National Council for the Training of Journalists Diploma in Journalism Reporting Workshop

the aims  to explain the programme of study and the addition of ethics  explain the changes to the format of the exam  explain the addition of the new ethics question  what markers are looking for

reporting exam  fourth year of assessment  pass rates: per cent A-C per cent A-C per cent A-C (including re-sits)

key skills still remain  clear, vigorous and well-balanced  accurate  good use of English

the programme of study  news gathering  interviewing  writing and creating news stories  reporting scenarios and writing different types of story  how news is consumed  using interactivity: and how it can be used to generate additional news stories and material  social media: twitter, Facebook etc.  production journalism  non-examined topics: health and safety, business of news and essential photography for reporters

reporting review  review group led by industry reps and including tutors, examiners and trainers  re-drafting of some elements of the exam  addition of an ethics question  testing the new format exam  fine-tuning the exam and marking guide

Question one remains a test of:  writing a news item  writing a suitable headline  being able to use Twitter to break the story and  writing a longer story in which: the angle has changed a need to take initial information plus added information to write a new story

Question two remains a test of:  a candidate’s ability to follow-up a story  a test of their ideas but now includes:  an ethical dilemma  asks for 3 key sources and 4 questions for each  explain ethical considerations  give 1 visual idea to enhance story on website  give 1 idea to develop dialogue with readers over next 24 hours and does not include word nib

Question three a straightforward task of writing a word NIB  Using a low-key story  maximum of 200 words

changes to the exam marks  Question 1:(135 marks)no change  Question 2: (50 marks)  (a)12three key sources  (b)18four questions each  (c) 10ethical considerations  (d) 5one appropriate visual idea  (e) 5one way to develop a dialogue  Question 3:( 15 marks)40-50 word nib

feedback forms  review of feedback given – demonstrated inconsistencies and insufficient detail on some forms  considered giving breakdown of marks  more detail will be given in explanations  including an example. i.e. ‘insufficient detail given’ plus what was missing  all will refer candidates to ‘top tips’

exam administration  exams calendar  all reporting exams start at 10am  online exam applications  downloading of exam papers

the marking  marked and moderated by NCTJ examiners  feedback forms  resources  one sample exam available online for students  ten sample exams plus marking guides available for tutors in tutor resources  updated ‘top tips’  will add sample A/B/C grade scripts by Christmas

sample marking exercise led by Joyce Bishop, NCTJ reporting chief examiner

National Council for the Training of Journalists Open forum