Tips for writers

Writers, check out this simple, common sense advice that will make your story the best it can be.

Reporters
Do your homework before the interview. Don’t ask the source to explain background that you can get elsewhere.

Look professional. Wear neutral clothing to the interview or the game.

Don’t cheer the home team as you report the game.

Don’t wait until tomorrow to write your story. Do it while the notes are fresh.

Learn the stylebook, and edit yourself.

Why should students care about your story? Tell us in your lead.

Don’t put a news lead on a feature story. Instead, lead a feature with a person in a narrative.

Spill the beans in the first graf. Then give us a couple sentences of background.

Don’t presume everyone knows all that you do about the story.

Direct quotes are the precise words of sources. If you’re sticking a parenthetical in that direct quote, it makes the source look stupid. Instead, write a better transition before the direct quote.

Don’t quote friends, family or colleagues.

Don’t settle for shallow quotes.

Punt clichés and vague words.

Space once after periods.

Have the courage to condense your story, even to a brief.

This may be your rare chance to report an in-depth story.

Don’t miss it.

Is a story the best way to tell the story? Try a graphic with a Q&A, or list the key numbers and/or names.

Save that first byline.

Columnists & Editorial Writers
Show. Don’t tell.

Use first person sparingly.

If you think you might be preaching, you are.

If you haven’t shared your point of view in a few paragraphs, the readers are gone.

Paint with a small brush. Don’t condemn a group on the basis of one or a few.

Hit the return key. Don’t bury your insight in mammoth paragraphs. What works on a term paper won’t work in a newspaper column.

Learn the power of the short sentence and the short paragraph.

Do some research. Then pick your battles.

Strong columns are like good stories and features, with background and direct quotes, all attributed to solid sources.

Punt the typographical gimmicks, including italics, all caps and exclamation points.

Focus on someone who illustrates the point.

Neglect a viewpoint, and you’ll lose the argument.

Stay ahead of the news, and consume other commentary.

Don’t lift someone else’s work.

If you plagiarize, you’re destined for dismissal.If reader feedback flames you, take time to calm yourself. Reply with responsibility and maturity, and let your editor know you’re doing it. You’ll likely appreciate that support.

If your main goal is to prompt responses to your column, you’re writing for the wrong reason.

Don’t pretend to have all the answers.
You don’t.

A&E Writers & Reviewers
Remember, a review is only your opinion. The review is about the performance, not about you.

Give background on the event.

Learn something about the genre, the performer and the work.

Interview performers first, audience members next. Your first quote shouldn’t be from an audience member.

Don’t give away too much plot. Don’t just recite the concert’s play list or lyrics.
Tempt us with the surprise ending, but don’t give it away.

Show. Don’t tell. Provide specifics about the performance, costumes, scenery, plot, score or choreography.

Not everyone knows the band. Tell us any similarities to well-known performers.

Critique rather than criticize. Put yourself in the shoes of the performer.

Direct quotes from speakers or performers can be the bedrock of your review. Get as many as you can.

Stick with strong nouns and verbs. Numerous adjectives and adverbs don’t give you credibility. “It was pretty” doesn’t cut it.

If you’re relying on clichés, you’re showing your inexperience on the topic.

You’re in an arts town. Speak with knowledge, but don’t pretend to be an authority.
The experts can tell.

If you’re writing as a consumer, not an expert, that’s OK. Let readers know. Don’t hide behind false expertise.

Know when to say when. Mix short- and medium-length paragraphs. A stronger review is likely a shorter one.