Reports on a study indicating that campus newspapers ought to be making efforts to find out whether their readers really want or read longer stories, such as in investigative or interpretive reporting. (RL)

Reports on survey data revealing the changes in advanced reporting courses, particularly those focusing on investigative reporting and specialized reporting (urban affairs, business, law, education). (RL)

Four journalism teachers provide information on the use of tape recordings and written transcripts to illustrate the importance of factual accuracy, voluntary participation in a special advertising class, a method of teaching the history of public relations, and the importance of drill work to improve journalists' spelling abilities. (RL)

The author explains how she taught third- and fourth-graders the skills needed to produce a class newspaper: note-taking, layout, news writing, and proofreading. She found that learning research skills and disciplined newswriting improved students' writing in general. (SJL)

Discusses trends and concerns in news reporting and news writing, including the accuracy of investigative reporting, the increased use of news "leaks" and unidentified sources, and the need to orient newspaper content toward real people with real interests instead of writing for an "average" reader. (RL)

Examines the way in which United States journalists covered the views of the South African Black leader Steven Biko both before and after his death in prison in 1977; concludes that the coverage did not provide readers with an adequate understanding of Biko, his organizations, or his life. (GT)

Provides specific examples of journalism teachers' working summer internships at newspapers and television news departments. Illustrates the value of teachers' occasionally "tuning up" their journalism skills. (RL)

The article reports the results of a study of the content of courses listed in the Directory of Science Communications Courses and Programs (ED 162 841). The intent was to examine resource materials used in the courses and to describe the number and nature of major writing assignments required in the courses. (RE)

Examines (in a national survey) administrators' perceptions of treatment by student reporters and how the respondents' views as sources differ. Discusses what journalism teachers, students newspaper advisers, and interested administrators might learn from these findings. Finds that the more often administrators served as sources, the higher was…

Lists the following 10 tips for improved sports writing in high school publications: reporting comes before writing; do not try to do too much; show, do not tell; do not do game stories; avoid cliches; avoid "jock-talk"; use the drama of sports; do not write the obvious story; sports is also news; and read great sports writing. (PM)

Examines the relationship between ability grouping of media writing students and their writing competence over time. Finds that students in the different ability groups start the media writing course with a wide gap in mechanical skill level; the gap is eliminated at final exam time. Notes that when students are measured on the same set of skills…

Examines recall of three feature articles by rating paragraphs according to degree of mental imagery evoked, affect evoked, and importance of the article as a whole. Finds that readers are more likely to remember content that is subjectively important than content viewed as objectively important. (KEH)

A science column featuring University of Kentucky research projects is offered to community newspapers in Kentucky free of charge. Suggestions for similar projects include emphasize personal contact, maintain the column's focus, establish a local tie-in, keep the piece short, edit carefully, make a professional presentation, etc. (MLW)

Describes the Student Press Corps, a program in which high school students submit weekly columns concerning local high school events for editing and possible publication by the local newspaper. Reports that training sessions have been fully enrolled for two years and that all participants are extremely positive about the program. (RS)

Surveys 80 of the nation's largest daily newspapers to determine whether they have adopted the term "African American" and how it is used. Most editors (98%) indicated race is used to identify people in news copy. Only about 26% used African American. None used African American exclusively. (SLD)