'Hot 100'

News Writing Tips

LEAD

1. Keep leads short. Those with 35 words or less are preferred.

Example 1:

All classes from elementary to high school in Metro Manila on Tuesday

have been suspended due to Typhoon Pedring, the Department of
Education (DepEd) announced on Monday.

The Department of Education (DepEd) announced on Monday that all

classes from elementary to high school in Metro Manila on Tuesday have
been suspended due to Typhoon Pedring.

Example 2:

The Department of Agriculture (DA) will lift restrictions on imported onions

more than a year after it stopped approving import permits —a move local
growers claim is aimed at appeasing the supermarket industry lobby.

Example 3:

Senate President Franklin Drilon on Tuesday urged Petron Philippines to

compensate the victims of a massive oil spill in Manila Bay that affected
thousands of coastal residents and fishermen in Cavite.

“I would suppose they will be compensated for the damage done. The
fishermen of Cavite deserve compensation,” Drilon said in an interview,
speaking mostly in Filipino.

Drilon also asked the Department of Environment and Natural Resources

and other agencies to look into the maintenance procedures of Petron in its
underwater pipelines to determine if the oil giant has been remiss in any
way.
Example 4.

The Philippine government has allotted P500 million for the Magna Carta
Benefits to weather forecasters and other employees of the Department of
Science and Technology (DOST) in the proposed 2014 national budget.

However, the amount was part of a lump sum fund under the control of
Malacañang, prompting a partylist lawmaker to raise questions on the
appropriation.

"Why centralize it to the MPBF (Miscellaneous Personnel Benefits Fund)?"

Bayan Muna partylist Representative Neri Colmenares said.

Example 5.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council on Wednesday

said the death toll from typhoon "Labuyo" had climbed to six and the
damage to property caused by the storm had reached P816.504 million.

The two latest confirmed fatalities were Samson Dimante and Romeo
Gonzales, fishermen from Aurora province whose bodies were found early
Tuesday.

"We suspect they drowned near the shore. Our investigation showed they
were trying to take shelter from the storm and residents tried to convince
them to come ashore for shelter. But they refused allegedly because they
feared the boat may be stolen," NDRRMC spokesman Maj. Reynaldo Balido
said in a radio interview.

The NDRRMC said "Labuyo" also left six persons injured and five others
missing.

The storm has affected at least 41,163 families, or 186,378 people, in 374
villages of 77 towns and five cities in 16 provinces.

Of these, 3,296 families, or 15,011 people, are in 64 evacuation centers.

The storm also damaged 27 roads and 13 bridges while power was
interrupted in 13 areas and communication facilities disrupted in three
more.

At least 519 houses were destroyed and 3,231 damaged.

Damage to property was placed at more than P816 million -- close to P701
million in agriculture and P117.7 million in infrastructure -- in the Ilocos,
Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon and Cordillera regions.

Early Wednesday morning, the NDRRMC said at least 66 villages in Central

Luzon remained flooded.

Example 6.

Taal Volcano was placed under Alert Level after 1 Wednesday morning
after a volcanic quake was detected over the past 24 hours, the National
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said.

The agency reiterated of the six-kilometer permanent danger zone around

Taal and warned that “sudden steam explosions may occur and high
concentrations of toxic gases may accumulate.”

“The northern portion of the crater rim, in the vicinity of Daang Kastila Trail,
may also become hazardous when steam emission along existing fissures
suddenly increases,” it added.

Example 6.

Employees of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical

Services Administration (PAGASA) have finally received their long-awaited
share of longevity and hazard pay.

According to Ramon Agustin, president of the Philippine Weathermen

Employees Association, the Department of Budget and Management has
released their package of benefits on the availability of PAGASA’s savings.

The employees’ benefits range from P20,000 to P100,000, depending on

their salary grades, he said.

“For example, a forecaster can receive at least P60,000 perk for a period of
six months,” Agustin said.
He lauded Secretary Mario Montejo of the Department of Science and
Technology for the release of their Magna Carta bonuses.

2. A lead paragraph limited to one sentence is preferred.

Example 1.

