NOTEBOOK DUMP

n.

An article or book that is dense with facts but light on story, as though the writer simply copied everything that was in their notebook.

"His reporting skill seems to outshine his writer's art. Much of 'Uncovering Clinton' reads like what reporters call 'a notebook dump' — a confusing mass of names, dates, places and allegations."

— Harry Levins, "Newsweek reporter was scooped on his own scoop," St. Louis Post-Dispatch, April 11, 1999

To James Callan for suggesting today's phrase.

anniversary journalism

beat sweetener

bummer beat

horse-race journalism

media culpa

muffin-choker

reefer

thumbsucker

tick-tock

Media and Journalism

Writing