WRITING & EDITING FOR MEDIA NOTES

Module 1 Tools and Techniques of Editing

1.    Brevity: the soul of communication

Eliminating redundancy in communication

2.    Functional Refreshing Grammar, Common Errors

3.    Word power - Working with words  

4.    For media usage

5.    Style book Use of numbers, abbreviations, names and terms

Module 2 Crisp writing

1. News Sense Finding the right story angle

2. Saying it in bold - Writing headlines, captions, leadsand intros

3.Podcast Writing for the ear

4. Net cast Writing for visuals  

5. Web writing Story Compiling

    Difference between writing for print and real time writing

Module 3 Resume writing: Telling your story

Assimilating facts and details

Building a narrative

Making it pictorial

Layout and page design  

Being a credible voice

Module 4 Feature Writing

1.Feature stories - Human Interest Stories  

2. Reviews Books, Films, App

3. Columns Analytical, Interactive, Agony Aunt

4.Editorials Importance, Voice of the publication, Format

5.Obituaries Writing obituaries

    Need for factual verification and tone.

    Can obituaries be critical?

5     Interviews Types of subjects

               Preparing for interviews  

Preparing a questionnaire

Protocol and Ethical Issues

Writing the interview copy

WORD POWER - WORKING WITH WORDS | NEP

Word power refers to the ability to choose, manipulate, and combine words effectively to convey ideas clearly and persuasively. 

In the context of editing, word power is crucial for enhancing clarity, improving readability, and ensuring the intended message resonates with the audience. 

Editors must not only have a strong vocabulary but also a deep understanding of context, nuance, and the impact of word choices.

Key Aspects of Word Power 

1. Clarity and Precision
• Choosing the Right Words: Editors must select words that accurately represent the author's message. For instance, replacing vague terms with specific ones can greatly enhance clarity (e.g., using "analyze" instead of "look at").
• Eliminating Ambiguity: Effective editing involves removing words or phrases that could confuse the reader or lead to multiple interpretations.
2. Conciseness
• Avoiding Redundancies: Editors need to identify and eliminate redundant phrases (e.g., "advance planning" can simply be "planning").
• Streamlining Sentences: Using fewer, more impactful words can strengthen the writing. This involves cutting unnecessary qualifiers and filler words.
3. Tone and Style
• Matching Audience Expectations: The choice of words should resonate with the intended audience. An academic paper requires formal language, while a blog post may permit a casual tone.
• Enhancing Narrative Voice: Word choices impact the voice of the narrative. Editors should be attentive to the author's voice and ensure consistency throughout the text.
4. Variety and Engagement
• Avoiding Repetition: Repetitive wording can bore readers. Editing should include varying vocabulary and sentence structure to maintain reader interest.
• Using Figurative Language: Metaphors, similes, and other figurative language can elevate writing. Editors can suggest these to add depth and creativity to the text.
5. Cultural Sensitivity and Inclusivity
• Mindful Word Choices: Editors should ensure that language is respectful and inclusive, steering clear of terms that could offend or alienate certain groups.
• Understanding Nuances: Certain words carry cultural significance; editors must consider these nuances to avoid misunderstandings or biases.
6. Revising for Intent
• Aligning with Author's Purpose: An essential part of editing is ensuring that word choices align with the author’s intent, whether to persuade, inform, entertain, or inspire.
• Feedback Loops: Engaging in discussions with authors about word choices can clarify intent and enhance the overall message.

 

STYLE BOOK FOR NUMBERS, ABBREVIATIONS, NAMES & TERMS | NEP

In the field of media, adhering to a consistent style is crucial for maintaining clarity, credibility, and uniformity across all forms of communication. 

A style book serves as a guide for writers, editors, and journalists, detailing the preferred conventions for using numbers, abbreviations, names, and specific terms. Below are key guidelines that should be followed in media usage.

1. Use of Numbers

• General Rule: Spell out numbers one through nine; use numerals for numbers 10 and above.
• Example: “She has three dogs and 12 cats.”
• Beginning a Sentence: Always spell out numbers that begin a sentence.
• Example: “Twenty participants attended the seminar.”
• Consistency: In a given context, use numerals for numbers of the same type to maintain consistency.
• Example: “There were 4 cats, 10 dogs, and 15 birds in the shelter.”
• Large Numbers: Use a combination of numerals and words for large numbers (e.g., “2 million” instead of “2,000,000”).
• Example: “The fundraiser raised 5 million dollars.”
• Percentages: Use numerals and the percent sign (%) for percentages.
• Example: “The survey indicated that 75% of respondents preferred option A.”