Sumali sa bidding ang may 25 negosyante na nagmula sa Cebu, Davao,

Metro Manila, at maging sa ilang lalawigan sa Luzon.

Ang isang rice miller na nagmula sa Bulacan ang sinasasabing may

pinakamaraming bigas na nabili.

Ito na ang ikalawang pagsubasta na ginawa ng BOC-Cebu at magkakaroon

muli ng pagsubasta ngayong Agosto sa sandaling matapos ang
isinasagawang pag-imbentaryo.

Hindi naman isinama sa subasta ang mga bigas na nakalagay sa container

van na pinagnakaw ng may 200 sako ng bigas.

Example 2.

Aminado ang isang senador na kakain ng panahon at gugugol ng salapi ang

paglilipat ng kabisera ng bansa at ilang pangunahing tanggapan ng
pamahalaan mula sa National Capital Region (NCR) tungo sa ibang lugar.

Para kay Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, maituturing na ambisyoso ang kaniyang
panukala subali’t pwedeng isaalang-alang lalo pa’t sinubukan na rin ito ng
ilang mga bansa.

“It’s ambitious but doable,” ani Trillanes sa isang lunch media briefing
kamakailan.

"Kung hindi tayo mag-aambisyon, ganito na lang talaga tayo. Tatsaga-in mo

ang trapik araw-araw," saad pa ng senador.
Layunin ng panukala na pag-aralan ang posibilidad ng nasabing paglilipat
dahil sa talamak na problema sa trapiko at mga pagbaha sa Metro Manila
na perwisyo na sa mga estudyante at mga manggagawa.

Una nang sinabi ni Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto na nasa P150
bilyon ang nawawala sa ekonomiya ng bansa kada taon dahil sa problema
sa trapiko.

Mas magastos pa ang gagawing pagsasayos sa mga pangunahing lansangan

sa NCR kesa sa paglilipat ng kabisera sa ibang lugar ayon kay Trillanes.

Partukular na tinukoy nito na tumagal lamang ng tatlong taon ang paglilipat

ng kabisera ng Brazil sa Brasilia.

Ang Brasília ay ang pinakamalaking lungsod sa mundo na hindi nakilala sa

pagsisimula ng 20th century ayon sa kanilang kasaysayan.

Samantalang sa Australia naman aniya, isinagawa ang international

competition noong 1911 para idesenyo ang Canberra, ang ngayo’y kabisera
nito.

“The site of Canberra was selected for the location of the nation's capital in
1908 as a compromise between rivals Sydney and Melbourne, Australia's
two largest cities.

Sa ilalim ng panukala ni Trillanes, magtatatag ito ng isang komisyon na

kabibilangan ng tatlong commissioners na i-a-appoint ng Pangulo at
secretariat para sa suportang teknikal at administratibo sa komisyon.

Example 3.
Maaaring mabago umano ang kasaysayan ng paglalayag ng mga Pilipino
matapos matuklasan ang isang malaking balangay sa Butuan City sa
Mindanao na tinatayang nasa 800-taong gulang.

Ang natagpuang balangay na hindi bababa sa 25 metro ang haba ay ang

itinuturing pinakamalaking sasakyang pandagat ng mga sinaunang Pilipino.

Mas matanda pa umano ang balangay sa mga barkong ginamit nina

Ferdinand Magellan na tumuntong sa bansa noong ika-16 na siglo.

Pako, sintaba ng 'coke in can'

Pinangunahan ni National Museum archeologist Dr. Mary Jane Louise A.

Bolunia ang pananaliksik at pagsusuri sa nasabing balangay. Ayon sa kanya,
sintaba ng coke in can ang mga kahoy na ginawang pako sa nasabing
sasakyang pandagat.

"That's just one of the treenails used in its construction," aniya.

Paliwanag ni Dr. Bolunia, ang pinakamalaking balangay na natagpuan nila sa

Butuan simula noong 1970s ay halos 15 metro lamang ang haba. Subalit,
noong 2012, natagpuan nila ang isang mas malaking balangay na kasya ang
mga naunang balangay na natagpuan nila.

