What do students have to do differently when they move from "English class writing" to what they need to use on student publications?

1. Journalistic writing
and “English class”
writing
Similarities and differences
by Candace Perkins Bowen
Center for Scholastic Journalism
Kent State University

2. 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.

3. No t a l l j o u r n a l is t ic wr it in g is t h e s a me n o r is a l l
“E n g l is h c l a s s ” wr it in g t h e s a me , b u t c o n s id e r t h e s e
g e n e r a l g u id e l in e s .
Here are some differences…
 Journalistic writing has  “English class” writing
short, concise has longer, more
sentences. complex sentences.
 JW has simple,  ECW uses more multi-
understandable words. syllable words.
 JW uses short  ECW often has
paragraphs, often one paragraphs of 100
or two sentences. words or more,
including a topic
sentence and its
support.

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

5. Organization
Five-Paragraph Essay
Inverted pyramid I n t r o /T h e s i
s
s ta te me nt
Lead - B ody
5 Ws & H
G e t s le s s
C o n c lu s io n
im p o r t a n t

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

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

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

9. 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
 Suspended interest, etc.
 Organization varies but generally has
 An interest-catching beginning
 A “nut graph” to show the focus
 An ending that makes it feel “finished”
 Plenty of short, interesting quotes
 Transition to tie all the parts together

10. Remember, news and features
don’t contain reporter opinion.
 While all readers would agree, 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.

11. What’s still the same between English
class writing and journalism?
 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

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