Beat Reporting

• Many New Yorkers have fallen victim to the latest booming business of petty car towing across the five boroughs. In what seems to be a growing field on the streets of New York, many locals are worried their car will be the next target of this frivolous operation.

• Keith Kaplan, a Long Island native, has been one of the many New Yorkers who have been victimized by these petty tows.

• “One-second my car was there, and the next it was gone!”, said Kaplan.

Opinion

Opinion

Steps to starting a new beat

• Yes, this is like a college degree

Steps to starting a new beat

• Yes, this is like a college degree

• Get to know contacts

Steps to starting a new beat

• Yes, this is like a college degree

• Get to know contacts

• Understand editorial expectations

Steps to starting a new beat

• Yes, this is like a college degree

• Get to know contacts

• Understand editorial expectations

• Remember your readers‘ needs and interests

Lots of different beats

• City

• Government

• Education

• Police

• Religion

• Science

• Sports

• Business

• Media

Types of stories

• Regular daily coverage

• Enterprise - in-depth

Reporting tips

• Beat reporting is like gardening. You need to cultivate news.

Reporting tips

• Beat reporting is like gardening. You need to cultivate news.

• Follow up on stories.

Reporting tips

• Beat reporting is like gardening. You need to cultivate news.

• Follow up on stories.

• Be present. Go to events.

Reporting tips

• Beat reporting is like gardening. You need to cultivate news.

• Follow up on stories.

• Be present. Go to events.

• Build relationships. Remember to use sources smartly.

Writing on a beat

• Make things clear. Don't overuse technical jargon.

Writing on a beat

• Make things clear. Don't overuse technical jargon.

• Make it human. Show how it impacts people's lives.

Writing on a beat

• Make things clear. Don't overuse technical jargon.

• Make it human. Show how it impacts people's lives.

• Money is always interesting. How much is public paying.

Writing on a beat• Make things clear. Don't overuse technical

jargon.

• Make it human. Show how it impacts people's lives.

• Money is always interesting. How much is public paying.

• Ask questions like you represent the readers.

Assignment

• Find a local angle for your beat

• Write a 400 word story

• Inside Reporting, p. 52-63