Writing for the Mass Media

Now in its eighth edition, Writing for the Mass Media remains one of the clearest and most effective introductions to media writing on the market. This text, which has been used at more than 450 colleges and universities during its life, offers clear writing, simple organization, abundant exercises, and precise examples that give students information about media writing and opportunities to develop their skills as professional writers. With a focus on a converged style of media writing, and converting that style into real work, this eighth edition maintains its classic and effective text-workbook format while staying ahead of the curve and preparing students for their future careers.Chapter 1. Sit Down and Write What Is Good Writing? Getting Ready to Write Basic Techniques Writing for the Mass Media Professionalism The Changing Media Environment And Finally... Points for Consideration and Discussion Further Reading Web Sites Exercises Chapter 2. Basic Tools of Writing Words, Words, Words Grammar Sentences Parts of Speech Common Grammar Problems Punctuation Spelling Writing with Clarity Points for Consideration and Discussion Further Reading Web Sites Exercises Chapter 3. Style and the Stylebook Accuracy Clarity Brevity Journalistic Conventions Journalistic Style Stylebooks The Associated Press Stylebook Language Sensitivity Conclusion Points for Consideration and Discussion Further Reading Web Sites Exercises Chapter 4. Writing in the Media Environment The News Culture Accuracy Verification and attribution Simplicity Clarity, coherence and context Audience Deadlines Reporting Observation People Records Ethical Behavior Hardware and software Conclusion Points for Consideration and Discussion Further Reading Web Sites Exercises Chapter 5. Reporting with Text Headlines The Inverted Pyramid The Lead Paragraph Using Quotations Characteristics of News Stories Summaries Lists Linking Searching for Links Nutshell structure Points for Consideration and Discussion Further Reading Web Sites Exercises Chapter 6. Reporting with Images Basic Concepts of Photojournalism The Threes of Photojournalism Writing Cutlines A Word about Accuracy Photojournalism Ethics Reporting with Graphics What a Good Graphic Contains Building a Chart Points for Consideration and Discussion Further Reading Web Sites Exercises Chapter 7. Reporting with Audio and Video Sound as a Reporting Tool Writing To Be Heard Recording Audio Writing the Audio/Video News Story Editing Audio Ethics of Editing Audio The Audio Slideshow Telling The Story with Video Shooting the Video Editing Video Conclusion Points for Consideration and Discussion Further Reading Web Sites Exercises Chapter 8. Writing for Print Journalism Newspapers and Magazines Today Long Form News Stories Developing the Story Transitions Types of News Stories Editing and Rewriting Writing Feature Stories Characteristics of Feature Writing Parts of a Feature Story Books The Challenge of Writing Points for Consideration and Discussion Further Reading Web Sites Exercises Chapter 9. Writing for Broadcast Journalism Television News Selection of News Characteristics of Writing Story Structure Broadcast Copy Preparation Putting Together a Newscast The Extended Interview, the Documentary and the Web Conclusion Points for Consideration and Discussion Further Reading Web Sites Exercises Chapter 10. Writing for Web Journalism Characteristics of the Web Journalism Expanded and Accelerated News Websites Blogging (Web Logs) Social Media Twitter Mobile Journalism Demands of the Audience Characteristics of Web Writing Backpack Journalism Lateral Reporting Web Packages Points for Consideration and Discussion Further Reading Web Sites Exercises Chapter 11. Writing Advertising Copy A Love-Hate Relationship The Field of Advertising Beginning the Process: Needs and Appeals The Audience The Product The Advertising Situation Copy Platforms Writing the Ad Elements of a Print Ad Writing Advertising for Broadcast The Tools of Broadcast Advertising Commercial Formats Storyboards Web Advertising Other Media Conclusion Points for Consideration and Discussion Further Reading Web Sites Exercises Chapter 12. Writing for Public Relations The Public Relations Process An Organization's "Publics" The Work of the PR Practitioner Writing News Releases Video News Releases Letters Company Publications Oral Presentations Conclusion Points for Consideration and Discussion Further Reading Web Sites Exercises Appendix A Copy-Editing Symbols Appendix B Grammar and Diagnostic Exams Appendix C Problem Words and Phrases Appendix D Advertising Copy Sheets Glossary Index