Journalistic writing and “English class” writing Similarities and differences

Writing is… Central to all media industries The mark of a well educated person Powerful The ability to control and articulate ideas and information gives you power over what other people know and think about.

Media Writing Not Your Average English Class Emphasize information. Mass media presents information. Purpose of English essay v. journalistic piece clearly and often quickly inform, entertain or persuade an audience Writing in a professional environment Writing for a mass audience. Understanding that audience is a big part of learning to write for the mass media. Writing with modesty. Writing for accuracy, completeness, efficiency, precision.

Media Writing v. English Longer, more complex sentences. Multi-syllable words, enhance vocabulary. Paragraphs of 100 words or more, including a topic sentence and its support. Media writing Short, concise sentences Simple, understandable words. Paragraphs, often one or two sentences.

Organization varies… Essay Media writing Inverted pyramid The first paragraph is the lead -- with 5Ws and H, usually one sentence Additional paragraphs are short and contain less and less important information Characteristics: accuracy, completeness, efficiency, precision Essay Traditionally five paragraphs The first paragraph is introduction and thesis Second, third and fourth paragraphs develop the topic using Compare and contrast Definition Classification, etc. The final paragraph is the conclusion

Intro/Thesis statement Organization Five-Paragraph Essay Inverted pyramid Intro/Thesis statement Lead - 5Ws & H Body Gets less important Conclusion

And information-gathering varies, too… Media writing Primary sources. Interviews with: Experts Spokespersons Newsmakers ‘People on the street’ Secondary sources include: Official records Reference materials Other media Essays Require material from Reading a particular work Drawing on insight and information from previous readings or lectures Applying personal experience

But keep in mind why that’s the case:  Different audience Different purpose

BEWARE OF PLAGIARISM! All writing needs attribution… Media Writing Attribution into the context: “The result is dangerous,” Mayor Fred Norton said. According to the Health Commission’s survey, 27 percent of the participants lost weight. Secondary sources the reporter didn’t interview: “The result is dangerous,” Mayor Fred Norton told the Greenville Times. Essays Essays use various citation forms: MLA APA This could include: Footnotes or endnotes Parenthetical citations Bibliography

It’s not quite that simple, but… Not every assignment in English class is a five-paragraph essay. Not every story in the media is a traditional news story. Today’s publications — especially student media — often use news features. These start with a “softer” lead Anecdote Description Organization varies but generally has An interest-catching beginning An ending that makes it feel “finished” Plenty of short, interesting quotes Transition to tie all the parts together

NO OPINION! Remove opinion for news stories and features It’s not a “tragic fire.” Without a survey or other way to show this, it’s not accurate to say “everyone owns an iPod.” What is the source? Who researched this? And even if “Greenville High School is better off because she won the award,” the reporter shouldn’t be the one to say it. Save opinions for Op-ed Advertisements Blogs

What IS the same? The basic writing process Brainstorm for ideas Gather information Organize and select appropriate information Write the first draft Share with a peer, advisor, editor Use suggestions and insight for second draft Tweak as many times as necessary, polish and submit

Good writing is still good writing… But when students become journalists, they have to remember they have A different audience A different purpose And that means leaving some of their English class writing behind.