NCTJ: Week 16

Last week, it was back to college for the final stretch of the race. Since then, it's been revision, revision, and yes, you've guessed it, MORE REVISION. I actually feel like I have it coming out of my ears at the moment. I mean one day I could have council tax spewing out of my left and section 11 court reporting restrictions out of my right. Not to mention newswriting, subbing and my portfolio. Where are they coming out of, eh? Actually, let's not dwell on that.... Moving swiftly on....

What I did do for most of the week was my portfolio. This comprises of ten original stories that you have had published (or not). Nine and a feature, if you have one.  You upload them into an e-portfolio on the NCTJ website, as well as details of work experience. You can then use it to take to interviews when you finish your course, as well as it being a key part of the assessment for your Diploma.

Here are a few key tips to help you put together your own:

1) Stories: You can upload cuttings from work ex that you've done at a news organisation previously and any pieces that have featured online. The best way to upload them is through turning them into a PDF by scanning. Most importantly, you need to submit a varied portfolio to demonstrate your broad skills as a journalist. For me, I included pieces like: The third annual Liverpool Pride festival, a gig review and a sports story about a local fencing tournament. The more diverse the selection of articles is the better your portfolio will be. Not all of the stories need to come from your NCTJ, you are free to use work that you've done from university (student media) or other work placements.

2) Description/Rationale: For each story, there will a description/ rationale section in which you must explain what you needed to do to get your story. Some pieces will have more detail than others, but try to be as thorough as you in your explanations. How did you find the story? Who did you interview? And how? If it was a review, did you go to the gig/ play etc? As well as this, you'll need to put down what legal regulations and ethical considerations you made when writing your story. Refer to your PCC code for this, and in most cases, you will be able to use the same clauses for more than one story. Accuracy, privacy, harassment, are good ones to include.

3) Traffic light system: You need to have your description, original copy (i.e. the one you have written before it has been subbed) and the final copy, for every story before you submit. Each of those 'lights' need to turn green for a piece to be complete. When you've done this, upload it, and feel a sense of relief that it is complete. One more thing to tick of your list. Boss.

Off to do some PA revision now, people.

Until next time

S