1. Introduction

2.  Journalism involves two main functions: gathering information (reporting) and conveying information (writing)  Structure of how we write is different from what you’ve been taught in your English classes.  The reporting and writing skills you gain in this and other journalism courses can be applied to many different careers.

3.  The reason we write in the mass media is to present information.  The information has a few common characteristics: 1. It is recent. 2. It is true and verifiable. 3. It is relevant to the audience.

4.  In this course, we will discuss writing in a professional environment.  We will learn about the demands of professionalism.  We will discuss how to act professionally.

5.  Writing for the mass media means the work we produce will be seen by a lot of people.  We’ll learn about audiences, and how to best present information to our audiences.

6.  When you write in the mass media, you produce work that is meant for consumption by your audience.  It is presented in the third person.  It is presented free of your personal opinion.  It is presented accurately, concisely, completely, and in an easy to use format.

7.  Accuracy  Clarity  Efficiency  Precision

8.  The most important thing we do: accuracy. If what you write is not accurate, how well you write doesn’t matter.  Verify the information with more than one source, double check, do what you have to do to make sure you are comfortable that what you write is accurate.  An old saying: What are the three most important things in journalism? Accuracy, accuracy, accuracy.

9.  Good news writing is clear, simple and easy to use.  Readers don’t want to have to work to understand the information you are presenting.  Your writing should answer all of the basic questions your readers might have.

10.  Present the information you have gathered in the most efficient manner.  Fewer words > more words.  Ask yourself if some of the words can be eliminated.  Here’s a tip: You never have to use the word “very.”

11.  Make sure to choose the best word to deliver the information to your audience.  Being precise helps ensure accuracy, clarity and efficiency.  The dictionary and AP stylebook are your friends.

12.  Writers in the mass media need to have a good command of grammar and appropriate word usage.  We also need to be able to spell and punctuate correctly.  Did you get a good basic grammar education in grade school? Are you a good speller? Do you know the rules of punctuation?

13.  Using good grammar, spelling and punctuation allows us to communicate effectively and efficiently.  Ensures our writing is easy to use.  If you work with language, you should care about using it correctly and accurately.  The work you produce carries YOUR name. Your reputation is at stake.

14.  Run-on sentences and comma splice. The iPod screen started flashing it would not stop. (incorrect) The iPod screen started flashing. It would not stop. (correct)  How about? The iPod screen started flashing, it would not stop. (Nope) The iPod screen started flashing, and it would not stop. (Yes)

15.  Singular and plural errors are common among beginning news writers.  For example: The CMU football team won the bowl game. They played at the GMAC Bowl in Alabama.  That is incorrect usage.  The correct way is …

16.  The CMU football team won the bowl game. It played at the GMAC Bowl in Alabama.  CMU football team is a singular unit. Now, if it was CMU football players, that is plural, and referring to them as “they” is OK.  We’ll talk more about this one as the semester goes on.

17.  An apostrophe is not a warning sign that an s is coming.  It’s is a contraction for it is. If you aren’t sure whether or not to use “it’s,” say it out.  The city is using it’s resources. Correct?  CMU is not enforcing its parking rules. Correct?

18.  Do I use that or which? Quick and dirty rule: That is used when there is no comma, which is used following a comma.  In a more technical way, that is used with essential clauses, which is used with nonessential clauses.  I remember that day when we met.  The team, which finished last a year ago, is in first place.

19.  The “journalist’s bible.”  Standardizes usage and helps us be accurate, clear, efficient and precise.  Makes writing easier for you, the writer, by eliminating some usage or word choice decisions you might have to make otherwise.

20.  AP style trumps other common usage or spelling rules.  Look it up in the stylebook first; if it’s not there, check the dictionary.

21.  Punctuate according to generally accepted rules of punctuation, except: - Items in a series. AP style says not to put a comma between the next-to-last item and the last item in the series.  The flag is red, white and blue.

22.  A group or organization name followed immediately by an abbreviation in parentheses is unnecessary.  Some organizations are so well known, you don’t need to spell out their names: NCAA, FBI. Look in the stylebook if you wonder if an organization is that well known.

23.  OMG, we capitalize a lot of stuff nowadays. We even capitalize things For no reason.  Here’s a good general rule on capitalization when writing for the mass media: Never capitalize anything.  Again – never capitalize anything.  Unless …

24.  The stylebook or dictionary say you should.  Proper nouns and names should be capitalized.  Formal titles, but only when they come before a name.  We’ll talk more about this and much more from the stylebook each week throughout the semester.