Reading Up on Journalism
The above is pretty brief rundown of journalism so it’s a great idea to read up more about the field, if it interests you. To that end here are some books, from straightforward tomes about writing stories to romantic (and sometimes crazy) tales of being a reporter:
The Elements of Journalism by Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel: This book is a good primer on the basics of news writing.
Associated Press Guide to News Writing: Another good guide to straightforward news reporting.
The New New Journalism by Robert Boynton: A wonderful collection of interviews with some of the leading long-form journalists working today. Especially good since the reporters share details on their work habits and how they got started in the industry
The Mammoth Book of Journalism: 101 Masterpieces from the Finest Writers and Reporters edited by Jon Lewis: Since I think it’s inherently important to simply read great writing to become a better writer, this collection is a good place to start. In it you'll find pieces by some of the luminaries in the field, everyone from Hemingway to Orwell.
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson: What do two guys with a car-full of drugs headed out for a bender in Vegas have to do with journalism? Well Thompson, who's credited with creating Gonzo Journalism -- his free-wheeling style was marked by the fact that he inserted himself into his stories -- is a giant in the field. To boot, the book's a very fun read. (Also check out Fear and Loathing: On the Campaign Trail, in which Thompson chronicles covering the ’72 presidential race…as irreverently and drugged up as ever.)
Eats, Shoots & Leaves by Lynne Truss: Even if you’re not planning on being a copy editor, you should have more than passable grammar skills. And this nifty little guide to punctuation makes a seemingly boring topic quite a bit of fun.
The Elements of Style by William Strunk and E.B. White: Since we can't talk grammar and not mention the classic book on the topic, I advise checking out this little book; it's original standard, originally published in 1957, for the basic elements of writing.
The Boys on the Bus by Timothy Crouse -- A much loved account of Crouse’s time following the ’72 presidential election as a reporter “on the bus,” i.e. traveling with the candidates (same as Thompson in the aforemention Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail, Nixon and McGovern.
