You can learn all the theory about journalism but the real test of your professional qualities comes when you write a story.

Whether you are writing it for a newspaper or for it to be read out in a radio or television broadcast the onus is on you to construct content which will draw your audience in and engage them.

The art of writing a story can sometimes take years to perfect – I remember my own struggles as a trainee, when the news editor re-wrote virtually every word.

Sometimes rookie reporters pick it up almost straight away.

But the secret is to practice until you don’t even have to think too hard about it, the words just flow.

In my new book – How To Become A Journalist – I analyse just what makes a good news story.

I break stories down into four key elements, starting off with the intro, the dynamic entry point to a story when you either grab the attention of your reader, listener or viewer, or you lose them.

I guarantee that anyone who follows the templates outlined in the book will soon be able to start bashing out great news stories.

I have also provided, in chapter three, practical tests for aspiring journalists where I challenge them to write stories based on notes from fictitious interviews.

There are also some sample stories I have written from the notes, based around the four main building blocks of a story.

My book is available on Amazon as a paperback or eBook right HERE

And if you are an aspiring journalist or a trainee reporter and you want any advice about writing news stories then please feel free to email me at nrennie157@gmail.com