Transcript Journalism I Final Exam Writing Review

Journalism I
Final Exam Writing Review
Headlines, News Writing,
and Editorials
Headline Writing Rules
 Use specific phrasing—choose your words carefully
 Each must contain a subject and a verb
 Emphasis should be on ACTION verbs
 No articles—a, an or the
 Use a comma to replace and
 Use present or future tense
 Avoid bad splits—subject and verb, adjective and noun,
adverb and verb, parts of a verb, prepositional phrases
 Don’t repeat words
 Avoid names (unless well known) and weird abbreviations
News Writing
 Use the inverted pyramid—most important to least
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important.
DO NOT write news stories in chronological order!
Leads should include the 5 Ws—possibly the H—don’t use
creativity. Get straight to the point!
Avoid editorializing—NO OPINION!
Use AP style
Attribute and identify sources properly
Omit extraneous information
Use tight writing with active verbs
Editorials
 Intro presents the problem and the staff’s stance
 Lead/intro grabs reader’s attention
 Staff stance is supported with evidence
 Avoid direct quotes unless absolutely necessary
 Present other viewpoints in addition to staff viewpoints
 Solution(s) is provided when necessary
 Conclusion recaps staff’s position and includes call to action
when appropriate
 Tone is fair and mature
 Avoid preachiness