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 Harrower
ABOUT
THE AUTHOR
“Inside Reporting” was
written and designed by

Third Edition
Tim Harrower, who has
been an award-winning
editor, columnist and
design guru at such No other textbook offers a more innovative approach to news writing than
newspapers as
The Oregonian and the
Inside Reporting. Along with its visual presentation of the basics, this new
Rochester Times-Union. edition provides a useful guide to digital journalism: from blogs and social

INSIDE REPORTING
◆ media to multi-platform reporting. It also offers more real-world advice
He became a journalist on package planning and short-form storytelling — both in print
back in the ’80s after his and online — than any other textbook in the field.
original career choice –
rock ’n’ roll superlegend – “Inside Reporting is, without doubt, the best journalism text I’ve seen.
fizzled out. It’s well-written, entertaining and interesting. And it reinforces everything I teach.
◆ Harrower deals with the mission and craft of journalism,
Harrower’s first book, and he does it with grace and style.”
“The Newspaper Designer’s MIKE FOLEY,
Handbook,” has become University of Florida

MD DALIM #1192977 5/9/12 CYAN MAG YELO BLK

a fixture in newsrooms
and classrooms around “It’s the best overall text on basic, solid journalism I’ve ever found —
the world and has been and it’s got pleasant surprises for students and instructors
translated into Russian, at practically every turn of the page.”
Chinese and Polish. RICHARD JOYCE,

A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO THE CRAFT OF JOURNALISM

◆ Colorado State University, Pueblo
He currently hosts “I love Tim’s book, and so do our beginning news writing students. What attracts
journalism workshops, and holds students’ attention is Harrower’s obvious energy and enthusiasm.
consults on redesigns This is not your father’s reporting textbook — the news business today is
and produces multimedia about a lot more than inverted pyramids. Harrower’s book is smart and funny,
from his cottage deep in and that connects with my students. Not many textbooks are both thick
the Oregon woods.
with real-world advice and content, and also fun to read. This one is.”
◆
EDWARD PEASE,
For more details, visit Utah State University
www.timharrower.com
“The book is the miracle of the 21st century.”
CATHY STABLEIN,
College of Dupage

ISBN 978-0-07-352617-1
MHID 0-07-352617-7
EAN

www.mhhe.com
 3

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The author is sincerely grateful to the following colleagues: Page; Scott Byers; Diana Sugg; Paul Overberg; Tom Henderson; Stephen
u The McGraw-Hill staff: Phil Butcher and Rhona Robbin, for all their Henderson; Greg Esposito; Adam Schefter; Frank Main; David Austin;
help in the beginning; Deb Hash; Melissa Leick; Nicole Bridge; David Tietz; Amanda Bennett; Kyle Keener; Ron Matthews; Charles Stough; Rachel
Karyn Morrison; Susan Gouijnstook. MacKnight; Josh Awtry; Don Wittekind; Clay Frost; Michael Dupras;
Chris Courtney; Jay Small; Paige West; Gary Kiefer; Seth Gitner; Andrew
u Advice and feedback: Marie Naughton and her students at Washington DeVigal; David Simon; Tim Reuter; Frank LoMonte; Peter Bhatia.
State University Vancouver; Buck Ryan and his students at the University
u Supplement authors:
of Kentucky; Linda Vogt and her students at Clackamas Community
— Paul Kandell, teacher and journalist, for the online workbook.
College; Mark Witherspoon, Brenda Witherspoon and Barbara Mack,
— David Swartzlander of Doane College for the instructor’s manual and
Iowa State University; Mark Larson, Humboldt State University; Wayne
test bank.
Kamidoi; Tracy Collins; Don Hamilton; Stu Tomlinson; Amy Martinez
— Michael Swinford of Saint Anselm College for the quizzes, learning goals
Starke; Jeff Mapes; James Tidwell; John Zelezny; Jay Bender; Tracy Barry
and chapter summaries on the Online Learning Center.
and Joe Donlon; Melanie Mesaros; Pete Schulberg; Ken Kahn.
u Student survey coordinators: Dan Close, Wichita State University; Mark
u Morgue annotations: Special thanks to the writers who generously
Larson, Humboldt State University; Renee Collins, Adrian College; Cheryl
shared their insights and expertise: David Sarasohn, Don Hamilton, Dave
Pell, Michigan State University; Buck Ryan, University of Kentucky; Mark
Philipps, Jodi Cohen, Alana Baranick, Vanessa Gezari, Sanne Specht, Stuart
Witherspoon, Iowa State University; Michael Kennedy, Chadron State
Tomlinson, Linda Johnson, Kelley Benham, Heather Svokos, Jon Paul
College; David Simpson, Georgia Perimeter College.
Morosi, Brian Windhorst, Joe Posnanski, Colleen Kenney, Judd Slivka,
Manish Mehta, Doug Elfman, Marshall Fine, Dan Wetzel. u And most of all: Without you, Robin, this book — and pretty much
everything else, actually — would not be possible.
u Illustrations and photography: Big thanks to Tim Reuter and the staff
of the Iowa State Daily for those cool cover photos; Steve Cowden; Tony For the “Press Room” segments that appeared in the first edition
Champagne; Joe Spooner; Michael Lloyd; Ross Hamilton; Chuck Kennedy; of Inside Reporting, we hounded 100 veteran reporters with weekly
Marshall Gorby; Monica Lopossay; Patrick Farrell; Rylan Howe. email questions for nine months. We’ve added to their ranks for both
u Contributors of words and images: Wally Benson; Sheryl Swingley; the second and third editions of this book, and we’re sincerely grate-
ful for everyone’s contributions.
J. Ford Huffman; Harris Siegel; Steve Dorsey; Tracy Collins; Bonita With all the turmoil in the news industry, many of these journalists have relocated,
Burton; Denis Finley; Rob Curley; Lora Cuykendall; Jonathon Berlin; retired, been laid off — and in some cases, simply vanished. Keeping their credentials
Linda Robertson; Michael Gartner; Steve Buttry; Jim Stasiowski; J. Taylor up to date is an impossible task in a book like this. Thus, their attributions reflect where
Buckley; Roger Ebert; Susan Mango Curtis; Robb Montgomery; Susan they worked at the time they offered their advice.

ACADEMIC REVIEWERS Dale Cressman, Brigham Young University Joel Kendall, Southwestern Oklahoma State
Kathleen Bartzen Culver, University of University
Special thanks to these instructors for taking time
Wisconsin Teresa Lamsam, University of Nebraska, Omaha
to provide valuable feedback on the text:
Bonnie Newman Davis, Virginia Commonwealth Cynthia Lancaster, Pima Community College
Michael E. Abrams, Florida A& M University University Kimberly Lauffer, Towson University
Aje-Ori Agbese, University of Texas-Pan Lori Demo, Ball State University Alyssa Lenhoff, Youngstown State University
American Jack Dimond, Missouri State University Gary H. Mayer, Stephen F. Austin State
Candace Baltz, College of Southern Idaho Nancy M. Dupont, University of Mississippi University
Julie Beard, Lindenwood University Eric B. Easton, University of Baltimore School Frances McDavid, Mississippi State University
Glen Bleske, California State University – Chico of Law Lyn Millner, Florida Gulf Coast University
Linda Thorsen Bond, Stephen F. Austin State Amy Eisman, American University Joseph A. Mirando, Southeastern Louisiana
University Leo Eko, University of Iowa University
Ron Bonn, University of San Diego Nahed Eltantawy, High Point University Jim Namiotka, Seton Hall University
Jeff Boone, Angelo State University Russ Eshleman, Penn State University Patrick Claiborne Neal, Clemson University
Candace Perkins Bowen, Kent State University Mike Foley, University of Florida Michele Papakie-McCoy, Indiana University of
Linda Bowen, California State University – Jennifer Follis, University of Illinois at Urbana- Pennsylvania
Northridge Champaign Ted Pease, Utah State University
Janna Braun, San Diego Mesa College Kym Fox, Texas State University – San Marcos Mark Plenke, Normandale Community College
Jay Braverman, Montclair State University Eileen Gilligan, SUNY Oswego Terry L. Renter, Bowling Green State University
Susan Brockus, California State University – George Gladney, University of Wyoming Christopher B. Ritchie, Pennsylvania State
Chico Mark Hanebutt, University of Central Oklahoma University
Mark A. Butzow, Western Illinois University Felicia LeDuff Harry, Nicholls State University Joseph E. Spevak, San Diego State University
Carolyn S. Carlson, Georgia State University Kelley Hayden, University of Nevada Cathy Stablein, College of DuPage
John Carvalho, Auburn University Cheryl Heckler, Miami University Fred Stewart, Texas A&M University, Commerce
Laura Castaneda, USC Annenberg School for Patsy Iwasaki, University of Hawaii at Hilo Stephen E. Stewart, Troy University
Communication and Journalism Lana Jackson, Amarillo College Sara Stone, Baylor University
Betty Clapp, Cleveland State University Kirsten Johnson, Elizabethtown College George Sylvie, University of Texas at Austin
Dan E. Close, Wichita State University Richard A. Joyce, Colorado State University, Michael Swinford, Saint Anselm College
Kay Colley, University of North Texas Pueblo James C. Wilson, University of Cincinnati
Steve Craig, University of North Texas Rachele Kanigel, San Francisco State University Linda K. Zeigler, Tyler Junior College
James L. Crandall, Aims Community College Johanna Keller, Syracuse University John B. Zibluk, Arkansas State University

har26177_front_matter.indd 7 5/18/12 11:02 AM

 4

ABOUT THIS BOOK

T his is not your father’s

journalism textbook.
No, times have changed.
Reading habits have changed. And
journalism has changed, too.
THE THREE
MAIN SECTIONS
OF THIS BOOK
1 All key topics are
presented on two-page
It wasn’t always like this. Years ago, spreads like this one,
people had time. They had patience. making the information
Textbooks were books filled with text, easier to navigate.
page after page — long rows of type Subjects are packaged into
full of deep thoughts. short, concise sections —
Today, we process information like spreads in a magazine.
differently. We need speed. We want
visual stimulation. We want a little
Links to related topics are .
personality, too (but nothing too indicated by red arrows here,
distracting or goofy). Nobody likes along the bottom of the page.
long, lifeless lectures anymore.
Journalists understand this — or at
least they should. They know they’re
supposed to present information in
a visually engaging, reader-friendly
way. So we started to wonder:
What if we produced a textbook that
2 At the beginning and
presented information in a visually
end of each chapter, pages
engaging, reader-friendly way?
are framed by a gray border.
Wow! What a radical idea! This makes them visually
To do that, we had to break a few distinct from the main
rules and invent some new ones. two-page topic spreads
As you tour this book, you’ll notice: so they’ll be easy to find.
u The design. There’s lots of color, Look here for exercises,
photos and graphics, sure, but the the Press Room and
logic of the design is more important other extras.
than the look. Though topics are
explored in depth, they’re arranged
into concise, easy-to-digest chunks.
And to keep long newswriting
excerpts from bogging things down,
we’ve relocated them here, in the 3 The back of the book
back of the book. is called “The Morgue” —
u The navigation. Topics are clearly
an old newspaper term for
a newsroom library. Part
labeled and easy to find. Each two-
anthology, part scrapbook,
page spread focuses on a key subject.
the Morgue supplements the
And constant links provide cross- text by presenting complete
references throughout the book. stories for detailed analysis.
u The tone. Most textbooks sound
like textbooks. This one reads like a We’ve asked many of the original
magazine article: concise, practical, writers of these stories to provide
informal. That made sense to us. insights and commentary here, .
After all, why shouldn’t a journalism in the margins of the text.
texbook be designed and written as if
it’s actually. . . . . a form of journalism?

ONLINE Accessible at www.mhhe.com/harrower3e , the Online Webliography, learning goals, chapter summaries and a
EXTRAS Learning Center provides instructors and students a wealth glossary.
of resources that supplement Inside Reporting. The Instructor Edition of the site includes an instructor’s
The Student Edition of the Online Learning Center manual that features teaching tips, key points, class discus-
includes a workbook with numerous skill-building exercises sion topics and activities, suggested homework assignments,
and activities, multiple-choice, true-false and grammar a test bank with questions on key concepts, grammar and
quizzes with feedback, annotated links from the book’s AP style, and PowerPoint slides.

har26177_front_matter.indd 8 5/18/12 11:02 AM

 5

CHAPTER

The story
of journalism
Before you begin learning how to report and write stories,
take a tour of the heroes and history that brought us this far.

