handful of students accepted each year. Most students who end up in the workshop have already received their bachelor’s degree. Many aspiring writers choose to go to U of I in order to work towards getting into the program. 

Obviously, all the elite schools have excellent writing programs, especially Stanford and Columbia. Many State schools hire working/published writers to teach at their schools. Some young writers choose to enroll in the schools at which their favorite writers work.