ABSTRACT
Varying nomenclature is used to describe news mix, and editors sometimes place different emphasis on each, but the elements are recognized throughout journalism as impact, proximity, timeliness, conflict, prominence, novelty. Conflict between people, armies, nations, ideas frames much news, and reporting it fully but carefully, colorfully but calmly is central to the people responsibility as a reporter. Leading with "a prominent actor" being arrested and subordinating his name to the second graph would not focus properly on the prominence factor so important in newswriting. Nevertheless, three factors central to the people success can be identified immediately: people skills, interviewing and note-taking, and computer-assisted reporting. Interviewing is a hugely important tool for reporters, yet, the people probably don’t know how to do it and, truth be told, are a bit timid about trying. Some reporters use tape recorders so they can concentrate on the conversation. Beginner reporters typically misuse computer-assisted reporting.