IN THIS CHAPTER:
6 Newsroom heroes, legends and folklore
Highlights from the history of journalism, from Mark Twain and Lois Lane to “Citizen Kane.”
8 The birth of journalism
How newspapers were established in America —
and how the fight for a free press led to war.
10 News in the 19th century
Mass media dominated city streets, while
yellow journalism gave reporters a bad name.
12 News in the 20th century
Radio and television threaten the media
monopoly newspapers enjoyed for centuries.
14 Today’s changing media landscape
The availability of news online has created new opportunities and challenges for journalists.
16 The student journalists’ news attitude survey
Compare your news consumption habits to those of hundreds of other students nationwide.

har26177_ch01_005-016.indd 1 5/18/12 11:06 AM

 6 THE STORY OF JOURNALISM

Newsroom heroes,
legends and folklore
Looking for a career that boasts a long, colorful tradition?
Welcome to the world of journalism, where reporters have been digging dirt,
raking muck, making headlines and meeting deadlines for centuries now. It’s a
history full of tabloid trash, of slimy sensationalists, of “drunkards, deadbeats and
bummers” (as a Harvard University president once described reporters). In the 1970s, the investigative reporting of Bob
But it’s a history full of heroes, too: men and women risking their lives to tell Woodward (left) and Carl Bernstein exposed the
Watergate scandal that forced President Nixon to
stories of war and tragedy, risking imprisonment to defend free speech. And as resign. The exploits of those two Washington Post
you can see here, reporters have become beloved characters in pop culture, too, reporters became a popular book and movie,
turning up in movies, comics and TV shows as if guided by an occult hand. providing inspiration to journalists everywhere.

FIVE LEGENDARY JOURNALISTS FIVE MYTHS

EVERY REPORTER SHOULD KNOW 30 SLANG TERMS ABOUT REPORTERS
FOR “REPORTER”
MARK TWAIN (1835-1910) 1. Female reporters are gutsy, idealistic,
jotter ink-stained wretch
Twain (real name: Samuel Clemens) is best known as the beautiful and single; male reporters are
journo pavement-prowler
humorist who created Tom Sawyer and wrote a classic surly, cynical loners who’ll lie, cheat and
scribe knight of the pen
novel, “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.” But Twain scrivener headline hunter ruin people’s lives to get a juicy scoop.
honed his craft as a reporter in Nevada and California, hoofer slang-whanger 2. Reporters routinely solve mysteries
writing columns, feature stories and travel pieces that hound Fourth Estater before the cops do, especially after their
made him popular all across the country. snoop bloodhound editors yank them off the stories.
stringer bull shooter 3. Reporters spend all of their time either:
legman ink slinger a) ambushing celebrities outside nightclubs,
NELLIE BLY (1864-1922) newsie news grabber
Called “the best reporter in America” in the late 1800s, b) dodging bullets in foreign hot spots, or
scratcher nosy newsy c) shouting questions at crooked politicians
Bly (real name: Elizabeth Cochrane) pioneered investigative gazetteer paper stainer on the steps of City Hall.
journalism with her bold undercover adventures: getting news hack paragrapher
herself locked up in a lunatic asylum, working in a sweat- news hen pencil pusher 4. Reporters celebrate big stories by drink-
shop to expose child-labor abuses and, in a famous pen driver wordster ing whiskey bottles hidden in their desks.
publicity stunt, traveling around the world in 72 days. 5. All reporters have a liberal bias.

H.L. MENCKEN (1880-1956)

Looking for biting, brilliantly quotable social commentary?
Mencken’s your man. Whether ranting about politics FIVE INSPIRATIONAL BOOKS
(“Democracy is the art of running the circus from the EVERY REPORTER SHOULD READ
monkey cage”) or people (“There’s no underestimating
“ALL THE PRESIDENT’S MEN” by Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward — A gripping tale of
the intelligence of the American public”), Mencken became
politics, scandal, conspiracies, lies and the dogged determination of two heroic reporters.
a journalism legend in the first half of the 20th century.
That’s right: heroic. Watching Woodward and Bernstein unravel the threads that lead to
Nixon’s downfall is exhilarating. The world needs more gutsy reporters like these guys.
ERNEST HEMINGWAY (1899-1961)
“THE ELEMENTS OF STYLE” by Strunk and White — Lots of books tell you how to
Where did this influential American novelist develop his
write. Most of them make it painful. But this one is full of savvy advice that will stick
straightforward prose style? Covering crimes and fires
with you for years, like use the active voice and omit needless words. Studying this
for The Kansas City Star, where his editors’ admonitions
100-page mini-manual helps make your prose truly pro.
to use short sentences, short paragraphs and vigorous
English “were the best rules I ever learned for the “WRITING FOR STORY” by Jon Franklin — If you stay in this business long enough,
business of writing,” Hemingway later recalled. you’ll eventually wonder: How do I write a gripping, Pulitzer Prize-winning epic? Frank-
lin’s popular feature-writing guide teaches you all the techniques: structure, flashbacks,
HUNTER S. THOMPSON (1937-2005) foreshadowing, pacing. And it’s loaded with inspiring examples.
Hey, we didn’t say these were all exemplary role models; “THE CORPSE HAD A FAMILIAR FACE” by Edna
we just said you should know about them. And for good Buchanan — If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be
or bad, every reporter needs to ingest some of Hunter a crime reporter in a city full of creeps, crooks and crazies
Thompson’s “gonzo journalism,” a wacko blend of satire, (Miami), the legendary Buchanan will not only show you
profanity and hallucinogenic exaggeration. Beware: This — she’ll inspire you to start covering cops, too.
stuff was dangerously excessive and crazily entertaining. “INSIDE REPORTING” by Tim Harrower —
Kidding! Just kidding! Instead, find a copy of “The New
Journalism,” a terrific sampler edited by Tom Wolfe that
Visit THE MORGUE to read excerpts from these writers’ works:
anthologizes late-20th-century journalistic legends like
TWAIN > 208 BLY > 210 MENCKEN > 214 HEMINGWAY > 213 THOMPSON > 216 Mailer, Capote, Didion and Wolfe himself. Don’t miss it.

MORE ON THE OCCULT HAND SOCIETY 298 MORE ON WATERGATE AND “DEEP THROAT” > 252

har26177_ch01_005-016.indd 2 5/18/12 11:06 AM

 THE STORY OF JOURNALISM 7

FIVE ESSENTIAL JOURNALISM FILMS

“CITIZEN KANE” — We all know how crazy reporters can be. This 1941 Orson
Welles masterpiece shows you how rich, powerful and loony publishers can be.
Watching this film transports you back to a golden age of journalism that’s gone
forever. Critics agree that “Citizen Kane ” showcases some of the most brilliant
moviemaking of all time; luckily for us, it’s about newspapers, too.
“PAGE ONE: INSIDE THE NEW YORK TIMES” — This engrossing 2011 BEST NEWSROOM RANT:
documentary takes you behind the scenes inside America’s most influential “You know what people use
newsroom as reporters track down stories, editors wrestle with controversial these for? They roll them up
issues, and everyone ponders the future of the news media. and swat their puppies for
“BROADCAST NEWS” — A smart, comedic look at the personalities in front of wetting on the rug — they
AND behind the cameras in a network newsroom. William Hurt plays an airheaded spread them on the floor when
Part detective story, part political thriller, anchor who represents the brainless artificiality of television news. Holly Hunter they’re painting the walls —
“ALL THE PRESIDENT’S MEN” is both inspiring plays a producer grappling with her values, her workload and her love life. they wrap fish in them — shred
and entertaining. Starring Robert Redford “BURMA VJ” — Just how important is freedom of the press? Using footage them up and pack their two-bit
as Woodward (left) and Dustin Hoffman as smuggled out of Burma, this inspiring documentary shows how video journalists china in them when they
Bernstein, the 1976 film captures the tireless risked imprisonment — even death — to defy the government and document move — or else they pile up in
tenacity that turned these reporters into heroes. the military’s brutal suppression of peaceful protests in 2007. the garage until an inspector
declares them a fire hazard!
But this also happens to be a
couple of more things! It’s got
print on it that tells stories that
FIVE FAMOUS CLARK KENT and LOIS LANE are the two best reporters at The Daily Planet — though Lois seems to be the
hundreds of good men all over
FICTIONAL only one doing any actual reporting at that newspaper. And whenever Lois’ nose for news lands her in hot
water, Superman (Clark’s other identity) conveniently manages to save her before the world have broken their
NEWSROOM she blows her deadline. Ahh, if only it worked that way in real life . . . . backs to get. It gives a lot of
CHARACTERS LOU GRANT was the ultimate surly, burly, gruff-but-lovable editor.
information to a lot of people
who wouldn’t have known
On the legendary “Mary Tyler Moore” TV comedy back in the ’70s, Lou
about it if we hadn’t taken the
(played by Ed Asner, at right) ran a TV newsroom; on the “Lou Grant”
trouble to tell them. It’s the
spinoff, he was the classic crusty, crusading newspaper editor.
sum total of the work of a lot
BRENDA STARR was a pioneer: a strong female newspaper of guys who don’t quit. It’s
comic-strip character drawn by female cartoonists, which a newspaper . . . and it only
was rare when the series began in 1940. Readers loved the costs 10 cents, that’s all. But
redheaded reporter’s far-flung adventures and steamy love if you only read the comic
affairs. The final strip was published in 2011. section or the want ads —
JIMMY was an 8-year-old heroin addict whose heart- it’s still the best buy for
wrenching story won a Pulitzer Prize for Janet Cooke and your money in the world.”
The Washington Post in 1981. The problem? Jimmy didn’t William Conrad,
exist; the story was a fabrication. Cooke resigned, and her crusty city editor in the
award was revoked in the humiliating scandal that ensued. 1959 newspaper movie “30”

1.“Rock journalism is people 4. What’s the number-one final paragraphs, where he 12. Decades ago, reporters
who can’t write interviewing reason people watch most uttered one of the most famous typed a certain number to mark
people who can’t talk for local TV newscasts? phrases in journalism history. the end of every story. What
people who can’t read.” news What did Stanley say? was that number?
Who said that? sports 13. According to a recent 20-
weather 9. Who was the first woman
Lady Gaga to regularly anchor a nightly year study, which one of these
Rush Limbaugh 5. Who used to sign off his network newscast? news topics are Americans
Frank Zappa newscast by saying, “And most interested in?
that’s the way it is. . .” ? 10. Miami Herald editor John celebrities
2. What fictional editor used McMullen made this prediction
to cry, “Great Caesar’s ghost!” ? disasters
Think you’re smart 6. Which cable news network in 1982 about a radical new money
when it comes to 3. In the photo below, Harry attracts the most viewers? journalistic venture: “I don’t health
journalism facts S. Truman holds a copy of a think it has much chance. It
7. Which news website won’t offer much that’s original 14. On the
and folklore? legendary headline blooper.
old TV show
What did the headline say? attracts the most page views? or different. I give it two years.”
Prove it. “Sex and the
What was he talking about?
Take this quiz to 8. In 1872, Henry Stanley, City,” what
rate your JQ — star reporter for The New York 11. In what country will you was Sarah
your Journalism Herald, searched the African find the world’s largest news- Jessica
Quotient. jungle for a missing explorer. paper, with a circulation of Parker’s
Stanley’s epic account of his 13 million? newspaper
Answers on expedition climaxed in its India Brazil Japan job?
Page 304.

har26177_ch01_005-016.indd 3 5/18/12 11:06 AM

 8 THE STORY OF JOURNALISM

The birth of journalism

Every society seeks effective ways to spread new information and gossip.
In ancient times, news was scrawled onto clay tablets. In Caesar’s age, Romans read newsletters handwritten by slaves.
Wandering minstrels spread news (and the plague) in the Middle Ages. Then came ink on newsprint. Voices on airwaves.
Movie newsreels. TV network newscasts. Multi-
media websites. News apps for smartphones.
When scholars analyze journalism’s rich history, “ To publish
Newspaper
a good
is not so easy
some view it in terms of technological progress — an Undertaking as many
for example, the dramatic impact of bigger, faster People imagine it to be. The
Author of a Gazette ought
printing presses. to be qualified with an
Others see journalism as a form of literature, extensive Acquaintance with
one that’s constantly evolving as it reflects and Languages, a great Easiness
and Command of Writing
shapes its culture. and Relating Things clearly
Others see it as an inspiring quest for free speech, and intelligibly, and in a few
an endless power struggle between Authority (try- words; he should be able to
speak of War both by Land
ing to control information) and The People (trying and Sea; be well acquainted
to learn the truth). Which recalls the words of A.J. with Geography, with the
Liebling: “Freedom of the press is guaranteed only History of the time, with the
to those who own one.” several interests of Princes
In the pages ahead, we’ll take a quick tour of 600
and States . . .
”
Benjamin Franklin,
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, THE PRINTER
years of journalism history, from hieroglyphics to editor, The Pennsylvania Gazette
hypertext: the media, the message and the politics.