2. Use of Abbreviations

• Commonly Accepted Abbreviations: Use abbreviations that are widely recognized and accepted, such as “USA,” “FBI,” and “NASA.”
• Example: “The USA won the championship.”
• Introduce at First Use: Spell out acronyms or abbreviations upon first use, followed by the abbreviation in parentheses.
• Example: “The World Health Organization (WHO) announced new guidelines.”
• No Periods: Do not use periods in abbreviations that contain capital letters (e.g., “USA,” “FBI”).
• Example: “The FBI conducted an investigation.”
• Time Abbreviations: Use lowercase letters for time-related abbreviations (a.m., p.m.) and always include periods.
• Example: “The meeting starts at 9 a.m.”

3. Use of Names

• Full Names: Upon first reference, always use the person's full name, including titles if applicable.
• Example: “Dr. Jane Smith is the chief researcher at the lab.”
• Subsequent References: Use only the last name after the initial full reference.
• Example: “Smith later confirmed the findings.”
• Titles: Capitalize formal titles when they precede a name; use lowercase if the title follows the name or is used generically.
• Example: “President John Doe delivered a speech.” vs. “John Doe, the president, delivered a speech.”
• Exceptions for Well-Known Figures: For widely recognized public figures or celebrities, it’s often acceptable to use only their last name after the first reference.
• Example: “Oprah Winfrey announced a new book. Winfrey's latest work focuses on personal development.”

4. Use of Terms

• Accuracy: Use terms that accurately describe the subject. Avoid euphemisms unless they are appropriate for the context.
• Example: Use "died" rather than "passed away" for factual reporting.
• Specificity: Prefer precise terms over vague or generalized language.
• Example: “The specific study focused on childhood obesity” instead of “The study looked at kids’ health.”
• Inclusivity: Use gender-neutral language when possible.
• Example: Use “firefighter” instead of “fireman.”
• Technical Terms: Define or explain technical terms when they are not well-known to the general audience.
• Example: “Artificial intelligence (AI) is a field of computer science that aims to create machines capable of intelligent behavior.”

 

ELIMINATING REDUNDANCY IN COMMUNICATION | NEP

Redundancy, also known as verbosity, is a common pitfall (fault) in communication that can make writing seem wordy, confusing, and even annoying. As an editor, eliminating redundancy is a crucial task that can significantly impact the clarity, readability, and effectiveness of your content.

Importance of Eliminating Redundancy:

1. Improved clarity: Reducing redundancy makes writing more concise and easier to understand, as unnecessary words and phrases are removed.
2. Enhanced readability: By cutting out redundant content, readers can quickly grasp the main points and focus on the essential information.
3. Increased engagement: Concise writing captures the reader's attention, holding it throughout the piece, and increasing the chances of eliciting a desired response.
4. Better retention: Reducing redundancy helps readers retain information, as they are more likely to remember concise, well-structured content.

Common Types of Redundancy:

1. Verbal redundancy: Using the same word or phrase multiple times, such as "many, many, many" or "very important, extremely important."
2. Conceptual redundancy: Repeating the same idea or concept multiple times, such as describing the same event or process in different ways.
3. Semantic redundancy: Using different words or phrases that convey the same meaning, such as "large in size" and "big."
4. Syntactic redundancy: Including unnecessary words or phrases that don't add value to the sentence structure, such as "in order to" or "in other words."

Techniques for Eliminating Redundancy:

1. Cut unnecessary words: Identify and remove redundant words, phrases, and sentences.
2. Use concise language: Choose words and phrases that convey the intended message in a straightforward manner.
3. Eliminate repetition: Identify and eliminate instances of verbal, conceptual, semantic, and syntactic redundancy.
4. Use synonyms: Replace repetitive words or phrases with more concise alternatives.
5. Combine sentences: Merge related sentences to create more complex and concise ideas.
6. Use active voice: Converting passive voice to active voice can help eliminate unnecessary words and phrases.
7. Use bullet points and lists: Breaking up large blocks of text into bullet points or lists can enhance clarity and readability.

Examples of Redundancy Elimination:

1. Original sentence: "The company has a very important, extremely important role in our community." Edited sentence: "The company plays a vital role in our community."
2. Original paragraph: "We had many, many meetings with our client to discuss the project. It was a very long process that took a lot of time. We were able to work together to achieve our goals." Edited paragraph: "We had multiple meetings with our client to discuss the project. We worked together to achieve our goals."

Best Practices for Reducing Redundancy:

1. Read aloud: Reading your content aloud can help you identify areas of redundancy.
2. Use a thesaurus: Replacing repetitive words and phrases with synonyms can help eliminate redundancy.
3. Use language tools: Utilize language tools, such as grammar and syntax checkers, to identify areas of redundancy.
4. Get feedback: Share your content with others and ask for feedback on clarity and concision.

