training

A lead (also known as a lede) is the first paragraph or several paragraphs of a story, be it a blog entry or a long article. Its mission is to catch readers’ attention and draw them in. Getting them truly involved is the duty of the rest of the story; getting them to that point is the job of the lead.

Many people don’t read business news, and for good reason. There’s nothing more boring than a story that uses a bunch of numbers in the lead without explaining what’s actually going on. But business news writing doesn’t have to be boring, or laden with numbers.

The economic situation in the country during the past three years means that many companies, and many consumers, have struggled financially. And when these businesses and individuals can no longer pay their bills, they head to the closest location of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court.

In the age of digital journalism, developing advanced online search skills is crucial to professional success. They can open vast worlds of relevant data and information that can make reporters both more efficient and more knowledgeable.

Acronyms are words formed from the initial letters of a multiword term. These can be names of organizations (NATO), nations (USA), and phrases (FAQ). While acronyms are highly efficient, care needs to be taken when using them. Too many, the AP Style Guide warns, produces “alphabet soup.”

General guidelines

A profile of a company or CEO is a staple of business journalism. Fortune magazine developed the concept back in the 1930s, and today virtually every business publication and section produces these stories. Why profiles? They’re a good way to give readers context, explaining whether a company is performing well or poorly, and whether the CEO’s strategy is working, and what is means for the firm.

With 1,701 deals worth $362.3 billion announced in the first half of 2010, according to Mergermarket, it’s no wonder that covering mergers and acquisitions is an important aspect of business journalism.

The beginning of the 2011 journalism school year is already upon us.

We’ve aggregated a variety of video clips that are worth considering for young reporters in training and those looking to chart a career in a profession that is rapidly changing.

Below are eight clips to check out:

Dorothy J. Gaiter, longtime writer for the Wall Street Journal, talks about the importance of journalism school: