A student’s manual on how to be a successful Journalist

In general student journalists find it hard to really grasp the true nature of
journalism. For many, journalism is a new adventure and one that requires a
‘special’ technique in executing. Many students admit to wanting to be good
photographers or writers or even Editors in Chief in the long run, but when the
‘beat’ begins to play too hard they turn the music down.

‘Special’ yes, but not difficult.

The manual entitled “The Journeying Journalist: Playing the Beats” takes the
student journalist from the starting point of learning the ‘beats’ of journalism on
smooth rhythmic journey to the end point of writing their own tune. The manual
aims to attract and keep up-and-coming student journalists motivated on their
journey to success. Written from a student's point a view, the manual has an edge
over intimidating compact books or other manuals that may be tedious to consume.
With the analogical references of journalism with music, students will feel better
prepared to retain the information they are consuming as the play on the word beat
brings two fields of interest together that the readers can appreciate.

The compelling front cover attracts journalism readers and as they turn the
pages the photos, text and cartoons holds their attention throughout the manual as
it provides interactive activities in the form of writing and closed ended questions.
Because the manual contains photos, sample stories and tips from other student
journalists, budding journalists will instantly feel at ease whilst reading and
understanding that “Journalism is not as complicated as they think, it's just story
telling with a technique.”
 Treatment

Statement of purpose

The ultimate goal of introducing this manual to student journalists is to

provide valuable information on how to be well rounded student journalists during
their first to third years at the university from students who have excelled in this
area of specialization. The focus will mainly be placed on those student journalists
who feel some intimidation about pursuing professional journalism.

The manual is of 16 pages as readers need to consume as much important

information in as little time or with little effort as possible. The front cover has a
simple but effective photo that directly tells the reader that it is a Journalism
manual that uses music as a vehicle to drive the message. Three base colours are
used throughout the manual to underline and or highlight the colours and mood of
the photos that are placed within. The overall manual has a lively, professional feel
so that readers can appreciate the importance of being a professional journalist in
an exciting way. The conveying of the message takes on a light conversational tone
that is personlised specifically for the audience with use of everyday vocabulary
and definitions for terms that are mandatory within the field; all the while, making
analogical references to music.

The manual is not compact; the layout of the manual incorporates:

How to do it boxes Sample Stories

Photos Typography Graphic designs

Caricatures Testimonials from past student journalists and

practicing journalists in the field
Summary

The Journeying Journalist: Playing the Beats manual cover has a photo
depicting journalism. In the photograph a headphone is placed over a Digital
Single Reflex camera with a stack of newspapers to the left and a laptop to the
right. A bold sans serif font displaying the words ‘THE JOURNEYING
JOURNALIST’ accompanies the photo. At the bottom of the cover the subtitle
reads ‘Playing the Beats’ with selected articles along with their page numbers will
be displayed.

On the inside cover there is an available advertisement space and the manual
masthead followed by the Table of Contents on the next page. Continuing
throughout the manual, there are pages which have a single and double spread
photos with accompanying captions and detailed information. Simple closed ended
questions are strategically placed throughout the manual to maintain the students’
attention. Most importantly information on how to be a better student journalist
occupies majority of the space in the manual. On selected pages there are boxes
that contain tips and testimonials from past student journalists and practicing
professionals. On the second to last page there is an activity to engage readers in
describing their experiences as a budding journalist that they can simply write. The
manual’s inside and outside back covers are reserved for advertisements.

The manual is broken down into four chapters:

i. Journalism Essentials: Learning the ‘beat’

ii. Reporting Medium: Selecting the Instrument

iii. Hitting the Beats: Playing the notes

iv. Telling the story: Writing the tun

Journalism Essential: Learning the ‘beat’

Journalism Essentials outlines the bare necessities for being a successful

student journalist. In this chapter the information is concise allowing the reader to
transition to the next chapter without feeling too burdened to continue reading.
Information includes:

Accuracy Fairness and Impartiality

Transparency Human sensitivity

Independence Accountability

Reporting Medium: Selecting the instrument

Reporting Medium highlights the various presentation media that the student
can use to convey the information to their audience. Again this chapter presents
bite-size details that are easy to consume. Information in this chapter includes:

Print Television

Radio Internet
Hitting the ‘Beat’: Playing the notes

Beat Reporting conveys how the students can tell their stories from a
specialised area in the field. In a nutshell students will understand what it takes to
be the beat reporter as this chapter underlines the work that is needed. Information
in this chapter includes:

Choosing the right beat

Being knowledgeable about your beat

Effectively communicating your beat stories to your audience

Telling the story: Writing the tune

In the final chapter of the manual students will see how to tell their news
stories with ease. Samples of well written short stories will provide a guide as to
how to compose and structure a newsworthy story.