Want to learn how to write like a pro?
Write a lot, then buy this book. Or vice versa.
Don’t let the name mislead you, The AP Guide to News Writing will help you become a better article, feature, column, blog, and news writer. Book writer? Not so much. But this litle gem is full of helpful tips, professional counsel, and practical ways to further flex your prose muscle. Quick and very worthwhile.
Here’s an incomplete look at the ideas covered:
- Good writing is distinguished. It has cachet, especially in your lead which encourages your audience to read on.
- Most news stories and features are the same, therefore, writers should focus on what sets a particular story apart. Bank robberies, mergers, and tech unveiling’s happen all the time. What makes the next one different? That’s what people want to know. That’s what readers care about.
- Avoid cliches when they are used without thought which is most of the time. Using cliches is also known as lazy writing and everyone is guilty. If a given cliche is the best fit when conveying information, use it if you must. Otherwise, avoid cliches whenever possible in favor of fresh, thought-provoking scribble. An attempt to sound good is the root of all cliches. Don’t just sound good, write good!
- Good writing, both news and feature, consists of particulars: items of interest that make a story stand out. Good feature leads start with an anecdote or personal story before raising the curtain on what will be covered.
- Never pre-cook a story! You may miss a better angle without first doing your due diligence.
- The news story starts from an event. The feature story from an idea. Still, good writing proceeds from good research.
- Humor, irony, and light touch are formidable assets to non-news articles.
- Having a trouble ending a piece? Let someone else do it for you by ending on a quote:
“The most compelling [writing] supplements the straight news in timely and topical ways. It illuminates events, offers perspective, explanation and interpretation, records trends, and tells people about people… Strong feature writing is simple, clear, orderly, and free of labored mannerisms and tricks that call attention to the writing itself rather than the substance.”
Hope you enjoy the book as much as I did.
Copyright © 2005-2008 Blake Snow. Some rights reserved. Site description:
June 17th, 2007 at 9:40 am
“Don’t just sound good, write good!”
I would rather write well. ;)
June 18th, 2007 at 9:29 am
@Sykil
Man, the irony in your ownage statement! I used “write good” because it “sounded better” than “write well.” Sad and hilarious all bundled in one.