Journalism refers to the reporting of fact based information to the general public. Journalism can be found in several forms including print reporting in newspapers and magazines as well as broadcast journalism which covers reporting on radio and television. The Internet, has also added a number of additional methods of reporting including online magazines, blogs, newspapers, and other alternative media sources that allow journalist to quickly update new information.

As journalism evolves to keep up with new technologies, it continues to have an important impact on society. Investigative reports, feature stories, editorials, photojournalism, and general articles educate the general public about important issues and provide constantly updated news on natural disasters, political scandals, social issues, and other areas of information. The following resources provide a broad overview of the skills needed in professional journalism with a look at the educational requirements, ethical reporting procedures, and information on various occupational specialties in the field.

Basic Writing Resources

• Journalism and Journalistic Writing: The Associated Press writing style and other elements of journalistic writing are examined here.
• Using Evidence: A look at types of evidence used in writing including quotations and how they can be used to convince the reader of your argument.

Basic Grammar and Punctuation

• Grammar and Punctuation Practice: Quizzes and lessons break down various parts of punctuation and grammar including adjectives, quantifiers, irregular verbs, independent clauses, and apostrophes.
• Grammar Exercises: Review grammar knowledge through short interactive lessons.
• Guide to Grammar and Writing: A competent journalist has to use correct grammar and punctuation. Use these guides to brush up on grammar basics and improve writing skills.
• Quirky Grammar: Fix common grammar errors with this online handbook and accompanying quizzes and exercises.

Journalism Career

• Broadcast News Analysts: A look at the education, skills, job outlook, and knowledge necessary for a career in broadcast.
• Journalist Careers: Check out the equipment needed to be a journalist and various occupational specialties available, to decide if journalism is a good match for you.
• News Analysts, Reporters, and Correspondents: This article examines the job outlook for journalist, provides salary details, and examines the training typically required.
• Reporter: This brief guide defines the type of work that reporters do, education, salary, and future employment outlook.

How To Be A Successful Freelance Journalist

• A Guide for Student Journalist: Take a look at what equipment a successful journalist needs to have.
• Pitching Freelance Environmental Stories: This tipsheet offers suggestions that freelance environmental journalist can use to make their ideas stand out when pitching to an editor.

How To Write A Book

• How to Create an Instant Bestselling Novel: A short primer that discusses general tips useful for writing good fiction.
• Nurturing a Book Concept to Publishing Success: Practical advice is provided here to identify a book concept, find a publisher, prepare a book proposal, and negotiate a contract.

Photojournalism

• Documentary Photography and Photojournalism: This free OpenCourseWare resource from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology explores the basics of documentary photography including learning how to describe and write about photos.
• Photojournalism an Ethical Approach: This digital book examines the ethics of photojournalism, picture manipulation, and the visual impact that photos can make.
• Photojournalism Shaping Memory and History: Photojournalist provide a snapshot of history, this exhibit examines works and commentary from photojournalist Fred J. Maroon.

Broadcast-Journalism

• Digital Storytelling: The major elements of digital storytelling are reviewed in this report.
• Online Journalism and the War in Cyberspace: The stages and characteristics of online journalism are scrutinized here.
• The Transition to Digital Journalism: Digital technology and online reporting are becoming the standard way of breaking news. This guide covers the tools and trends of the digital journalism movement.
• Where’s the Multimedia in Online Journalism?: A look at how the medium of the Internet is being used by journalist and the use of active-multimedia content.

History of Journalism

• History of American Journalism 1900′s: A look at journalism in the 20^th century and important figures in journalism including Joseph Pulitzer and Upton Sinclair.
• Journalism & Serving the Public Trust: A look at the first school of journalism and the evolution of journalism education since.

Media Law and Ethics

• Journalistic Ethics: These guidelines establish ground rules for ethical reporting.
• Media Law & Ethics: Theories of the Press: A look at freedom of the press from a global perspective and the responsibilities and purpose of the media.