THE RISE AND FALL EXCERPTS from Publick Occurrences, Sept. 25, 1690:
OF AMERICA’S On a sex scandal involving the King of France: France is in much trouble
(and fear), not only with us but also with his Son, who has revolted against
FIRST NEWSPAPER him lately, and has great reason if reports be true, that the Father used to
Benjamin Harris was a printer who’d been lie with the Sons Wife.
jailed in London for his subversive writings. On a disease epidemic: The Small-pox which has been raging in Boston,
He fled to Boston in 1686, where he wrote after a manner very Extraordinary is now very much abated. . . . The number
a popular spelling primer, ran a successful of them that have dyed in Boston by this last Visitation is about three hun-
bookshop — and, in 1690, produced the dred and twenty. . . . It seized upon all sorts of people that came in the way
of it, it infected even Children in the bellies of Mothers that had themselves
first and only issue of Publick Occurrences
undergone the Disease many years ago.
Both Foreign and Domestick.
On the first Thanksgiving: The Christianized Indians in some parts of
It was a small newspaper, printed on three Plimouth, have newly appointed a day of Thanksgiving to God for his Mercy
pages. The fourth was left blank, so readers in supplying their extream and pinching Necessities under their late want of
could add news, then pass the paper along. Corn, & for His giving them now a prospect of a very Comfortable Harvest.
But Harris had failed to obtain a printing On war with the Indians (whom Harris calls “miserable Salvages”):
license. Worse, authorities claimed the paper When Capt. Mason was at Fort Real, he cut the faces and ript the bellies of
contained “doubtful and uncertain Reports,” two Indians, and threw a third overboard in the sight of the French, who in-
including criticism of military policy. So forming the other Indians of it, have in revenge barbarously Butcher’d forty
after one issue, the governor shut it down. Captives of our that were in their hands.

TIMELINE 1610: Weekly

newspapers
1620s: London printers
first distribute “corantos” —
1665: The first true English-language
newspaper is printed: twice weekly, the
(1400-1800)
appear in small pamphlets summarizing Oxford Gazette prints news of the British
The 1400s: Johann The 1500s: Henry Cologne and foreign news translated from court. After 24 issues, it moves to London
Gutenberg invents VIII censors printers Vienna. German and Dutch journals. and becomes the London Gazette.
the printing press by issuing a list of
around 1440, prohibited books 1600 1625 1650 1675 1700
printing his famous and forcing all
Bible in the 1450s. printers to obtain 1609: Europe’s first regularly 1644: English poet John Milton publishes 1690: In Boston,
William Caxton licenses. Authorities published newspapers emerge: his “Areopagitica,” an eloquent plea for Publick Occurrences
brings the first arrest printers for Avisa in Wolfenbüttel free speech. His ideas will be recycled a tries to become
printing press to sedition and (northern Germany) and century later by American revolutionaries America’s first
England in 1476. “unfitting worddes.” Relation in Strasbourg. struggling for greater press freedom. newspaper. It fails.

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 THE STORY OF JOURNALISM 9

THE ZENGER TRIAL AND MELVILLE E. STONE, the Chicago publisher who modernized The Associated
Press in the early 1900s, on the significance of the Zenger trial:
FREEDOM OF THE PRESS “The question before
The jury took the bit in their teeth and asserted their right to be the sole the court is not just
In 1734, when a brash young editor named judges of both the law and the facts. And so it came about that there was a
John Peter Zenger printed accusations of official the cause of the poor
famous revolution in the colonial law. The judge ceased to be the sole arbiter of
corruption in his New York Weekly Journal, the printer. No! It may in
an editor’s fate, and the truth when published from good motives and justifi-
angry governor had him arrested for libel. its consequence affect
able ends became an adequate defense for the journalist brought to bar. For
Zenger’s attorney, Andrew Hamilton, argued every freeman on the
the first time in the world’s history, the freedom of the press, so far as such
that citizens have a right to criticize the govern- main of America. It
freedom was consistent with public rights, was established. The seed which
ment, and that libel occurs only when printed is the best cause; it is
John Milton had sown a century before, when he wrote his famous plea for
the cause of Liberty. . .
words are “false, malicious and seditious.” “unlicensed printing,” had come to fruition. Gouverneur Morris said this verdict
was “the dawn of that liberty which afterward revolutionized America.”
the liberty both of
The jury agreed, and Zenger went free.
exposing and
opposing arbitrary
power by speaking
THE FIRST NEWSPAPER CARTOON and writing Truth.”
Andrew Hamilton,
When Ben Franklin ran this editorial cartoon in his Pennsylvania during the Zenger trial, 1735
Gazette in 1754, the snake symbolized the American colonies, which
needed to unite in self-defense against the French and Indians. It “Advertisements are
later symbolized the colonies in their fight for independence from now so numerous
the British, and the design was incorporated into the nameplate of that they are very
the influential Massachusetts Spy (see story below). negligently perused,
Franklin began his career as an apprentice on his brother’s paper, and it is therefore
the New England Courant. He became a witty writer and a bold become necessary
editor; his Gazette was lively, popular and profitable. “If all printers to gain attention
by magnificence of
were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would
promises and by
offend nobody,” he said, “there would be very little printed.”
eloquence some-
times sublime and
sometimes pathetick.
PATRIOTISM, PROPAGANDA AND THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR Promise — large
promise — is the soul
In 1765, the British Parliament imposed a heavy tax on all EXCERPTS from The Massachusetts Spy, May 3, 1775: of advertising. The
printed matter: the Stamp Act. Editors protested noisily, and Isaiah Thomas launches his eyewitness report on the Battle trade of advertising
colonists united to force a repeal of the tax — which further of Lexington with this: Americans! Forever bear in mind the is now so near
weakened Britain’s control of colonial printers. BATTLE of LEXINGTON! — where British troops, unmolested and perfection that it is
Editors grew even bolder as the revolu- unprovoked, wantonly, in a most inhuman manner, fired upon not easy to propose
tionary debate heated up, exerting political and killed a number of our countrymen, then robbed them of
any improvement.”
their provisions, ransacked, plundered and burnt their houses!
influence and exhorting military action. Dr. Samuel Johnson,
Nor could the tears of defenseless women, some of whom
Objectivity disappeared. Loyalist editors were in the pains of childbirth, and cries of helpless babes, The London Idler, 1758
were driven out of business, while nor the prayers of old age, confined to beds of sickness,
patriot editors filled their papers with appease their thirst for blood or divert them from their
“Were it left to me
news of rebellion and commentary such DESIGN of MURDER and ROBBERY! to decide whether
as Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense.” we should have a
From Thomas’s description of the battle:
One of the most notable journalists . . . The commanding officer accosted the militia, in words to
government without
this effect,“Disperse, you damn’d rebels! Damn you, disperse!” newspapers, or
of his time, Isaiah Thomas was a master ISAIAH THOMAS Immediately one or two officers discharged their pistols, newspapers without
printer and an articulate agitator. When a government, I
he began publishing The Massachusetts Spy in 1770 it was non- which were instantaneously followed by the firing of four
or five of the soldiers. . . . They fired on our people as they should not hesitate
partisan, but by 1775 Thomas was demanding independence were dispersing, agreeable to their command, and we did not a moment to prefer
from England. His account of the Battle of Lexington (at right), even return the fire. Eight of our men were killed and nine the latter.”
reprinted in newspapers throughout the colonies, was a mix wounded. The troops then laughed, and damned the Yankees, Thomas Jefferson,
of outstanding reporting and persuasive propaganda. and said they could not bear the smell of gunpowder. 1787

1704: The first 1729: Ben Franklin takes 1765: The Stamp Act forces all 1776: The Declaration of 1783: The Pennsylvania
successful American over The Pennsylvania papers to display an official British Independence first appears Evening Post, a thrice-weekly,
newspaper, The Gazette, making it the government seal and pay a tax publicly in the Pennsylvania increases its frequency to
Boston News-Letter, boldest and best that raises prices 50 percent. After Evening Post and is reprinted in become America’s first daily
is published. paper in the colonies. violent protest, the act is repealed. 20 other colonial newspapers. newspaper.

1700 1725 1750 1775

Throughout the 1700s: 1735: Freedom of the press is 1791: The Bill of Rights
Mailmen on horseback (“postriders”) strengthened in the colonies when provides that “Congress
play a key role in delivering news John Peter Zenger, jailed for libel by shall make no law . . .
and newspapers to editors and a New York governor after printing abridging the freedom of
subscribers all across New England. harsh criticism, is acquitted. speech or of the press.”

MORE ON SEDITION AND LIBEL 143 MORE ON PRESS RIGHTS 140

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 10 THE STORY OF JOURNALISM

News in the 19th century Number of

daily papers
Technical advances and brilliant ideas forged a new style of journalism. in the U.S. in 1800: 20
In 1900: 2,226
It was a century of change, and journalism changed dramatically, too. The typical newspaper of 1800
Pages in a typical
was an undisciplined mishmash of legislative proceedings, long-winded essays and secondhand gossip. newspaper in 1800: 4
But by 1900, a new breed of editor had emerged. Journalism had become big business. Reporting Pages in a typical Sunday
was becoming a disciplined craft. And newspapers were becoming more entertaining and essential, issue of the New York
Journal in 1896: 64
providing most of the features we expect today: Snappy headlines.
Percentage of U.S.
Ads. Comics. Sports pages. And an “inverted pyramid” style newspapers in 1850 that
of writing that made stories tighter and newsier. were partisan (i.e., organs
The key changes in the 19th century: of one political party): 80
u The emergence of the penny press. In the 1830s, Phrases used by fiercely
partisan editors to insult
a new approach to newspapering emerged. Aimed at Abraham Lincoln:
the interests of the common citizen, it emphasized “slang-whanging
local news, sports, human-interest stories about stump speaker”
“half-witted usurper”
real people and, above all, crime. “the present turtle at
u Innovations in printing. Cheaper paper and the head of government”
faster presses made news affordable and available “the head ghoul at
Washington”
like never before, especially to America’s growing
urban population. Number of papers,
By the 1830s, steam-powered presses could produce per hour, the fastest
u The rise of the modern newsroom. The printing press could
4,000 pages per hour, printing on both sides of long
biggest and best newspapers hired and trained produce in 1800: 200
paper rolls. Such technical advances made newspapers
In 1850: 18,000
cheaper — thus, more affordable to the masses. reporters to cover news in a professional way. In 1890: 48,000
Average percentage
of a newspaper’s stories
THE PENNY PRESS: MARKETING MEDIA TO THE MASSES that were written by
the paper’s own staff,
Most colonial newspapers were ORDINARY NEWSPAPERS THE PENNY PRESS in 1830: 25
printed on small presses in small In 1860: 45
Papers cost 6 cents apiece, usually by Papers cost just a penny apiece, usually
numbers for educated readers. subscriptions delivered in the mail. bought from paperboys on the street. Typical examples of
But when Benjamin Day began “yellow journalism”
selling the New York Sun for a Political commentary, trade statistics, Lots of local news, crime coverage, headlines from the
penny a copy in 1833, he pio- poetry, letters, secondhand gossip. human-interest stories, features. New York Journal in 1896:
neered the idea of “mass media.” Why Young Girls
News is reprinted from government Reporters cover a variety of beats:
As Day put it, the penny press Kill Themselves
documents and correspondents — Wall Street, churches, society, sports,
“lay before the public, at a price or lifted from other newspapers. and most significantly, crime. Startling Confession of
well within the means of every- a Wholesale Murderer
one, all the news of the day.” Editors move slowly in responding Editors aggressively compete for Who Begs To Be Hanged
Within two years, the Sun was to events; news is often old and stale. and promote big breaking stories. Real American
the top-selling paper in the U.S. Monsters and Dragons
Promote one political party’s agenda. Independent of any political party.
with a circulation of 20,000 — One Mad Blow Kills Child
encouraging other editors to Funded by political parties or subscribers. Funded by street sales and advertising. Strange Things
imitate and improve the format. Women Do for Love

TIMELINE 1825: The New York

Advertiser installs the first
1830s: Editors use
homing pigeons and
1847: Frederick Douglass begins
publishing The North Star, an
(1800-1900)
“cylinder” press in America, the Pony Express to influential paper dedicated to
1800: 20 dailies and more than allowing faster printing on deliver news from fighting slavery and bringing
1,000 weeklies publish in the U.S. bigger sheets of paper. distant points. news to black Americans.

1800 1820 1830 1840 1850

1808: The Missouri Gazette 1827: Reporters from three 1833: The New York 1844: The telegraph is used for
becomes the first paper newspapers become the first Sun becomes the the first time to transmit
printed west of the Mississippi Washington correspondents, first successful news, making
as printers accompany settlers providing congressional coverage penny paper long-distance
into the expanding frontier. that continues to this day. published in the U.S. reporting possible.

MORE ON THE INVERTED PYRAMID > 40

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 THE STORY OF JOURNALISM 11

BENNETT CRAFTS James Gordon Bennett was a terrific EXCERPT from The Herald, April 11, 1836:
A NEW STYLE writer and a brilliant publisher. He When a prostitute known as Helen Jewett was murdered, Bennett visited the
crime scene. On the front page of the Herald, he provided a description that
launched the New York Herald in 1835
OF JOURNALISM with little money and no staff. But by enthralled readers and helped usher in a new era of sensational reporting:
midcentury, the Herald had become the biggest news- “Here,” said the Police Officer, “here is the poor creature.”
paper in the world due to its enterprising reporting, He half uncovered the ghastly corpse. I could scarcely look at it for a second
sensational stories and innovative ideas: interviews, or two. Slowly I began to discover the lineaments of the corpse as one would the
beauties of a statue of marble. It was the most remarkable sight I ever beheld —
reviews, letters to the editor, money pages, society
I never have, and never expect to see such another. “My God,” exclaimed I, “how
columns, sports stories and “extra” editions. like a statue! I can scarcely conceive that form to be a corpse.” The perfect figure
In Bennett’s words: “It is my passion, my delight, — the exquisite limbs — the fine face — the full arms — the beautiful bust — all
my thought by day and my dream by night, to con- surpassed in every respect the Venus de Midici . . . .
duct The Herald, and to show the world and posterity For a few moments I was lost in admiration at this extraordinary sight — a
that a newspaper can be made the greatest, most beautiful female corpse that surpassed the finest statue of antiquity. I was
fascinating, most powerful organ of civilization that recalled to her horrid destiny by seeing the dreadful bloody gashes on the right
BENNETT genius ever dreamed of. ” temple, which must have caused instantaneous dissolution.

