Journalist’s Trade

‘Despite their importance and the tough transition when they switch from reporter or copyeditor, frontline editors often are sent to the end of the line for training.’

Journalism professors work to align essential skills with emerging technology.

‘Lessons learned from past failures can help to ensure future triumphs.’

New online tools will help prospective assigning editors see whether they have what it takes to succeed.

‘If we’re forced to be a smaller place, then let’s aggressively teach ourselves the virtues that go along with that sensibility.’

This list of books, articles and Web sites has been compiled by Carl Sessions Stepp, a former assigning editor and now journalism professor at the University of Maryland. Books About…

Whether editors’ training takes place in a single newsroom or as a regional gathering, its essential elements remain consistent.

‘Then Joanna found her vision. It was crisp and clear. She made me see it, too.’

A teacher challenges his students ‘to devise a proposal for the protection of newsroom independence and integrity’ in a changing media environment.

‘We joke about how almost every day maintenance people seem to be assembling another desk.’