Hindi pa tapos hukayin ang ilang parte ng barko pero sa pag-aaral ni Dr.
Bolunia, wala nang mga klase ng puno sa bansa ang kayang gayahin ang
naturang balangay. Ayon sa kanya, masyadong malalaki ang tabla na
ginamit sa paggawa dito.

Example 4.

Nais ng isang kongresista mula sa Mindanao na isama sa curricula sa lahat

ng paaralan sa bansa para maituro sa mga mag-aaral ang kasaysayan at
kultura ng mga Muslim.

Ang mungkahi ay nakapaloob sa inihaing panukalang batas ni Deputy

Speaker at Lanao del Sur Rep. Pangalian Balindong, sa paniwala na
makatutulong ito sa pagsusulong ng pagkakaisa at kapayapaan sa bansa.

Sa House Bill 1446, inaatasan nito ang Department of Education (DepEd) at

Commission on Higher Education (CHED) na isama sa aralin ng mga
estudyante sa lahat ng antas ng paaralan sa bansa ang "history, culture and
identity" ng mga Moro.

Maaari umanong simulan ang pagtuturo nito sa mga paaralan na nasa

Mindanao.

“DepEd and CHED are likewise mandated to initiate and maintain regular
programs and special projects to provide venues for information and
discussion of Moro history, cultures and identity, including the utilization of
informal education and other means to stress the importance of respect,”
paliwanag ni Balindong sa panukala.

Maaari umanong isama sa ituturo sa curricula ang pag-unawa sa ugat ng

kaguluhan at problema sa Mindanao, at ang epekto nito sa buong bansa.

“The specific character of Mindanao as an island shared by these tri-

peoples and thus the ideal of their equality, co-existence and unity,
including the peculiarities of the different Moro and Lumad ethno-linguistic
groups,” ayon sa kongresista.

Kasabay nito, hindi rin umano dapat mawala sa aralin ang positibong
aspeto sa kasaysayan ng tri-peoples ng Mindanao na mga Kristiyano, Moro
o Muslim, at mga Lumad.

“The identification of the common origins of the people of Mindanao and

of the Philippines as well as other points of commonalities, including the
positive presentation of these people before the arrival of Islam and
Christianity as well as the appreciation of the various cultures and ethnic
identities are also some of the key points to be emphasized,” mungkahi ni
Balindong.

3. Avoid starting leads with "when" or "where" unless the time or place is
unusual. Most leads start with "who" or "what."
4. Avoid beginning leads with "there" or "this."

5. In leads about future events, the time, day (date) and place usually go at
the end of the paragraph.

Example 1:

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will sign a

memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the various environmental
stakeholders under its adopt-a-estero initiative on Monday at the Makati
City Hall.

6. In leads about past events, the day (date) of the event usually appears
before or after the verb. Sometimes the day (date) comes at the end of the
first sentence or the paragraph if it is a one-sentence lead.

7. Use quote and question leads sparingly.

8. The first five to "what happened" makes a better story than the fact it
did.

BODY

9. Keep paragraphs short. Those limited to 35 words or less are preferred.

10. Paragraphs limited to one to two sentences are preferred. (but one
sentence is enough)

11. Each paragraph should contain only one idea.

12. Remember short paragraphs encourage readers to continue reading.

Example 1:

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has earmarked P192 million for its
community seed bank (CSB) and seed production program to enable
farmers to produce their own requirement of certified seeds every cropping
season.

In a statement, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said the program,

which forms part of the national food staples sufficiency program, will
empower organized farmers’ groups and cooperatives to produce their own
certified or inbred rice seeds out of the registered rice seeds that will be
distributed to them for free.

Example 2:

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has earmarked P40 million for

refurbishment and repair of the Agrifreeze Processing Complex at the Clark
Special Economic Zone in Pampanga after years of “mishandling” by its
previous management.

Honesto Baniqued, president of the National Agribusiness Corporation

(NABCOR), said they are now putting more effort to turn around the
operations of the P190-million Agrifreeze facility and maximize its
utilization after three consecutive years of losses in its operations.