THE GOLDEN AGE OF

YELLOW JOURNALISM
As New York’s population exploded,
the city became the nation’s media center.
It was an age of publishing legends such
as Horace Greeley, the liberal, crusading
social reformer, and Henry Raymond, who
strove to make his New
York Times the most
objective, well-written
paper of its era.
But two editors rose
above the rest in an
epic struggle for power
and influence: Joseph
Pulitzer (The World)
and William Randolph
Hearst (the New York
Journal). Both men
reshaped American
journalism in the late 1800s with a style of HEARST, PULITZER AND THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR
newspapering known as “yellow journal- The excesses of yellow journalism reached a climax as Hearst’s Journal battled Pulitzer’s World
ism,” taking its name from the Yellow Kid, for supremacy in New York. Hearst spent millions in family fortune to hire away Pulitzer’s top
the first color comic, which ran in both the staffers, and he used his genius for sensationalism to concoct bigger, bolder stories. When The
Journal and the World. World sent correspondents to Cuba in 1896 to dramatize the rebels’ fight for freedom (“Blood in
What characterized yellow journalism? the fields, blood on the doorsteps, blood, blood, blood!” one wrote), Hearst dispatched staffers of
Loud headlines. Sensational stories on sin his own, famously messaging one artist: “You furnish the pictures and I’ll furnish the war.”
and sex. Lavish use of pictures (often faked). Hearst and Pulitzer inflamed readers, pressured politicians — and the day after a Navy battleship
Sunday supplements full of crowd-pleasing exploded in 1898, they published the two competing pages shown above. War was declared, and
comics and features. Crusades. Publicity circulation skyrocketed. On Page One, Hearst’s paper asked, “How do you like the Journal’s war?”
stunts. And rumors disguised as news — In the words of E.L. Godkin, editor of the more restrained, more responsible Evening Post:
such as those that led to war with Spain. “It is a crying shame that men should work such mischief simply in order to sell more papers.”

1851: Henry J. Raymond 1867: Emily Verdery 1867: 1876: 1886: Reporters 1898: Yellow journalism
founds The New York Times, Bettey becomes First Alexander Graham Bell invents start earning reaches its heights
which becomes one of the first woman practical the telephone; within seven bylines in daily (or possibly depths)
America’s most responsible reporter on a typewriter years, telephone lines will newspapers on as Hearst and Pulitzer
and respected newspapers. New York paper. patented. connect New York and Chicago. the East Coast. trump up war with Spain.

1850 1860 1870 1880 1890

1857: Harper’s 1861-1865: For the first time, hundreds of 1878: E.W. Scripps 1880: First photograph 1897: The term
Weekly, the first reporters cover a big event: the Civil War. begins building the is printed in a news- “public relations”
illustrated paper Filing stories via telegraph forces reporters first newspaper paper (of some build- is used, for the
in America, to use a tighter writing style that becomes chain; he eventually ings, right) in the New first time, by a
makes its debut. known as “the inverted pyramid.” owns 18 papers. York Daily Graphic. railroad company.

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 12 THE STORY OF JOURNALISM

News in the 20th century CLASSIC CLIPS

Radio and television brought an end to newspapers’ media monopoly.

Why has the power of print faded? Well, which did
you look at first — this gray column of text, or that
image of newsman Walter Cronkite to the left?
That’s basically why, as the century progressed,
newspapers surrendered their supremacy: The Germany’s great silver Hinden-
competition simply had more appeal. First came burg, the world’s largest dirigible,
was ripped apart by an explosion
radio, luring listeners with speech and music. tonight that sent her crumpling to
Next, movie newsreels added visuals to the voices the naval landing field a flaming
in the news. By 1950, television wooed viewers wreck, with horrible death to
(and advertisers) by combining sights, sounds and about a third of those aboard her.
Exactly how many died was still
unbeatable immediacy. In the 1990s, a new rival in dispute as the flames licked
evolved: online news via the Internet. clean the twisted, telescoped
WALTER CRONKITE recalls announcing the death of Technology has transformed news delivery skeleton of the airship that put
President John F. Kennedy on CBS, Nov. 22, 1963: out from Germany seventy-six
just as it’s changed every other aspect of modern hours before on its opening trip
I was doing fine . . . until it was necessary to pronounce life. Today’s news media are more accessible and of the 1937 passenger season.
the words: “From Dallas Texas, the flash — apparently
engaging than ever before. As a result, despite The Associated Press,
official. President Kennedy died at 1 p.m. Central Standard May 7, 1937
Time — a half-hour ago.” The words stuck in my throat. everything newspapers have done to improve their
A sob wanted to replace them. A gulp or two quashed product — better design, bigger photos, broader
the sob, which metamorphosed into tears forming in
the corners of my eyes. I fought back the emotion and
coverage, tighter writing — many Americans now
regained my professionalism, but it was touch and go realize they don’t need to work hard at reading
there for a few seconds before I could continue. when they can more easily absorb information by
watching video and listening to audio.

PULITZER SPREADS HIS CRUSADING INFLUENCE America’s outpost of the Pacific,

mighty Pearl Harbor naval base
In the years after 1900, Joseph Pulitzer left yellow journal- When the Pulitzer was under enemy attack today.
ism behind to create a more lasting legacy, becoming the Prizes were first A number of attacking planes
model of a passionate, public-spirited modern publisher. awarded in 1917, the with red insignia were sighted
His paper, The World, launched courageous crusades journalism categories shortly after 8 a.m.
against corruption in government and business. Before included only (In Washington, Presidential
he died in 1911, he funded one of the first schools of reporting, editorial Secretary Early identified the
journalism, at Columbia University. And to encourage writing and public attacking planes as Japanese.)
service. Today, prizes Antiaircraft guns opened fire
journalistic excellence, he established the Pulitzer Prizes.
are awarded in 21 when the planes dived low over
JOSEPH PULITZER’s journalistic credo: categories. the base and released repeated
Our Republic and its press will rise or fall together. An able, sticks of bombs.
disinterested, public-spirited press, with trained intelligence to Two warships lying in the
know the right and courage to do it, can preserve that public virtue harbor were sunk.
without which popular government is a sham and a mockery. A The planes later returned to
cynical, mercenary, demagogic press will produce in time a people the attack.
as base as itself. The power to mould the future of the Republic International News Service,
PULITZER will be in the hands of the journalists of future generations. Dec. 7, 1941

TIMELINE 1920: KDKA-

Pittsburgh begins
1926: As radio enjoys
growing popularity, the
1934: The
Associated
1941: FDR declares
war on Japan as
(1900-2000) broadcasting the NBC radio network is Press begins the largest radio
1900: Satirical political cartoons become a popular first regular radio formed; CBS will begin transmitting audience in history
way for newspapers to comment on current events. schedule. broadcasting a year later. wire photos. listens in.

1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950

1901: Marconi Early 1900s: The era of “muckrakers” — 1923: Henry R. Luce 1938: “CBS World News 1939: NBC and
sends the first social reform-minded journalists and launches Time Roundup” debuts. Its CBS begin
radio signal magazine writers who expose injustice, magazine, the influential news coverage will commercial
across the fraud and political corruption in nation’s first make it America’s longest- television
Atlantic Ocean. government and big business. newsweekly. running radio news show. broadcasts.

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 THE STORY OF JOURNALISM 13

CLASSIC CLIPS RADIO RULES THE AIRWAVES EDWARD R. MURROW reporting live during
the Battle of Britain, Sept. 22, 1940:
In 1920, only a handful of hobbyists heard the first There’s an ominous silence hanging over
radio broadcasts. But by 1927, 30 million Americans London. Out of one window there waves
tuned in to celebrate aviator Charles Lindbergh’s something that looks like a white bedsheet,
homecoming. Radio was entering its golden age. a window curtain swinging free in this night
Though powerful publishers at first prevented breeze. It looks as if it were being shaken
stations from broadcasting news, radio soon became by a ghost. There are a great many ghosts
around these buildings in London. The MURROW
the first medium to provide a 24-hour stream of
searchlights straightaway, miles in front of me, are still scratching
news coverage. During World War II, dramatic that sky. There’s a three-quarter moon riding high. There was one
reporting by legendary newsmen like Edward R. burst of shellfire almost straight in the Little Dipper. There are
A sniper shot and killed
President John F. Kennedy on
Murrow helped hone the modern newswriting style: hundreds and hundreds of men . . . standing on rooftops in Lon-
the streets of Dallas Friday. A concise wording, short sentences, dramatic delivery. don tonight, waiting to see what comes out of this steel-blue sky.
24-year-old pro-Communist who
once tried to defect to Russia was
charged with the murder shortly
before midnight. AMERICA TURNS ON AND LEON HARRIS, CNN anchor,
reporting live, Sept. 11, 2001:
Kennedy was shot about 12:30 TUNES IN TO TELEVISION You are looking at this picture —
p.m. Friday at the foot of Elm
Street as the Presidential car
After World War II ended, Americans began buying it is the twin towers of the World
entered the approach to the Triple televisions — 1,000 sets a day. But in the early years Trade Center, both of them being
Underpass. The President died of network TV, programming was primarily devoted damaged by impacts from
in a sixth-floor surgery room at to entertainment (Milton Berle and “I Love Lucy”). planes. We saw one happen
Parkland Hospital about 1 p.m., Ratings for newscasts were disappointingly low. at about maybe nine minutes
though doctors say there was no Television journalism came of age in the 1960s. before the top of the hour, and
chance for him to live after he just a moment ago, so maybe 18 minutes after the first impact,
In 1963, America sat spellbound for four days watch-
reached the hospital. the second tower was impacted with a — by another — what
ing nonstop coverage of the Kennedy assassination. appeared to be, another passenger plane. In fact, we’ve got some
The Dallas Morning News,
Nov. 23, 1963
To many critics, it was television’s finest hour. And tape replay of that. Do we have the tape available right now?
ever since, viewers worldwide have become depen- Here is the tape. . . . Incredible pictures. These happened just
dent upon television to cover big breaking stories. moments ago.

MEANWHILE, BACK AT
THE NEWSPAPER . . .
As the century progressed, newswriting became
more fact-based, less biased. Shorter sentences and
tight writing replaced the flowery prose of the past.
Man stepped out onto the moon Reporters were trained to use the inverted pyramid,
tonight for the first time in his a story structure that stacks the big facts first, the
two-million-year history.
“That’s one small step for man,” lesser facts later.
declared pioneer astronaut Neil Newspapers became more readable, more colorful,
Armstrong at 10:56 p.m. EDT, “one more objective and more timely than ever before.
giant leap for mankind.” But their power and prominence gradually faded of the World Wide Web. Early online news sites were
Just after that historic moment (along with the attention spans of most Americans). simple and slow-moving (as you can see in that 1996
in man’s quest for his origins, By 1994, the average American spent 38 minutes a home page for The New York Times, above).
Armstrong walked on the dead day watching TV news, but only half as much — As online technology and access speeds improved,
satellite and found the surface
very powdery, littered with fine
19 minutes — reading a newspaper. news consumers began migrating to the Web, and
grains of black dust. In the 1990s, as computers invaded homes and newspapers began to wonder: How will we keep
The Washington Post, offices, a new medium emerged: the Internet. At first, readers interested in ink on paper? Are we doomed to
July 21, 1969 news organizations were slow to realize the potential become dinosaurs?

1952: CBS News coins 1960: Only 2,000 1974: President Nixon 1982: USA Today makes
the word “anchorman.” people owned television resigns following dogged its debut, shocking the
NBC launches the first sets in 1945; by now, investigation of the Watergate news establishment
magazine-format TV 90% of American homes scandal by The Washington with shorter stories
program, the “Today” show. have a TV. Post’s Woodward and Bernstein. and bold color.

1950 1960 1970 1980 1990

1963: TV news comes of age Late 1960s: Anti-war 1976: The Apple II 1980: Media mogul 1990s: The Internet wires the
covering the Kennedy and anti-establishment becomes a popular Ted Turner launches the planet. Laptop computers, digital
assassination; 96% of homes underground newspapers home computer. Cable News Network cameras and modems allow
with televisions watch an mushroom in U.S. cities Nintendo sells its first (CNN), the planet’s first reporters to file stories and photos
average of 32 hours of coverage. and on college campuses. computer games. 24-hour news channel. from anywhere in the world.

