Show Me the Money

Chris Roush is Walter E. Hussman Sr. Distinguished Scholar in business journalism and founding director of the Carolina Business News Initiative, which provides training for professional journalists and students at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

"Chris Roush demystifies financial storytelling, and with insight from leading journalists helps reporters figure out when a company’s dollars make sense—and when they don’t. Show Me the Money prepares even the math-phobic reporter to write business news that matters to readers from Main Street to Wall Street." – Melita M. Garza, Texas Christian University"Show Me the Money isn’t just a thorough textbook – it’s an essential reference that should be on the desk of any journalist who may ever have to write about business and finance." – John Kroll, Kent State University“Roush has created a textbook and reference source for the writer who needs to communicate effectively on business and economics. He uses a case study approach to provide information and guidelines … Each chapter in this well-researched and accessible book is visually organized to highlight in boxes key definitions and tips from the pros. Interviews with reporters and columnists serve to personalize the content. This approach adds to the interest level of the text. Roush offers practical tips for writers, such as the need to subscribe to the Wall Street Journal. Additional advice includes recognizing the importance of writing engaging ledes, interviewing sources, and using skepticism and common sense.” – E. G. Ferris, Branford Hall Career Institute

• 1. Business Journalism’s Importance 2. Some Business Journalism Basics 3. Business Journalism Beats 4. Covering Economic Stories 5. Evaluating a Company’s Financial Performance 6. Basic Company News Stories 7. Mergers and Acquisitions 8. Covering Wall Street 9. Executives as a News Story 10. Covering Small and Private Companies 11. Nonprofits and Foundations 12. Business News in the Courthouse 13. Covering Real Estate 14. Business Stories within the Government 15. Personal Finance