Example 3:

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has

partnered with three private entities for the conduct of greenhouse gases
(GHG) inventory in 16 cities and one municipality of Metro Manila .

In a statement, Environment Secretary Ramon Paje said the project will

kickoff on November or December for the whole National Capital Region,
which intends to undertake an inventory of greenhouse gases or carbon
footprint down to the level of local government units.

Example 4:

The Philippines will start importation of white and yellow onions to

augment the shortage in supply in the next two months, the Department of
Agriculture (DA) said on Thursday.
Dr. Clarito Barron, DA-Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) director, said that he
has already signed last week permits for the importation of some 4,000
metric tons white and yellow onions – enough to meet the domestic
requirement until the harvest season.

Example 5:

The Philippines expects palay production to grow by more than a fifth in

the third quarter of this year because of expansion in harvest area and
improvement in yield, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said on
Wednesday.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala told reporters that the country’s palay
production will not be less than 20 percent for the third quarter of 2011. He
also said that palay production could hit record-high this year.

EDITING

13. Eliminate the word "that" whenever possible.

Example 1:

Meanwhile, Alcala said they may seek additional budget from the
Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to meet its palay
procurement targets for this year.

Example 2:

Alcala said he has arranged a meeting with the National Food Authority
(NFA) Council to discuss the volume and funds needed for the procurement
program this year.

Example 3:
The DA chief also said that he has already directed NFA administrator
Angelito Banayo to provide a procurement and distribution plan for the
whole country, prior to the coming harvest for the wet cropping season.

14. For past events, report it happened "Friday," NOT "last Friday."
Eliminate the word "last." For future events, report it will happen
"Monday," NOT "next Monday." Eliminate the word "next."

15. Eliminate the "be" verb. Write "she will resign" instead of "she will be
resigning. "Write in future tense (will) instead of future progressive tense
(will be "ing").
16. Eliminate words such as "when asked" and "concluded." These are
weak transitions. Just report what was said.

17. A long title should follow the name. A title that follows the name should
be lowercased and set off in commas. Shorter titles that precede names
should be capitalized.

18. Avoid the contractions of he'd and they'd. "He'd" can mean both "he
had" and "he would," and "they'd" can mean both "they had" and "they
would."

19. Always double-check the spelling of names.

20. Make sure numbers match the items listed.

21. Make sure "only" is placed properly in a sentence. The location of

"only" can change the meaning of a sentence.

22. Write. Rewrite. Revise. Rewrite. Revise. Edit. Revise. Edit. Edit. The first
version of a story is NOT good enough to go into print. Someone once said
THERE IS NO GREAT WRITING, ONLY GREAT REWRITING.

23. Read the story out loud to catch awkward sentence constructions.
GRAMMAR
24. If "none" means "no one" or "not one," use a singular verb. Consult the
AP Stylebook or Grammar for Journalists for more information.

Example:

None was found guilty.

25. When you use a pronoun to refer to a team or a group, the proper
pronoun to use is "its," NOT they.

Example:

The team wants to improve its record.

26. Make sure verbs or other phrases are "parallel" or the same in structure
when they appear in stories or list.

Example:

He likes gardening, fishing and hunting. The fire killed at least 12 persons,
injured 60 more and forced scores of residents to leap from windows.

27. Use THIRD PERSON (she, he, it, its, her, hers, him, his, they, them, their,
theirs) in news stories. Only on rare occasions do you use first person (I,
mine, we, our, ours) or second person (you, your, yours) in news stories.

28. When "either ... or" and "neither ... nor" are used, the verb agrees in
person with the nearer subject.

Example: Neither the coach nor the players are to blame. Neither the
players nor the coach is to blame.

29. Use active voice vs. passive voice. The passive voice is formed by using
some form of the verb "be" with the past participle of an action verb: is
shot, was shot, has been shot, had been shot, may be shot, will be shot. The
word "by" may also signal the sentence is written in passive voice. Rewrite
sentences to eliminate the word "by."
Example: Passive voice ; The city was ordered by the judge to make the
payment. Active voice ; The judge ordered the city to make the payment.

