#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
#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
#23655
Expand your Income by Writing for Magazines 
Technical writers know how to explain things clearly and logically. This makes us perfectly suited to write how-to articles for magazines. There is an increasing number of markets for informational articles, from lifestyle publications to specialized trade magazines. A query letter convinces the editor that you should get the assignment. You don’t need to be an expert in the subject matter because you have the skills to interview SMEs for the right information. Good article ideas come from your own interests. Writing for magazines generates part-time income, establishes you as a published writer, and gives you a creative outlet.
Agnew, Beth. STC Proceedings (2003). Articles>Writing>Journalism
#20342
Expand Your Income by Writing for Magazines
Technical writers know how to structure information in a logical way. This makes us perfectly suited to write howto articles for magazines. There are many markets for informational articles, from lifestyle publications to specialized trade magazines. A well-crafted query gets the editor’s attention and can land you an assignment. Getting ideas for good articles is as simple as following one’s own interests. Writing for magazines can generate part-time income, help establish your “name” and give you a creative outlet.
Agnew, Beth. STC Proceedings (1999). Articles>Writing>Journalism
#23704
The Freelance Writing FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about Freelance Writing
Writing an article and then casting about for someone to publish it is not the efficient way to get published.
Yudkin, Marcia. Yudkin.com (2001). Articles>Writing>Journalism
#19940
Newsletters are one of the least expensive -- and most effective -- public relations tools that exist for drawing attention to a business or Web site. By sending out a quality newsletter on a regular basis, you can keep clients, potential clients, the media, and other important sources updated about your business. Frequency of mailing builds familiarity, and familiarity inspires return visits. Plus, the effort of creating a newsletter itself speaks volumes about your commitment to the subject. It also positions you as an expert and a valuable resource.
Writing That Sells. Articles>Document Design>Journalism>Writing
#31447
Learning the Hard Way: How I Learned to K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple, Stupid)
I used to believe that if you knew a subject well enough and were passionate about it, you could pen a masterpiece. But it was two years of working as an IT journalist (and never really understanding or liking it!) that actually taught me how to write.
Dower, Sophia. Communication World Bulletin (2005). Articles>Writing>Journalism>Technology
#10788
The M-Factors: Qualities that Help You Break Into Major Magazines
Every magazine has a distinctive voice and particular story and style preferences, but five characteristics appeared to be widely valued.
#27344
The number of examples you use in a sentence or a story has meaning.
Clark, Roy Peter. Poynter Online (2004). Articles>Writing>Journalism
#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
#27342
Reveal character traits to the reader through scenes, details, and dialogue.
Clark, Roy Peter. Poynter Online (2004). Articles>Writing>Journalism>Rhetoric
#24891
Secrets of Journalism Revealed!
Many technical communicators are responsible for preparing newsletters, news releases, public relations materials, and other forms of communication that rely on the traditional techniques and structures of journalism. Some technical communicators may wish to take on these new assignments, but may be unsure of how to proceed. This workshop will provide a hands-on introduction to basic principles and techniques of journalism. These techniques can be used by any communicator who wishes to expand his or her professional skills.
Ecker, Pamela S. STC Proceedings (1995). Articles>Writing>Journalism
#24319
Secrets of Journalism Revealed!
Many technical communicators are responsible for preparing newsletters, news releases, public relations materials, and other documents that apply the traditional techniques and structures of journalism. Some technical communicators who wish to begin these assignments may be unsure how to proceed. This workshop will provide a hands-on introduction to basic principles and techniques of journalism, which can be used by any communicator who wishes to expand his or her professional skills.
Ecker, Pamela S. STC Proceedings (1998). Articles>Writing>Journalism
#22870
Secrets of Journalism Revealed!
Many technical communicators are responsible for preparing newsletters, news releases, public relations materials, and other forms of communication that rely on the traditional techniques and structures of journalism. Some technical communicators may wish to take on these new assignments, but may be unsure of how to proceed. This workshop will provide a hands-on introduction to basic principles and techniques of journalism. These techniques can be used by any communicator who wishes to expand his or her professional skills.
