The NewsCoach discussion list, hosted by The Poynter Institute, addresses issues relating to newsroom training. Some discussions are presented here, with minimal editing by Steve Buttry.
More edited threads are archived here.










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  • So-What Graphs Tips for teaching beginners how to write "so-what graphs" that tell the reader why the story is important.
  • How to recharge a copy desk malaise This discussion addressed how to recharge a copy desk that's operating in a bit of a down cycle.
  • Grades vs. Clips This discussion addressed a question many journalism students wonder about: Which is more important to my future employers: my grades or my clips?
  • Writing with Authority Reporters don't want to be repeatedly told that writing with authority is a matter of experience. This tip sheet offers practical advice for those who are struggling with how to bring authority to their writing.
  • Writing Serial Narratives This lively discussion thread started with a question on how to to deliver a serial over several days.
  • Internship programs ideas Newsroom trainers discuss ideas for orientation programs for newsroom interns.
  • Helping reporters make deadline This lively discussion thread started with a question about helping reporters make deadline and covered the importance of nurturing good writers and respecting copy editors.
  • How to curb the corrections plague Nancy Weil of the IDG News Service wanted to know how to curb the corrections plague that erupts periodically with some of their younger reporters.
  • Sportswriting Want to teach the basics of sportswriting? John Hatcher launched the discussion on learning sportswriting. Rene Kaluza compiled the tips for NTNG.
  • Good Ideas: Where great enterprise comes from, and how it grows Laurie Hertzel, writing coach and editor of the Minneapolis Star Tribune's newsroom newsletter Above the Fold, launched the discussion about where great story ideas come from. She edited the responses into this piece for Above the Fold.
  • How to report and write a tough but fair profile We too often profile people somewhat superficially - we interview people who like the subject, people who don't, have the big interview, chronicle the subject's newsworthiness, and we're outta there.
  • Helping the chronic late filer How do you help the reporter who habitually files late copy? He's an excellent reporter, and he knows how he wants to structure his stories, but it takes him too long to get it down in words.
  • Helping reporters focus stories This discussion includes several suggestions for helping reporters focus stories.
  • Teaching skills for new media Bill Mitchell of the Poynter Institute launched the discussion with questions about teaching new media skills and jump-starting the Web sites of college papers.
  • Teaching and training journalists in the use of numbers This discussion grew from the above discussion on teaching skills for new media and for copy editors. John Kroll started the discussion of numbers with the final paragraph of his message about teaching for new media and copy editors.
  • Critiques This discussed whether and how to critique the daily newspaper.
  • Nut Grafs This discussion responded to the question, Has anyone out there any ideas on teaching leads and nut graphs to young reporters?
  • Covering Routine Stories Steve Silberman of The Idaho Statesman wanted to bring more story telling to everyday stories and to help some slow reporters to speed up. His request started this thread on "covering routine events".
Unedited versions of these threads are archived at
http://talk.poynter.org/newscoach/

Page last updated:
 October 1, 2004