Basics
Our basics section provides foundational knowledge for journalists starting their careers and for those wanting to refresh their skills. Learn techniques including news writing, interviewing, story structure, and reporting practices that form the bedrock of quality journalism. All our material is free to download, adapt and use. Scroll down our site map for all the content in this and other sections.
The active and passive voices in news
Make your news writing more interesting by using the “active voice”. Bob Eggington explains this simple and effective technique.
Words that are frequently misused
It's essential for journalists to maintain precision in their use of language, especially when dealing with words that sound or look similar but which carry different meanings.
News writing for beginners
A journalist writing a news story is the author, organiser and decision maker. Without them the story may never be told.
Fact-checking and adding context
An essential part of the editorial process is to examine everything we are told to make sure it is factual.
In journalism, good writing is plain writing
The purpose of news writing is to convey meaning clearly and effortlessly by using precise, comprehensible, and easily digestible words.
Letting the pictures tell the story
Here we explore the importance of visual storytelling in TV and video journalism, showing you how to let the pictures tell the story.
The power of words
Journalists need to understand the power of using the right words when writing news stories
Adjectives and adverbs in journalism
When it comes to writing - not just news writing but any kind of writing - adjectives and adverbs have a bad reputation.
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Lesson: How to spot a news story
This lesson plan is designed to help students recognise how to spot a news story and develop it so that it informs the audience.
Tool: Story Weighting System
Different news stories have a different value for your audience and for your business. Giving news items a 'weighting' can lead to impact and efficiencies.
Handling breaking news
Journalists need to have a system in place for covering a breaking news story in order to know who does what and when.