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 14 THE STORY OF JOURNALISM

Today’s changing
media landscape
Digital journalism offers new tools and challenges.
Is Peyton Manning the greatest quarterback of all time?
To answer that question, IndyStar.com created the Manning
Meter, a multimedia Web page that combined photo galleries,
a weekly game for kids, Manning’s complete career stats and
a searchable database that tracked every pass he ever threw.
This is not your father’s sports section.
By converging text, images, interactivity and customizable
data, digital media like the Manning Meter are transforming
journalism, making news coverage more engaging and
accessible than ever before.

AS TECHNOLOGY ADVANCES, NEWS CONSUMPTION CHANGES, TOO

A hundred years ago, if you that important, it will find me.”) Number of
wanted news, you had one option: So who are the winners in this words the
read a newspaper. Fifty years ago, new era of news? Tech-toy makers, average American receives
you had three options: read a paper, of course. And consumers, who can through the media every
listen to the radio or watch TV. choose, moment to moment, what- day: 100,500
But if you want news today, ever news-delivery platform best Percentage of Americans
it’s right there on your desktop suits their needs. (In my bedroom, who “graze” the news
PC. Your wireless laptop. Your I’ll browse headlines on my iPhone; from time to time during
the day, instead of getting
smartphone. Your tablet. And in my car, I’ll listen to AM radio.)
it all at once: 57
who knows what new personalized Who are the losers? Old Media.
gizmo will make news even more TV, radio and print journalists are Number of Americans
portable and accessible tomorrow? scrambling to keep their audiences who watched the network
evening news in 1980:
News is everywhere now. Without happy and their ad revenues flow- 52 million
even trying, we absorb information. ing. After all, without journalists, Who watch it today:
(As one college student said in The who’ll supply the news content for 22 million
New York Times: “If the news is all these shiny new digital devices?
Percentage of Americans
who get news on their
smartphone or tablet: 27
ANALYSIS: Times less than they did a decade ago. They use it more. The
Percentage of Americans
difference is that today they don’t have to pay for it. The real
ARE NEWSPAPERS DOOMED? problem for newspapers, in other words, isn’t the Internet; it’s us. under age 30 who say they
James Surowiecki sums up the crisis facing newspapers in this We want access to everything, we want it now, and we want it read a print newspaper
excerpt from a 2008 financial column in The New Yorker: for free. That’s a consumer’s dream, but eventually it’s going to yesterday: 8
Newspapers now seem to be the equivalent of the railroads collide with reality: if newspapers’ profits vanish, so will their Percentage of Americans
at the start of the twentieth century — a once-great business product. under age 25 who read
eclipsed by a new technology. In a famous 1960 article called Does that mean newspapers are doomed? Not necessarily. or hear no news on a
“Marketing Myopia,” Theodore Levitt held up the railroads as a There are many possible futures one can imagine for them, from typical day: 31
quintessential example of companies’ inability to adapt to chang- becoming foundation-run nonprofits to relying on reader dona-
Percentage of Americans
ing circumstances. Had the bosses realized that they were in the tions to that old standby, the deep-pocketed patron. It’s even
who think that, in 2050,
transportation business, rather than the railroad business, they possible that a few papers will be able to earn enough money daily newspapers will no
could have moved into trucking and air transport, rather than online to make the traditional ad-supported strategy work. longer exist: 64
letting other companies dominate. By extension, many argue But it would not be shocking if, sometime soon, there were big
that if newspapers had understood they were in the information American cities that had no local newspaper; more important, Percentage who think that,
business, rather than the print business, they would have adapted we’re almost sure to see a sharp decline in the volume and vari- in 2050, ordinary people
more quickly and more successfully to the Net. ety of content that newspapers collectively produce. For a while will travel in space: 53
The peculiar fact about the current crisis is that even as big now, readers have had the best of both worlds: all the benefits Newsroom jobs that have
papers have become less profitable, they’ve arguably become of the old, high-profit regime — intensive reporting, experienced been eliminated since the
more popular. Usually, when an industry runs into the kind of editors, and so on — and the low costs of the new one. But that number of U.S. journalists
trouble that Levitt was talking about, it’s because people are situation can’t last. Soon enough, we’re going to start getting peaked at 56,900 in 1990:
abandoning its products. But people don’t use The New York what we pay for, and we may find out just how little that is. 1 in 3
— For sources, see page 332

MORE ON MULTIMEDIA JOURNALISM 172

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 THE STORY OF JOURNALISM 15

WHICH TYPE OF NEWS

CONSUMER ARE YOU? HOW NEWS 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010
CONSUMPTION 60%
WATCHED TV NEWS
HAS CHANGED
(2000-2010) 50%

Responses to the LISTENED TO

40%
question: Where RADIO NEWS
did you get your
30% GOT NEWS ONLINE
news yesterday?
Source: Pew Research
READ A NEWSPAPER
Center for People & 20%
The Press

THREE CRUCIAL QUESTIONS FACING THE NEWS BUSINESS

A 2008 report by the Pew Research Idealistic journalists often forget that the As audiences shift to digital platforms, tra-
Center for People & The Press divided news business is . . . well, a business. Like any ditional news outlets follow them there, too.
Americans into four main groups, based other business, media companies must make Online journalism is now a constantly evolving
on their news consumption habits: a profit to survive. And these days, that means hybrid of text, photos, videos and mobile apps.
finding the answers to three nagging questions: The trouble is, that all costs money.
u Traditionalists are the biggest segment —
u How do we stop the decline in ad revenue? u How do we generate revenue online?
and the oldest, with a median age of 52.
They’re less educated, less affluent, and When the economy began tanking in 2008, When we say “online news,” you might think
rely heavily on traditional news outlets: TV, radio and print newsrooms were hit hard. of Google News, Yahoo! or your favorite
newspapers, radio and especially TV. As advertising revenue dried up, giant media blog. But where do they get their content?
companies, from Gannett to CBS, began losing From the traditional media — newspapers,
u Integrators use traditional media as their
millions. The result? Layoffs. Bankruptcies. mostly. Companies like Google make billions
primary news source (mostly TV), but
The death of newspapers in Seattle and Denver. by aggregating and redistributing the work of
go online for news, too. Most are baby
The threat of extinction everywhere. And a journalists worldwide without actually paying
boomers (ages 44 to 62), with a greater
new concern: As the economy recovers, will those journalists to produce it.
interest in news than the other groups.
advertisers return in sustainable numbers? Meanwhile, websites for local newspapers,
u Net-Newsers use the Web as their main
u How do we keep our audience satisfied? radio and TV stations try to sell as many of
news source. They’re the youngest, best- those small, annoying online ads as they can,
Consumer habits are evolving. Take radio:
educated, most affluent of the four groups, but it’s not nearly enough to subsidize a full
Young listeners far prefer filling their iPods
and they’re plugged in to the latest tech- news staff.
and smartphones with MP3 tunes than sitting
nology (cellphones, wifi, broadband). Journalism costs money — even online.
through radio commercials and chat. And
u The Disengaged just aren’t interested in So how will we subsidize it? With clever new
why watch TV shows in real time when you
news. They’re young, poorly educated and can stream them anytime, or watch YouTube advertising strategies? Online subscriptions
uninformed about current events. They highlights? Why wade through dull, slow- and paywalls? Charitable grants?
use media for entertainment, not news. motion, dead-tree newspaper stories when you These questions continue to vex the news
Note: 4% of respondents didn’t conform to any category. can zoom through Yahoo’s news menu? business. So far, the answers remain elusive.

Kourosh Karimkhany, Wired News editor: Jimmy Guterman, writer, magazine will be augmented by a perpetual corps
How will they get their news? publisher and media consultant: of low- or no-pay amateurs who parse,
Pretty much the same way they’ve In 2025, only a small group of readers/ spread and amplify. Feeds and uplinks
been getting it in the past 100 years: viewers/listeners will take in what we will be available not just on mobile
through newspapers, radio, TV, Web and consider “news” today. The combination devices, but the myriad gesture- and
the gadget of the day (whatever the of audience fragmentation and increas- voice-enabled screens embedded in
combination of a phone, PDA, iPod and ing desire to tune into like-minded everyday objects. News will flow like
video player will look like). The plethora sources will mean more people get electricity at the flick of a switch,
of distribution will increase competition information, but fewer people get objec- ubiquitous and unremarkable.
among news gatherers. I’m an optimist, tive or vetted information. The need
so I’ll guess that the competitive pres- for reporters will continue to decrease; Steve Yelvington, reporter, editor and
sure will force journalists to improve the need for pundits will continue to Internet strategist:
their craft. I’m hopeful that the works increase. “News” of the WSJ/NYT/NPR The reporting process will be very
of a few solo journalists — who for the variety will be a premium product for an much about chasing down and killing
first time have near-equal footing with elite audience, like poetry is today. bad information — debunking — and
old-school, massive news organizations pointing out the good, and those respon-
— will re-establish the nobility of jour- Jessica Clark, author /media strategist: sibilities will be taken up by conscien-
nalists. And I’m especially hopeful that While it’s tempting to predict some tious amateurs as well as professionals.
American-style journalism — which is radical innovation (brain jacks, anyone?), The value of professional journalism will
the lubricant of democracy and equitable the simpler answer is that they’ll get not be so much about providing informa-
capitalism — will spread around the news anywhere and everywhere. tion, but rather providing clarity. And as
world and take root in places it hasn’t Reporters will still be paid to produce William Gibson said, the future is already
before, like China and the Middle East. high-quality, fact-checked content, but here — it’s just unevenly distributed.

har26177_ch01_005-016.indd 11 5/18/12 11:06 AM

 16 THE STORY OF JOURNALISM

The
STUDENT JOURNALISTS’
NEWS ATTITUDE SURVEY
In the next chapter, we’ll explore how journalists define news — Answer the questions below as honestly as you can. (There are
and whether the American public agrees with them. But before we no right or wrong answers, of course.) We gave this survey to more
proceed, let’s find out how you use the news and how you feel about than 500 journalism students across the country. And on page 304,
the news media’s performance. you can see how your responses compare with all the rest.

1) I think news stories usually: 6) In general, the news is biased in favor of:
Get the facts straight Conservatives
Neither
CONFIDENTIAL SOURCES
Contain inaccuracies and distortions Liberals Public officials sometimes slip reporters
controversial information secretly — off the
2) I prefer to get my news: 7) If you hear conflicting versions of a news story, record — to avoid getting into trouble. In
By watching pictures or video footage, which version will you trust the most? exchange for this information, reporters
with audio narration My local newspaper My local TV news promise to conceal the identities of these
By reading text Network TV news Fox News anonymous sources.
Through a combination of text and images Radio news In extreme cases, however, a story may
An independent website trigger a criminal investigation. A judge
3) Generally, I think the government:
could order a reporter to testify and reveal
Should do more to restrict what the news 8) If you hear conflicting versions of a news story, the name of his or her confidential sources.
media publish which version will you trust the least? Suppose this happened to you. What
Should do as little as possible to restrict what My local newspaper My local TV news would you do? If you reveal your source’s
the news media publish Network TV news Fox News name, you break your promise. You expose
Radio news your source to legal or professional harm.
4) The president is assassinated. What would you An independent website In the future, your reporting ability may
most likely do? (You can choose more than one):
be compromised because other sources
Turn on the TV, then leave it on constantly to 9) Which of these adjectives would you generally won’t trust you. Your colleagues and your
monitor the situation as intensely as possible. use to describe most news today? (You can select news organization may be discredited, too.
Turn on the TV, see what’s happening, then turn more than one): BUT if you refuse to name your source,
it off and get on with my life. Boring Depressing Entertaining you could hamper a criminal investigation.
Track developments by monitoring news Useful Negative Sensationalized You could be shielding a lawbreaker. And
websites and tweets.
the judge could send you to jail for days —
Buy a newspaper as soon as I saw one that had 10) How often do you generally watch TV news? weeks — until you cooperate.
a big assassination headline. Daily Occasionally What would you do?
Listen to radio news and talk shows. Several times a week Never
Avoid the news as much as possible to escape I would keep my promise to protect my
the annoying hype and overkill. sources from humiliation or prosecution,
11) How often do you get your news in print form?
even if it means I’m sent to jail.
Daily Occasionally
5) Which of these people do you consider to be Several times a week Never As a citizen, I’d have to honor and obey
journalists? (Check all that apply): the legal system and comply with the
Bill O’Reilly Rush Limbaugh 12) How often do you get your news digitally? judge’s request,no matter what the
Bob Woodward Barbara Walters Daily Occasionally consequences to my sources.
Diane Sawyer Jon Stewart Several times a week Never

WHICH OF THESE STATEMENTS DO YOU MOST AGREE WITH? CHECK EITHER “A” OR “B”; LEAVE BLANK FOR “NEITHER.”
a) I prefer news that’s presented with an attitude, even if it’s opinionated, a) I can usually relate to most news stories I read, see and hear.
because it makes the topics more interesting. b) I generally feel that most news stories have little relevance to my life.
b) I prefer news that is as neutral and objective as possible. I resent it
when journalists inject their own opinions into stories. a) When I read newspapers, magazines or websites, I frequently take the
time to read long stories that analyze issues and events in depth.
a) I could easily go for days without reading any news. b) When I read newspapers, magazines or websites, I usually just browse a
b) I couldn’t go a day without reading any news. few paragraphs at a time. I hardly ever read stories in depth.
a) Journalists are too critical of public figures and government policy. a) Generally, I prefer to read news about serious issues and major events.
b) Journalists don’t do enough to challenge public figures and expose b) Generally, I prefer to read celebrity news and lighter, offbeat stuff.
governmental problems.

har26177_ch01_005-016.indd 12 5/18/12 11:06 AM

 17

CHAPTER

How
newsrooms work
Journalism isn’t a solo effort. It takes talent, teamwork and training
for any news outlet to succeed. Here’s a look at the process in detail.