MISCELLANEOUS

Prepositions of Time
IN- The pyramid’s TOP (wider), which is BIGGER and more GENERAL:
• Description: Bigger periods of time: Centuries, Decades, Years, Months
• Examples: in the 20th century, in the 1980’s, in March, in the third week
of April, in the future
• Exceptions: in the morning, in the evening, in the afternoon
ON- The pyramid’s MIDDLE part, which is SMALLER and MORE SPECIFIC:
 • Description: Days, or periods of time shorter than three days
• Examples: on my birthday, on Saturday, on the weekend (United States),
on June 8th
• Exceptions: on my lunch break, on time
AT- The pyramid’s BOTTOM (pointed), the SMALLEST, and the MOST
SPECIFIC:
• Description: Specific times or small time periods.
• Examples: at 9:00 PM, at lunch, at dinner, at the start of the party, at
sunrise, at the start of the movie, at the moment
• Exceptions: at night, at the weekend (England)
Prepositions of Location
IN - The TOP (wider), which is BIGGER and more GENERAL:
• Description: In larger areas (countries, states, cities, neighborhoods)
• Examples: in the United States, in Miami, in my neighborhood
• Exceptions: in downtown (“I work in downtown”)
ON - The MIDDLE, which is SMALLER and MORE SPECIFIC:
• Description: a longer area, street, beach, river
• Examples: on Broadway Street, on the beach, on my street
AT – The pyramid’s BOTTOM (pointed), the SMALLEST, and the MOST
SPECIFIC:
• Description: the address or specific location, specific points.
• Examples: at 345 broadway street, at the store, at my house

Prepositions of Placement
The mind map pyramid below explains TIME in the same way we did above
(only this one is not inverted), but it also introduces prepositions
PLACE/PLACEMENT, which we will focus on here.
 IN – for enclosed spaces and personal modes of transportation
• Enclosed Space: in the kitchen, in the house, the water is in the glass
• Personal Modes of Transportation: get in the car, my friend is in the taxi
ON – for surfaces and public modes of transportation
• Surfaces: on the floor, on the wall, the book is on the table, on a page, I
put on my clothes (my clothes are on my body)
• Public Modes of Transportation: on the bus, on the plane, on a boat, on a
ship,
• Exceptions: on my motorcycle, on my bike (these are personal modes of
transportation, but we use “on”)
AT – for specific point (the same as prepositions of location)
 • at the bus stop, at the cinema, at the corner, at the top of the hill, at the
mall

- See more at: http://reallifebh.com/prepositions-made-easy-in-on-and-

at#sthash.DR5LUBgX.dpuf

30. When something isn't clear, make a drawing of it. Putting it on paper
can clarify the situation.

31. WHEN IN DOUBT, LEAVE IT OUT. This has to do with questionable

information that may be libelous, incomplete information and information
the writer does not have a clear understanding of.

