Journalism: The Democratic Craft

Abstract

How does an instructor integrate journalism theory and practice in ways that are meaningful to students? G. Stuart Adam and Roy Peter Clark answer this question by combining relevant and engaging readings and practical writing instruction in Journalism: the democratic craft. An anthology and textbook in one, this volume enhances students' critical thinking skills and overall understanding of their discipline. It begins with inspirational reflections on journalism and democracy, followed by commentary on the journalistic craft. Adam and Clark, seasoned instructors at the Poynter Institute for Media Studies and elsewhere, present published works from a diversity of voices--from George Orwell, V. S. Naipaul, Susan Sontag, and John Hersey, to Seymour Hersh, David Halberstam, and Tom Wolfe. The book's content and organization are designed to strengthen students' practical skills. The authors introduce and promote the development of "The editor's lexicon"--terms that guide the creation of journalistic texts and direct their repair and evaluation. A language that master editors speak in their supervisory roles, this lexicon is also used by reporters when they make news judgments, gather evidence, compose stories, and interpret events. Each section features a concluding study guide and exercises that have been class-tested by the authors. These features provide for the effective use of the book by educators and students alike. Journalism: the democratic craft narrows the gap between the classroom and the profession, providing an all-in-one solution to the long lists of required books for advanced news writing and reporting courses.

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