IN THIS CHAPTER:
18 What is news?
Readers, reporters and editors have different views
— and what’s news to me may be fluff to you.
20 What readers read
What writers want to write isn’t necessarily what
readers want to read. That’s why research is vital.
22 How a story gets written
Ace reporter Jenny Deadline races the clock to
find out why a professor has mysteriously resigned.
24 How the news comes together
An hour-by-hour look at a day in the life of a
typical metropolitan daily newspaper.
26 Who’s who in the newsroom
From the publisher to the lowliest reporter, everyone on the news team has a job to do.
28 What it’s called
Bylines, datelines, taglines, leads . . . if you want to thrive in the newsroom, learn the lingo.
30 Tools, talent and temperament
What does it take to be a reporter? Computers, notebooks — and some writing talent, too.

PLUS: 32 The Press Room 34 Test yourself

har26177_ch02_017-034.indd 1 5/18/12 11:15 AM

 18 HOW NEWSROOMS WORK

What is news? News is the first rough

draft of history.
Editors, reporters and readers have debated that question for centuries. Philip Graham,
Washington Post publisher
In every newsroom, journalists constantly apply what’s called news judgment: their ability to determine
which stories are most interesting and important to readers. News is anything that
makes a reader say
But which readers? To a 13-year-old boy, the day’s biggest story might be the city’s new skate- “Gee whiz.”
boarding ban. To a 70-year-old woman, it might be a new Medicare proposal. That teenager won’t William Randolph Hearst,
read about Medicare; the retiree doesn’t care about American newspaper tycoon

skateboarding. So whose interests should prevail? News is anything that

Take the page at left. How did those stories get will make people talk.
there? Who decided that those were the topics most Charles Dana,
New York Sun editor
1 worthy of front-page prominence? Denis Finley,
editor of The Virginian-Pilot, explains his choices: News is anything you
know now that you did
1 The top of the page. We use this spot to sell single-copy papers, so not know 15 minutes
we always want to have a “talker,” something a lot of people are talking
about and are probably going to want to read more about. In this case,
ago – or 15 seconds ago.
Mario Garcia,
the captain of a stricken cruise ship has been accused of abandoning his news media designer
ship, but he claims he ended up on a lifeboat because he tripped and fell
into it. Who wouldn’t want to read that? News is what somebody
2 The lead story is about a city councilman owing back taxes. One somewhere wants to
of our main goals as a news organization is to be the community’s suppress. All the rest is
watchdog and hold public officials accountable. A city official, who exists advertising.
on the bounty of taxpayers, owes a quarter million in taxes? That’s a Lord Northcliffe,
2 lead story any day of the week. British newspaper tycoon
3 Another example of our watchdog role. Lifting a ban on uranium
mining is of critical importance both to those who fear the practice could
When a dog bites a
harm the water supply and those who desire its economic benefits. man, that is not news.
But when a man bites a
4 These “refers” send readers to other parts of the paper for stories
dog, that IS news.
that might interest them.
Charles Dana,
5 We survey our readers all the time. “News about transportation” is New York Sun editor
always one of the Top 10 subjects they want to read about, so this story
4 5 — about a local Amtrak stop that will link us to Washington, D.C., and
beyond — is a natural. THIS JUST IN:
6 6 This story teaches readers the history of Virginia’s ban on Sunday MAN BITES DOG!
hunting. It’s something many readers will talk about because hunting
is part of Virginia’s social fabric. And it watches out for the interests of When Olavi Velkanmaa
those who care about this legislation. was attacked by a wolf,
3 he bit back.
So here you see the cold, hard truth for reporters: Velkanmaa, 33, was
opening a workshop last
They do the research and they write the stories, but week in a Finnish town
it’s their editors who ultimately decide how success- north of Helsinki when
ful they are — and where their stories run. he came upon a large
male wolf. As the beast
lunged at his throat,
Velkanmaa grabbed its
NEWS BY THE NUMBERS I NEWS BY THE NUMBERS II head. They wrestled for
about 10 minutes.
Percentage of Americans who say they prefer news about serious issues “News Arithmetic,” from a 1932 editing textbook by
George C. Bastian and Leland D. Case: “I was fighting for my
and major events: 63 Who say they prefer crime and celebrity news: 24 life,” Velkanmaa said. “I
Percentage who think the news media need to focus more on celebrities: 1 1 ordinary man + 1 ordinary life = 0 saw its throat and went
Percentage who think the media are out of touch with average Americans: 70 1 ordinary man + 1 extraordinary adventure = NEWS for it with my teeth, but
Percentage of stories in a typical newspaper about government or politics: 25 1 ordinary husband + 1 ordinary wife = 0 the wolf’s paw got in the
Percentage of Americans under 30 who have little or no interest in politics: 42 1 husband + 3 wives = NEWS way and I bit it instead.”
Percentage of journalists who say they often avoid running stories readers 1 bank cashier + 1 wife + 7 children = 0 The wolf took off,
think are important, but dull: 77 1 bank cashier — $100,000 = NEWS leaving Velkanmaa with
Who say they sometimes ignore stories because readers might find them 1 chorus girl + 1 bank president — $100,000 = NEWS cuts, minor bites — and
too complex: 52 1 man + 1 auto + 1 gun + 1 six-pack = NEWS the taste of warm wolf
Percentage of Americans who find the news depressing: 84 1 man + 1 wife + 1 fight + 1 lawsuit = NEWS blood in his mouth.
Who find the news negative: 77 Who find the news sensational: 58 1 ordinary man + 1 ordinary life of 79 years = 0 — The Associated Press
— See page 332 for sources 1 ordinary man + 1 ordinary life of 100 years = NEWS

har26177_ch02_017-034.indd 2 5/18/12 11:15 AM

 HOW NEWSROOMS WORK 19

IS IT NEWS? THAT VARIES NEWSROOM TO NEWSROOM

The New York Times runs STORM WARNING: Dangerous winds and heavy rain are forecast here tonight. KEY
“All the News That’s Fit to COUNTY FAIR: Pigs! Pies! Polka! The Mudflap County Fair starts this weekend.
Print,” but what’s fit there TUITION HIKE: Mudflap College will raise classroom fees 10 percent next year.
may not quite fit where VOLLEYBALL BILL: Congress passes a bill making Friday National Volleyball Day. YES, RUN IT
FLU SHOTS: Flu season is coming. Vaccinations now available for senior citizens.
you are. Here’s how three
BOLIVIA BUS CRASH: 30 children are killed as a bus plunges off a cliff in La Paz. NO, DON’T
mythical Mudflap news GIRL SCOUT COOKIES: A Mudflap girl breaks the state’s cookie sales record.
outlets might decide which LOTTERY WINNER: A Mudflap grad student wins $50,000 in the state drawing.
POSSIBLY
of these stories to run: JAY-Z SEX CHANGE: A celebrity-gossip website claims the rapper had surgery

THE 5 O’CLOCK TV NEWSCAST

We try to cover a wide range of topics, with a heavy emphasis on local news, WHAT MAKES
sports and weather. Here’s how our news director would usually vote: A STORY
INTERESTING
THE STORY COMMENTS
TO READERS?
STORM WARNING 3 Readers really eat up scary weather stories. Everybody’s different —
COUNTY FAIR 3 Kids + cows + carnival rides = great video. and what’s fascinating to you
TUITION HIKE 3 If time is tight, may only merit a brief mention. might be boooring to me.
VOLLEYBALL BILL 3 Meaningless ceremonial baloney. Still, for a story to qualify as
FLU SHOTS 3 Good images; strong appeal for older viewers. “news,” it usually contains
BOLIVIA BUS CRASH 3 No. Let the network newscast deal with this. at least one of these values:
GIRL SCOUT COOKIES 3 Sure. Viewers find this stuff irresistible. u IMPACT: Does the story
matter to readers? Will it
LOTTERY WINNER 3 Jackpot’s not big or juicy enough to be a story.
have an effect on their lives
JAY-Z SEX CHANGE 3 Untrustworthy. Unsavory. No local connection.
or their pocketbooks? The
bigger the consequences, the
bigger the story becomes.
THE SMALL COMMUNITY WEEKLY u IMMEDIACY: Has this story
We have limited resources and a tight regional focus — local people, local sports, just happened? Is it about
issues that affect our community. Here’s how our editors would usually vote: to happen? Timeliness is
THE STORY COMMENTS
crucial, especially when
you’re competing against
STORM WARNING 3 That depends; yes, if there’s local damage. other news outlets.
COUNTY FAIR 3 Let’s go whole hog. Lots of extra photos, too. u PROXIMITY: How close is
TUITION HIKE 3 Other media will cover it; do older readers care? this story? Local events will
VOLLEYBALL BILL 3 Cheesy public-relations stunt. matter more to readers than
FLU SHOTS 3 Good consumer story; possible Page One. events in other cities, states
BOLIVIA BUS CRASH 3 Sorry, we don’t run international news. or countries . . . . . usually.
u PROMINENCE: Does this
GIRL SCOUT COOKIES 3 This will make an adorable story, with photos.
story involve a well-known
LOTTERY WINNER 3 People win bigger jackpots all the time.
public figure or celebrity?
JAY-Z SEX CHANGE 3 Our readers have never heard of this guy.
The more recognizable the
name, the more readers will
be concerned or curious.
THE ONLINE CAMPUS NEWSPAPER u NOVELTY: Is something
Our website focuses exclusively on campus life, student sports and academics, new, odd or surprising going
with relevant local news tossed in. Here’s how our editors would usually vote: on? (Did a man bite a dog?)
THE STORY COMMENTS Readers enjoy news that’s
intriguing and unexpected.
STORM WARNING 3 We’ll wait and see if there’s any local damage.
u CONFLICT: Is there a clash
COUNTY FAIR 3 No thanks, unless ag students are involved. of power? A political battle?
TUITION HIKE 3 Strong student interest. Give this story big play. A sports rivalry? Reporters
VOLLEYBALL BILL 3 Nobody cares, not even volleyball players. and readers both enjoy
FLU SHOTS 3 How soon until shots are available to students? dramatic confrontations.
BOLIVIA BUS CRASH 3 Not even juicy enough for our “World Briefs.” u EMOTIONS: Does this story
GIRL SCOUT COOKIES 3 Ugh. Please. This is SO not interesting. make us sad? Happy? Angry?
LOTTERY WINNER 3 Appealing campus human-interest feature. We all respond emotionally
to human-interest stories
JAY-Z SEX CHANGE 3 Won’t run it, but we’ll email it to all our friends.
that are poignant, comical
or inspiring.

WANT TO TRY A SIMILAR NEWS JUDGMENT EXERCISE? TEST YOURSELF > 34

har26177_ch02_017-034.indd 3 5/18/12 11:15 AM

 20 HOW NEWSROOMS WORK

What readers read

Delivering news and information effectively is part art, part science.
We all consume the news in different ways. Different news media even give consumers
different names: TV viewers. Radio listeners. Newspaper readers. And websites, which are
used for viewing, listening and reading, call their users . . . . . . users.
Since this is a book on newswriting, we’ll focus primarily on readers. And as journalists
have done for centuries, we’ll relentlessly ask: What do readers want? Serious issues or
light gossip? Long narratives or short summaries? Words or pictures? Meat or fluff?
Smart journalists tailor their material to the reading habits and news appetites of
their audience. And as new media transform the news media, it’s essential to monitor
how effectively you’re communicating. What good is a story if nobody reads it?