NONSEXIST, NONAGEIST, NONDISCRIMINATORY COMMUNICATION

32. Avoid words that reinforce ageist, racial and ethnic stereotypes.

33. Avoid racial identification except when it's essential to communication.

34. Substitute asexual words for "man" words or sexist words.

NO YES
mankind people, humanity,
....................................................... human beings,
human race
man-made synthetic, artificial,
.................................................... manufactured,
of human origin
manpower workers, work force,
.................................................... staff, personnel
man-hours
work hours
....................................................
man-sized husky, sizable, large,
..................................................... requiring
exceptional ability
founding fathers pioneers, colonists,
........................................... patriots, forebears
informational
gentleman's agreement
agreement or
.................................
contract
for the man on the way up for the person or
............................ executive on
his or her way up
for the lady of the house for the homemaker
................................ or consumer or head
of the household
anchorman
anchor
....................................................
advertising
advertising man
professional or
............................................
practitioner
chairman
chairperson
.......................................................
cleaning woman housekeeper,
............................................ custodian
Englishmen
the English
...................................................
fireman
firefighter
...........................................................
foreman
supervisor
........................................................
a man who
someone who
....................................................
man the exhibit run the exhibit, staff
.............................................. the exhibit
man of letters
writer
................................................
newsman
reporter
......................................................
postman
letter carrier
........................................................
policeman police officer
....................................................
salesman
salesperson
.......................................................
stewardess
flight attendant
....................................................
self-made man
self-made person
..............................................
weatherman
meteorologist
..................................................
workman
worker
......................................................
the girls (for women over 18)
the women
......................
the little lady, the better half
wife
..........................
girl Friday secretary, assistant,
..................................................... right hand
feminist,
libber or women's lib
liberationist,
....................................
women's movement
the ladies and the men the women and the
................................... men, the ladies and
the gentlemen, the
girls and the boys
(Note the parallelism
in structures.)
man and wife
husband and wife
................................................
you and your wife
you and your spouse
.........................................
coed (for female students at a
coeducational school)
student
...................................
ladylike
well-mannered
.........................................................
housewife homemaker (for a
.....................................................
person who
manages a
home); in an
economic sense,
consumer,
customer or shopper
career girl or career woman refer to the woman's
......................... profession or
vocation ; Professor Jane
Jones;
Kathy Smith, welder

35. Separate the person from the handicap. For more information, go to
www.easter.seals.org/resources/press/tips.asp.

NO YES
Mary, an epileptic, had no Mary, who had epilepsy, had
trouble no trouble
doing her job. doing her job.

The handicapped parents The parents, each with some

met to handicap,
exchange ideas. met to exchange ideas.
The deaf accountant spotted The accountant spotted the
the error. error.

36. Be respectful of persons with handicaps. For more information, go to

www.easter.seals.org/resources/press/tips.asp

NO YES
impaired, limited,
crippled
disabled or be specific
.........................................................
-
paraplegic
deaf and dumb, deaf mute deaf, hearing and/or
............................. speech impaired

crazy, insane, dull, half-witted, mentally ill,

retarded ........ developmentally
disadvantaged,
disabled or limited, or
be specific -
emotionally disturbed,
slow learner

fits, spells
seizures, epilepsy
......................................................

37. Use "he or she" or "she or he" for "he." If using "he or she" or "him or
her" becomes cumbersome, consider using a plural pronoun ; "they,"
"them," "their" or "theirs." Plural pronouns, however, are weaker than
singular ones.

ORGANIZATION

38. Make sure information introduced or outlined in the lead is covered in

the same order in the body of the story.

39. Avoid introducing new information at the end of a story. All aspects of a
story should usually be introduced or outlined in the first few paragraphs.

40. Transitions are necessary to show the reader that the writer has a sense
of direction. A word, phrase, sentence or paragraph can move the reader
from one thought to another.

PARTS OF SPEECH
41. Avoid using "like" for "as." "Like" is a preposition and takes a noun or
pronoun object. "As" is a subordinate conjunction that introduces
dependent clauses.

Example: It tastes like a peach. The one-time millionaire now works from
dawn to dusk, as he did in his youth.

42. Most adverbs are unnecessary. Redundant adverbs weaken strong

verbs. Instead of "tightly clenched teeth," write "clinched teeth." Instead of
"the radio blared loudly," write "the radio blared."

43. Most adjectives are unnecessary. The concept is oftentimes already in

the noun. Use adjectives sparingly.

44. Choose verbs that suggest what they mean. "Active" verbs add pace,
clarity and vigor to writing. Verbs are a writer's most important tools. Avoid
"be" verbs.

PUNCTUATION

45. Use a comma with "according to." Example: ... , according to the news
release. According to John Jones, ... .

46. There is no comma between time, date and place. Example: The
accident occurred at 4:32 a.m. Monday one-half block north of Central
Dairy on Third Street South.

