Field Guide to Covering Sports

493 Pages·2017·6.752 MB·English

by  Joe Gisondi

Field Guide to Covering Sports
Second Edition
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For my parents, whose love knew no bounds.
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Field Guide to Covering Sports
Second Edition
Joe Gisondi
Eastern Illinois University
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FOR INFORMATION:
CQ Press
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Copyright © 2018 by CQ Press, an Imprint of SAGE Publications, Inc. CQ Press is a registered trademark
of Congressional Quarterly Inc.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval
system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Printed in the United States of America
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Gisondi, Joe author.
Title: Field guide to covering sports / Joe Gisondi, Eastern Illinois University.
Description: Second edition. | Thousand Oaks, California : CQ Press/SAGE, 2017. | Includes bibliographical references and index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2017009655 | ISBN 9781506315683 (spiral : alk. paper)
Subjects: LCSH: Sports journalism. | Sports journalism—Authorship.
Classification: LCC PN4784.S6 G58 2017 | DDC 070.4/49796—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017009655
This book is printed on acid-free paper.
Acquisitions Editor: Terri Accomazzo
Editorial Assistant: Erik Helton
Production Editor: Andrew Olson
Copy Editor: Karin Rathert
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Typesetter: C&M Digitals (P) Ltd.
Proofreader: Caryne Brown
Indexer: Teddy Diggs
Cover Designer: Gail Buschman
Marketing Manager: Jillian Oelsen
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Contents
Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgments
PART I. GETTING STARTED
1. From Sports Fan to Sports Reporter
There’s No Cheering in the Press Box
Where Do You Start?
Clerking Is a Great Way to Learn
Reporting Is Essential in New Media Landscape
2. Writing Game Stories
Leads
Organization
Context and Analysis
Key Plays
Statistics
Quotations
Language
3. Getting the Most Out of an Interview
Journalism Is Not Stenography
Prepare
Watch
Ask
And Keep Asking
Sack the Clichéd Responses
4. Developing and Writing Features
Reporting Is Vital
Learn Storytelling Techniques
5. Developing Sports Columns
6. Blogging: Finding a Unique Perspective
Blogs Are Here to Stay
Carving a Niche
Tips for Blogging Sports
7. Using Advanced Statistical Metrics
Advanced Metrics Glossary
PART II. MULTIMEDIA
8. Social Media: Using Twitter as a Reporting Tool
9. Writing for Mobile Devices
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Tips for Mobile
10. Visual Storytelling
Quick Tips for Improving Your Sports Photograph
11. Broadcasting Games on Radio
12. Writing for TV
PART III. COVERING A BEAT
Auto Racing
Baseball
Basketball
Bowling
Cross Country
Field Hockey
Football
Golf
Ice Hockey
Lacrosse
Rowing
Rugby
Soccer
Softball
Swimming & Diving
Tennis
Track & Field
Triathlons
Volleyball
Wrestling
PART IV. EXPLORING FURTHER
Primer A: Ethics: Sports Writers Can’t Act Like Fans
Primer B: Covering Fantasy Sports
Primer C: Covering a College Beat
Primer D: High School Sports
Primer E: Avoiding Clichés
Appendix: Assignment Desk
Associated Press Sports Style Quizzes
Notes
Index
About the Author
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