BREVITY: THE SOUL OF COMMUNICATION | NEP

In editing, brevity is a crucial aspect that significantly impacts the effectiveness of communication. The phrase "brevity is the soul of wit" coined by William Shakespeare, aptly emphasizes the importance of concise and clear communication. In the context of editing, brevity refers to the ability to convey complex ideas, messages, or stories in a straightforward, simple, and concise manner.

Importance of Brevity in Editing:

1. Clarity: Brevity helps to eliminate unnecessary words, phrases, and sentences, making the content more concise and easier to understand.
2. Engagement: Concise writing captures the reader's attention, holding it throughout the piece, and increasing the chances of eliciting a desired response.
3. Efficiency: Brevity saves time, reducing the need for lengthy explanations, and enabling readers to quickly grasp the main points.
4. Focus: By cutting out extraneous information, editors can refocus the narrative, highlighting key elements, and strengthening the overall message.

Techniques for Achieving Brevity in Editing:

1. Cut unnecessary words: Identify and remove redundant, vague, or unnecessary words, phrases, and sentences.
2. Use active voice: Converting passive voice to active voice can make writing more concise and engaging.
3. Simplify sentence structure: Shorten sentences, using simple, clear structures to convey complex ideas.
4. Eliminate jargon: Replace technical terms or industry-specific language with accessible, straightforward alternatives.
5. Use bullet points and lists: Breaking up large blocks of text into bullet points or lists can enhance clarity and readability.

Benefits of Brevity in Editing:

1. Improved comprehension: Brevity facilitates understanding, as readers can quickly grasp the main points and key messages.
2. Enhanced credibility: Clear, concise writing conveys expertise, authority, and professionalism.
3. Increased engagement: Concise content encourages readers to engage with the material, fostering a deeper connection and potentially sparking action.
4. Better retention: Brevity helps readers retain information, as they are more likely to remember concise, well-structured content.

Challenges of Achieving Brevity in Editing:

1. Balancing detail and concision: Editors must strike a delicate balance between providing sufficient information and avoiding unnecessary elaboration.
2. Maintaining tone and style: Brevity should not compromise the tone, voice, or style of the content, which can be a challenge, particularly in creative writing or humor pieces.
3. Avoiding oversimplification: Editors must ensure that brevity does not result in oversimplification or loss of essential information.

INTERVIEWS: TYPES, PREPARATION & PROTOCOL

Types of Interviews

1. In-Depth Interviews: Detailed, open-ended interviews that explore a person's thoughts, feelings, and experiences.
2. Structured Interviews: Standardized interviews with pre-determined questions and a set format.
3. Semi-Structured Interviews: Flexible interviews that combine open-ended and structured questions.
4. Group Interviews: Interviews with multiple participants, often used for focus groups or panel discussions.
5. Telephone or Video Interviews: Remote interviews conducted via phone or video conferencing.

Preparing for Interviews

1. Research the Subject: Gather background information on the interviewee and their work.
2. Define the Objective: Clearly determine the purpose and scope of the interview.
3. Prepare a Questionnaire: Develop a list of open-ended and structured questions.
4. Schedule and Confirm: Arrange a convenient time and date for the interview and confirm the details.
5. Equipment and Materials: Ensure necessary equipment, such as recorders or notebooks, are available.

Preparing a Questionnaire

1. Open-Ended Questions: Encourage in-depth responses with open-ended questions.
2. Structured Questions: Use specific, factual questions to gather information.
3. Avoid Leading Questions: Phrase questions to avoid influencing the response.
4. Prioritize Questions: Organize questions in a logical order, with most important questions first.
5. Pilot Test: Test the questionnaire with a small group to refine and improve it.

Protocol and Ethical Issues

1. Informed Consent: Obtain explicit consent from the interviewee before conducting the interview.
2. Confidentiality: Ensure the interviewee's privacy and confidentiality are respected.
3. Avoid Bias: Remain impartial and avoid leading questions or biased language.
 
4. Respect Boundaries: Be mindful of the interviewee's time, comfort, and emotional well-being.
5. Transparency: Clearly explain the purpose, scope, and potential outcomes of the interview.

Writing the Interview Copy

1. Transcribe the Interview: Accurately transcribe the interview, using a recording or notes.
2. Edit and Clarify: Edit the transcript for clarity, grammar, and punctuation.
3. Use Quotations: Incorporate direct quotations from the interviewee to add depth and authenticity.
4. Provide Context: Add contextual information to help readers understand the interviewee's perspective.
5. Fact-Check: Verify facts and information mentioned during the interview to ensure accuracy.

Additional Tips

1. Be Prepared to Adapt: Be flexible and adjust the interview approach as needed.
2. Use Active Listening: Engage with the interviewee and use active listening skills to encourage open and honest responses.
3. Take Notes: Take detailed notes during the interview to supplement the recording or transcript.
4. Send a Thank-You Note: Express gratitude to the interviewee for their time and participation.