Bottom Line Writing

An introduction for students and professionals to the magic of careers in business news writing. This lively and unique “how-to” book demystifies economic, business and financial news reporting and writing. Introduction ix

Part 1 Marketplace Realities 3

1 Your Readers: Their Wants and Their Needs 5

Part 2 Reporting and Numbers: Keys to Success 23

2 Reporting: Sources Are Your Gold 25

3 Making Facts and Numbers Sing 45

Part 3 Writing Forms and Structures 65

4 The Straight Stuff: Five Ws and How 67

5 Capturing the Human Element 83

Part 4 Three Major News Sectors 103

6 Economics: Bringing the Big Picture Home 105

7 Business: Walking the Main Street Beat 121

8 Finance: It's Their Pocketbooks That Count 153

Part 5 You, the Law and Ethics 173

9 Be Fair, Be Accurate 175

Part 6 Your Future on Campus and Beyond 197

10 Starting Today Toward Tomorrow 199

Appendix Terms to Learn 219

Name Index 225

Subject Index 229

Conrad C. Fink is the William S. Morris professor of Newspaper Strategy and Management in the Henry W. Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication and director of the James M. Cox, Jr. Institute for Newspaper Management Studies, University of Georgia, Athens. Fink previously held several positions with The Associated Press, including reporter, editor, foreign correspondent and vice president. An introduction for students and professionals to the magic of careers in business news writing. This lively and unique “how-to” book demystifies economic, business and financial news reporting and writing.