JRN 202

1. JRN 202 Introduction

2. Writing for the mass media • 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. Main purpose • 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. Professionalism • 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. The mass in mass media • 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. Speaking of the audience • 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. Characteristics of media writing • Accuracy • Clarity • Efficiency • Precision

8. Accuracy • 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. Clarity • 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. Efficiency • 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. Precision • 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. Grammar, spelling, punctuation • 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. Why? • 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. A few common errors • 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. Its and they • 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. Correct • 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. It’s an apostrophe! • 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. That or which • 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 AP stylebook • 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. Go to the stylebook first • 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. A few common exceptions • 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. Avoid excessive abbreviation • 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. On capitalization • 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. Unless … • 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.

25. Questions?