1. Journalism v. English Class Writing
Editing

2. No, they aren’t in a battle…
But what you will be writing in journalism class is different than what you’ve been writing in English classes all your life.

3. Keep these ideas in mind:
Each has a different audience.
With an English class essay, the writer usually has an audience of one — the teacher.
When writing for media, the writer has a much broader audience — the entire school or community.
Each has a different purpose.
Usually the English essay writer is trying to impress the teacher…and get an A!
The journalist needs to clearly and often quickly inform, entertain or persuade an audience.

4. Here are some differences
Journalistic writing has short, concise sentences.
JW has simple, understandable words.
JW uses short paragraphs, often one or two sentences
Reporters never put themselves or their ideas in a news or feature.
“English class” writing has longer, more complex sentences.
ECW uses more multi-syllable words.
ECW often has paragraphs of 100 words or more, including a topic sentence and its support.
ECW may include the writer’s view on the subject.

5. Organization varies
Newswriting is traditionally arranged in an inverted pyramid.
The first paragraph is the lead -- 5Ws and H.
A summary lead is usually one sentence.
Additional paragraphs are short and contain less and less important information
Essays traditionally are five paragraphs.
The first paragraph is the introduction and thesis statement.
Second, third and fourth paragraphs develop the topic using
Compare and contrast
Definition
Classification, etc.
The final paragraph is the conclusion.

6. All writing needs attribution
News writing works attribution into context:
“The result is dangerous,” Mayor Fred Norton said.
According to the Health Commission’s survey, 27 percent of the participants lost weight.
This is also necessary when using secondary sources the reporter didn’t interview:
“The result is dangerous,” Mayor Fred Norton told the Greenville Times.
Essays use various citation forms:
MLA
APA
This could include:
Footnotes or endnotes
Parenthetical citations
Bibliography

7. What else makes it journalism?
Writing for media, based on its purpose, has something we call NEWS VALUES.
Timeliness
Proximity
Prominence
Human interest
Significance
Impact

8. Information-gathering varies, too
News writing uses primary sources. These are interviews with
Experts
Spokespersons
Newsmakers
“People on the street”
Secondary sources include:
Official records
Reference materials
Other media
Essays traditionally are five paragraphs.
The first paragraph is the introduction and thesis statement.
Second, third and fourth paragraphs develop the topic using
Compare and contrast
Definition
Classification, etc.
The final paragraph is the conclusion.

9. 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 coach
Use coaching suggestions and insight for second draft
Tweak as many times as necessary, polish and submit

10. But keep in mind why that’s the case:
Different audience
Different purpose
But keep in mind
why that’s the case: