#27338
When the news or topic is most serious, understate. When the topic is least serious, exaggerate.
Clark, Roy Peter. Poynter Online (2004). Articles>Writing>Journalism
#27330
Beware of adverbs. They can dilute the meaning of the verb or repeat it.
Clark, Roy Peter. Poynter Online (2004). Articles>Writing>Diction>Rhetoric
#27328
Begin sentences with subjects and verbs, letting subordinate elements branch to the right. Even a long, long sentence can be clear and powerful when the subject and verb make meaning early.
Clark, Roy Peter. Poynter Online (2004). Articles>Writing>Rhetoric
#27339
Control the pace of the story by varying sentence length.
Clark, Roy Peter. Poynter Online (2004). Articles>Writing>Grammar>Rhetoric
#27372
Precise and concise writing comes from disciplined cutting.
Clark, Roy Peter. Poynter Online (2004). Articles>Writing>Rhetoric
#27334
Dig for the Concrete and Specific
The good writer uses telling details, not only to inform but to persuade. Dig for the concrete and specific.
Clark, Roy Peter. Poynter Online (2004). Articles>Writing>Journalism
#27365
Everyone fears the long sentence. Editors fear it. Readers fear it. Most of all, writers fear it. Even I fear it. But...
Clark, Roy Peter. Poynter Online (2004). Articles>Writing>Grammar>Rhetoric
#27341
Remember that writers are, by training and disposition, attracted to people and places with interesting names.
Clark, Roy Peter. Poynter Online (2004). Articles>Writing>Rhetoric
#27345
What makes a page-turner, an irresistible read, a story or book that you can't put down? Well, lots of things. But one indispensable tool seems to be the internal cliffhanger.
Clark, Roy Peter. Poynter Online (2004). Articles>Writing>Rhetoric
#27349
Seeing the structure of a story is easier if you can identify the main parts.
Clark, Roy Peter. Poynter Online (2004). Articles>Writing>Rhetoric
#27347
Take advantage of narrative opportunities.
Clark, Roy Peter. Poynter Online (2004). Articles>Writing>Rhetoric
#27344
The number of examples you use in a sentence or a story has meaning.
Clark, Roy Peter. Poynter Online (2004). Articles>Writing>Journalism
#27332
Observe 'word territory.' Give key words their space. Do not repeat a distinctive word unless you intend a specific effect.
Clark, Roy Peter. Poynter Online (2004). Articles>Writing>Rhetoric
#27343
Put odd and interesting things next to each other.
Clark, Roy Peter. Poynter Online (2004). Articles>Writing>Rhetoric
#27369
Writers shape up their writing by paying attention to parallel structures in their words, phrases, and sentences.
Clark, Roy Peter. Poynter Online (2004). Articles>Writing>Rhetoric
#27331
Place strong words at the beginning of sentences and paragraphs, and at the end. The period acts as a stop sign. Any word next to the period says, 'Look at me.'
Clark, Roy Peter. Poynter Online (2004). Articles>Writing>Grammar>Rhetoric
#27348
Place Gold Coins Along the Path
Learn how to keep your readers interested by placing gold coins throughout your story.
Clark, Roy Peter. Poynter Online (2004). Articles>Writing>Rhetoric
#27333
Play with words, even in serious stories. Choose words the average writer avoids but the average reader understands.
Clark, Roy Peter. Poynter Online (2004). Articles>Writing>Diction>Rhetoric
#27336
Prefer the simple to the technical: shorter words and paragraphs at the points of greatest complexity.
Clark, Roy Peter. Poynter Online (2004). Articles>Writing>Diction>Rhetoric
#27337
Recognize the Roots of Stories
Recognize the mythic, symbolic, and poetic. Be aware (and beware) that common themes of news writing have deep roots in the culture of storytelling.
Clark, Roy Peter. Poynter Online (2004). Articles>Writing>Journalism
#27371
Procrastination can be productive.
Clark, Roy Peter. Poynter Online (2004). Articles>Writing>Rhetoric
#27350
Repetition works in stories, but only if you intend it. The repetition of key words, phrases, and story elements creates a rhythm, a pace, a structure, a drumbeat that reinforces the central theme of the work.
Clark, Roy Peter. Poynter Online (2004). Articles>Writing>Rhetoric
#27342
Reveal character traits to the reader through scenes, details, and dialogue.
Clark, Roy Peter. Poynter Online (2004). Articles>Writing>Journalism>Rhetoric
#27366
Riff is a metaphor from jazz to describe a form of improvisation in which one musician borrows and builds on the musical phrase of another.
Clark, Roy Peter. Poynter Online (2004). Articles>Writing>Collaboration
#27335
Seek original images. Make word lists, free-associate, be surprised by language. Reject cliches and 'first-level creativity.'
Clark, Roy Peter. Poynter Online (2004). Articles>Writing>Diction>Rhetoric