47. When in doubt about the use of a comma, leave it out.

48. Avoid comma splices and comma blunders. If a comma is placed

between the subject (noun) and predicate (verb), it's called a "comma
splice." Example: The Fountain of Youth, is not in Florida. (The comma is
NOT needed.) If two independent clauses are joined by a comma, this is a
"comma blunder" or "comma fault."
Example: The Fountain of Youth is not in Florida, it's in Russia. (This is
known as a run-on sentence. A period or a semicolon should replace the
comma. If a period is used, the "i" on "it's" also needs to be capitalized.)

49. A comma should precede "such as," "especially" and "including" when
these words introduce examples.

Example: The advertised price of the tour does not cover some personal
expenses, such as laundry, entertainment and tips. He likes fruit, especially
oranges.

In newswriting, students study various approaches to writing, including the

inverted pyramid, chronological, narrative, personalized and first-person.

When "such as" is used with a restrictive application, the comma is

omitted.

Example: Magazines such as these should be thrown in the trash.

50. Quotation marks go outside commas (,") and periods (."). They go inside
semicolons (";) and colons (":).

51. In a series, a comma is NOT needed before the "and." Example: red,
white and blue.

52. The dash is a long mark (-- or ; ). There should be a space before and
after the dash. The dash should be used before words and sentences run as
lists.

53. The hyphen is a short mark ( - ) and is used to divide words or to link
hyphenated adjectives. Don't hyphenate adverbs ending in "ly" with
adjectives. Write "frequently misused words," NOT "frequently-misused
words."

54. Use an exclamation point in only the rarest of situations and only after
brief interjections. Exclamation points are "graphic tantrums" and
sometimes demonstrate a lack of control on the writer's part. The order of
the words in a sentence should be arranged in such a way that they make
the desired impression. Let the reader decide if the content is humorous or
exciting on his or her own.

QUOTES AND ATTRIBUTION

55. Use attribution only once per paragraph.

56. Attribution is needed when policy change statements are made, when
opinions are expressed or when "professional" opinions from physicians,
scientists, engineers and others are used. Attribution is also needed with
direct quotations and indirect quotations (paraphrased information).

57. Attribution is NOT needed when facts are commonplace and not
subject to dispute or when they are accepted and historically true.

58. Attribution is usually noun + verb.

Example: Jones said. It may be verb + noun when the source's title follows
his or her name.

Example: ... ," said John Jones, chairman of the department of English.

59. Attribution should be placed at the end of the first sentence when the
quote is made up of two or more sentences.

60. When one quote follows another but the second one is from a different
source, attribution for the second quote should be placed at the beginning
of it. This helps the reader know immediately that a different person is
speaking.

61. "Said" is the best word for attribution. Other words can be used, but
they should accurately represent how something is said.

62. Use past tense verbs (said vs. says) for attribution in news stories.
63. Let quotes begin the paragraph. Show them off. Quote marks attract
the reader's eye. Use them to encourage the reader to continue reading.

64. Avoid the use of partial quotes. Quote or paraphrase material. Don't
mix the two.

65. Each time a different source is cited, start a new paragraph.

SENTENCE STRUCTURE

66. Avoid using the same word twice in a sentence.

67. The optimum number of words to use in a sentence is 14 to 16. The

average reader cannot comprehend a sentence with more than 40 words.

68. When writing becomes cumbersome, turn one long sentence into two
or three shorter ones.

69. If a long sentence must be used, place a short sentence before and after
it.

70. Don't have more than three consecutive prepositional phrases in a

sentence. Prepositional phrases start with about, above, against, at,
between, by, down, during, for, from, in, like, on, over, through, to, toward,
under, up, until, upon, with ...

71. Count the words in a story's sentences. Sentence length should vary.
Stories become dull when sentences are all the same length.

72. Don't start or end a sentence with "however." Start the sentence and
then work "however" into it as soon as possible. This word is intended to
cause an interruption in thought.

SPELLING

73. Use "Spell Check" on the computer.

74. Consult a dictionary. (Webster New World Dictionary is the preferred
reference.)

75. Ask for help. Public library information desk personnel can be
resourceful and helpful. Don't call university libraries for assistance.

STYLE

76. Consult the AP Stylebook and Libel Manual.

77. If the answer cannot be found in the AP Stylebook, consult a dictionary

or a grammar book.

