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.

Including the human angle

Conducting interviews remotely

How to use adjectives and adverbs in journalism

Reporting on a news event

This checklist sets out what journalists should do when covering a live news event, including preparation and how to respond to the unexpected.

Conducting interviews remotely

This quick guide checklist sets out how to conduct an interview remotely if an interviewee is not available for a face-to-face meeting.

How to motivate a news team

Aspiring editors must inspire, not just instruct. Learn how to foster a creative environment and lead your newsroom to success.

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.

Story leaks and tip-offs

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

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.