Some key differences from English composition writing
Accuracy Clarity Efficiency Precision
Accuracy – the most important Clarity – clear and easy to use Efficiency – use the fewest words possible to present the info accurately and clearly Precision – choose the best, most accurate, words. Know precisely what they mean.
Unlike English composition writing, mass media writing is done for an audience. Writing is to inform or persuade the audience. Always keep the audience in mind when writing. Choose the most effective way to deliver the message to your audience.
In media writing, we move smoothly and naturally from one fact to the next. The reader should have an easy time with your writing. No work involved. In its most general form, media writing starts with the most important and newsworthy piece of information. Then moves on to second-most important, third-most important, and so on.
Use short words instead of long ones. - Simple words rather than complex. Use familiar words over unfamiliar ones. - Words we see every day rather than technical terms or jargon. Use strong verbs. Use active voice instead of passive voice when you have a choice.
Watch the use of qualifying words and phrases. Check out adjectives, adverbs and prepositional phrases. Are they necessary? If not, drop them. Nouns and verbs are better to use than adjectives and adverbs.
Use short sentences. No more than 20 words per sentence. Vary sentence length. Balance long sentences with shorter ones. Be straightforward. Long sentences with lots of commas and clauses are not easy to use. Stick to the subject-verb-object construction when possible. Too many commas? Make a new sentence.
Use shorter paragraphs – no more than two sentences. Often, one sentence per paragraph is appropriate. Vary the length of your paragraphs. Too many paragraphs that are the same length lull the reader to sleep visually.
Clear, simple writing sticks to the facts. Just tell the reader the information. The writer’s opinion is not included in mainstream basic news stories. We write to present information to our audience.
Media writers present information in a way that does not reveal their own opinion. We present the information to readers and viewers and let them make up their minds about what they think. We let readers and viewers know the sources of our information, so they can decide if they are valid sources.
Writing for media is a deadline-driven process. Sometimes that deadline might mean we don’t get to talk to everyone we’d like to before submitting a story. Media writing can take place in noisy, busy places. Get accustomed to blocking out distractions.
The best way to learn to write? By writing. We’ll do that here. Other tips for improving writing: Read lots of different types of writing. Traditional news, magazines, online, longer essays, even fiction.
Analyze the writing you read. What are some of the sentences you find interesting? Look for examples of clear writing, efficiency, good use of transitions, etc. Emulate the good writing you find. Use it as a guide to write with some of the same qualities.
Every story answers these questions: Who, what, where, when, why, how One of these six is typically more important than the others. Which one is it?
The most basic structure is called the inverted pyramid. In this structure, we place the most important, newsworthy item at the top of the story. We then put the second-most important thing next, followed by the third most- important, etc.
There’s a car crash on Mission Street. Two people are injured and taken to the hospital. A 27-year-old Clare woman is treated and released. A 28-year-old Farwell man dies. What is the most important, newsworthy item of the information listed above?
In news writing, the introductory paragraph is called a lead. Inverted pyramid lead example given the info in our scenario: A 28-year-old Farwell man died in a car crash on Mission Street in Mt. Pleasant Tuesday.
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