78. The order for writing when and where is time, day (date) and place.

79. Use the day of the week for six days before or after a specific day.

80. Use the date when it is seven or more days before or after a specific
day.

81. On first reference, identify a person by his or her first and last names.
On second reference, refer to the person by his or her last name only. On
second and all other references, you don't need Miss, Mrs., Ms. or Mr.
unless it's an obituary.

VOCABULARY

82. Use simple words. Never send the reader to the dictionary. Odds are
the reader won't bother looking up the definition.

83. Words such as "thing" and "a lot" annoy some readers, bosses and
executives. Avoid using them. (Note the correct spelling of "a lot.")

84. Be careful how the word "held" is used. Make sure the object can be
"held" physically.
Example: Weak ; The meeting will be held at noon Monday in Anthony
Administration Building, Room 125. Better ; The meeting will be at noon
Monday in ...

85. Avoid using words that qualify how someone feels, thinks or sees.
"Little qualifiers" include the following: a bit, a little, sort of, kind of, rather,
around, quite, very, pretty, much, in a very real sense, somewhat.

86. Avoid technical jargon unless 95 percent or more of the readers will
understand it. If technical jargon is used and it won't be understood by the
majority of readers, be sure to explain each term used.
87. Learn the difference between "affect" (usually a verb) and "effect"
(usually a noun). Consult the AP Stylebook or a dictionary for more
information.

88. Never say "yesterday" or "tomorrow." These words are confusing to

readers. Use the day of the week. "Today" may be used.

89. Know the difference between its (no apostrophe for possessive
pronoun) and it's (the contraction for it is).

Examples: The dog has a thorn in its (possessive pronoun) paw. It's
(contraction) time to go.

90. Know when to use "their" (possessive pronoun), "there" (adverb) and
"they're" (the contraction for they are).

Examples: It is their (possessive pronoun) project. The project is over there

(adverb). They're (contraction) working together on the project.

91. Know the difference between whose (possessive pronoun) and who's
(the contraction for who is).

Examples: Whose (possessive pronoun) coat is this? Who's (contraction)

going on the trip?
92. Know when to use "to" (preposition), "too" (adverb) and "two"
(adjective).

Examples: The advertising group is going to (preposition) Indianapolis. The

public relations group wants to go, too (adverb). Some members are not
going on the trip because it will take too (adverb) much time from their
schedules. The two (adjective) groups will go to Indianapolis.

93. A person dies "unexpectedly," "apparently of a heart attack," "after a

brief illness," "after a long illness," "of injuries suffered or sustained,"
"following or after an operation" or "of a disease."

94. In connection with suicides, it is best to say the person was "found
dead" or "fell or plunged to his or her death" until the coroner completes
his or her investigation.
When suicide is reported, used died by suicide vs. committed suicide.

For more guidelines on reporting and writing about suicide, go to

www.suicidology.org/media/7.html.

95. In connection with arrests, write "arrested in connection with," "sought

in connection with," "charged with" or "arrested on charges of." If a
confession is involved but the confession has not been admitted as
evidence in court, report only that the prisoner "has made a statement."
96. Injuries are "suffered or sustained," NOT received.

97. With murder, arrests are made "in connection with the death of." It
should not be reported that a victim was murdered until someone is
convicted of the crime. In obituaries, it may be said the victim was "killed"
or "slain."

98. Remember two objects must be moving to "collide." If a vehicle runs

into a parked one or an object, say the vehicle "struck" the stationary one.

99. Sometimes information cannot be verified. If doubt exists regarding a

person's name, report the person "was listed by police as John Smith" or he
"gave his name as John Smith." If a person is dead or unconscious and there
is no identification, he or she is "unidentified," NOT unnamed. If there are
questions about where a person lives, report "address not given" or
"address unknown."

100. With fires, a building is "destroyed," NOT completely destroyed.

Buildings also are damaged "lightly," "moderately" or "heavily." A fire may
"gut" or "destroy" the interior of a building. To raze a building is to level it
to the ground.