Writing for media basics

1. Writing for Media
UCSD Extension Spring 2012

2. What is good writing?
• Efficient — use minimum words to make
point
• Precise — use words for exact meanings
• Clear — leaves no doubt for meaning
• Modest — does not draw attention to
itself

3. Getting ready to write
• Know the language
• Know the subject — study, research
• Write it down — routine
• Edit and rewrite — discipline, critical

4. Basics...
• Use simple words and sentences
• Practice brevity
• No jargon, cliches, slang
• Use familiar words
• Vary sentence length
• Nouns, verbs, and transitions

5. Writing for Media
• Subject matter — research
• Purpose — inform, entertain, persuade
• Audience — know your audience
• Environment — deadlines

6. Tools...
• Grammar
• Spelling
• Punctuation

7. Grammar...
• Agreement
• Active and passive voice
• Appositive phrases and commas
• That and which; who and whom
• Apostrophe used to form possessives

8. Punctuation...
• Commas — ,
• Semicolons — ;
• Period — .
• Apostrophe — ‘
• Exclamation mark — !

9. Spelling...
• Dictionary — get one

10. Accuracy...
• Chief goal of any writer
• Truth and honesty (builds trust!)
• People will not read or view if inaccurate
• Professional

11. Clarity...
• Keep it simple
• Avoid jargon
• Be specific
• Check time sequence
• Transitions
• Take on complex issues

12. Brevity...
• Get to the point! (or lose your audience)
• Watch for redundancies and repetitions
• Cut out unnecessary words

13. Journalism...
• Inverted pyramid
• Types of stories
• Objectivity — balance, fairness
• Impersonal — stay out of the story
• Sources — reliable, credible
• Attribution and quotes

14. AP Stylebook...
• Capitalization
• Abbreviation
• Punctuation
• Numerals
• Ages

15. AP Stylebook (cont.)...
• Dimensions
• Spelling
• Dates
• Usage
• Language sensitivity

16. AP Stylebook (cont.)...
• Sexist pronouns
• Titles
• Descriptions
• Stereotypes
• Illness and disability

17. Questions...