SO HOW DO WE KNOW If you produce a print publication or website, it’s essential to understand: Who are our readers?
WHAT READERS READ? What topics attract them? How much do they read? What more do they need? The best way to get
reliable answers is to conduct market research, which means surveying your audience, analyzing
u WE ASK THEM. the statistics and drawing conclusions based on facts — not assumptions or speculations. Media
u WE WATCH THEM. companies often hire consultants (or employ their own research staffs) to monitor readers through:
PHONE, MAIL AND WEB OTHER WAYS TO GAUGE
SURVEYS: Researchers compile READER RESPONSE:
a series of questions — How often u Sales/Web views. It’s simple
do you read this publication? math: Track which papers sell
Which topics are most impor- more than others, or which Web
tant to you? — then distribute pages generate the most traffic.
questionnaires or conduct phone u Reader response. Monitor
interviews with respondents who phone calls, emails and letters to
have been selected and screened the editor in response to topics
to ensure the survey’s accuracy. and stories (both pro and con).
Advantages: Surveys provide MONITORING DEVICES: u Anecdotal feedback. It’s not
detailed data; the more questions Cameras embedded in computer always trustworthy, but reporters
FOCUS GROUPS: Readers convene in small are asked, the more compre- screens track users’ eye movements rely on word of mouth to gauge
groups to critique a publication or react to new hensive the findings. Results are as they read Web pages (above). which stories strike a chord with
prototypes. A moderator guides the discussion while generally reliable and accurate. Cameras can monitor readers’ eyes sources, friends and colleagues.
editors eavesdrop via camera or one-way mirror. Disadvantages: Respondents lie as they scan newspaper pages, too. u Ethnography. Acting much like
Advantages: Ordinary folks offer unfiltered opinions (“Yes, I always read editorials”). Advantages: The eyes don’t lie. We anthropologists, researchers study
about what you’re doing right and wrong; it’s a And editors often don’t know can see where people actually look. the habits and rituals of media
good way to test new ideas and revise strategies. what to do with statistical results. Disadvantages: Testing occurs in consumers (often observing them
Disadvantages: A handful of people may not Suppose 30 percent of your read- unnatural conditions, pressuring in the field) to learn what, where,
accurately reflect the majority view. Worse, one or ers want more crime coverage. users to behave differently than they when and especially why readers
two loudmouths can sway everyone else’s opinions. Is that a mandate? Or a minority? might if they were outside the lab. read what they read.

STEP 1 Recruit a dozen volunteers. HOW TO CONDUCT

(The more people you enlist, the A QUICK, CHEAP,
more reliable your survey will be.)
Aim for a representative mix of SEMI-SCIENTIFIC
readers by age, gender, lifestyle, etc. READER SURVEY
STEP 2 Ask your volunteers to read the next issue of your paper as they
typically do — but tell them to circle everything they read with a dark
felt-tip pen as they go through the paper. That may mean just a headline,
a photo caption or the first two paragraphs of a story. (By “reading,”
we mean processing words in a meaningful way, not just glancing.)
STEP 3 Ask your recruits to do this for several issues of the paper. If
you’re a daily, ask them to read for a week; if you’re a weekly, have them
read two or three issues. Collect the papers from them when they’re done.
STEP 4 Mark each pile so you know who’s who (i.e., “25-year-old male
grad student”). Then ask: What did they consistently read? What didn’t
they read? What topics or story treatments had the most (or least) success? A revealing page from a reader survey at an Omaha paper, showing how
Identify patterns and problems. Make changes. Then try another survey. people often skip over text to view user-friendly bullet items instead.

har26177_ch02_017-034.indd 4 5/18/12 11:15 AM

Another random document with
no related content on Scribd:
 I have said nothing to Nellie yet. Somehow I can't, till I
have a scrap of success to tell. Is that pride?

Another short tale is going on pretty steadily. Mother

likes me to keep up my practising directly after breakfast
every morning; and then I help her for an hour with the
children. After that, I can generally get one or two hours for
writing; and also there are the evenings. The children go to
bed early, and then Mother works, and Uncle Tom and
Ramsay read. The Romillys always have to work and talk
and play in the evening. It sounds cheerful; but our plan is
better for my stories. We do talk, off and on; only not a
very great deal; and I get on with writing between whiles.

CHAPTER XII.
AND MAGGIE'S EFFORTS.

GLADYS HEPBURN'S JOURNAL—continued.

October 18.

I MET the girls to-day, and they were quite full of the
thought of this Yorkshire estate, which has come to Mr. and
Mrs. Romilly.

The place is named "Beckdale," and it is far-away in a

lonely part of the West Riding. It has belonged to an old
great-uncle of Mrs. Romilly's, who stayed there all the year
round, and never asked anybody to visit him; or scarcely
ever. Once, about ten years ago, the two eldest boys, Keith
and Eustace, spent about a fortnight of their summer
holidays with the old gentleman; and that is all. So of
course his death can't make his relations very unhappy; and
naturally the girls do like the idea of spending their
summers in such a lovely place.

For it must be really very lovely, quite hilly and

mountainous, with beautiful dales, and wild passes, and
queer underground caves, and torrents and waterfalls.
Eustace was walking with the girls; and though he did not
say very much—he never does when they are there—what
he did say sounded more like Switzerland than England. But
I shall miss Nellie dreadfully, if she is to be away so long
every year.

No answer yet about my little book. Every time the

postman knocks I hope and hope, but the letter does not
come. It is a long while to wait.

Something seems to be wrong with Mrs. Romilly—we

don't know what. She has grown terribly thin, and she is
weak and low and hysterical. I think Elfie takes after her
mother in being so hysterical; only it is treated as a crime in
Elfie. Everybody in the house is expected to be always
happy and cheerful, for the sake of Mrs. Romilly, and for
fear of upsetting her. The least thing upsets her now. She
burst into tears in Church on Sunday, and had to be taken
out. It did look so funny to see her little bit of a husband
trying to support her; and I was angry with myself for
feeling it funny, when they all looked so troubled—and yet I
could hardly keep down a smile.

I am quite sure life is not very smooth just now in

Glynde House. Nellie does not say much; but Elfie looks
wretched; and Elfie is a sort of family-barometer, Mother
says. One can tell the state of the home atmosphere from
her face. Maggie and Nona are not easily disturbed; and
Thyrza seems always apart from the rest.

November 22.—A really hopeful answer has come about

my little book. If I am willing to make certain alterations, it
is most likely to be accepted. Of course I should not think of
refusing. They want the story to be more cheerful, and not
to have a sad ending.

I sent off lately another small story-book to a publisher;

but somehow I am not hopeful about that. Now I shall set
to work upon these alterations.

Poor Mrs. Romilly is very ill, with a sharp attack on the

chest. A doctor has been down from London for a
consultation; and he says she has been frightfully delicate
for a long while, and has been under a great strain, trying
to keep up. The lungs are affected, he says, but I believe
not dangerously; and her nerves are much worse. She can
see nobody except Nellie and her maid,—not even Mr.
Romilly; and she won't hear of a trained nurse, and they
don't know what to do with her. I hardly get a glimpse of
Nellie.

December 22.—Poor Mrs. Romilly is a shade better,—not

so fearfully weak and excitable, but still she can't leave her
room, or bear to be spoken to above a whisper. A step on
the landing sends her into a sort of agony. I wonder if she
could not possibly help some of this, if she really tried. She
makes such a fuss always about Elfie controlling herself. But
then Mrs. Romilly is ill, and Elfie is not. That of course
makes some difference. I do think it is terribly trying for
those girls, though—not to speak of Denham. The house
has to be kept as still as if a funeral were going on.

February 20.—Those poor Romillys! Oh, I do feel sorry

for them—and for myself!

There has been another consultation about Mrs.

Romilly; and the doctors say she must go abroad as soon as
possible, and stay away nobody knows how long. Nellie and
Benson are to travel with her.

The cold March winds are talked about as the chief

reason; but of course that is not all, for she is to stay on the
continent six months at least. March winds will be over long
enough before then.

Their chief difficulties have been about the home party.

Mr. Romilly stays at Glynde House, to be sure; but he is of
no use, and Maggie is too young to manage the others. Miss
Jackson not being able to come back makes such a
difference.

They are writing to ask Mrs. Romilly's Bath friend to be

governess. Miss Conway has lost her aunt, and wants now
to support herself by going out. But she is only a girl—and
there are all those girls to look after. And Mr. Romilly being
so fidgety and odd—and Thyrza so set on her own way—and
Elfie so easily upset—why, it ought to be a woman of forty
or fifty, to know what to do. However, Mrs. Romilly is quite
set on having nobody but Miss Conway, and the others
daren't contradict her.
 February 24.—It is all settled. Miss Conway comes a
week after Mrs. Romilly goes. I cannot help pitying her.
Uncle Tom says, "No doubt it will all be for the best." But is
everything always for the best,—even unwise arrangements
of our own? If they were, I should think one would not mind
making blunders.

February 25. Wednesday.—This morning at last came

the answer from the Society, which we have waited for so
long. My book is taken. The alterations are found to be all
right. It will be published at once, as a one-and-sixpenny
volume, and I am to have fifteen pounds for the copyright.

Uncle Tom says "selling the copyright" of a book means

getting rid of it altogether. I shall never have any more right
over the tale. He says that is the simplest and best sort of
arrangement for a beginner. I am very glad and very
thankful; and I do feel that this is a real answer to prayer.

About a month ago I told Nellie what I had done; and

she was so interested. But till this morning, the other girls
have only known that I was fond of scribbling tales for my
own amusement. They had arranged to call after breakfast,
and take me for a long walk; and when they came Ramsay
told them about my book.

Elfie's eyes grew very big; and Thyrza as usual said

nothing. She only seemed rather astonished. Nona said
"How nice!" And Maggie began to talk at once about doing
the same. She said she should begin a story to-morrow;
and I think she thought it the easiest thing in the world.
 Is it really easy? Or can it be? I have been wondering.
Of course music is easy in one way to a man who has a
musical genius,—and painting to a man who has a gift for
painting. But in another way it is not easy, for it must
always mean hard work, and hard thinking, and
perseverance. Not just tossing off a thing anyhow, and
expecting to succeed without a grain of trouble.

It doesn't seem to me that writing books is a thing

which anybody can do, just in imitation of somebody else.
One must have a sort of natural bent or gift—God's gift,—
and then one has to use that gift, and to make the most of
it by hard work.

I did not say all this to Maggie, however. For she might
have such a bent, and yet not have found it out. And at all
events she may as well try.

February 28. Saturday Evening.—Mother and I have

been to dinner at Glynde House, and had our first view of
Miss Conway. It would have been an earlier view, if we had
not both been away from home for two nights, a thing
which hardly over happens.

I like Miss Conway: and I am sure we shall like her

more still by-and-by, as we know her better.

She is rather uncommon in look, almost as tall and

slight as Mrs. Romilly, and quietly graceful, without any of
those squirming undulations when she walks. I should never
guess her to be so young as they say. She has a pale face,
oval-shaped and rather thin, with regular features and a
firm mouth and dark hair. And her grey eyes look you
straight in the face, with a kind of grave questioning
expression, as if she wanted to make out what you are, and
whether you mean to be friends. She says she is strong,
and fond of long walks. And she is very fond of reading.

Maggie made such a blunder, talking about Miss Conway

out in the hall, never looking to see who might be near. And
Miss Conway was quite close. She spoke out at once, and
Maggie was very much ashamed, for she had been saying
that Miss Conway was stiff and she did not like her.

Mother and I both thought Miss Conway behaved so

well, in such a ladylike manner. She made no fuss, and kept
quite calm, and nobody could have guessed afterwards from
her look what had happened.

There was quite a scene with Elfie at dinner-time. Mr.

Romilly persisted in talking about his wife, and everybody
seemed bent on saying just the wrong thing, till Elfie had a
sort of hysterical attack, like once before, and could not
speak. And Miss Conway seemed to know exactly what to
do. Mother says she will be "quite an acquisition." But I am
afraid that little prim Miss Millington doesn't think so; and
she manages to make the girls so oddly fond of her. I only
hope she will not set them against Miss Conway.

March 10.—My second little book has come back from

the publisher, declined. I do not think I am surprised. It
seemed to me rather poor, when finished. Perhaps I shall
make one more try with it; and if it fails a second time, I
shall feel sure that it is not worth publishing.

I have another tale in hand now, which I really do like.

It is to be larger than the others, perhaps as big as a three-
and-sixpenny book, or even a five-shilling one, but this I
don't whisper to anybody. To write a five-shilling book has
been my dream for years; only of course it may not come to
pass yet.

I shall call the tale "Tom and Mary" for the present. I
am writing each chapter in pencil first, and then in ink
before going on to the next; and a great many parts will
perhaps need copying again, after the whole is done.

Miss Conway has fitted quietly into her work. They all
say she is an interesting teacher,—even Nona, who hates
lessons. Mother thinks it quite wonderful, the way in which
she has taken things into her own hands, and the tact she
shows, for after all she is such a thorough girl, and there
has been nothing in her training to prepare her for this sort
of life.

Things may be going less smoothly than we know; and

it is difficult to tell from Miss Conway's face whether she is
quite happy. She comes in to see Mother and me, but says
little about the girls. And in a grave steady sort of fashion
she is always cheerful; but, as Mother says, one can't tell if
that manner is natural to her. I should like to see her really
excited and pleased. I think she would become almost
beautiful.

Thyrza certainly likes Miss Conway, but Maggie does

not. I fancy Elfie gives her the most affection, and perhaps
she would give more, if Nona did not laugh at her.

March 15.—Maggie has actually finished a story, and is

sending it off to a publisher. The other girls have helped her
to write, and have put in little pieces. I cannot understand
anybody being able to do any real work in such a way; but
of course people are different.

Yesterday Maggie asked me to go in to tea, and she

read aloud the story to all of us in the schoolroom. I
thought her very brave to do such a thing. She asked, too,
if Mother would like to see it, but decided not to have
delays. Curious—that though Maggie is shy about some
things, she is not in the least shy about her writing.

