Quick Guides

Our quick guides are short checklists designed as self-teaching aids that highlight the main points from our longer training articles. All are linked to the articles they summarise. The quick guide checklists are designed to offer a recap of the main points in the original pieces so that journalists who are using our training can remind themselves of the essential considerations when covering news. Scroll down our site map for all the content in this and other sections.

How to spot a news story

How to create a story plan

Interviewing skills

How to write a radio news script

This short how-to checklist is designed to help journalists write radio news scripts that weave in audio seamlessly and are easier to follow and understand.

How to include the human angle in journalism

Use this short how-to checklist to make sure you always add a human angle to news stories to help your audience identify with your content better.

How to deal with leaks and tip-offs

This short how-to checklist set out how journalists should handle story leaks and tip-offs, starting with the essential first step: verifying the source.

How to spot a news story

This short how-to checklist sets out the main considerations for helping journalists spot a news story.

How to make a documentary

Documentary making can feel daunting for new journalists. Follow a structured process to turn simple ideas into powerful visual journalism.

How to report using evidence

Journalists should alway rely on facts rather than feelings. Evidence-based reporting means your stories are built on data, documents, and witness accounts.