Ecker, Pamela S. STC Proceedings (1997). Articles>Writing>Journalism
#18759
Secrets of Journalism Revealed!
Many technical communicators are responsible for preparing newsletters, news releases, public relations materials, and other documents that apply the traditional techniques and structures of journalism. Some technical communicators who wish to begin these assignments may be unsure how to proceed. This workshop will provide a hands-on introduction to basic principles and techniques of journalism, which can be used by any communicator who wishes to expand his or her professional skills.
Ecker, Pamela S. STC Proceedings (1999). Articles>Writing>Journalism
#23705
Here are ten tips on getting past the threshold of 'Maybe' to 'Yes' at top magazines.
Yudkin, Marcia. Yudkin.com (2001). Articles>Writing>Journalism
#24718
A Technical Writer's Guide to Industrial Journalism 
Though the need for brevity, clarity, and audience awareness is shared by technical writing and industrial journalism, the form and content of news and features, especially within the corporation, make different demands on their authors. Nobody has to read news or features. Writers must engage the audience through a combination of human interest and narrative style. Since they usually have only a single interview to collect the direct quotes that bolster their stories, they must adopt a different, more carefully planned interview style. Throughout, they must be an advocate for their sources and an effective corporate spokesperson.
Dowd, Charles. STC Proceedings (1996). Articles>Writing>Journalism>Technical Writing
#25588
Weblog Journalism: Between Infiltration and Integration
There has been a great deal of buzz recently about the potential for Weblogs (blogs) to revolutionize journalism, to make it more democratic, and to help demystify the craft by exposing the wizard behind the curtain of the media establishment. These claims, however, are only partially correct and are derived more from speculation based on the potential of the medium rather than from actual results.
Gallo, Jason. Into the Blogosphere (2004). Articles>Writing>Journalism>Blogging
#13382
Why Should People Care? Using Journalistic Techniques to Keep Readers Interested
Technical communication strives to convey information in ways to best help the reader, whether a jet-engine mechanic with manual in hand, a physicist reading a peer-reviewed article, or the new owner of the latest computer or coffeepot. Ideally, it presents information that people will read, understand, and find interesting. 'Just writing a document isn’t enough to ensure that people will read it. Reading is a voluntary act; people don’t have to do it,' says Janice C. Redish in 'Understanding Readers' (15). She and other academics endeavor to improve the field, recording their efforts in such publications as the Journal of Technical Writing and Communication, Technical Communication, Technical Communication Quarterly, and Techniques for Technical Communicators. The hybrid discipline has tapped other fields to further its goals of readability and comprehension, from psychology to computer science. Technical communication could also draw from another field, journalism, which uses story structure and writing styles that readers everywhere are familiar with. And journalism is adept at adapting to an array of audiences.
Bryant, M. Orange Journal, The (2001). Articles>Writing>Journalism
#24236
Write a Winning Technical Book Review
Potential book reviewers and reviewers with moderate experience can easily learn how to write successful technical book reviews for a publication such as Technical Communication.
Murphy, Avon J. STC Proceedings (1999). Articles>Writing>Journalism
#33717
Journalists Still a-Twitter About Social Media
Twitter is popular not just because it allows journalists to crowdsource with thousands of people or because it's a fun way of amassing followers and inflating egos. It also gives reporters a chance to create a new system of reporting. In the past, journalists were confined to their words and research methods, all dictated by traditional routines. Now they can create new strategies, use different tools, brand themselves differently, and propose new ideas. Twitter has given them hope and direction to do this because it has given them a public forum in which to loudly speak their ideas.
Taylor, Alana. PBS (2009). Articles>Writing>Journalism>Social Networking
#34058
This resource contains information on medical journalism. The material explains the objectives of medical journalism and its applications in the media. Moreover, this resource demonstrates ways writers can accurately translate complex, scientific literature into layperson's terms.
Ardaugh, Brent. Purdue University (2008). Articles>Writing>Journalism>Biomedical
