9. Most Important First
• Readers start
at the top
• Editors cut
from the
bottom
Really Important Facts
Who What Where When Why
Useful detail
and history
Information
that helps
readers
Information that
provides context
10. 5 W’s and H
• Who
• What
• Where
• When
• Why
• How
11. Practice
• Sponsored and taught
by Franklin County
Extension staff
• Succession planning
• Quote from local past
participant
• 7 p.m., April 12
• Preregistration
required
• $25 per family
• Prepares you to meet
with professionals
• Targeted to families
and others who want
to transition a farm,
ranch or other
business
• Richmond Community
Center
12. Practice
• “My, oh, my,”
exclaimed Scott
Miller.
• “My, oh, my”
exclaimed Scott
Miller.
19. Practice
• The extension agent
is leading the field
tour.
• The Extension agent
is leading the field
tour.
20. Practice
• Establish a three- to
five-year
management
program.
• Establish a three to
five year
management
program.
21. Practice
• NDSU is a land-grant
university.
• NDSU is a land grant
university.
22. Practice
• The office is open 8
a.m. to 5 p.m.
• The office is open
from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
23. Practice
• Bruce and Scott
recorded a video on
how to shoot quality
video.
• Bruce and Scott
recorded a video on
how to shoot high-
quality video.
24. Practice
• She is an eminent
speaker on the topic
of animal welfare.
• She is an imminent
speaker on the topic
of animal welfare.
25. Practice
• He considered NDSU;
however, he chose
Minnesota instead.
• He considered NDSU,
however, he chose
Minnesota instead.
26. Practice
• Contact Joe, Sarah or
myself for information.
• Contact Joe, Sarah or
me for information.
27. Practice
• Talk to your child so
they know you are
concerned.
• Talk to your child so
he or she knows you
are concerned.
• Talk to your children
so they know you are
concerned.
28. Practice
• All the cows that were
pregnant this spring
have calved.
• All the cows who
were pregnant this
spring have calved.
29. Practice
• The conference will
be hosted in the state
of North Dakota.
• The conference will
be hosted in North
Dakota.
32. Practice
• Four-H is an excellent
program for youth.
• 4-H is an excellent
program for youth.
33. Practice
• The Smith-Lever Act
which created the
Extension Service
was passed in 1914.
• The Smith-Lever Act,
which created the
Extension Service,
was passed in 1914.
34. Practice
• Will we see another
farm crisis like the
1980s?
• Will we see another
farm crisis like the
1980’s?
35. Writing… Not Just for the Web
• Put most important
information first
• Write short sentences
• Write short
paragraphs
• Use words your
audience uses
• Use subheads and
bulleted lists
• Design for scanning
• Use relevant – and
legal – images
• Approach the topic
from your reader’s
point of view
• Include contact
information
36. Proofreading
• Take a break before
editing, start fresh
• Take time, don’t rush
• Read out loud
• Have someone else
read it
• Don’t depend on
spellcheck
• Check URLs,
numbers, dates,
spelling of names,
other details
• Delete unnecessary
words and phrases,
delete redundancies
37. Resources
• “The Elements of Style”
• “The Associated Press Stylebook”
• Ag Communication Style Guide
• Write the Right Word
• Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL)
