Bart Pfankuch
Bart Pfankuch
Bart Pfankuch, a Wisconsin native who has spent 30 years as a reporter, writing coach and editor, shares tips for reporters in his column, “Better Writing with Bart.”
Assume the attitude of a lifelong learner
Once a journalist understands perfection is unattainable, and mastery only a mystery, it stands to reason that we should all embark on a career of constant discovery and realize that our education never ends.
6 essential steps to trend reporting
One firm fact about trend reporting is that it has never been trendier. Here are six tips to help you spot and illuminate trends in your community.
Better Writing with Bart: Enterprise Reporting
Enterprise reporting goes beyond the obvious By Bart Pfankuch When it comes to interviewing reporter candidates, many editors want to see examples of so-called enterprise reporting. I just finished serving as a judge for several reporting and writing categories for the Washington Newspaper Publishing Association, and I can tell you that the winners across the…
How a reporter can avoid being laid off
Here are some ways to generate good story ideas that will not only offer a modicum of employment protection but which can also prime the pump of higher-level reporting and storytelling along the way.
4 Tips for Writing Engaging Stories
Among all the changes in the news industry, perhaps the most impactful for writers is the dramatic expansion of outlets to obtain information.
Better Writing With Bart: Mini stories equal maximum payoff
The technique breaks a complicated topic down into smaller, more manageable ideas or issues; each smaller topic becomes its own mini story.
Better Writing With Bart: Details, details, details …
You can’t get great details without trying to get them, and you can’t use them effectively without practice. Believe me, it is worth the effort.
Better Writing With Bart: A writing journey we’ll take together
My hope is to provide a monthly column that writers and editors will enjoy but also find useful in honing their craft. We’re on this journey together, and I think it will be quite a ride.
