Drumming up News
Module 1, Activity 1.8 - Types of Reporters
Student Page
(teacher version of this lesson)

Introduction: There are three types of reporters: general assignment reporters, beat reporters and specialists. While all are journalists and all use the same process when they are writing, the way they find information is different. In this lesson you will learn the difference between the three types, and learn how reporters find stories.
Activities: Task One - Learning the Types Watch a reporter explain what her "beat" is. Ater viewing, read the handout on types of reporters, and complete the accompanying chart.
Live Sources Academic expert Social Services Spokesperson Lawyer Police Government Insider Witness	Secondary Sources Database Web site Research Study Journal Report Transcript of a meeting Book
Task Two - Finding the Source As a class, brainstorm a list of potential stories in your community. Write the list on the board. In small groups, discuss who you might talk to to find out information about the story you selected. As you discuss each potential source, remember to balance that source with other sources from different perspectives. For example, if you choose a parent who is lobbying for the town to get a curfew, you should also choose a young person who would be affected. Then you might add transcript from the town council's debate on the subject, an interview with an RCMP officer and some statistics on the success of curfews in other towns.
	Finding and evaluating sources is a fundamental skill that all journalists have

Objectives: You will be able to - understand effective news gathering and editing techniques - recognize the importance for journalists of interviewing, researching, and reporting - listen to understand and learn.
Resources: - Handout on types of reporters - Contact with a reporter, a mini-tape recorder (if possible), and your pre-made questions. - video in Alternate Task Three - video on "beats"
	View the Alternate Task Three - You watch interview clip, then answer questions and create a transcript
Task Three - Adding the Live Perspective Contact a nearby paper that employs professional journalists. Set up an appointment to meet with a reporter from the paper at his or her convenience. Prepare a list of a minimum of 10 questions to ask including: 1. Do you have a particular type of news you are responsible for? 2. How do you find a story? 3. Who decides what stories you do? 4. How do you get information for your stories? At the interview, ask for permission to record the interview or write down the reporter's comments (called a transcript). If you record the interview, it will allow you to be more spontaneous, but you will still need to make a transcript later. When you complete the interview, tell the reporter what type of reporter you think she is (like beat) and see if you are right. Keep your transcript for use during the lesson on interviewing.

Last Updated
May 30, 2005

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