Product Description

The goal of this book is to help professional broadcast reporters, producers, and photojournalists tell stronger stories. It can serve as a guide for news managers whose job it is to train, coach, and inspire others. Veteran journalist Al Tompkins is Broadcast and Online Group Leader for the Poynter Institute for Media Studies.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #328508 in Books
• Published on: 2002-07-25
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 250 pages

About the Author
Al Tompkins is one of America's most honored local broadcast journalists. He is the recipient of the National Emmy, five National Headliner Awards, the Japan Prize, two Iris Awards, the Robert F. Kennedy Award, the National Bar Association Silver Gavel and The Clarion Award. The National Press Photographers Association awarded him the Jack Lemon award in 2001 for outstanding service to photojournalism. In his 25 years of working in local broadcast news he has been a photojournalist, reporter, producer, investigative reporter, director of special projects and investigations, assistant news director and news director.

Customer Reviews

Loved this book
I've worked as a tv reporter for nearly 21 years...16 years in Portland, Oregon. This is by far one of the very best books I've read on the art of writing for tv news. I found it useful after reading the very first page. Tompkins uses clear, concrete examples to illustrate his points which instantly made me a better writer. Its refreshing to think about our craft with new insight on the purpose and focus of each story. I've urged all the producers and reporters in our newsroom to get and read this!

Aim for the Heart is a first-rate "How-To " for TV journalists
Al Tompkins scores with a practical guide to make pictures and words compelling, even for a novice TV reporter.

Probably THE book to read for any up-and-coming reporter...
Mr. Tompkins' book was the reason I got my first job coming out of college. The first two stories I put on my resume tape were heavily influenced by the things I read in 'Write for the ear, shoot for the eye, aim for the heart.'

Al explains things so that you not only understand how to do the things we do, but also why we do the things we do. I still keep the book on my desk, and whenever my reporting gets into a rut, I haul out Al's book and re-read it. My next few stories are always better than my last few stories.