The reading aloud did not take long. I believe Maggie

thought she had written quite a good-sized volume; and
when I calculated for her, and found that it would not be
more than a tiny twopenny or threepenny book, she was
almost vexed, and would not believe me.

Then Maggie wanted to know how we all liked the story;

and the girls praised it immensely. I was puzzled to know
what to say; for it read exactly like a rough copy, and the
verbs were mixed up so oddly, and there were whole pages
without a single full stop. And I could not make out any
particular plot. The people in it come and go and talk and
do things, without any object; and what one person says
would do just as well for all the rest to say.

I could not, of course, be so unkind as to say all this to

Maggie, especially just now, when I have had a little
success! And, after all, how do I know that others won't say
the very same of my story?

When Maggie would have an opinion, I said, "What does

Miss Conway think?"

"I think it wants cohesion," Miss Conway said at once.

Maggie repeated the word, "Cohesion;" and looked

puzzled.
 Then she turned to me again; and I said the story was
pretty, I have been wondering since if that was quite
honest; only really one might call almost anything "pretty."
And then I said that perhaps, if I were Maggie, I would try
writing it out once more, so as to improve and polish a
little. But Maggie said, "Oh, that would be a bother! It will
do well enough as it is."

I am afraid I don't understand Maggie. For I should

think one never ought to be content with doing a thing just
"well enough." It ought to be always one's very best and
very utmost. Isn't that meant when we are told in the Bible
to do "with our might" whatever we have to do?

One could hardly look for success, except with one's

best. Of course success is not the chief tag in life; and
sometimes I am afraid that I wish for it too much. The chief
thing is doing all that God gives us to do for Him. One may
think too eagerly about success, but never too much about
doing His will. And that only makes the struggling after our
very best and utmost still more needful. For if it were only
for oneself, it wouldn't matter so much how one worked;
but if it is all for Him, I don't see how one can be content
with any sort of hurried or careless work.

CHAPTER XIII.
LETTERS—VARIOUS.

FROM MAGGIE TO NELLIE.

 April 15.

DARLING NELLIE,—We are all so glad to hear

better accounts of sweetest Mother, and that
she likes the idea of going soon to Germany.
The weather has been so lovely this week, that
tennis is beginning, and I am getting several
invitations. So I do hope it will keep fine. Thyrza
is asked too, but she won't go. She says she
can't possibly spare the time from lessons. It is
so tiresome, for I don't half like going alone—at
least to some houses.

I wish Lady Denham and Sir Keith would

come back, for tennis at The Park is nicer than
anywhere else, of course. Did I tell you about
Miss Conway meeting Sir Keith in the train, the
day she came to us, and getting him to see
after her luggage or something of the sort? Poor
Millie says she could never have done such a
thing. I believe Sir Keith caught a bad cold that
day, and that was why Lady Denham hurried off
with him to Torquay, and has stayed there ever
since. If I were a man, I should not like to have
such a fuss made. Lady Denham seems to be
always getting into a fright about him.

I expect I shall hear very soon about my book

now: and when that is settled I mean to write
another. Gladys does, you know. Has Gladys
said anything to you about my story? I thought
it so funny of Gladys not to say more, when I
asked her how she liked it. Millie says Gladys is
jealous of anybody else writing books as well as
 herself: and I do really think she must be—just
a little bit. Else, why shouldn't she like my
story, as much as the others do?

I wonder if I shall have fifteen pounds for it,

like Gladys. It would be very nice: and I don't
see why I shouldn't. I think writing books is
great fun.

Tell darling Mother I will write to her next. It

is your turn now, and Father is sending a long
letter to Mother.—Ever your loving sister,
MAGGIE.

Private half-sheet, enclosed in, the above:—

I can't say more for Mother to see, of course,

as she mustn't be worried, but you know we
settled that you should have private scraps now
and then only for yourself, darling, and I must
tell you how disagreeable things are. Miss Con
will have everything just as she chooses in the
schoolroom; and poor dear Millie is so unhappy.
Miss Con seems quite to forget that Millie has
been here so much the longest. I do think it is
too bad. Millie says she feels just like an
intruder now, when she has to go into the
schoolroom.

Only think! Yesterday I found poor Millie

crying so in my room, and she said she had
come there for comfort. It was something Miss
Con had done. I can't imagine what Mother
finds to like so in Miss Con. She is so cold and
stiff. Thyrza defends her through thick and thin;
but of course Thyrza always must go contrary
to everybody else. If I liked Miss Con, Thyrza
would be sure to detest her.

Elfie is the only one besides who pretends to

care for Miss Con: and that is only because she
makes a fuss with Elfie. I'm sure I don't know
what Mother would say. Yesterday, Nona says,
she actually told Elfie to leave off doing her
German translation for Fraulein, because she
"looked tired"—just imagine!—and made her lie
down on the schoolroom sofa, and Elfie went off
sound asleep for more than two hours. And
Popsie wasn't allowed to practise, when Millie
sent her down, for fear of waking Elfie. And it
must have been all a nonsensical fancy, for I
never saw Elfie look better than she did
yesterday evening. We shall have no end of
fusses, if she is coddled like this.

FROM THYRZA TO NELLIE.

April 22.

MY DEAR NELLIE,—YOU told us all to write

quite openly to you, so long as we could
manage not to worry Mother. So I am sending a
sheet enclosed in a letter from Gladys to you,
as she says she has room.

I do wish something could be done about the

way Millie goes on. It is perfectly abominable.
She sets herself against Miss Con on every
possible opportunity, and does her very best to
set the girls against her too.

The fact is, Miss Con doesn't flatter Millie, and

Millie can't get along without flattery. It is meat
and drink to her. And Millie is frightfully jealous
of Miss Con, for being taller and better looking
and cleverer than herself—and also for being
Mother's friend. I do wish sometimes that
Mother had just let things alone, instead of
trying to arrange for Miss Con to be like a
visitor as well as a governess. Millie counts her
dining with us every night a tremendous
grievance.

Then of course Miss Con does insist upon

having schoolroom matters in her own hands. I
don't see how she could manage, if she didn't.
Millie has no reasonable ground for complaint.
Miss Con is always kind and polite to her, and
tries to meet her fancies: but Millie does dearly
love to rule the roost; and of course she can't
be allowed. She is always stirring up mud;
wanting to come into the schoolroom for music,
just when Miss Con is reading aloud or giving a
class lesson; and fidgeting and grumbling over
her "rights," till things are unbearable. Maggie
always takes Millie's part; and I only wonder
Miss Con stays on at all. I do believe it is just
for Mother's sake.

It's no earthly use my saying anything to

Maggie. She is so cockered up with having to
manage the house, that she won't stand a
word. If it wasn't that Rouse and the other
servants know exactly what to do, I am sure I
can't think what we should come to. It's the
merest chance whether Maggie remembers to
give her orders in time. She forgets to order
dinner about twice a week: but happily it comes
up just the same. And Millie just twists Maggie
round her little finger. The two have endless
gossips every night in Millie's room.

I can't tell you how wise Miss Con is with

Elfie. She does not think the Elf at all strong,
and she is careful not to let her do too much,
and to make her have plenty of rest. But all the
time there is no sort of fussing or coddling: and
she never encourages self-indulgence. She
seems to brace up Elfie, without saying much
about it: and I never saw Elfie trying so hard
not to give way to nervous fads. Somehow Miss
Con has a way of making a pleasant duty of a
thing, where other people only give one a
scolding.

I do wish you knew her, Nellie, for I think you

would understand what she is. It isn't often that
Mother's favourites are mine. But Miss Con is so
unlike the common run of people, so earnest
and good and so clever. She seems to have
read and heard and thought over everything.
And she helps me as nobody else ever did, in
other ways—you know what I mean. Her
religion is so real; not mere talk. She makes
one feel that life may be made really worth
living, and that one need not just fritter it away
in girlish nothings—like so many. I think I know
better now what "living to God" really is than I
ever did before. I mean I know what it is,
seeing it in Miss Con. But of course all this is
only for yourself, and for nobody else. You know
how I hate things being passed round and
talked over. If I did not feel perfectly sure of
you, I would not say a word.

You will know whether you can manage to

write anything to Maggie, which might make
her behave more sensibly. I'm not at all sure
that you can, and quoting me would be no good
at all. But anyhow it is a comfort to speak out
for once.

I don't send messages to Mother, as this is

only for you, and the others don't know me to
be writing. I told Gladys I had one or two things
to say which you ought to know, though Mother
must not: and she is safe not to talk.—Your
affectionate sister—

THYRZA.

FROM NELLIE TO MAGGIE.

April 29.

MY DEAREST MAGGIE,—I am going to enclose

a note to you in one to Gladys, as we arranged
to do sometimes. If it goes in the usual way, I
know how difficult it is for you not to show it all
round. Father may see this, by all means: but
please do not read it aloud at the breakfast-
table. However, I am forgetting,—you will not
receive it then.

The dear Mother is much the same,—just so

far better on some days, that I can send
tolerably cheerful accounts. But I do not see
any steady improvement; such as one might
count upon for the future. I suppose we ought
hardly to expect it yet.

I am always thinking about you, darling, and

about all the difficulties that you must have to
contend with. Managing a big household,
without any practice beforehand, is no light
matter. I should find difficulties enough in your
place: and yet I have had some little training
now and then, when Mother has been away
from home.

Your private half-sheet reached me safely,

though I have not been able to answer it till
now. Lately Mother has seemed scarcely able to
bear me out of her sight; and if I am writing,
she wants to know who it is to and what I have
said. And just now, too, she likes me to sleep
with her: so for days I have had scarcely a
moment alone.

But I do feel very sorry for all the little rubs

and worries you speak of. It is so likely that
things should be perplexing sometimes, with no
real head to be appealed to. For you would not
like, any more than I should, to be always
bothering Father. And though I know you are
doing your very best, yet of course you are
young, darling, and only just out of the
schoolroom, and you can't have full authority all
in a moment over the rest.

Mother's idea has been all along that Miss

Conway would act in many ways as a kind of
temporary head. I don't mean in ordering
dinner, and so on: but in everything connected
with you girls. I know it isn't very easy to make
things fit in: but, perhaps, the more you can
appeal to Miss Conway the better. And I think it
ought to be quite clear that Miss Conway has
the entire arrangement and management of
everything in the schoolroom; and that Millie's
plans must yield to hers.

You see, poor Millie has a rather sensitive

temper, and she is a little apt to imagine slights.
Kind Miss Jackson gave in to her too easily,
more than was right. I am afraid Millie has been
spoilt by her: and we cannot expect quite the
same from Miss Conway. I should be very sorry
to think that poor Millie was really unhappy: but
I wouldn't, if I were you, help in the nursing of
all her small grievances.

I shall be delighted to hear that your book is

successful, and that you have fifteen pounds of
your own. Writing books is not at all in my line,
for I am a very humdrum sort of individual; but
it seems quite a nice new amusement for you. I
don't think Gladys would be jealous, darling
Maggie. Why should she? There is room enough
in the world for books by you both. Perhaps she
was a little shy about giving too decided an
opinion.
 Mother wants me, and I must stop.—Ever
your loving sister, NELLIE.

FROM MISS CONWAY TO MRS. ROMILLY.

May 1.

MY DEAR MRS. ROMILLY,—I have not hitherto

asked leave to write to you, knowing how you
need complete rest. But Maggie says that you
are expecting and wishing for a few lines.

Some day, when we meet again, I shall have

much to say to you about my first impressions
of all your girls: though I must not trouble you
now with lengthy outpourings. On the whole, I
think I gained a tolerably fair notion of most of
them from your previous descriptions. Only I
expected perhaps that Maggie would be rather
more like yourself.

Thyrza is very hard at work over her various

studies: and I am struck with her force and
energy. She will never turn into a limp pretty
young drawing-room lady, with no ideas in life
beyond the last novel or the latest fashion. But
I do think there are grand possibilities in
Thyrza. There is abundance of steam, ready to
be utilised. A few angularities now do not mean
much.
 At present Nona's energies are expended
more upon tennis than upon literature. She
delights, as you know, in any sort of "fun," and
keeps us all with her high spirits; and she takes
life easily. That makes one remark more the
contrast of your little sensitive brave-spirited
Elfie. There is no taking anything easily in Elfie's
case; but I think I never saw a girl of sixteen
make so hard and resolute a fight not to be
mastered. You will, I know, be glad to hear this:
Nona seems to be all bright sunshine without
shadow, while in Elfie sunshine and shade
alternate sharply. She is a dear little creature,
and intensely conscientious.

You may be interested and amused to have

these passing ideas of mine. I could, of course,
say much more, if I did not fear to tire you. We
work very steadily at lessons, and take long
country rambles, sometimes all together,
sometimes in detachments.

How you will enjoy a few days at beautiful

Heidelberg! I hope your time in Germany will be
as pleasant as your time in Italy has been.

You will understand that I do not expect or

wish for any answer. I hear of you constantly.
Only try to get well, my dear Mrs. Romilly, as
soon as possible,—as soon as it is God's will.
Then we may all hope for the joy of welcoming
you home.

Believe me still, your affectionate friend—