What is the most popular coffee alternative at the moment? As Meghan Lodwick writes, chai tea lattes are giving hot chocolates a run for their money.

What is the difference between ‘due to’ and ‘because of’? If a carpenter can’t use a hammer properly, he won’t find much work. Why aren’t journalists mastering their tools? Words. As Rob Harris explains, Les Carlyon’s critique of journalism is vital reading.

Upstart co-editor Matt de Neef has had eight articles published in Crikey during the first two weeks of his internship there. And then there’s the one that didn’t make it …

Karen Kissane, an award-winning journalist at The Age, and Jane Cowan, who has been reporting on the Bushfires Royal Commission, are both guest lecturing at La Trobe today. All are welcome to attend.

The media coverage of Liep Gony’s death made Matt de Neef wonder; why are some words censored in newspapers and not others?

Since upstart put out the call a fortnight ago for the books every journalist should read, the responses have come in thick and fast. Stephen Romei, Sally Heath and others have put in their suggestions, what are yours?

Matt de Neef recounts how his La Trobe University feature article assignment morphed into a full page piece in The Age’s Livewire section.

We tend to think of a circus as lions jumping through hoops and clowns with red noses, big hair and pink cheeks. But circus is one of the oldest art forms – and it’s still evolving. Florencia Liguori explores its transformation in Australia, and why the Melbourne Fringe Festival is the place to see it.

From natural disasters to car crashes, news reporters deal with traumatic stories every day. But at what point does it all become a little too much for the journalist to cope with, and what can be done to minimise the effects of trauma? Erdem Koc reflects on his own experiences.

Feeling glum about your prospects of ever finding a job when you graduate? Well this will brighten your day — three traineeships with Fairfax.