Sports Journalism: An Introduction To Reporting And Writing

STOFER, SCHAFFER, JOURNALISM | SPORTS WRITING “Sports Journalism is an easy-to-read, easy-to-digest primer that conveys a sense of enthusiasm and authority about sports reporting. A variety of sources—including reporters, editors, commentators, and bloggers—make each chapter a lively read. The book also provides a thoroughly up-to-date view of the modern sports journalist, working with the spectrum of technology to bring fans the best in coverage.” —Marie Hardin, Penn State University AND “Sports Journalism is a quality introduction to the life of a sports reporter. It is filled with fundamental information that tomorrow’s professional sports reporters will need to survive in a changing media system.” —Bryan Murley, Eastern Illinois University KATHRYN T. STOFER • JAMES R. SCHAFFER • BRIAN A. ROSENTHAL ROSENTHAL SPORTS JOURNALISM AN INTRODUCTION TO REPORTING AND WRITING An easily accessible format uses checklists, illustrations, and anecdotes to show story organization, news release format, news conference protocol, and media guide content. Chapters include suggested exercises and activities. KATHRYN T. STOFER is professor of communication arts at Hastings College. JAMES R. SCHAFFER is professor of journalism at Nebraska Wesleyan University. SPORTS JOURNALISM Introductory chapters acquaint readers with challenges in an industry in transition: changing technology, multimedia capability, citizen journalists and bloggers, shrinking news holes, and the deadline-dictated lifestyle of sports journalists. Skills chapters elaborate on news values and the conventions of journalism as they apply to sports writing. From leads to nut grafs, inverted pyramid to Model T, simple sentences to headlines, interviewing to using quotations, Sports Journalism focuses on the basics. The book expands the writer’s experience into building relationships with sources and media contacts, using numbers and statistics, practicing AP style, and abiding by legal and ethical standards. AN INTRODUCTION TO REPORTING AND WRITING Sports Journalism introduces students to sports reporting careers and to the writing style sports writers and media relations professionals use. The book stresses the importance of basic writing fundamentals and high ethical standards, essential values for sports journalists. BRIAN A. ROSENTHAL is a sports writer at the Lincoln Journal Star and has served as adjunct professor at Hastings College. SportsJourDSRPBK.indd 1 90000 9 780742 561748 Cover image © ASSOCIATED PRESS Cover design by Neil D. Cotterill ROWMAN & LITTLEFIELD For orders and information please contact the publisher Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc. A wholly owned subsidiary of The Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group, Inc. 4501 Forbes Boulevard, Suite 200 Lanham, Maryland 20706 1-800-462-6420 www.rowmanlittlefield.com 9/23/09 9:33:27 AM Sports Journalism Sports Journalism AN INTRODUCTION TO REPORTING AND WRITING Kathryn T. Stofer James R. Schaffer Brian A. Rosenthal ROWMAN & LITTLEFIELD PUBLISHERS, INC. Lanham • Boulder • New York • Toronto • Plymouth, UK Published by Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc. A wholly owned subsidiary of The Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group, Inc. 4501 Forbes Boulevard, Suite 200, Lanham, Maryland 20706 www.rowmanlittlefield.com Estover Road, Plymouth PL6 7PY, United Kingdom Copyright © 2010 by Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote passages in a review. British Library Cataloguing in Publication Info